News
Half a century after Vatican II, a year of faith and debate
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Fifty years ago this October, Blessed John XXIII and more than 2,500 bishops and heads of religious orders from around the world gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica for the opening session of the Second Vatican Council. Over the following three years, Vatican II would issue 16 major “pronouncements” on such fundamental […]
Catholic voters urged to press US government to rescind HHS mandate
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) — It will be up to Catholic voters to convince the federal government to rescind a recent decision by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to go forward with a mandate that all health insurance plans cover contraceptives and sterilization free of charge, said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. “Bishops can’t […]
Summit brings together pro-life lawyers, members of advocacy groups
WASHINGTON (CNS) — If the argument against abortion is “grounded in the concept of human equality, you kind of catch people off guard” because “it’s not a religious argument,” a University of Notre Dame law professor told a pro-life crowd gathered at the National Press Club in Washington. “Biology and modern science have confirmed that […]
Confession: Celebration of mercy, not trial before prosecution
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Priests hearing confessions need to replace any negative or aggressive attitudes with meekness and mercy toward the penitent, said a Vatican expert on confession. The sacrament of reconciliation “has led to a unilateral overemphasis on the accusation and listing of sins,” said Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, a […]
Holy Family offers information, advising sessions for archdiocesan teachers
Holy Family University in Northeast Philadelphia will hold information sessions on Friday, Feb. 3 and 17, especially for archdiocesan teachers and staff facing career transition or displacement. During the sessions, experts from the university’s School of Education will share information about various teaching credentials and the process by which teachers and staff members earn additional […]
Archbishop Chaput issues call to action during Catholic Schools Week
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will join in the national observance of Catholic Schools Week beginning Jan. 29 through Feb. 5. Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration of the values-centered, faith-filled education that students receive in Catholic elementary, secondary and special education schools. The national theme for Catholic Schools Week 2012 is “Faith. Academics. Service.” […]
HHS move amounts to ‘to hell with you,’ bishop says as protests mount
WASHINGTON (CNS) — A week after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told individuals and institutions who oppose contraception “to hell with you,” as one bishop put it, members of the U.S. Catholic hierarchy were mobilizing their followers to fight. Bishops across the country — including Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta, Archbishop […]
Altoona-Johnstown bishop eulogizes Paterno as ‘good Catholic,’ friend
ALTOONA, Pa. (CNS) — Although Joe Paterno will be remembered as “a legend throughout our region and throughout our country,” Bishop Mark L. Bartchak said the iconic football coach will be best remembered in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown as “a good Catholic, a family man and a friend to many.” Bishop Bartchak made his comments […]
Tie with CRS helps Villanova University make connections to world
WASHINGTON (CNS) — When the Villanova Wildcats beat the Seton Hall Pirates 84-76 in men’s basketball Jan. 18, it wasn’t just a hard-fought victory in the tough Big East conference. The game also was a win for the people of the Republic of South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, thanks to a partnership between Villanova […]
Mass and homecoming at St. Francis de Sales School
On Sunday, Jan. 29 following a Family Mass at 11:30 a.m., St. Francis de Sales School in Aston will host a special “homecoming” in the school from 1 to 3 p.m. Alumni, past faculty and staff, current students and their families, parishioners and members of the community are welcome to attend both events. For more […]