News
‘People-friendly’ priest, Father Nicholas Dinnini, dies at 52
Father Nicholas J. Dinnini, 52, a former Oblate of St. Joseph incardinated into the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, died suddenly July 14 while attending a retreat in La Jolla, Calif. Born in Pottstown, the son of Isabel Mangan Dinnini and the late Richard J. Dinnini, he attended St. Aloysius Parochial School and St. Pius X High […]
Former secretary for clergy sentenced to 3-6 years in state prison over role in abuse scandal
Common Pleas Court Judge Teresa Sarmina closed the latest chapter in the clergy sexual abuse scandal in Philadelphia by sentencing Msgr. William Lynn to three to six years in state prison. During the sentencing hearing July 24, after more than two hours of arguments and letters presented from victims and Msgr. Lynn’s defense, Sarmina handed […]
Religious of the Assumption sisters elect new leader
The Religious of the Assumption, a women’s religious order with convents in Lansdale and West Philadelphia, elected Sister Martine Tapsoba as the order’s superior general July 17. She is the order’s first superior general from Africa and replaces Sister Diana Wauters from Allentown. Sister Martine, 53, is from Burkina Faso, West Africa. She was a […]
Deacon says congress for African-American Catholics ‘touched my spirit’
INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) — Hands were raised in prayer and gospel music echoed in a large ballroom at the J.W. Marriott Hotel July 19 as some 2,500 attendees from across the country gathered for the start of the National Black Catholic Congress XI in Indianapolis. At the start of the congress’ opening general session, a roll […]
Cardinal praises conscience provisions in House appropriations bill
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities praised lawmakers for including two conscience provisions in the House version of the 2013 appropriations bill for the federal departments of Labor and Health and Human Services. “Our government has a long history of respecting rights of conscience in health care, and […]
What Catholics can learn during Islam’s holy month
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which started July 20 in many countries, is a time of fasting, prayer and repentance, when Muslims distance themselves from worldly activities in an effort to align their lives more closely with God and his laws. According to the Vatican’s point man for dialogue with […]
Vatican withdraws recognition of Peru university as ‘Catholic’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican has withdrawn the titles “Catholic” and “Pontifical” from a university in Peru after decades of discussions over the school’s Catholic identity and after tensions between university officials and the local cardinal over control of the school’s assets. In a communique published July 21, the Vatican said Lima’s Pontifical Catholic […]
At 50, St. Hilary’s still a welcoming parish in Rydal
Archbishop John Krol must have been in a theological mood in 1962. Three of the five parishes established that year were named for doctors of the Church. St. Hilary of Poitiers in Rydal, which is named for a 4th century theologian, was among them. It was founded on June 6th out of territory taken from […]
Federal judges in Nebraska, D.C. dismiss lawsuits against HHS mandate
Two federal judges have dismissed lawsuits against the Department of Health and Human Services’ mandated contraceptive coverage under the new health reform law. U.S. District Court Judge Warren K. Urbom ruled July 17 in Nebraska that seven states and various other individuals and groups that filed suit in February against the mandate had failed to […]
Denver prelates offer prayers after Colorado shootings
DENVER (CNS) — Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila of Denver and his auxiliary, Bishop James D. Conley, offered prayers and support to the victims, survivors and the community after a gunman killed at least a dozen people and wounded dozens more during a July 20 midnight screening of the movie “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora. […]