News
Pain control fits Catholic health mission, but too few aware of it
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The National Palliative Care Research Center estimates that 90 million Americans are living with serious or life-threatening illnesses and the number is expected to double over the next 25 years. People nearing the end of life and their families often are confused about the options available to them in terms of pain […]
Mercy Health System opens clinic in shopping mall
Malls are one of the greatest modern conveniences. Take Plymouth Meeting Mall. All within a few steps of each other, you can browse at Boscov’s, get a sandwich at Subway or get an MRI at Mercy. You read correctly. Mercy Health System has just opened a spanking new 23,000 square-foot health center in the heart of the mall with all kinds of out-patient services. If you shop ‘til you drop they can probably resuscitate you.
Hundreds pray for fallen Officer Bradley Fox
Plymouth Township police Officer Bradley Fox’s funeral was held at Epiphany of Our Lord Church in Plymouth Meeting. Rite of burial took place at Washington Crossing National Cemetery on Highland Road in Upper Makefield with full military honors. Office Fox died from a single gunshot wound he suffered while in pursuit of an alleged hit-and-run suspect. Fox was a U.S. Marine who served two tours of duty in Iraq and seven year veteran of the police department. He is survived by his pregnant wife, Lynsay, and a young daughter. Hundreds of family, friends, and fellow officers from across the region came out to pay their respects. During his homily Fr. Edward Hallinan, said "It would be a tremendous disservice to this fallen hero not to celebrate his life, even though he died so early in a cowardly and violent manner." Officer Fox died one day before his thirty fifth birthday. A fund has been set up for Officer Fox's family and donations can be made to: Fox Children's Fund C/O Continental Bank 661 W. Germantown Pike Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
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 […]