News
Missionary team plants Catholicism in Mongolia, but challenges remain
PERTH, Australia (CNS) -- When Bishop Wenceslao Padilla arrived in Mongolia with two other missionary priests in 1992, there were no Catholics in the Central Asian country. His mission was much like that of the early apostles: to take Catholicism to a land that had not yet encountered it.
Theory of one hominid species is compatible with faith, experts say
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A group of scientists has proposed that human beings emerged from one single evolving human species rather than branching from a tree of multiple, early ancestral species. The new hypothesis, while still disputed, fits even better with the Catholic Church's position that humans came from one source, in that they were freely created by God, said two experts in science and faith.
Prospective high school site in Hilltown sold for $2.6 million
As part of a continuing strategy to plug its financial holes, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has sold a large property previously set aside for construction of a new Catholic high school. A 68-acre tract in Hilltown, Bucks County, is under agreement of sale for $2.6 million, archdiocesan spokesman Ken Gavin confirmed Oct. 24. Proceeds of the sale will go toward easing an $82 million shortfall in the archdiocesan Trust and Loan Fund.
Charges of sexual assault against priest dropped after death of accuser
Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams announced Wednesday, Oct. 23 that he has dropped charges of charges of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault against Father Robert L. Brennan. The charges stemmed from an allegation of sexual abuse by 26-year-old Sean McIlmail, who was found dead from a drug overdose.
Catholic college mourns death of alumna slain at her school
WORCESTER, Mass. (CNS) -- Assumption College planned to hold a noon prayer service Oct. 25 in the school's Chapel of the Holy Spirit to remember Colleen Ritzer, a 2011 graduate found dead early in the morning Oct. 23.
New U.S. envoy to Vatican: Areas of agreement bigger than differences
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Disagreements need not hinder the Vatican and the Obama administration from collaborating on a broad range of peace and justice issues, including the promotion of religious freedom, said Ken Hackett, the new U.S ambassador to the Holy See.
Defense of family must not justify women’s oppression, speakers say
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Catholic Church must defend the traditional family without perpetuating the subjugation of women or forcing them to bear the greatest burden for keeping the family going, said speakers at a Vatican conference. Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, said a renewed approach to the pastoral care of the family must involve the participation of married men and women.
Marriage isn’t easy, but it’s beautiful, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Catholic Church must help young people understand that marriage isn't always easy, "but it is so beautiful," Pope Francis said.
Chestnut Hill parish school seeing jump in enrollment, success in fundraising
Our Mother Consolation School in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia has been awarded a five-year scholarship grant totaling $100,000 from the Maguire Foundation. The gift from the foundation is part of the school’s $1 million fundraising campaign, which has raised $739,000, with 20 percent of the campaign fund pledged for tuition assistance.
Maguire Foundation supporting students from middle school through college
The foundation of insurance executive James Maguire and wife Frances is making grants totaling approximately $6.4 million annually to ensure children of modest means can obtain a quality education and hopefully be on the road to success themselves.