News

Like Amazon, students should deliver the good news fast, bishop says at SEEK21

"Are we presenting in our message the true image of God? Are we delivering the good news of a God of love?" That was the message of a homily at a global conference attended by small groups totaling 27,000 participants.

On Ash Wednesday, Philippine archdiocese to let families distribute ashes

The Cebu Archdiocese released a prayer guide for those at home and unable to go to church due to COVID-19 restrictions. Government rules prohibit children and elderly people from attending large church gatherings.

Iraqi Catholics call it ‘miracle’ that pope will visit their city

The largest Syriac Catholic congregation in the world is preparing physically and spiritually for Pope Francis' upcoming visit to Qaraqosh, Iraq. "Words can't describe how happy we are," said one priest.

Global players join to set priorities for COVID vaccine

Equitable and effective ways of allocating the vaccines are being sought because if they are not available to everyone, the pandemic continues, taking more lives and harming more people and economies.

Judge stops pandemic capacity limits placed on New York synagogues

A federal judge in Brooklyn, an area with high rates of COVID-19 infections, permanently blocked capacity limits at Orthodox synagogues and all houses of worship in the state.

CUA students object to pro-life speaker, call her comments ‘hate speech’

Abby Johnson, who spoke via Zoom at the Catholic University of America Feb. 9, had been opposed by the campus pro-life group over comments she'd made on race and her being at the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6.

Catholic leaders urge TPS for Central Americans, aid for storm-ravaged nations

Two U.S. bishops' committee chairmen and the head of Catholics Relief Services asked the Biden administration to grant Temporary Protected Status to foreign nationals from Central America in the U.S.

Bill would block federal taxpayer funding of abortion

New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith has introduced a bill that would make the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortion, permanent. A majority of Americans oppose such funding, according to a new poll.

Isolation of young adults to be discussed in Zoom webinar

The archdiocesan Office for Ministry to Young Adults is sponsoring “Finding God During Times of Isolation and Solitude” on Thursday, Feb. 11 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Jews, Christians can learn from their shared Scriptures, say scholars

In a recent talk hosted by Saint Joseph's University, renowned academics Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler discussed what the Bible looks like with and without Jesus -- and how both views can lead to a better understanding of the divine.