News
Euro court says Britain failed to protect stewardess’ right to wear cross
MANCHESTER, England (CNS) — The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the British government violated the rights of an airline flight attendant by failing to protect her right to conscience and religion. It found that Nadia Eweida, 60, a Coptic Christian, suffered discrimination when she was told by British Airways, her employer, to […]
‘Youth-friendly’ novena part of ‘Nine Days’ event to mark Roe decision
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. Catholic bishops have launched “Nine Days of Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage” to take place Jan. 19-27 as part of events marking the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion virtually on demand in the U.S. Jan. 22 is the actual anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 […]
‘Listen to the streets’ on marriage, says French bishops’ spokesman
PARIS (CNS) -- A French bishops' spokesman urged politicians to "listen to the streets" after hundreds of thousands of people rallied against same-sex marriage. "We're facing questions about society -- what the family is, what marriage is, and whether there's a difference between men and women," Msgr. Bernard Podvin, spokesman for the French bishops' conference, told France's Metro daily.
Allowing driver’s licenses for undocumented benefits all, say advocates
CHICAGO (CNS) -- Undocumented immigrants who can prove they have lived in Illinois for at least a year will soon be eligible for temporary driver's licenses, under a bill passed Jan. 8 by the Illinois state House of Representatives.
Clergy assignments announced
Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M.Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the following appointments effective as noted: PAROCHIAL ADMINISTRATOR Reverend John C. Nguyen, to Parochial Administrator, pro tem, St. Stanislaus Parish, Lansdale, while continuing as School Minister, Archbishop Wood High School, effective Jan. 15 PAROCHIAL VICARS Reverend John C. Crowley, from Parochial Vicar, Our Lady […]
Catholic doctors oppose call for over-the-counter contraceptive pills
QUINCY, Mass. (CNS) — Some Catholic physicians, including those who do not prescribe contraceptives, are questioning the safety of allowing oral contraceptives to be sold over the counter, as the nation’s largest body of obstetricians and gynecologists recommended in December. Dr. Kathleen Raviele, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Atlanta and former president of the Catholic Medical Association, […]
Franciscan friars pray for intentions via texting
NEW YORK (CNS) — Often, prayer intentions are offered with hands folded, but a new service allows hands and fingers to move freely — provided a cellphone is handy. The New York-based Holy Name Province of the Franciscans has started a service it calls “Text a Prayer Intention to a Franciscan Friar.” Here’s how it […]
People around world pledge to say rosary daily during Year of Faith
EASTON, Mass. (CNS) -- The Family Rosary division of Holy Cross Family Ministries in Easton has gathered more than 80,000 pledges from people around the globe who said they would pray the rosary daily during the 2012-13 Year of Faith. The pledges, which came in response to a program offering free rosaries, were gathered in a book and presented recently to Pope Benedict XVI by Holy Cross Father John Phalen, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries.
Donald Parsons, supporter of Catholic education, dies at 87
Donald F. Parsons of West Chester, founder of Communications Test Design, died Jan. 7 at age 87. Parsons was born in Halethorpe, Md., on Jan. 31, 1925 and grew up in West Philadelphia. He served in the Navy during World War II and then worked for 28 years with the AT&T Western Electric Co. He […]
St. Veronica Parish to welcome St. Hugh parishioners in merger
As the latest step in the ongoing archdiocesan strategic planning, Lower Northeast Philadelphia’s St. Hugh of Cluny Parish will close and merge with St. Veronica to form a new parish, keeping the St. Veronica name. The announcement was made at all Masses at the parishes Jan. 12-13. The merger is effective Jan. 27. St. Hugh […]