News
Church leaders assess damage after strong quake in central Philippines
BOHOL, Philippines (CNS) -- Bishop Leonardo Medroso of Tagbilaran said the church in central Philippines was still assessing damage after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake left dozens dead.
At least 13 dead as boat carrying pilgrims capsizes in Amazon
SAO PAULO (CNS) -- At least 13 people died and five were reported missing after a boat carrying devotees of Our Lady of Nazareth capsized in the Amazon River.
In Spain, more than 500 Civil War martyrs move closer to sainthood
TARRAGONA, Spain (CNS) -- A Vatican official moved more than 500 Spanish Civil War martyrs closer to sainthood during a special beatification Mass in Tarragona, the archdiocese that suffered most under "the Red Terror."
Malaysian court rules Catholic newspaper cannot use ‘Allah’
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (CNS) -- A Malaysian court said a Catholic newspaper may not use the word "Allah" to refer to God in its Malay-language edition. A judge in the three-member appeals court said use of "the word Allah is not an integral part of the faith in Christianity. ... The usage of the word will cause confusion in the community."
German bishops’ conference investigating multimillion building project
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The president of the German bishops' conference said he is following with "great attention and great concern" the case of a bishop accused of making false statements in court and under fire for allegedly spending close to $40 million in renovations and new construction on his residence and diocesan offices.
Outgoing Vatican secretary of state stresses continuity between popes
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who as Vatican secretary of state drew rising criticism for failures of the Vatican bureaucracy he oversaw, stepped down Oct. 15 with a speech praising the pontificate of retired Pope Benedict XVI and stressing its continuity with that of Pope Francis.
Persons with disabilities mark 50 years in retreat group at Malvern
It is fitting that this year as Malvern Retreat House, America’s largest retreat facility, celebrated its centennial, one of its most beloved retreat groups was having a significant anniversary too. The Our Lady of Confidence Group for persons with disabilities held its 50th anniversary retreat Tuesday, Oct. 8 through Thursday, Oct. 10. It was also […]
Roxborough students sing happy 100th birthday to parishioner
The first and third grade students of Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Philadelphia’s Roxborough section celebrated Nina Turzi’s 100th birthday Oct. 14 at the school. The children sang “Happy Birthday” to Turzi, a long-time parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. The tech-savvy centenarian, who enjoys using the computer, also enjoys traveling to casinos […]
Rwandan genocide survivor leads two-day retreat at West Chester parish
More than 400 people participated in a two-day retreat of "Healing and Hope" Oct. 11-12 at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, West Chester. The featured guest at the retreat was Immaculée Ilibagiza, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide, who spoke on how her Catholic faith guided her during the 1994 atrocity and allowed her to forgive those who killed her family.
Pope says maternity is ‘special,’ but warns against restricting women
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis said women's "vocation and mission" today remain essentially connected to their capacity for motherhood, but warned against unjustly restricting their participation in the church or civil society on that basis. "Woman has a particular sensitivity for the things of God, above all in helping us to understand the mercy, tenderness and love that God has for us," he said.