News
Drought taking its toll on farmers, consumers
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Hopes to get a farm bill passed before Congress went on its summer recess dried up faster than the Midwest’s cornfields. The House, though, did pass legislation to help drought-stricken ranchers get through a season in which corn has been plowed under and the second major crop, soybeans, has been taking a […]
Vatican assessment discussed behind closed doors at LCWR assembly
ST. LOUIS (CNS) — Security was tight outside the doors of the ballroom at the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis; no one was allowed in without the right color badge. Behind the closed doors women religious representing the majority of U.S. women’s congregations met several times during their Aug. 7-10 annual assembly to discuss their […]
Challenges to marriage, religious liberty among Knights’ top concerns
ANAHEIM, Calif. (CNS) — Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson called the number of attendees at the Knights of Columbus 130th supreme convention in Anaheim “a testament to the growth and development” of the international fraternal organization. More than 2,000 Knights from around the world — many of them with their wives and children — along […]
Church rejects same-sex marriage but won’t tolerate hate, bishop says
SPOKANE, Wash. (CNS) — The Catholic Church opposes legalizing same-sex marriage but at the same time the church “has no tolerance for the misuse” of the issue “to incite hostility toward homosexuals,” said Bishop Blase J. Cupich of Spokane. He made the comments in an Aug. 3 letter to Catholics of the diocese accompanied by […]
Pro-life directors prepare for challenges, celebrate achievements
ORANGE, Calif. (CNS) — Pro-lifers must be joyful in the work they do, said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities. “This is a beautiful time for us to gather and get energized for a difficult year ahead,” he said as he began his homily at Mass Aug. 6 […]
Catholic congress celebrates richness of African spirituality, culture
BETHESDA, Md. (CNS) — Catholics of African descent — as well as all Catholics — are called to understand their faith, have confidence in what they believe and be willing to share the faith with others, Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington told participants at the second African National Eucharistic Congress. That’s the response Pope […]
Archbishop announces clerical changes
Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the following appointments effective as noted: PASTORS EMERITI Reverend Monsignor John A. Close, Saint Katharine of Siena Parish, Wayne, effective August 10, 2012. Monsignor Close is retiring and will reside at Villa Saint Joseph, Darby Reverend Leonard N. Peterson, Saint Maria Goretti Parish, Hatfield, effective […]
Franciscan priest, Philadelphia native, dies at 76 in N.J.
Father Thomas E. Kelly, O.F.M., 76, a professed Franciscan friar for 56 years and a priest for 50 years, died Aug. 6 at Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J. Born Dec. 12, 1935 in Philadelphia, he was the son of Thomas and Pauline (nee Walheim) Kelly. He attended St. Matthew School and Northeast Catholic High School, both in Philadelphia, then enrolled at St. Joseph Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., where he studied from 1953 to 1955. More ...
In wake of shooting, Archbishop Chaput joins religious leaders in support of Sikhs
The Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia expressed words of condolence and support for members of the Sikh community Aug. 9 in a letter cosigned by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. The ecumenical and interfaith group, including leaders of the Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Baha’i communities, responded to what it called the “senseless violence” in which a gunman killed six people and wounded four at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin Aug. 5. The leaders said they stand with Sikhs “in solidarity, friendship, hope and prayer.”
Cardinal urges Congress to act on HHS mandate before year’s end
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Since the courts will not act quickly enough to protect the religious liberty concerns prompted by the Obama administration’s contraceptive mandate, Congress must “address this urgent and fundamental issue before it completes its business this year,” Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo told members of the House and Senate. “Timely and uniform protection of […]