News
Catholic schools win two state football championships
Archbishop Wood captured the PIAA Class AAA football title over the weekend, while St. Joseph's Prep won the class AAAA championship. Both schools defeated other Catholic high schools in the state finals, and in similar fashion with come-from-behind wins.
Warrington church performs live Nativity
Students from the St. Robert Bellarmine parish youth group, PREP and St. Joseph/St. Robert School, Warrington, performed the live Nativity play, “O Come, Let Us Adore Him,” Dec. 12.
Pope Francis: I’m no Marxist, but no offense taken
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In another wide-ranging interview with an Italian journalist, Pope Francis denied he was a Marxist, dismissed the notion of women cardinals and reflected on Christmas as an occasion of joy, tenderness and hope.
Northeast Philadelphia pastor who had resigned now suspended
Father John P. Paul, the former pastor of Our Lady of Calvary Parish in Northeast Philadelphia, has been placed on administrative leave by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. The move comes in response to allegations that Father Paul, 67, sexually abused minors over 30 years ago.
Art of rare bibles, prayer books on display at La Salle U
One of the Philadelphia region’s greatest collections of historic biblical and religious material dating from the birth of printing and even earlier is housed in the Connelly Library at La Salle University.
U.S. senator, co-sponsors introduce Marriage and Religious Freedom Act
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and 11 co-sponsors introduced a measure in the U.S. Senate Dec. 12 that would protect religious organizations from discrimination by the federal government for supporting traditional marriage.
Ordaining 31 Legionaries, cardinal says they are part of order’s reform
ROME (CNS) -- Ordaining 31 new priests for the Legionaries of Christ, Cardinal Velasio De Paolis told them they were not responsible for the scandals that threatened to destroy their order, but they have been part of the effort to renew and reform the order.
Christians can’t be gloomy because Jesus always brings joy, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Sadness is a sign of being far from Christ because Jesus offers everyone the strength to persevere with hope and joy, Pope Francis said.
Chaldean patriarch says extremism threatens Christians and Muslims
ROME (CNS) -- "Extremist political Islam is growing in the Middle East," prompting Christians to flee and causing death and upheaval among Christians and moderate Muslims alike, said the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church.
Archbishop finds two of seven priests suitable to return to ministry
Final decisions by Archbishop Charles Chaput on the status of seven priests swept up in the wave of suspensions following the 2011 Philadelphia Grand Jury Report on sexual abuse of minors were announced Sunday, Dec. 15 in a statement by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.