News
Pope calls on Syria to address citizens’ legitimate demands
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As a sectarian conflict in Syria intensified, Pope Benedict XVI called on all Syrians to begin a process of dialogue and reminded the government of its duty to recognize its citizens’ legitimate demands. In Beirut, the patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Church warned against toppling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, calling for […]
Obama compromise on contraceptive mandate ‘unacceptable,’ bishops say
WASHINGTON (CNS) — In an move that appears unlikely to end the controversy over a federal mandate that all health insurance plans include contraception and sterilization free of charge, President Barack Obama outlined a plan that would allow religious employers not to offer such services to their employees but would compel insurance companies to do […]
Probe looks into death of Cardinal Bevilacqua
The Montgomery County coroner has examined the body of Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua but has not performed an autopsy, and the county district attorney said at a Feb. 10 press conference in Norristown that there is no criminal investigation into his death. After learning that the Cardinal had died Jan. 31 at the age of 88 […]
Obama compromise on contraceptive mandate gets mixed reviews
WASHINGTON (CNS) — In a move that appears unlikely to end the controversy over a federal mandate that all health insurance plans include contraception and sterilization free of charge, President Barack Obama outlined a plan that would allow religious employers not to offer such services to their employees but would compel insurance companies to do […]
Office of Catholic Education reluctantly accepts resignation of West Catholic High School principal
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Catholic Education announces that with great reluctance it has accepted the resignation of Christian Brother Timothy Ahern, president of West Philadelphia Catholic High School, effective immediately. As president for the past seven years Brother Tim was a model leader who worked faithfully and enthusiastically on behalf of the students, […]
USCCB president says he is skeptical Obama wants compromise on HHS regulations
NEW YORK (CNS) — Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan of New York said he is “a little skeptical” that the Obama administration wants to find a compromise on the requirement that health plans for most religious employers cover contraceptives and sterilization free of charge. In an interview Feb. 9 with “CBS This Morning,” the president of […]
Cardinal Bevilacqua is laid to rest
Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua was laid to rest in the crypt of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul on Tuesday, Feb. 7, joining such illustrious predecessor Archbishops of Philadelphia as Archbishop Patrick J. Ryan, and Cardinals Dennis Dougherty and John Krol. Archbishop Charles Chaput, who was principal celebrant of the Mass, in final remarks […]
Comments of Archbishop Charles Chaput at end of funeral Mass for Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua
Your Eminences; brother bishops, priests and deacons; fellow religious and friends, I’ve been in our Archdiocese less than six months. I’d be foolish to try to sum up in a few words a life as long and as significant as Cardinal Bevilacqua’s. But I do think moments like these are important. They remind us that […]
Auxiliary Bishop John J. McIntyre on the death of Cardinal Bevilacqua
I served as Cardinal Bevilacqua’s secretary from June 1999 until October 2003. Many different things struck me about him; first of all his commitment to the Church, especially the proclamation of the faith. He was very committed to the defense of all human life, especially the unborn and he was also concerned for immigrants. I’m […]
Diocese of Trenton Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., on the death of Cardinal Bevilacqua
With sadness I learned of the death of Cardinal Bevilacqua. We had worked together during my years as president of The Catholic University of America on the implementation of the apostolic constitution on Catholic universities and colleges, “Ex Corde Ecclesiae”. I greatly admired his keen intellect and grasp of both canon and civil law as […]