News
Guatemalan court annuls conviction of former dictator
GUATEMALA CITY (CNS) -- Guatemala's highest court annulled the conviction of a former dictator found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. The constitutional court threw out the May 10 ruling against Gen. Efrain Rios Montt, 86, who had been sentenced to 80 years in prison for crimes carried out in 1982, when he allegedly initiated a policy of extermination of Mayans for their ties to Marxist guerrillas. The ruling was seen as historic in a country known for its impunity.
At Pentecost vigil, pope shares personal stories of his faith
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With humor and passion, Pope Francis shared highlights of his personal faith journey and explained some key points of his teaching to an enthusiastic crowd of representatives from Catholic lay movements. Celebrating a vigil on the eve of Pentecost with an estimated 200,000 people singing, chanting and waving their groups’ banners, […]
Vatican denies pope performed public exorcism
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When Pope Francis solemnly laid both hands on the head of a young man in a wheelchair and prayed intently over him for several minutes, he was not performing an exorcism, said the Vatican spokesman. The young man, who was among dozens of people in wheelchairs greeted by the pope at […]
Struggle for power in church is sin, pope says at Mass
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Careerism and a drive to seek power in the church are sins as old as the church itself, Pope Francis told a group of employees from Vatican Radio and from the Vatican’s office for pilgrims and tourists. Commenting on the day’s Gospel passage — Mark 9:30-37 — the pope said that […]
Chaldean patriarch warns surge in Iraqi violence will divide country
BEIRUT (CNS) — The patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Baghdad denounced a recent series of car bombings and shootings in Iraqi cities that left at least 54 people dead and dozens more injured. Patriarch Louis Sako, told Catholic News Service in an email May 20 that the current violence is between minority Sunni […]
Cardinal urges young adults to deepen their Catholic faith, share it
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Since participating in the March conclave that elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington has spoken about the experience to reporters and during Masses at local parishes. But his recent Theology on Tap talk to a standing-room crowd of between 300 and 400 Catholic young adults marked the first talk […]
Police evacuate Notre Dame Cathedral after man commits suicide
PARIS (CNS) — Visitors were evacuated from Notre Dame Cathedral after a man committed suicide in the 850-year-old church, police said. News agencies reported that the man in his 70s walked up to the main altar and shot himself the afternoon of May 21 as tourists and worshippers were in the church. Cathedral officials issued […]
Catholic organizations rally aid for victims of deadly tornadoes
UPDATED --OKLAHOMA CITY (CNS) -- Even after the initial death toll was cut by more than half, the human and material devastation of a string of tornadoes that buffeted areas of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City May 19-20 was incalculable. "Our first concern is for the victims who have lost their lives or loved ones and suffered injury or loss of property," said a May 21 statement by Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City. The revised number of those confirmed dead stood at 24, including at least seven children, as of midday May 21, down from the original estimate of 51.
Sister Maria Benedicta Blaine, I.H.M., nurse for over 60 years, dies at 89
Sister Maria Benedicta, formerly Anna Mary (Nancy) Blaine, died on May 15, 2013 in Camilla Hall, Immaculata, Pa., in the 67th year of her religious life. She was 89 years old. Born in Chester, Pa., Sister Maria Benedicta entered the congregation in 1946 from Immaculate Heart Parish, Chester, and professed her first vows in 1948. She entered […]
Temple-West’s legacy of feeding the hungry honored in new scholarship
Patrick Temple-West, the late founding director of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Nutritional Development Services, was recognized May 15 by the establishment of a permanent scholarship in his name by St. Joseph’s University’s Academy of Food Marketing.