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Rights of religious minorities must be protected, Muslim leader says
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The world's Islamic leaders must hear stories about the persecution of religious minorities in majority Muslim countries so that such incidents are not overlooked as people "bury their own heads in the sand," said the president of the Islamic Society of North America.
Lebanon’s Maronite bishops: Intervention in Syria poses ‘grave dangers’
BEIRUT (CNS) — Lebanon’s Maronite Catholic bishops warned against military intervention in neighboring Syria. “The bishops denounce the use of chemical weapons in Syria, but they call for being aware of the risks of a potential military strike,” the bishops said in a statement following their monthly meeting Sept. 4. The bishops said foreign intervention […]
Pope’s Syria appeal has special urgency for Catholics in Mideast
JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Pope Francis' appeal to pray for peace in Syria has a particular urgency for Catholics in the region, who say their countries are most likely to suffer the brunt of any attacks on Damascus. In Bethlehem, West Bank, Father Marwan Di'ides said parishioners at St. Catherine Church would offer special prayers of peace during all eight Masses over the weekend of Sept. 7.
Archbishop Chaput to open Cathedral Saturday night for Syria prayers
Responding to Pope Francis’ call for Catholics around the world to fast and pray for peace in Syria and the Middle East, Archbishop Charles Chaput invites Catholics and everyone in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to participate this Saturday, Sept. 7, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday night for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Communal prayers for peace will be offered every hour.
Romanians flock to beatification of ‘major apostolic vagabond’
BUCHAREST, Romania (CNS) -- A pavilion designed for trade fairs became Eastern Europe's biggest church when more than 10,000 people participated in the beatification of Msgr. Vladimir Ghika, tortured to death at age 80 in 1954. As believers from across the country flowed into the massive, round hall, volunteers greeted each with a scarf to wear, printed with the martyr's serene face and signature white beard.
Diocese of Gallup, N.M., poised to file for bankruptcy protection
GALLUP, N.M. (CNS) -- When Bishop James Wall was installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Gallup in 2009, he knew there were festering issues regarding allegations of clergy sex abuse, but not to the extent that has brought the sprawling southwestern diocese to the doors of U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
USCCB leaders join pope’s call for day of fasting, prayer for peace
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Two leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged U.S. Catholics to take up Pope Francis’ call to fast and pray for peace in Syria, the Middle East and the world Sept. 7. Expressing anguish over the suffering of the Syrian people and echoing the pope’s exhortation for negotiation and dialogue […]
Pope Francis to lead prayer vigil for peace in Syria
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- On the evening of Sept. 7, days before U.S. lawmakers vote on President Barack Obama's proposal for a military attack on Syria, Pope Francis will lead thousands in St. Peter's Square in a prayer vigil for peace.
Reverting to tradition, pope names veteran diplomat as Vatican’s No. 2
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although Pope Francis has not hesitated to break with convention during his brief pontificate, in appointing a seasoned member of the diplomatic corps as the top Vatican official, he resumed a long-standing tradition. The pope appointed Archbishop Pietro Parolin, 58, a longtime official in the Vatican secretariat of state and nuncio to Venezuela since 2009, to be his secretary of state.
N.Y. Catholic hip-hop artist ‘unafraid’ of sending a message of faith
ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS) -- A 20-year-old Schenectady, N.Y., Catholic is making a name for himself in the hip-hop and contemporary Christian music worlds. But he doesn't care about his Facebook followers or fan mail. In fact, being idolized is "the worst feeling," said Cory Larmour, whose stage name is Cory Matthews. But the attention "lets me know there are more people out there hearing God," he said. "I don't care if it's through me. It's all about love."