News
Bishop Nelson Perez ordained in N.Y. diocese
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (CNS) — At a joy-filled liturgy rich in symbolic tradition, the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s two newest auxiliary bishops were ordained at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre July 25. Introducing Bishops Nelson J. Perez and Robert J. Brennan, Bishop William F. Murphy, who heads the diocese, instructed the congregation to “see […]
Bishop says ‘false hearsay’ linking him to claim hurts diocese, family
WHEELING, W.Va. (CNS) — Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston said the “false hearsay statements” made against him at the recently concluded Philadelphia trial of two priests on sex abuse-related charges have hurt him, his family and the people of his diocese. In a July 23 letter to the priests and people of the Wheeling-Charleston […]
CRS: Funding for relief aid did not violate church teaching
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Catholic Relief Services said that $5.3 million in emergency funding it provided to the humanitarian organization CARE in 2010 under a U.S. government grant did not violate Catholic teaching. In postings on its website July 20 and July 24, the U.S. bishops’ international development and relief agency explained that the money it […]
Faith-based AIDS workers defend efforts at White House meeting
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Catholic and other faith-based workers defended their efforts against the worldwide AIDS pandemic in a meeting at the White House after a United Nations official cautioned that any restrictions in services based on religious belief could result in reduced support from funders. The workers said during the July 24 meeting that their […]
Seven Chinese priests forced from parishes following illicit ordination
HARBIN, China (CNS) — Chinese government officials have forced seven priests in Heilongjiang province who resisted the illicit episcopal ordination of Father Joseph Yue Fusheng of Harbin to leave their parishes, local Catholic Church sources said. The action was taken, the sources said, to force the priests to “repent for their wrongdoing,” reported the Asian […]
No ‘middle ground’ possible with LCWR on key issues, Bishop Blair says
WASHINGTON (CNS) — There can be no “middle ground” on matters of faith and morals, the bishop who conducted the Vatican-ordered doctrinal assessment of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious said in an interview that aired July 25 on National Public Radio’s “Fresh Air” program. Bishop Leonard P. Blair of Toledo, Ohio, one of two […]
Pope hosts top-level meeting on leaks in Vatican
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Although technically on vacation, Pope Benedict XVI hosted a top-level meeting of Vatican officials involved in investigating and responding to the leak of Vatican documents. The meeting July 26 included the commission of cardinals appointed to conduct an administrative review of Vatican offices and procedures, as well as the judges involved […]
Catholics, Protestants oppose Cameron’s call for same-sex marriage in UK
MANCHESTER, England (CNS) — In spite of widespread opposition from the Catholic Church and mainline Protestant denominations, the general public and his own party, British Prime Minister David Cameron promised to legalize same-sex marriage in England and Wales. Cameron’s declaration came July 24 during a meeting with gay, lesbian and transsexual communities at his Downing […]
San Francisco archbishop retires; Oakland’s Bishop Cordileone to succeed him
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Archbishop George H. Niederauer of San Francisco and named Bishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of Oakland, Calif., to succeed him. The appointment and resignation were announced in Washington July 27 by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Archbishop Niederauer, 76, had […]
Sister Mary Christina Bryce, S.S.N.D.
School Sister of Notre Dame Sister Mary Christina Bryce, a grade school teacher who taught in schools in three states over five decades, died of congestive heart failure on July 20 at Maria Health Care Center in Baltimore, Md. She was 89 years old and had been a professed member of the School Sisters of […]