News
Environment advocates consider Obama climate plan a good step forward
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Catholics working for environmental justice welcomed President Barack Obama's plan to address climate change, saying it is an ambitious proposal that deserves watching to ensure that it is carried out. The primary concern identified by the faith-based environment advocates revolves around how the plan will affect low-income communities around the world and workers who may be displaced because of the shift toward renewable energy sources.
Roe raised more questions about abortion than it resolved, says speaker
NOTRE DAME, Ind. (CNS) — In 1973, many people thought the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision would resolve the abortion debate, but “in fact, it was no resolution at all,” said the associate director of the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities. “Abortion itself remains perhaps the most unresolved of all modern public […]
Pope creates commission to study activities, mission of Vatican bank
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has created a five-person commission to review the activities and mission of the Vatican bank. The new pontifical commission, which includes two U.S. members, reflects the pope’s desire to ensure the bank’s activities are in harmony with the mission of the universal church and the Apostolic See, said a […]
‘All of us’ are equally important in the church, pope says at audience
Read the full text of the Pope’s speech VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The stability of the church requires that it be built on Jesus, but its beauty and strength also rely on the contributions of each and every Christian, Pope Francis said. “If someone tells you, ‘Go home, you’re not needed,’ that’s not true,” the […]
Parishioners, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart celebrate 100 years of faith in Ottsville
The centennial celebration of service to St. John the Baptist Parish, Ottsville, by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart culminated with a 2.5 mile procession through the Bucks County town and nine days of special liturgies, including a closing Mass on June 23 celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Timothy C. Senior.
Philadelphia’s immigration lessons: How fear and hatred led to 19th century riots
During sectarian riots, two Catholic churches were burned to the ground, another was saved only by military intervention. Virtually every Catholic church in Philadelphia County was threatened. Scores of houses were destroyed and dozens of people were killed. It happened in Philadelphia 169 years ago, but it still has lessons for today. Kenneth W. Milano, a Kensington historian who recently wrote “The Philadelphia Nativist Riots: Irish Kensington Erupts” (History Press, $19.99), gave a lecture on the riots at St. Michael Church (which was rebuilt two years after the riots) on June 20.
Democracy needs moral values shown by publicly lived faith, archbishop says
BALTIMORE (CNS) -- Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore held up statesman Sargent Shriver and other Catholics like him as "a living example of how faith enriches public life" June 21 at a standing-room-only Mass opening the second Fortnight for Freedom.
Knights sponsor vigil for religious freedom on feast of English martyrs
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A religious liberty prayer vigil held the evening of June 22 on the east lawn of the U.S. Capitol drew about 100 supporters, and was preceded by a Mass celebrated at St. Joseph's Church on Capitol Hill. The Mass was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus as part of a Fortnight for Freedom initiative.
Syrian priest killed during rebel attack on Franciscan convent
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A 49-year-old Syrian priest and hermit was killed June 23, apparently when a group of rebels attacked the Franciscan Convent of St. Anthony in Ghassanieh, a village in the north near the Turkish border.
N.Y. Catholics hail defeat of abortion plank in women’s equality bill
ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS) -- The New York State Senate rejected the abortion-related plank of a 10-point women's equality bill, prompting the New York State Catholic Conference to call the action a "remarkable victory for unborn children."