News
What the logo for World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia means
Learn how the distinctive logo contains elements of family, faith and Philadelphia -- the host city for the eighth World Meeting of Families and the first in an American city.
Vatican official: German bishops’ rule on ‘Plan B’ for rape acceptable
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Catholic Church has long accepted the possibility of preventing ovulation in a woman who has been raped, but withdraws that option if there is a possibility that ovulation may have already occurred, said the president of the Vatican's Pontifical Academy for Life. A recent statement by bishops in Germany saying it was acceptable to use medication that hinders conception after rape reflects an "unassailable rule" that has been proposed by the Catholic Church the past 50 years, said Bishop Ignacio Carrasco de Paula.
Archbishop backs end to death penalty, says it offers ‘tragic illusion’
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (CNS) -- The Catholic Church's objection to the death penalty comes from its consistent teaching that life must be protected from conception to natural death, said Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori. "At the core of all of (the church's) public witness is an evident consistency that reflects our reasoned belief that every human life is sacred and to be protected, because every life comes from God, and is destined to return to God as our final judge," he said.
Boys settle Catholic League finals matchup: It’s Neumann-Goretti vs. the Prep, redux
The Catholic League boys’ basketball semifinals took place Wednesday night, Feb. 20, at the Palestra. It’s difficult to imagine a better venue to play – and watch – a basketball game. The four finalists did their part to create excitement, and in the end, top-seed and four-time defending league champion Neumann-Goretti dominated Archbishop Carroll, 57-34, […]
Papal biographer: Fixing Vatican bureaucracy is a top job for next pope
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Threats to religious freedom around the world, the human costs of globalization, media transformed by the revolution in information technology -- these are some of the challenges that the next pope is bound to face in leading the church. According to one highly informed observer, the next pope will also have an urgent task at home: reforming the Roman Curia, the church's central administration at the Vatican.
The Mount makes Magic happen, takes Academies League hoops crown
Mount St. Joseph’s Academy was just too tough. There’s really no way of getting around that. Although Villa Maria Academy enjoyed its moments here and there, the Hurricanes were unable to solve a balanced attack by the Magic, and the Mount rolled to a hard-fought, 57-41 Catholic Academies League championship victory. “This is great,” said […]
Clerical changes announced
Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the following appointments effective as noted: RETIREMENT Deacon Philip E. Heaney, Permanent Deacon, Maternity B.V.M. Parish, Philadelphia, effective January 15, 2013 Deacon Thomas J. Horan, Permanent Deacon, Saints Peter and Paul Parish, West Chester, effective January 15, 2013 Deacon Joseph E. Iannucci, Permanent […]
Becoming Catholic: Catechumens celebrate Rite of Election with Archbishop Chaput
Archbishop Charles Chaput celebrated the Rite of Election at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul last weekend, Feb. 16-17. In the rite, catechumens — people who are preparing to receive the sacraments of initiation in the Catholic Church including baptism, first communion and confirmation — are presented to the Archbishop. He then deems […]
Conclaves: Vatican Library official shares interesting, strange facts
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Ambrogio Piazzoni, vice prefect of the Vatican Library and author of the book, "History of Papal Elections," shared facts and curiosities with journalists at the Vatican Feb. 20.
Canonist explains ‘rigid, highly formal’ rules for electing pope
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The voting by cardinals to elect the next pope takes place behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, following a highly detailed procedure that underwent major revisions by Blessed John Paul II and a small, but very significant change, by Pope Benedict XVI.