News
Syrian opposition groups appeal for cease-fire
ROME (CNS) — Representatives of a dozen Syrian opposition groups called for a cease-fire in their homeland and the beginning of an internationally mediated dialogue to bring democracy to the country. Meeting in Rome July 25-26, the groups, which included some inspired by Islam, said they are “firmly opposed to any discrimination based on religious […]
Perkasie sisters competing for U.S. at Olympics
Two Mount St. Joseph Academy graduates will represent the United States at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Katie (class of 2008) and Julia (class of 2009) Reinprecht of Perkasie, Bucks County, have each been named to the U.S. women’s field hockey team. The sisters took a year off from their studies at Princeton University […]
Local Catholics give $132K to retired religious
Catholics of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia donated $132,314 to support retired religious women and men this year, according to a letter of thanks dated July 6 from Most Precious Blood Sister Janice Bader, executive director of the National Religious Retirement Office to Archbishop Charles Chaput. Sister Bader, whose office sponsors the annual national appeal, said […]
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 […]