News
Chaplain deserves ‘three or four’ Medals of Honor, say Korean War veterans
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor April 11 to famed Korean War chaplain Father Emil Kapaun, presenting it to the priest's nephew, Ray Kapaun, nearly 22,604 days after his uncle's death in a prisoner of war camp. "By his very presence, somehow, he could turn a stinking, louse-ridden mud hut, for a little while, into a cathedral," wrote Mike Dowe, a fellow soldier of Father Kapaun. Yet, he added, there was nothing "ethereal about him, nothing soft or unctuous or holier-than-thou."
Curbing gun violence ‘builds a culture of life,’ bishop tells senators
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Days before the Senate began debate over gun-control legislation, Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., urged senators to support a bill that "builds a culture of life by promoting policies that reduce gun violence and saves people's lives in homes and communities." On April 10, the day before debate began, Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Patrick Toomey and West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin announced a compromise deal on the background-checks provision of the bill that they believe will win bipartisan support.
Study shows challenge of Church holding or selling vacant Catholic schools
All over America Catholic school systems are imploding, especially because of rising costs but also in many cases the rise of free charter schools. The number of Catholic schools in the United States peaked at 13,292 in 1965-66. That number is now down 47 percent to 7,094. What happened or is happening to the buildings?
Immigration rally cries out to Congress to fix range of problems
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- From across the country, by bus, plane and train, tens of thousands of people calling for comprehensive immigration reform covered the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol April 10, in one of more than a dozen similar events taking place around the United States.
Christians can’t lead ‘double life,’ pope says in homily
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A "double life" that honors both worldly values and the teachings of Jesus is not an option for Christians, even when obedience to God leads to persecution, Pope Francis said in a morning homily April 11. The pope spoke at Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican guesthouse where he has been living since his election in March.
Colorado tuition bill means ‘bright future’ for immigrant students, says lawmaker
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CNS) -- Saying it will improve the lives of future generations, Catholics lauded state lawmakers' approval of a measure to allow undocumented immigrant students to pay in-state tuition at Colorado's public colleges and universities if they meet several criteria. Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow, or ASSET, was passed with Republican backing for the first time. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper was expected to sign it into law soon.
Pope thanks Bala Cynwyd-based foundation for fight against poverty, work for peace
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a written greeting to 120 members of the U.S.-based Papal Foundation and their families, Pope Francis said he was "deeply grateful" for their work against poverty and on behalf of peace. Instead of reading his speech, Pope Francis personally greeted each of the participants, which was "a great experience," said William Canny, chief operating officer of the foundation that is based in Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County.
Vatican office looks at challenges facing couples from different faiths
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Catholics need to know that marrying someone from a different Christian community or, even more so, from a different religion will create extra challenges in their marriage, but church leaders also must learn how to help people in mixed marriages meet those challenges, a Vatican official said. “We can express a […]
HHS lawsuits aim to ‘secure religious freedom,’ bishop says
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, said he has "deep gratitude" and "solidarity and appreciation" for those who have challenged the contraceptive mandate of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that forces employers to pay for contraceptive services.
St. Aloysius School, Philadelphia, holding all-class reunion May 10
Former parishioners of St. Aloysius School, 26th St. and Tasker Ave. in Philadelphia, are invited to an all-class reunion May 10 at Galdo’s Catering Hall in Philadelphia. Contact Ellen Moffitt Banning at 267-257-7976 or visit the reunion’s website for details.