News
Western church leaders warn against intervention in Syria
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As speculation mounted about Western air strikes on Syria, a committee of U.S. bishops called for a political solution, and Catholic leaders in Europe warned military intervention could lead to an escalation of hostilities.
Letter of Archbishop Chaput to Jewish community
Archbishop Charles Chaput wrote the following letter to Rabbi Elisa Goldberg of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia on the occasion of the coming High Holy Days for the Jewish community: Dear Rabbi Goldberg: In union with the Catholic clergy and people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, I want to express my prayerful […]
Many of Egypt’s Christians think U.S. has aligned with the wrong side
CAIRO (CNS) --Two weeks after the churches he used to pray in were ransacked and burned to the ground in the Egyptian port city of Suez, Istafanos Youssif sat "searching for God" in a Cairo convent. He said he hoped to get over the pain, and that he understood who was behind the church burnings. What he said he could not understand was the U.S. position toward his country, Egypt.
Catholic’s White House work led to role as consultant for ‘The Butler’
ALEXANDRIA, Va., (CNS) -- For four years, Steve Rochon worked alongside presidents, dignitaries and international heads of state in his position as director of the executive residence and chief usher at the White House. Rochon, a parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Alexandria, Va., led 95 full-time and 250 part-time staff members in running and preserving the White House under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama from 2007 to 2011.
Lasting bonds: Vatican invites extended families to join pilgrimage
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As part of the Year of Faith, the Vatican wants to celebrate bonds that last a lifetime. The international pilgrimage of families Oct. 26-27 is being planned as a celebration and not a protest against any policy or trend, said Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family.
At interfaith service, calls made to continue search for justice
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Recalling the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington urged people to join hands and walk together, and not alone, for justice during an interfaith prayer service marking the 50th anniversary of the civil rights leader's "I Have a Dream" speech.
Some strides, but also shortcomings, seen by 1963 marchers
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Cordelia Coleman was just 12 when she went 50 years ago to the first March on Washington with her mother, father, sister and brother. Fifty years later, Coleman was accompanied by her son Ronald to the second of two marches commemorating the original march in 1963. The Aug. 28 march capped a week of activities surrounding the march, cemented into history by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.
Pope tells youth to ‘make noise,’ fight hazards of culture
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Fight off a drug- and alcohol-pushing culture and other hazardous trends sweeping across today's world, Pope Francis told young people. "In life, there will always be people who will make you offers to slow or impede you on your way. Please, go against the current. Be courageous," he said.
The summer of immigration groundwork: working toward passing a new law
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Members of Congress may be out of town and immigration reform legislation may be stuck until at least this fall, but the summer recess has been time for Catholic activists to rally their forces and pressure elected representatives.
Romanian priest who died in communist prison to be beatified
WARSAW, Poland (CNS) -- A priest who died of cold and hunger in a communist prison will be beatified as a martyr Aug. 31 in Bucharest, Romania. The sanctity of Msgr. Vladimir Ghika has "given us an important new example of a life lived for church and faith," said Archbishop Ioan Robu of Bucharest, president of the Romanian bishops' conference.