News
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 […]
Olympics’ sweetheart swimmer Franklin says friends, family keep her afloat
DENVER (CNS) — For swimmer Missy Franklin, a rising senior at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, “there is nothing like wearing a cap with my country’s flag on it.” “I always remember, though, that I’m not just representing the U.S. but also my family, friends, team, school and Colorado!” She made those comments early […]
Catholic activist’s mother sets herself ablaze to protest detention
BANGKOK (CNS) — The mother of a prominent Catholic blogger died after setting herself on fire to protest her daughter’s detention for allegedly spreading anti-government propaganda, activists said. Dang Thi Kim Lieng, 64, set herself aflame near a local government office building in the southern city of Bac Lieu July 30, reported the Asian church […]
Priest’s homily reportedly lands him in Zambian jail
LUSAKA, Zambia (CNS) — Police detained and questioned a Catholic priest in Lundazi, Zambia, about the homily he delivered during Mass July 29, a fellow priest said. Father Viateur Banyangandora, pastor of the parish in Lundazi, was picked up at his residence by police at about 5 p.m., July 30, and was taken to Lusaka […]
Art and the meaning of life: Priests help visitors to Vatican Museums
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church teaches that beauty can be a path to God, and in an attempt to make that path easier for visitors to follow, the Vatican Museums have assigned two priests to guide the searching. Or just to talk. “Art and faith: A priest for you,” says the sign on […]
Papal book completed; new encyclical also possible
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has finished the third volume of his opus, “Jesus of Nazareth,” and perhaps also will publish an encyclical letter during the upcoming Year of Faith, said Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state. The cardinal, Pope Benedict’s top collaborator, told reporters Aug. 1 that the pope had finished […]
Medical Mission Sisters mark 540 years of service
Nine North American Medical Mission Sisters will be honored at a special Mass and reception Aug. 15 at their order’s headquarters at 8400 Pine Rd. in Northeast Philadelphia’s Fox Chase section. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of their first profession of vows are Medical Mission Sisters Bernadine Cupen, Nina Fritsch, Benet Gilland, Karen Gossman, Katharine Heidkamp, […]
Club hosts Notre Dame football trip
The South Jersey Notre Dame Club is sponsoring a Notre Dame vs. Purdue football trip to the South Bend, Ind., campus Sept. 7-9. The package includes a game ticket, two-night stay at Sacred Heart Parish center on the University of Notre Dame campus Friday and Saturday night, a Knights of Columbus party Friday evening and […]
Everyone can pray, have relationship with God, pope says at audience
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) — Everyone is given the grace to pray, which is the only way to have a life-giving relationship with God, Pope Benedict XVI said. Resuming his weekly general audiences after a month-long break, Pope Benedict continued his series of talks on prayer Aug. 1. (Watch a video of the audience.) The […]