News
Maryland House OKs death penalty repeal; governor pledges to sign bill
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (CNS) — The Maryland House of Delegates passed legislation March 15 to repeal the state’s death penalty, an act the Maryland Catholic Conference called “a historic moment.” The conference advocates for public policy measures on behalf of the state’s Catholic bishops, who are longtime supporters of repealing the death penalty. The House passed […]
Archbishop Chaput leads worshipers at Cathedral to pray for Pope Francis
Despite the liturgy having the readings of the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Archbishop Charles Chaput’s usual 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening Mass on March 17 took on a festive air, as it was designated a Mass of Thanksgiving for Pope Francis. He was elected the Successor to St. Peter on March 13.
Friendship began with soccer, led to improved Catholic-Jewish ties
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (CNS) -- Rabbi Abraham Skorka recalls meeting Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio at a Mass for a national holiday two decades ago. They shook hands afterward, and "he looked deep into my eyes," Rabbi Skorka recalled of the man who would be elected Pope Francis. "He told me, 'I think this year we're going to eat chicken soup.'" The line referred to Argentine soccer. Rabbi Skorka pulls for the River Plate club, whose fans are commonly called "chickens" by rivals. Pope Francis, meanwhile, supports the San Lorenzo club. "I felt there was a meta-message: If you want to talk with me, the door is open. There are no protocols," said Rabbi Skorka, rector of the Latin American rabbinical seminary in Buenos Aires and a leader in the country's Jewish community.
Changes in style send clear message from Pope Francis
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis had been pope for less than six days when he was formally installed March 19, but he had already made a distinctive and overwhelmingly favorable impression on the world.
Pope begins ministry with biblical symbols, signs of universal ministry
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although attempts were made to simplify the ceremony, Pope Francis officially inaugurated his ministry as pope and bishop of Rome in a liturgy filled with biblical symbolism and signs of the universality of his mission. (See a photo gallery with scenes from the pope's first week in his new ministry.)
Pope Francis begins papacy pledging to protect church, human dignity
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis formally began his ministry as bishop of Rome and as pope by pledging to protect the Catholic Church, the dignity of each person and the beauty of creation, just like St. Joseph protected Mary and Jesus. “To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon […]
Western Pa. university mourns death of coach, her unborn child in crash
GREENSBURG, Pa. (CNS) -- Seton Hill University in a statement said the school community is "deeply saddened by the tragic bus accident" the morning of March 16 that took the life of the head coach of the women's lacrosse team and her unborn child, and also killed the driver and injured 13 players.
Sister Margaret Benfield, I.H.M., native of Scranton, served in archdiocesan schools
Sister Margaret Benfield, I.H.M., formerly known as Sister Margaret William, died March 13 at the VNA Inpatient Hospice Unit at Geisinger-Community Medical Center in Scranton. She was 73 years old.
Sister Mary Rosario DiBello, O.P., dies at age 89
Dominican Sister Mary Rosario DiBello, formerly Rose DiBello, died March 11 at the Motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of Peace in Columbus, Ohio. She was 89 years old. Born in Philadelphia, she entered the Dominican Sisters in July 1948 and made her first profession of vows Feb. 13, 1951. Sister Rosario taught in Media, Delaware […]
Devotion to Mary in painting spreading from Latin America to Philadelphia, by way of Pope Francis
Chances are, you never before heard of devotion to “Mary Untier (or Undoer) of Knots.” You are apt to hear a lot about it in the future because it happens to be a favorite devotion of Pope Francis. Archbishop Charles Chaput already knows about it because he has on his desk an image of it given to him some years ago by the future pope.