News
Pope Francis calls for less ‘Vatican-centric,’ more socially conscious church
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In his latest wide-ranging interview, Pope Francis told an Italian journalist that he briefly considered turning down the papacy in the moments following his election last March, and identified the "most urgent problem" the church should address today as youth unemployment and the abandonment of elderly people. Their conversation touched on a range of topics, including economic justice, dialogue between Christians and nonbelievers, and reform of the Vatican bureaucracy.
Humility, service attract people to church, not power, pride, pope says
The strength of the Gospel "is precisely in humility, the humility of a child who lets himself be guided by the love and tenderness of his father," Pope Francis said Oct. 1 during morning Mass in his residence. He concelebrated the Mass with the eight cardinals he chose in April to advise him on reforming the governance of the Roman Curia.
Furthering transparency efforts, Vatican bank publishes annual report
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As part of its continuing efforts to promote transparency and to demonstrate its stability and adherence to industry standards, the Vatican bank published its annual report for the first time in its history. The Institute for the Works of Religion, as the bank is formally known, released its independently audited report […]
Catholic, other religious leaders decry U.S. government shutdown
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Anticipating the worst, religious leaders gathered the day before the federal government shut down to denounce what they called "political brinkmanship." The government shut down its nonessential operations Oct. 1, the start of a new federal fiscal year, furloughing hundreds of thousands of workers. At issue is a dispute between the Republican-controlled house and the Democratic-run Senate.
Governor to appeal ruling that New Jersey must allow same-sex marriage
TRENTON, N.J. (CNS) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie planned to appeal a state judge’s Sept. 27 ruling that same-sex couples “must be allowed to marry” to receive “equal protection of the law” under the state constitution. Superior Court Judge Mary C. Jacobson said her ruling would take effect Oct. 21. New Jersey currently recognizes […]
Weekend Catholic football roundup: Judge’s unscored-upon streak ends; league powers emerge
Lansdale Catholic, Archbishop Wood, St. Joseph's Prep and West Catholic all notched impressive wins last weekend, five games into the Catholic League season. Meanwhile, Father Judge had not allowed a touchdown in three and a half games until Bonner Prendergast spoiled the streak on a fumble recovery and touchdown. Still, the Crusader defense hasn't yielded a point this season.
Lay men become candidates for ordination as permanent deacons
Twenty-one men are beginning their journey to become permanent deacons in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald celebrated Mass including the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders on Saturday, Sept. 28 in St. Martin’s Chapel at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood. The men now begin a five-year period of academic and spiritual formation before […]
In Mexico, Catholics turn parishes into aid stations after hurricanes
MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Caritas chapters across Mexico have collected everything from canned goods to clothing for the victims of Hurricanes Ingrid and Manuel, which battered both coasts, cost more than 100 lives and left thousands homeless, incommunicado and possibly even buried beneath mudslides. In the hard-hit state of Guerrero, to the south of Mexico […]
Priest hails U.S. report on conditions for Haitians in Dominican fields
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (CNS) — A Catholic priest who long fought for the rights of Haitians working in Dominican sugar fields said he applauds a new report on the situation by the U.S. Department of Labor. The Labor Department has rebuked the Dominican Republic and the country’s sugar industry for violating labor laws and […]
Pope to canonize Blessed John XXIII, John Paul II April 27
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Recognizing that Blessed John XXIII and John Paul II have widespread reputations for holiness and that years of studying their lives and actions have proven their exceptional virtue, Pope Francis announced he would declare his two predecessors saints at a single ceremony April 27.