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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 […]
Maryland pilgrims walk 100 miles to urge for religious freedom
ANTIETAM CREEK, Md. (CNS) — Three days and 30 miles into a 100-mile trek to Baltimore from the tiny central Maryland town of Hancock, Laura Dudich lost count of her blisters. “My foot is covered in Band-Aids right now,” said the 17-year-old parishioner of St. Peter Church in Hancock, pausing briefly July 31 as she […]
Milwaukee bishops urge prayers, reflection on violence after killings of Sikhs
MILWAUKEE (CNS) — The killing of six Sikhs Aug. 5 at their temple in the Milwaukee suburb of Oak Creek brought an outpouring of spiritual support from leaders in the Catholic community, as well as a call for the entire community to examine violence in U.S. culture. Assuring the Sikh community “that our prayers go […]
Torrential rains flood Philippine capital; 270,000 flee to safety
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — Flooding caused by days of torrential rains forced more than a quarter million people from their homes in parts of the Philippine capital and surrounding provinces. The government said at least 50 percent of metropolitan Manila was under water, displacing an estimated 270,000 people, reported the Asian church news agency UCA […]
Indian Catholics celebrate heritage, historic visit by Indian cardinal
It was the first-ever Indian Catholic Heritage Day, a gala spiritual and cultural event for Philadelphia’s growing community of Catholics who have migrated from India. Held at St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church on Welsh Road in Northeast Philadelphia, it was doubly special. This was the occasion for a first-ever visit as a cardinal by Cardinal […]
Two longtime leaders get awards from National Black Catholic Congress
INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) — Two longtime black leaders in the Catholic Church received national awards during the recent National Black Catholic Congress XI, held in Indianapolis. Beverly A. Carroll, founding director of the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for African-American Catholics and currently assistant director in their Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church, received the congress’ inaugural […]
Interfaith leaders, city officials pray for peace, fallen officer at Cathedral
Archbishop Charles Chaput presided at an Aug. 3 Interfaith Memorial Service for Healing and Hope at the Chapel of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul for Philadelphia Police Officer Brian Lorenzo, who was struck and killed by an automobile being driven the wrong way on I-95 on July 8. The service was a […]
Survey: Majority of Catholics share bishops’ religious liberty concerns
WASHINGTON (CNS) — A majority of Catholics say they share the U.S. bishops’ concerns about the federal contraceptive mandate and other government restrictions on religious liberty, and the percentage of Catholics who say they are satisfied with the bishops’ leadership has increased sharply in the past 10 years. Catholics who attend Mass more frequently are […]