Melva Arbelo, director of the Santa Teresita of the Child Jesus Children’s Home in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, has been named the winner of the 2016-17 Lumen Christi Award given annually since 1978 by Catholic Extension. She will accept her award during an Oct. 19 Mass in Arecibo.
International News
Pope, Vatican Worried Over North Korea
Pope Francis and the Vatican are concerned about continuing tensions on the Korean peninsula “on account of the nuclear tests carried out by North Korea,” the Vatican spokesman confirmed.
Pope: In Times of Despair, Don’t Turn Away from God
Don’t respond to grief or anguish with pills, alcohol or avoidance – figure out what is going on inside your heart, then turn to God and beg him for help, Pope Francis said Sept. 27 during an early morning Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
Deacons Cannot Witness Marriages In an Orthodox or Eastern Church
In a change to Church law, Latin-rite Catholic deacons may not preside at a wedding when one or both of the new spouses are members of an Eastern Catholic church.
Abortion Aid, Suicide Are Seen As Impediments to Ordination
The sacredness of human life is so absolute that performing or helping procure an abortion or attempting suicide is an obstacle to ordination as a Catholic priest, even if the man was not Catholic at the time the events occurred, said a new Vatican ruling.
Two More Priests Killed in Mexico
Two priests were kidnapped and killed in the Mexican state of Veracruz, raising the death toll of prelates murdered in Mexico to 14 in less than four years.
Pope, Cardinals Examine How Bishops Are Chosen
Pope Francis and members of the international Council of Cardinals advising him on church governance once again discussed ways to improve the process of identifying the best priests to become bishops.
Catholic Relief Services Names Veteran Staffer as New CEO
A six-month search for a new president and CEO for one of the largest humanitarian relief agencies in the world ended at its doorstep, with Catholic Relief Services announcing Sept. 16 that it is hiring a veteran employee – Sean Callahan, as its new president and CEO.
Prayer and Dialogue: Interfaith Peace Gathering in Assisi
“We never tire of repeating that the name of God cannot be used to justify violence. Peace alone, and not war, is holy!” the pope said Sept. 20 at the closing ceremony of an interreligious peace gathering in Assisi to mark the 30th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s Assisi interfaith peace gathering in 1986.
Pope Visits Newborns
Pope Francis visits the neonatal unit at San Giovanni Hospital in Rome Sept. 16. The visit was part of the pope’s series of Friday works of mercy during the Holy Year.