News

Simple Christians: Ordinary Trappist martyrs gave extraordinary witness

Seven Trappist monks of the monastery were murdered in 1996 by the members of the Armed Islamic Group. They will be beatified Dec. 8 in Oran, Algeria.

Back in the black: Church finances turn historic corner

For the first time in six years, a new word has appeared in an annual assessment of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s finances: surplus. It is small, at $1.3 million, but part of a broader financial turnaround.

Bishops in Sudan, South Sudan tell citizens only they can build peace

"You have a vital role to work for peace in the way you think, talk and act. We appeal to you to tune down your unhelpful rhetoric on social media," which sometimes includes "insults and incitement of hatred," the bishops said.

Cardinal makes ‘urgent call’ to combat antibiotic overuse, misuse

World Antibiotics Awareness Week, which took place Nov. 12-18 this year, aims to "increase global awareness of antibiotic resistance and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policymakers to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.

Pope changes date of World Day of Migrants and Refugees to September

While the 2018 World Day of Migrants and Refugees was celebrated Jan. 14, in 2019 it will be celebrated Sept. 29, also the feast of the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

Ohio House passes bill to ban abortion after heartbeat of unborn detected

In addition to prohibiting abortion after the heartbeat is detected, H.B. 258 applies penalties to physicians violating this prohibition; allows for civil actions related to the "wrongful death of an unborn child."

Reading of edict at Mass opens canonization cause for Sister Thea Bowman

The church was packed with people who loved Sister Bowman and can't wait to see her become a saint.

Sister Thea Bowman encouraged others to stand up for their rights

Sister Thea Bowman, a trailblazing African-American sister who was the first and only black nun in her religious congregation and the first black woman to address the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, continues to inspire members of her order and others she touched throughout her life.

‘Homeless Jesus’ sculpture finds home outside Rio de Janeiro’s cathedral

Cardinal Orani Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro blessed the sculpture "Homeless Jesus" Nov. 18, ending a weeklong series of events by Brazil's Catholic Church to celebrate World Day of the Poor.

Scalia, Staubach among seven who receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

Late Associate Justice Antonin Scalia and former NFL quarterback Roger Staubach, both devout Catholics, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in a White House ceremony.