News
U.S. Reps. discuss ‘gross injustice’ of HHS mandate at forum
When does government regulation interfere with the constitutional right of freedom of religion? This question was at the heart of a forum titled “Religious Freedom and the HHS Mandates” held June 21 at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center in Philadelphia. Among the panelists were U.S. Congressmen Joe Pitts, Diane Black and Chris Smith. All three are strongly committed to the pro-life cause.
‘Don’t dumb down the faith,’ priest tells Denver convention crowd
DENVER (CNS) — The “dumbing down of the Catholic faith” that impacted catechesis in the mid-1960s “was a pastoral disaster of the first order,” Father Robert Barron told a crowd of about 500 people at the Catholic Media Conference in Denver June 19. “That’s why many people in my generation left the faith,” Father Barron […]
Archbishop urges U.S. support, resettlement of Syrian, other refugees
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez marked World Refugee Day June 20 by asking for U.S. support and resettlement of vulnerable refugee populations across the world, especially for Syrians fleeing the civil war in their country. “The conflict in Syria is worsening and it is time for the United States and the […]
Syrian refugees need stronger international support, CRS chairman says
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Syrian refugees fleeing their homeland’s civil war deserve support from the international community in the form of food, water, shelter and education, said Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, of Tucson, Ariz., chairman of the board of Catholic Relief Services. In a nationwide webcast June 20, World Refugee Day, Bishop Kicanas also called upon […]
UK archbishop calls for wider recognition of fathers in family life
MANCHESTER, England (CNS) — The love a husband demonstrates for his wife serves as an example of respect to the couple’s children, the leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales said. “Committed, faithful fathers are good for their children, for their educational achievement, psychological well-being and their social behavior,” said Archbishop Vincent Nichols […]
Calling Syria conflict ‘great tribulation,’ pope asks for prayers, aid
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Calling the Syrian conflict “a great tribulation,” Pope Francis said tensions throughout the Middle East must give way to dialogue and reconciliation. “Once again, from the depths of my heart, I appeal to leaders of nations and international organizations, to believers of every religion and to all men and women of […]
Pope calls hunger, malnutrition ‘truly scandalous’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — It is “truly scandalous” that the global level of food production is enough to feed the planet’s people, yet millions of people are malnourished and millions more “must be satisfied with the crumbs falling from the table,” Pope Francis said. Addressing the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization conference June 20, […]
Vatican calls for copyright changes to give better access to the blind
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While church leaders repeatedly call for global aid for the poor and hungry, a Vatican official urged efforts to end another sort of hunger: the so-called “book famine.” “Only 1 percent of the books in developing and least developed countries … are available in formats accessible to blind people,” said Archbishop […]
Bishops seek negotiated cease-fire in Syria; shun arming of combatants
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Two bishops have called for the United States to seek a negotiated cease-fire in Syria's civil war rather than arming combatants. "Instead of arming both sides, the international community should be emphasizing the need for a negotiated solution to the conflict," wrote Bishops Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, and Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
New Evangelization, life and family ministry focus of archdiocesan changes
Last June the Archdiocese of Philadelphia created the Office for Life, Family and Laity, with Steven Bozza as director, to lead the local Church’s efforts in those areas. The office represented a consolidation of former offices and personnel. One year later, the office is undergoing another evolution. Starting July 1, it will be reconfigured into […]