News
Appeals panel overturns language mandate for pro-life pregnancy centers
RICHMOND, Va. (CNS) — In a ruling hailed by Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori as “a major victory for the First Amendment,” a federal appeals court in Richmond said two Maryland pregnancy centers cannot be compelled to post notices that they do not have licensed medical professionals on staff. In separate decisions, a three-judge panel […]
Holy See budget shows major loss despite rise in donations
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Holy See sustained its largest budget deficit of the past decade in 2011 as a result of global financial trends, the Vatican said July 5. But Vatican City State, which includes the income-generating Vatican Museums and Vatican post office, ended 2011 with a surplus of 21.8 million euros ($27 million). […]
Fortnight for Freedom brings focus on challenges to religious freedom
The Fortnight for Freedom, an initiative of the Catholic bishops of the United States, ended on Independence Day after two weeks of efforts to increase awareness among Catholics of threats to religious freedom in America. Archbishop Charles Chaput provided a fitting end to the initiative by serving as homilist for a Mass celebrated for the […]
In Washington, Archbishop Chaput calls for public witness to the truth
Philadelphia is the place where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were written. For more than two centuries, these documents have inspired people around the globe. So as we begin our reflection on today’s readings, I have the privilege of greeting everyone here today -- and every person watching or listening from a distance -- in the name of the Church of my home, the Church of Philadelphia, the cradle of our country’s liberty and the city of our nation’s founding. May God bless and guide all of us as we settle our hearts on the Word of God.
St. Cyprian Parish to launch Wisdom Ball for young people
The Wisdom Ball Committee at St. Cyprian Parish in West Philadelphia announces its inaugural Cotillion-Beautillion Ball and Scholarship Program. The program is designed to celebrate exceptional young men and women in the community while they attain scholarship money. Those who are accepted into the program take part in an eight-week series of workshops and activities […]
Archbishop Chaput announces clerical changes
Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the following appointments effective as noted: GRADUATE STUDIES Reverend Anthony J. DiGuglielmo, from Graduate Studies, Catholic University of America, Washington, to Graduate Studies at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome, beginning with the Fall 2012 semester RESIDENCE Reverend Michael V. […]
Lawsuits over HHS mandate keep health reform law in court
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Although legal scholars and political observers will likely spend days parsing each line of the 193 pages of U.S. Supreme Court opinions and dissents on the health reform law, the court’s June 28 decision is not likely to be its final word on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. “It seems […]
Papal nuncio cautious about Church of the Nativity’s designation
JERUSALEM (CNS) — The designation of Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity as a UNESCO World Heritage site complicates relations between the three churches that oversee the holy site as well as relations between the Israeli and Palestinian communities, said a church official. Archbishop Antonio Franco, papal nuncio to Israel and the Palestinian territories, said the […]
Kenyan bishops call for increased security after church attacks
NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) — Kenya’s Catholic bishops called upon the government to intensify its security efforts in the country’s north after the July 1 attacks on two churches, including a Catholic cathedral, that left at least 17 people dead and more than 50 people injured. The simultaneous attacks on Our Lady of Consolation Cathedral and […]
Kids help kick off NDS’ Summer Meals program with blessing
Children at St. Jerome School in Northeast Philadelphia celebrated the annual Blessing of the Summer event along with volunteers to mark the beginning of the Summer Meals program of archdiocesan Nutritional Development Services (NDS) on June 20. Msgr. Daniel Sullivan led the blessing to kick off the Summer Meals program, which is funded by the […]