News
N.D. Catholic Conference challenges ruling on ‘right to abortion’
BISMARCK, N.D. (CNS) — The North Dakota Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s bishops, filed a friend-of-the-court brief Oct. 1 with the North Dakota Supreme Court, urging the court to reverse a district court ruling that found a right to an abortion in the state constitution. “The district court’s judgment, recognizing a […]
Pope, cardinal advisers looking at major overhaul of Roman Curia
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis and his international Council of Cardinals are laying out plans to completely overhaul the Roman Curia, underlining its role of "service to the universal church and the local churches," the Vatican spokesman said. As the pope and the eight cardinals he named to advise him were about to begin the final session of their Oct. 1-3 meeting, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the spokesman, said the role and responsibilities of the Vatican secretary of state, the revamping of the world Synod of Bishops, and the Vatican's attention to the role and responsibility of laity also were major themes of discussion.
In interviews, Pope Francis crafts a new genre of papal language
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When Pope Benedict XVI answered a journalist's 2010 question about condom use by offering a nuanced reflection on the ethical complexities of a hypothetical case, his words led to a worldwide media sensation, a clarification by the Vatican spokesman, and a statement from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that the pope had not changed church teaching on contraception. Three years later, Pope Francis is making news by giving three wide-ranging interviews in two months. This time, however, the Vatican is letting the pope's words speak for themselves.
Warrington school hosts Oktoberfest family party
The annual St. Joseph/St. Robert School Oktoberfest will be held Sunday, Oct. 6 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. The family excitement will include inflatables for all ages (jousting, basketball, air hockey) and a nine-hole chip & putt golf course. The festivities will also feature ethnic food and drink, live entertainment and a craft fair. […]
Runners, walkers in Saints Stomp to raise money for Bryn Mawr Catholic school
SS. Colman-John Neumann School, Bryn Mawr, is planning its second annual “Saints Stomp” 5K and one-mile fun run and walk Saturday, Oct. 19. More than 250 runners and walkers are expected to traverse the Coopertown neighborhood of Bryn Mawr. This year’s Stomp features a fun course for runners and walkers at all levels, gift baskets […]
Bishop Zubik underscores religious freedom in speech to state lawmakers, officials
Speaking on the Catholic Church’s role in the public square, Pittsburgh Bishop David A. Zubik told a group of state legislators and his fellow bishops of Pennsylvania that religious freedom has never been understood in such a restrictive fashion as it is today. “You and I face a highly organized and well-funded crusade to block the Church from the public square,” he said.
Stable, growing southern Chester County parish hits 25-year mark
It’s not often you come across a parish celebrating its 25th anniversary with the founding pastor still ministering to the flock. That would be Father Richard J. Maisano, who was appointed to the brand new parish, St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother in Avondale, Chester County, on Aug. 30, 1988. In actuality the worshiping community of St. Gabriel really goes back 120 years to a little mission chapel, St. Francis Xavier, in New Garden Township, served by St. Patrick Parish in Kennett Square.
Religious order urges action to stem chaos in Central African Republic
OXFORD, England (CNS) — A Catholic religious order has urged international action to stem “uncontrolled lawlessness” in the Central African Republic, after one of its Italian missionaries was threatened with death by rebel soldiers. “Let us pray that peace may return in this country torn apart by different factions,” the Sacred Heart of Jesus of […]
Duty to protect defenseless is not a license for war, archbishop says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — An international obligation to intervene in situations of war or widespread violations of human rights does not mean a country or group of countries can decide to take military action in another nation, said the Vatican’s foreign minister. “The responsibility to protect,” a concept espoused by the United Nations, is not […]
Interfaith hospital on Turkish border helps Syrians save themselves
KILIS, Turkey (CNS) — Ali Ahmad was walking with his young son one evening after dark. It was after they had fled Aleppo, Syria, and begun their lives as refugees in southern Turkey. It was a clear, starry night. “He looks up at the stars and he says, ‘Dada, are they coming to bomb us?’ […]