News
Same-sex marriage bill fails in Illinois House
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The failure of members of the Illinois House to vote on a bill legalizing same-sex marriage before the legislative session ended shows that “marriage redefinition — even in the face of intense political pressure — is not inevitable,” said Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco. It “reflects a failure to have […]
Czech cardinal welcomes plan to pay billions to churches for property
WARSAW, Poland (CNS) — A Czech cardinal welcomed final court approval of government plans to pay billions of dollars to churches in compensation for their losses under communist rule. On June 3, the Constitutional Court cleared the way for the implementation of a 2012 law that says 56 percent of assets, valued at $3.8 billion, […]
Tornado victims receiving ‘overwhelming’ outpouring of prayer, support
OKLAHOMA CITY (CNS) -- As communities across central Oklahoma continued to recover from the "powerful and deadly tornadoes" rated EF5 of May 19 and 20, they have experienced an "overwhelming" outpouring of "prayer, love and support from across our great state and from around the nation," said Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul S. Coakley. On May 31, the western suburbs of Oklahoma City were hit by an EF3 tornado area. Thirteen people were killed, including two children.
Parishes asked to raise money for Oklahoma tornado victims
Archbishop Charles Chaput has requested all parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to take up a special collection during June to support relief efforts for people affected by the tornadoes that devastated Oklahoma last month. The collection is part of a national initiative led by New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, president of the United […]
Catholic charities appeal for help after flooding in Central Europe
BONN, Germany (CNS) -- Catholic charities in Central Europe have appealed for help after floods devastated areas of Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. "The overall scale of this disaster will only be known in the next few days," Wolfgang Duschl, spokesman for the German church's Passau Diocese, said June 4. "But our own diocesan offices are closed, and analysts expect the material damage to run into tens of millions of euros."
Pope Francis recognizes martyrdom of 95 victims of Spanish Civil War
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis recognized the martyrdom of 95 men and women religious and laymen who were killed during the Spanish Civil War. The pope’s approval of a series of martyrdom decrees June 3 opened the way for their beatification to be scheduled. A miracle is required before any blessed may be canonized. […]
Immigration laws must reflect nation’s values, not its fears, nun says
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS) -- Three days into its 6,500-mile journey from Ellis Island in New York to Angel Island in San Francisco, the "Nuns on the Bus" tour for immigration reform cruised into Charlotte May 31 -- fueled by a cheering crowd outside a church. The bus campaign is rallying support for immigration reform legislation currently being debated by the U.S. Senate. A total of 29 women religious planned to go along for at least part of the trek through 40 cities in 15 states.
Parish-to-parish procession celebrates the Eucharist in Bucks County
When St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, Yardley, and St. John the Evangelist Parish, Morrisville, held their second annual joint Corpus Christi Procession on June 2, they were following a time-honored tradition that one does not usually see in this part of the world. Locally it traces back a couple of years ago to when Lisa Kopernowski, a member of St. Ignatius Parish, saw a Corpus Christi procession from somewhere in Europe on the Internet, and she was intrigued. “What a great idea,” she thought, “why don’t we have Corpus Christi processions in America?”
Scouts’ policy change said to be ‘not in conflict’ with church teaching
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The head of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting said the Boy Scouts' vote in May to admit homosexual youth into their ranks is "not in conflict with Catholic teaching," something by which "we should be encouraged." Edward Martin, the committee's national chairman, said Scouting is "still the best youth-serving program available to all youth." He added, "We need to use this opportunity to show our commitment to making Catholic Scouting a safe environment for all youth in which the Catholic faith is taught, practiced and nurtured."
Papal honors bestowed on two local Catholics
Donna Farrell, the former communications director for the Philadelphia Archdiocese and Richard V. McCarron, former archdiocesan secretary of Catholic education, both received papal recognition at a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput June 2 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.