World News
Pope warns of threat to freedom of religion, conscience in US
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI warned visiting U.S. bishops that “radical secularism” threatens the core values of American culture, and he called on the Church in America, including politicians and other laypeople, to render “public moral witness” on crucial social issues. The Pope spoke Jan. 19 to a group of U.S. bishops who […]
As Tet nears, migrants return to Vietnam, get chance to renew faith
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (CNS) — Catholic migrant workers based in Laos are returning home to be with their families in time for the Tet New Year holidays and, for many, the trip will offer a chance to renew their faith. Others, however, even within Vietnam, will not make the traditional journey to be […]
For Pope, 2011 was year of evangelization, travel and technology
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — An interfaith meeting in Assisi, a new book on Jesus of Nazareth and a website-launching tap on an iPad were among the highlights of 2011 for Pope Benedict XVI. Although the year saw a further cutback in individual papal audiences, the 84-year-old Pope still enjoyed a productive and busy 12 months, […]
Midnight Masses canceled in Iraq because of growing security concerns
LONDON (CNS) — Chaldean Catholic officials have canceled traditional Christmas Eve midnight Masses because of security risks. Chaldean Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk in northern Iraq told the agency Aid to the Church in Need that Christians will spend Christmas in “great fear” because of the risk of new attacks.
Youth perform “Live Nativity” at St. Robert Parish
On Thursday, Dec. 15, the St. Robert Bellarmine Youth Ministry Program in Warminster presented “Live Nativity – The Christmas Story Comes to Life.” The main cast and crew included students from St. Joseph/St. Robert School, PREP, and parish youth through 12th grade. Supporting cast consisted of live sheep, donkeys and llamas. […]
Pope advances sainthood causes of Marianne Cope, Kateri Tekakwitha
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI advanced the sainthood causes of Blessed Marianne Cope of Molokai and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. He also formally recognized the martyrdom of 64 victims of the Spanish Civil War and advanced the causes of 18 other men and women. During a meeting Dec. 19 with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect […]
Catholic officials call for calm in Congo crisis
KINSHASA, Congo (CNS) — Catholic officials called for calm after a tense day of polling in which violent incidents claimed the lives of nearly a dozen people during Congo’s presidential and legislative elections. “The electoral campaign that took place in a tense atmosphere has ended with a funereal note,” the Congolese bishops’ conference said in […]
Young Hispanics gather at vocation meeting
While some were busy on Friday making a fuss over the significance of the date 11/11/11, a group of about 35 high school age youths from various North and South Philadelphia groups gathered at the Bevilacqua Community center in Kensington on for a vocational evening. The evening consisted of an exhibit from about 15 religious […]
Dams of sand give African drought victims hope, optimism
KIPSING, Kenya (CNS) — Near the southwestern edge of the vast stretch of East Africa where drought has led to famine and more than 13 million people are considered to be living in crisis, Henry Lesokoyu is the picture of hope and optimism. A couple of feet beneath the dry surface of a seasonal river […]
Redemptorists urge Hanoi Catholics to remain calm after attacks
HANOI, Vietnam (CNS) — Redemptorists at a Hanoi parish have urged local Catholics to keep calm after a mob led by government officials attacked a convent and church in early November.