News
Rev. Bob Edgar, former NCC head, ecumenical activist, dies
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Rev. Bob Edgar, a former member of Congress who headed the National Council of Churches for two terms, died April 23 at the age of 69. Rev. Edgar, a United Methodist minister, had a heart attack while exercising at his home in Burke, Va., according to Mary Boyle, a spokeswoman for Common Cause, the advocacy group he had headed since 2007.
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary hosts Three Irish Tenors concert
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary recently hosted a sold out concert performance by the Three Irish Tenors. The fundraising event was created to further support the ongoing mission of the Seminary in forming priests for the future. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. and Bishop Timothy Senior, Rector of the Seminary, were joined by more than […]
Scottish midwives win right to refuse any involvement in abortion
MANCHESTER, England (CNS) — Two Scottish Catholic midwives have won the right to refuse to supervise, delegate or support staff involved in abortions. The judgment by the Inner House of the Court of Session — the Scottish court of appeal — overturned an earlier decision that ruled that midwives Mary Doogan and Concepta Wood had […]
Judge dismisses some charges against Philadelphia abortionist
PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- A Philadelphia judge dismissed three of eight murder charges April 23 in the trial of Dr. Kermit Gosnell, a Philadelphia abortionist accused of killing babies said to be born alive at his clinic. Gosnell was arrested in January 2011 and charged with seven counts of infanticide and one count of murder in the case of a Nepalese woman who died during an abortion.
Pope’s daily Mass shows sharing liturgy is form of service, bishop says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A French bishop who began organizing a liturgical conference inspired by the teaching of Pope Benedict XVI months before the pope’s resignation said the new pope further demonstrates the importance of the Mass. The fact that Pope Francis, known for his great dedication to serving the poor, begins each day by […]
Original research team member says science still can’t explain Shroud
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Even with modern scientific technology, the Shroud of Turin continues to baffle researchers. Barrie Schwortz was the documenting photographer for the Shroud of Turin research project in 1978, an in-depth examination of what many people believe to be the burial cloth of Jesus.
Church is driven by Holy Spirit, not officials or militants, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The church is driven by the Holy Spirit and God’s love, not by bureaucrats or militants, Pope Francis said in his morning homily. He also warned against letting the church’s mission get lost in a tangle of bureaucracy, saying the church administration is necessary only so long as it supports the […]
Colombia’s first saint spent years working with indigenous people
Mother Montoya, who died in 1949 after a career spent working with poor indigenous Colombians in difficult circumstances, will be canonized May 12 and will become the first Colombian saint.
Bishops say health, retirement reforms should not contribute to poverty
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Reforms in health and retirement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security must not increase poverty or economic hardship among the people they are designed to help, the chairman of two U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops committees said in a letter to Congress. Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., chairman […]
Prepare for Last Judgment by serving the poor, pope says at audience
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians believe they are saved by God’s grace, but they also know they will be judged at the end of time on how they used the talents God gave them and how they served others, especially the poor, Pope Francis said. “Today belief in Jesus’ return and in the last judgment […]