News
Vatican suppresses Italy-based community founded by married couple
A four-year study of the Regina Pacis Community found "institutional weaknesses, especially in governance" as well as difficulties in relations between members.
Pakistan province demolishes Catholic church, despite protests
A church serving more than 300 Christian families in Pakistan's commercial capital of Karachi was demolished Aug. 24, along with thousands of homes, to mitigate flooding of nearby streams.
After historic Tennessee floods, parish support is ‘phenomenal’
"Within just 10 to 30 minutes, people went from dry floors to having to climb in their attics," said an official of the Aug. 20-21 record rainfall. Aid given by one parish was called "an absolute godsend."
Sister M. Dolores Kraemer, I.H.M. dies at age 90
After entering the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1949 and taking the name Sister Michael Dolores, she spent 72 years in the congregation, all in teaching ministry.
Sister Kathleen Theresa Maguire, I.H.M. dies at 82
The Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died in the 65th year of her religious life. She taught in many schools of the Philadelphia Archdiocese and was pastoral minister in parishes and health care facilities.
Laypeople join religious order in ‘ministry of presence’ for terminally ill
For over 100 years in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the Sisters Servants of Mary have kept overnight vigil with the terminally ill in their homes. Now five laypeople have joined the ministry in accord with the Gospel of Matthew: "I was ill and you cared for me."
Court ruling upholding Texas abortion law called ‘long-awaited victory’
The 2017 law effectively bans a common second-trimester abortion procedure called a D&E for "dilation and evacuation" by physicians. Texas uses the terminology "dismemberment abortion." The case is expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court.
High court orders Biden administration to restore ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy
The U.S. Supreme Court late Aug. 24 said a Trump-era immigration policy requiring asylum-seekers to be returned to Mexico and await adjudication of their cases -- despite dangerous and inhumane conditions there -- must be restored.
Masks to be mandated in all archdiocesan schools
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is requiring that face masks be worn by students, faculty, staff and visitors in all archdiocesan schools starting Monday, Aug. 30 before the start of in-person instruction Sept. 8 as a precaution against the spread of COVID -- especially by the unvaccinated.
Ministry to youth is a call to the whole church, leader says
Accompanying teens on their journey of faith is a task for all ages, even if it means "being OK with the mess" at times, said Marisally Santiago, director of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Office for Ministry with Youth.