News
Pope: ‘No’ to gender philosophy, ‘yes’ to supporting human dignity
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The church must promote the beauty of marriage between a man and a woman and warn against ideologies opposed to human nature, including philosophies of gender that portray male and female as cultural inventions, Pope Benedict XVI said. The pope made his remarks during a Jan. 19 audience with workers and […]
After rally, Irish officials reconsider suicide threat as reason for abortion
DUBLIN (CNS) -- In the wake of the largest pro-life demonstration ever to have taken place in Ireland, cracks have begun to emerge in the coalition government over its plans to legislate for abortion. More than 25,000 people converged on Dublin Jan. 19, braving bitterly cold weather, to attend the "Unite for Life" vigil near the Irish parliament.
Prayers at morning service, swearing-in ceremony mark Inauguration Day
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- President Barack Obama's second Inauguration Day Jan. 21 started with a private prayer service at St. John's Episcopal Church and centered on a swearing-in ceremony bracketed by prayers and highlighted by an inaugural address dotted with references to God-given societal rights and obligations.
Sister Kathleen Marita Lennon, I.H.M., dies at 84; was native of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish
Sister Kathleen Marita, formerly Kathleen Lennon, died Jan. 11 in Camilla Hall, Immaculata, in the 62nd year of her religious life. She was 84 years old.
Interfaith liturgy fills St. Therese Church to remember Dr. King
The Dr. Martin Luther King holiday on Monday, Jan. 21 was billed as a day on, not a day off in the African American community. The preceding day, Sunday, was definitely a day on, not a day off at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Church in the Mount Airy section of the city. The church was jammed and overflowing for the 30th annual Archdiocesan Interfaith Commemorative Prayer Service in honor of Dr. King.
Meeting between pope, Vietnam’s Communist Party head boosts relations
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Vietnam were strengthened further when Pope Benedict XVI met Nguyen Phu Trong, marking the first time a pope had met with the general secretary of the nation's Communist Party.
Archbishop rings Liberty Bell in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
On Monday, January 21, 2013 Archbishop Charles Chaput was the honorary ringer of the Liberty Bell at the Liberty Bell Center marking the 28th Annual National Bell Ringing Ceremony for Martin Luther King Day.
Gov. Corbett touts educational innovations in visit to Catholic ‘mission’ school
Governor Tom Corbett visited a Northeast Philadelphia Catholic grade school Jan. 18 and lauded a new educational model for Catholic schools in the city. Independence Mission Schools, a management organization for 16 independent Catholic elementary schools located in mostly poor city neighborhoods, also introduced its new president, Al Cavalli.
Faith groups begin to muster their members in support of gun controls
WASHINGTON (CNS) — If Vincent DeMarco is right — and he’s got a whole bunch of faith leaders and their organizations lined up to work with him — ending easy access to the kinds of high-power guns used in mass shootings can be accomplished with a tried-and-true strategy. DeMarco, national coordinator of Faiths United to […]
Recanting of former priest’s testimony has no bearing on Msgr. Lynn, lawyer says
Former priest Edward Avery pleaded guilty last year to child sexual assault, for which he is serving a term in prison. He recanted that testimony on the stand Jan. 17 at the trial of Oblate of St. Francis de Sales Father Charles Engelhardt and former Catholic school teacher Bernard Shero, whose trial began this week.