News
World Youth Day vigil, Mass to be in neighborhood known for its beaches
SAO PAULO (CNS) — World Youth Day organizers have chosen a spot in Rio de Janeiro’s Guaratiba neighborhood, nearly 60 miles from the city center, for the vigil and closing Mass July 27-28. Rio Archbishop Orani Tempesta announced the venue Nov. 28 during a preparatory meeting for World Youth Day, which will run July 23-28. […]
Vatican praises new UN status for Palestine, urges full sovereignty
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican praised a United Nations vote making Palestine a non-member observer state but called for full recognition of Palestinian sovereignty as necessary for peace in the region. One hundred thirty-eight member states voted Nov. 29 to boost Palestine’s status from “entity” to “non-member state” — the same status held by […]
Lawsuits’ dismissal called disappointing but won’t end legal challenge
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- After judges in two separate rulings Nov. 27 dismissed lawsuits filed by Catholic organizations and dioceses in Pennsylvania and Tennessee challenging the federal contraceptive mandate, Catholic leaders in both states expressed disappointment but also some hope the rulings left the door open to refiling their claims.
Bishop, pro-lifers concerned that abortion may widen in Ireland
DUBLIN (CNS) — An Irish bishop and pro-life activists insisted that any legislation to provide abortion in limited situations would inevitably lead to widespread abortion. “If abortion is introduced, even on a very limited basis, it becomes widespread,” Bishop William Murphy of Kerry said during a radio interview Nov. 29. Days earlier, Irish Prime Minister […]
For a century, parish brings a taste of Italy to Conshohocken
How did it happen that an Italian personal parish founded a hundred years ago in Conshohocken took the name SS. Cosmas and Damian, which honors twins who are believed to have been born in Arabia and martyred in Syria in the early 4th century? The reason is most of the founding parishioners were from Isernia, […]
New York Archdiocese announces 26 schools ‘at risk of closure’
NEW YORK (CNS) — The New York Archdiocese has announced that 26 of the 159 regional, parish and archdiocesan elementary schools are at risk of closing next June. In addition, St. Agnes Boys High School in Manhattan also is at risk of closing at the end of the current school year. The Nov. 26 announcement […]
Britain opens inquiry into allegations involving end-of-life protocol
MANCHESTER, England (CNS) — The British government has opened an independent inquiry into allegations that an end-of-life protocol is operating as a euthanasia pathway. It said the inquiry would investigate complaints raised by families who say that relatives have died after they were placed, without their knowledge, on the Liverpool Care Pathway. The framework, intended […]
Lebanese church agency helps refugees from Syria navigate UN system
BEIRUT (CNS) -- When Syrian refugees arrive in Lebanon, help begins with a phone call to the U.N. refugee agency -- if they can get through. In most refugee areas, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees has no fixed office; its staffers make only sporadic visits for which refugees make appointments over the phone. It's that phone call that is the problem.
When sharing the faith, keep it simple, joyful, credible, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a world of hardened hearts and titillating distractions, Christians need to keep the Gospel message simple and live what they teach with love and joy, Pope Benedict XVI said during his weekly general audience Nov. 28. The best place to start is with one's own family, he said, learning to spend time together, listening and understanding one another, and "being a sign for each other of God's merciful love."
A Baby’s Breath becomes a sign for life in Warminster
A Baby’s Breath Crisis Pregnancy Center in Warminster placed and blessed its new sign on Saturday, Nov. 17, just six months after signing the lease for the center across the parking lot from a Planned Parenthood facility. Msgr. George Majoros, pastor of St. Jude Parish in Chalfont, led the blessing of the sign, which includes […]