News
This ‘bike gang’ aims to serve community, spread Catholic faith, values
TULSA, Okla. (CNS) -- Members of the Knights on Bikes adamantly make it clear that they are not a "bike gang." While they proudly wear a vest with a patch, they claim no territory like a traditional motorcycle club. Instead, as an extension of the larger ministry of the Knights of Columbus, the group is a family friendly organization that seeks to serve the Catholic Church and the community through a common interest in riding motorcycles.
Vatican bank launches website to boost transparency, media relations
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In an effort to shake its image as a secretive, scandal-ridden institute and improve its relationship with the media, the Vatican bank has launched its own website.
Liturgical reform movement started centuries ago, says scholar
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- For those who think the movement to reform Catholic liturgical practices started sometime early in the 20th century, Jesuit Father John Baldovin suggested looking back earlier in time. A lot earlier. Like, say, 1786.
Local World Youth Day events offer solidarity with pilgrims in Rio
CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. (CNS) -- Hundreds of teens came together at a Catholic high school in Chicago Heights to pray, to learn about their faith and to be in solidarity with young people from around the world who came together at the same time with Pope Francis at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.
Pope appoints Brooklyn auxiliary bishop to head Diocese of Bridgeport
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Francis has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Brooklyn, N.Y., as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn. The appointment was announced July 31 in Washington by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
Ireland’s pro-lifers vow to repeal new abortion law
DUBLIN (CNS) -- Irish pro-life campaigners vowed to work to repeal a new law that permits abortion in limited circumstances. President Michael D. Higgins signed the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill July 30 after tense parliamentary debates during which several legislators resigned.
Syria’s war creates havoc, priest’s whereabouts unknown, nuncio says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The war in Syria is like a factory churning out nothing but death, destruction and suffering, said Archbishop Mario Zenari, Vatican nuncio to Syria. Even though the Vatican was unable to confirm July 30 news reports that a Jesuit priest had been kidnapped in Syria, the nuncio said hundreds of innocent people there find themselves abducted for political leverage or economic extortion.
Returning to Rome, pope discusses plans for future trips
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- At the end of his first foreign trip, Pope Francis told reporters that it's good for a pope to travel and there are plans in the works for visits in Italy, to Jerusalem, to Asia, but nothing planned soon for his Argentine homeland. "I think papal trips are always good," he said July 28 during the flight back to Rome after a week in Brazil.
Catholic mission school uses $500K grant for innovative program
The mid-July announcement that Germantown’s DePaul Catholic School was awarded a $500,000 grant by the Philadelphia School Partnership to adopt an innovative instructional program was big news. Well it should be. The instructional model put together by New York-based Seton Educational Partners, called Phaedrus, divides the students’ school day into 25- to 30-minute sessions between computer time and traditional oral instruction.
Maryland teachers head to Alaska to build partnerships, expand outreach
UPDATED - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- On Aug. 5, Carol Mackie Morris and Margaret Mackie plan to leave behind the comforts of home in Maryland to embark on a three-week journey to Alaska. During their trip, the sisters hope to develop partnerships, expand outreach and compare the spiritual beliefs of the native Alaskans to those of the Catholic faith.