News
US church leaders, including Archbishop Chaput, express surprise, admiration for pope’s decision
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- U.S. Catholic Church leaders who awoke to the news of Pope Benedict XVI's announcement that he will retire at the end of February said they were surprised by the news but admired the pontiff's courage and humility for making the decision.
Text of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation announcement
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Here is the Vatican's English translation of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation remarks, delivered in Latin, during an ordinary public consistory to approve the canonization of new saints Feb. 11.
Legal path uncertain for for-profits fighting HHS mandate
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The latest round of proposed federal rules covering religious institutions that want an exemption from the requirement to provide contraceptive coverage in health insurance make it clear that there's no inclination at the Department of Health and Human Services to accommodate for-profit secular corporations the same way as nonprofit religious institutions.
14 cardinals from United States, Canada eligible to vote in conclave
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Here is a list of the 14 cardinals from Canada and the United States -- including Cardinal Justin Rigali, retired Archbishop of Philadelphia -- who are under the age of 80 and therefore eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI:
Pope Benedict, citing age, announces he will resign
UPDATE -- VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Saying he no longer has the strength to exercise ministry over the universal church, Pope Benedict XVI announced Feb. 11 that he would be resigning at the end of the month after an eight-year pontificate. See updates on this developing story in our Papal Transition section, featuring more stories and photos of Pope Benedict, and information on the coming conclave to elect a new pope.
Theologian: American youth a ravaged but promising mission field
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In sexual morality, family life and education, the Baby Boom generation ushered in a series of cultural changes that led to an "anthropological crisis" in American society, leaving younger generations yearning acutely for what the Catholic Church has to offer. That is the assessment of Pia de Solenni, a Seattle-based writer with theology degrees from two Vatican-chartered universities, who now serves as a consultant to the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas.
LaSalle ends 4 year-long undefeated streak of Neumann-Goretti, but Saints still team to beat
Maybe it was the parity up top and emergence of some new star players. Perhaps it was the end of an unbelievable winning streak. Whatever the reason, the 2012-13 boys’ basketball regular season in the Catholic League has been particularly enjoyable. Heading into the final weekend, the top four teams – SS. Neumann-Goretti, Roman […]
Archbishop Wood sets new record by hitting 8 of first 8 shots, all 3-pointers
The team feat of the year in boys Catholic League basketball goes to Archbishop Wood. In a 65-53 win at Conwell-Egan on Jan. 28, Archbishop Wood did something that people are still talking about and probably will for quite some time. The Vikings hit their first three-point shot of the game. Then their second. And […]
Lent begins this week, Archbishop to celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass at Cathedral
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 13, and Archbishop Charles J. Chaput will be the principal celebrant for the Ash Wednesday Mass at 12:05 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia. Catholics in 252 parishes across the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will attend Mass or a Liturgy of the Word that […]
US Bishops, Catholic groups, cite concerns over new rules for HHS mandate
UPDATED -- WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In the nearly one week since the Department of Health and Human Services issued a new set of proposed rules on insurance coverage of contraceptives, serious concerns over the new rules began to emerge among the Catholic community in the United States, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and some Catholic organizations.