News

John F. Scarpa Conference on Law, Politics, and Culture at Villanova University

The seventh annual John F. Scarpa Conference on Law, Politics, and Culture: Living the Catholic Faith in Public Life was held on Sept. 14 at Villanova University School of Law. Archbishop Charles Chaput delivered the keynote address. Speakers included Helen Alvaré (Associate Professor of Law, George Mason University School of Law), H. David Baer (Associate Professor of Theology and Philosophy and Department Chair, Texas Lutheran University), Gerard Bradley (Professor of Law, Notre Dame Law School), Patrick McKinley Brennan (John F. Scarpa Chair in Catholic Legal Studies & Professor of Law, Villanova University School of Law), Reverend Bryan Hehir (Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Religion and Public Life, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University; Secretary for Health Care and Social Services, Archdiocese of Boston), Peter Steinfels (Co-Director of the Fordham University Center on Religion and Culture, University Professor at Fordham, and religion columnist for The New York Times), and Michael J. White (Professor of Law and Professor of Philosophy, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University).

Christians, Muslims must give joint witness for peace, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI said his three-day trip to Lebanon convinced him that now is the time for Christians and Muslims to bear witness together against violence and in favor of dialogue and peace. In Lebanon, he said, Muslims “welcomed me with great respect,” and their presence at each of his public […]

Nashville Diocese, others file suit to stop HHS contraceptive mandate

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) — The Diocese of Nashville and seven of the Catholic entities operating in middle Tennessee have filed suit in federal court to block implementation of a mandate by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requiring them to cover services they find morally objectionable. The mandate, which went into effect Aug. […]

New head of doctrinal congregation says abuse victims are first concern

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The senior Vatican official with authority for investigating priests accused of sexual abuse said that, in such cases, “always and everywhere the most important concern is for those who have been the victims of this terrible abuse.” Archbishop Gerhard L. Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, […]

Stephen Colbert, Cardinal Dolan, trade jokes but get serious about faith

In Fordham University's Rose Hill Gymnasium, television comedian Stephen Colbert joined forces with Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York Sept. 14 to discuss faith, humor and spirituality before an audience of 3,000, mostly made up of cheering students. The session was moderated by Jesuit Father James Martin, author of "The Jesuit Guide to Nearly Everything" and "Between Heaven and Mirth." He is the official chaplain of Colbert's show as well as culture editor at the Jesuits' America magazine.

Encounter with God only answer to suffering and evil, says ethicist

ROME (CNS) — Pain, suffering and human mortality shouldn’t be explained away, ignored or denied, but embraced by faith in God, said an expert in the philosophy and ethics of science. In fact, only a concrete encounter with the Lord can provide solace for people grappling with the question of how there can be a […]

Powerful preacher, devoted Deacon Champagne dies at 83

Deacon , 83, a retired permanent deacon previously assigned to Our Lady of Hope (formerly Holy Child) Parish, Philadelphia, died Sept. 9. Born Baptist, he was brought to the Catholic faith through the example of his future wife Lenora Robinson. He was actually received into the Church while serving in the U.S. Army and they […]

Permanent deacon and Polish WWII veteran dies at 89

Retired Permanent Deacon Boleslaw S. Wojewadka, who served in St. Hedwig and St. Katharine Drexel Parishes in Chester and Sacred Heart Parish in Clifton Heights, died Sept. 8. Deacon Wojewadka was born May 14, 1923 near Tarnopol, which was then part of Poland. He was taken from his home by the Russians in 1940 near […]

Pastor of Ascension Parish suspended for abuse allegations

Father Michael Chapman, 56, pastor of Ascension of Our Lord Parish in Philadelphia, has been placed on administrative leave by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput following allegations of sexual abuse of minors. The priest was suspended in March 2011 for an alleged violation of the Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s guidelines […]

At workshop for catechists, Archbishop Chaput tells how to ‘render unto God’

The 150 or so catechists who attended the Sept. 13 Fall Professional Development Day at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary were in for a special treat – their own catechist for the day was Archbishop Charles Chaput. His topic — issues to consider in this election year, especially life issues — was at the top of […]