News
Father Greeley, sociologist and best-selling author, dies at 85
CHICAGO (CNS) -- Father Andrew Greeley, a Chicago archdiocesan priest and well-known novelist, journalist and sociologist, died late May 29 at his home in Chicago's John Hancock Center. He was 85 years old.
Vatican bank head says reputation needs more work than operations do
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In the popular imagination, the Vatican bank is so shady that even the German businessman appointed its president in February thought his task would be “cleaning out and dealing with improper deposits.” But Ernst von Freyberg, president of the Institute for the Works of Religion, the formal title of the […]
Graduate School of Theology confers degrees on laity, religious
More than 30 lay people and religious sisters received degrees or certificates at graduation ceremonies May 25 of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Graduate School of Theology and Program of Catholic Studies.
On the hills of the West Bank, building the good life for Palestinians
RAWABI, West Bank (CNS) — About 20 minutes from the Palestinian economic hub of Ramallah, the new city of Rawabi is sprouting on a rocky hillside. Visitors sense pride as young professionals work on the first Palestinian city built with a master plan and the first new Palestinian city to rise up among the scattered […]
U.S. bishops’ second annual Fortnight for Freedom to be June 21-July 4
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. bishops' second annual Fortnight for Freedom -- a period of prayer and fasting to raise awareness of challenges to religious liberty, both nationally and internationally -- is planned for June 21 to July 4. The website www.Fortnight4Freedom.org has details of fortnight events and suggested activities for parishes and families, as well as fact sheets, educational resources and suggested prayers for the observance.
Belgian bishops welcome court condemnation of 2010 cathedral raid
OXFORD, England (CNS) -- The Belgian Catholic bishops' conference has welcomed judicial condemnation of a 2010 police raid on the cathedral and residence of Cardinal Godfried Danneels of Mechelen-Brussels. On May 28, Belgium's Court of Cassation condemned the June 24, 2010, raid, during which documents were seized and the tombs of two cardinals were pried open. The raid occurred during a bishops' plenary meeting, and the bishops were held all day as police confiscated cell phones, documents and computers.
Cardinal Wuerl, co-author examine why Catholics call churches home
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In their book "The Mass: The Glory, the Mystery, the Tradition," co-authors Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington and Mike Aquilina wrote about the Mass, the place "where heaven meets earth" as Catholics receive Christ in the Eucharist and then are called to go forth and bring Christ to the world.
Jenkintown parishioner earns top honors at Boston College graduation
Jenkintown resident Claire Kelly Geruson graduated with cum laude distinction from Boston College on May 20 and received the Rev. Edward H. Finnegan, S.J., Award, given to the student who best exemplifies the spirit of the college's motto, "Ever to Excel," and presented to Geruson from among some 2,200 students of her graduating class. She is a 2009 graduate of Mount St. Joseph Academy in Flourtown and Ancillae Assumpta Academy in Wyncote.
Graduation ceremonies planned for 17 archdiocesan high schools
The schedule for baccalaureate Masses and commencement exercises for the graduating seniors of the 17 high schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in coming days is as follows:
Pact allows Bishop Shanahan students to study engineering through Widener U
Students of Bishop Shanahan High School, Downingtown, who aspire to be engineers can get a jump start on their college education thanks to an agreement signed May 29 with Widener University. Starting this fall qualified junior and senior Bishop Shanahan students can start taking Widener School of Engineering courses at a rate of only $500 per two-credit course – discounted significantly from the normal $2,440 cost -- and can earn up to four credits toward their engineering degree before graduating from high school.