News
Shelters along Mexican border strained by migrants returning from U.S.
SALTILLO, Mexico (CNS) -- Gerardo Bueso, 26, has been deported from the United States twice. He is trying a third time to reach the United States, where he previously worked as a gardener. "The (Honduran) economy is very poor so we (migrate) to get ahead," said Bueso, who was born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, an industrial city now considered the murder capital of the world. He is among the more than a million immigrants deported from the United States over the past five years.
Pope Francis plans to complete encyclical on faith, spokesman says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Continuing a papal tradition of finishing a predecessor's work in progress, Pope Francis intends to complete an encyclical -- on the virtue of faith -- begun during the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Francis was also said to be planning an encyclical on poverty, "understood not in an ideological and political sense, but in an evangelical sense." It will be called "Beati pauperes" -- "Blessed Are the Poor," said Bishop Luigi Martella of Molfetta, Italy.
Vatican organizing worldwide, simultaneous eucharistic adoration June 2
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Vatican officials are making strategic phone calls to some of the world's most far-flung dioceses, trying to verify that in each of the world's inhabited time zones there will be an organized hour of eucharistic adoration coinciding with 5-6 p.m. Rome time Sunday, June 2. The Vatican is trying to organize a global hour of prayer around the Eucharist "for the first time in the history of the church," said Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, the office organizing events for the Year of Faith.
Tanzanian bishop warns of rising threat from militant Islamists
OXFORD, England (CNS) -- The head of the Tanzanian bishops' conference warned of a growing threat from militant Islamists and urged police and government to act more forcefully against violence and intimidation. "Ordinary Muslims have nothing against the Christian religion and Catholic faith -- the only ones who do are fundamentalists, pressed and influenced from outside," said Bishop Tarcisius Ngalalekumtwa of Iringa, Tanzania.
All Saints, St. John Cantius parishes to merge in Philadelphia
Two parishes in the Bridesburg section of Northeast Philadelphia will merge beginning July 1, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Sunday, May 26. All Saints Parish and St. John Cantius Parish will merge to become a new parish at the site of St. John Cantius, with All Saints Church remaining “a worship site for the time being,” according to a statement by the archdiocese.
Priest suspended on 40-year-old allegation of sexual abuse
Father James J. Collins, 74, has been suspended from ministry following an allegation that he sexually abused a minor over 40 years ago. No other such allegation has been received against him. Archbishop Charles Chaput placed the priest on administrative leave Sunday, May 26, the Archdiocese announced in a statement. The decision is not connected to the cases of priests placed on administrative leave following the February 2011 Philadelphia grand jury report on sexual abuse of minors by clergy.
Pope prays for Chinese Catholics, talks about loving one’s enemies
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In the face of difficulty, it’s natural to hope just to get by, but being Christian means patiently enduring trials and overcoming oppression with love, Pope Francis said at a Mass that included special prayers for China. During the Mass May 24, Pope Francis concluded the prayers of the faithful with […]
Rosary gave courage to soldier who recalls one of WWII’s last European battles
As a nation we’ve fought many wars, some necessary, others questionable. Very few people would deny that World War II, which was the deadliest war in human history, was truly necessary. Decency and civilization itself were in the balance. Most of the men and women who served and survived are now dead and gone, but their stories need to be remembered on Memorial Day -- stories like those of Norbert McGettigan, still going strong at 88.
Prendergast upsets St. Hubert’s for first league softball title in 31 years
On a hot afternoon May 22 on an immaculately landscaped field at Arcadia University, Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast High School -- aka Prendergast when talking only girls’ sports -- produced a memorable performance in the Catholic League softball championship. Led by senior pitcher Brooke Lachette’s steady pitching and a barrage of 10-hit, four-walk offense, Prendergast stunned defending champion St. Hubert’s, 6-3, for the school’s first softball title since 1982.
Archbishop calls for day of prayer and penance in response to Gosnell convition
Archbishop Charles Chaput encourages the clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to observe Friday, May 24, 2013 as a day of prayer and penance, in response to the trial and conviction of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell. Archbishop Chaput is asking that the faithful participate in this day, with others or alone, by: attending […]