WARSAW, Poland (CNS) – Climate change represents an “ethical challenge to civilization,” said the Vatican’s lead representative to an international conference discussing the worldwide impact of climate change. Archbishop Celestino Migliore told attendees at a Church-run conference that the Vatican would help “form consciences and ethical perspectives” on climate change in line with Catholic social […]
International News
Filipinos Pray Homeland Recovers from Typhoon – Mass of Healing at St. Michael’s, Flushing
by Ed Wilkinson Many members of the Filipino community in the U.S. belong to helping professions, such as the medical field. But right now, it is the Filipinos themselves who are in need of help. That was the observation of Father Patrick Longalong, coordinator of the diocesan Filipino apostolate, following a Mass of healing and […]
British Photographer Captures The Spirituality of the Homeless
by Caroline Hroncich ROME (CNS) – As far as English photographer Lee Jeffries knows, Pope Francis has never seen his pictures, yet he is sure they would be to his taste. The pope is a “person of the people,” Jeffries told Catholic News Service. “And these images represent the humanity in all of us. The […]
Author Says Mafia Would Like to Harm the Pope
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Crime families in Italy are not happy with Pope Francis and would hurt him if they could, said an Italian prosecutor who has spent years investigating organized crime and has written a book about the apparent Catholic devotion of mafia bosses. “I’m not sure organized crime is in a position to […]
Bishops of Americas Discuss New Models for Parishes
by David Agren MEXICO CITY (CNS) – Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Ottawa, Ontario, recalled once having a parish that needed a new furnace and was considering hiring a youth pastor. The parishioners raised $90,000 in three weeks for the furnace but failed to find funds for the youth pastor, figuring there were few young people […]
Pope to the Americas: Keep Missionary Spirit
by David Agren MEXICO CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis once again called for Catholics to adopt a missionary mindset and make mission the priority of all pastoral activities. The pope, speaking from the Vatican via video to an audience of clergy, religious and laity at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, […]
Pope Francis MD
Pope Francis holds up a box of “spiritual medicine” after praying the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Nov. 17. The box contained a rosary, a Divine Mercy holy card and a medicinal-style instruction sheet. The pope said the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet are “a spiritual […]
Relics of St. Peter to Be Venerated As Year of Faith Comes to an End
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – For the first time, bones traditionally believed to be relics of St. Peter the Apostle will be displayed for public veneration in St. Peter’s Square Nov. 24, at a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis to conclude the Year of Faith. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New […]
Aid to Philippines
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) – International and local groups were poised to get aid to the worst-hit areas of the typhoon-stricken central Philippines, but the challenges of getting help to communities growing desperate for food and water went beyond just making sure roads were clear. For the Jesuits who wanted to help, security was the priority. […]
US Bishops Meet – Cardinal Dolan Warns About Persecution Of the Church Around the World
by Dennis Sadowski BALTIMORE (CNS) – New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan called upon his brother bishops to champion the cause of people around the world being persecuted because of their faith even as the bishops continue to prevent what he described as infringements upon religious practice in the U.S. In his final address as […]