Bishop Praises Work of Religious in the Diocese (with video)

  In the wake of Pope Francis’ announcement that the next liturgical year will be dedicated to consecrated life, the Diocese of Brooklyn celebrated its own religious men and women. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio was the main celebrant of the liturgy for the World Day for Consecrated Life Feb. 2 at St. James Cathedral-Basilica, Downtown Brooklyn. […]

Relic of Blessed John Paul Recovered

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Less than a week after a relic of Blessed John Paul II disappeared from a country chapel east of Rome, Italian police recovered the venerated piece of fabric stained with the late pope’s blood. Auxiliary Bishop Giovanni D’Ercole of L’Aquila told reporters that one of three men arrested for the theft […]

Al-Qaida Fights to Oust Christians from Mideast

by James Martone CAIRO (CNS) – The two worlds Armenian Catholic Bishop Krikor Okostinos Coussan knows best are engulfed in violence. In Syria, where he’s from, a war has led to the death of tens of thousands of people and displaced millions of others. In Egypt, where he lives and currently serves, civil unrest combined […]

Lithuanians Host Bishop from Homeland

The Lithuanian community of Annunciation parish, Williamsburg, hosted a visit from Bishop Kestutis Kevalas, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Kaunas, Lithuania. It was arranged through the New York Lithuanian Catholic Youth Organization, “Ateitis.” Bishop Kevalas began the day with a visit to the children of the parish, including those who are preparing to receive […]

Pope: Universities Must Maintain Catholic Identity

by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Catholic universities must give “uncompromising” and “unambiguous” witness to Church teaching and defend themselves from all efforts to dilute their Catholic identity, Pope Francis said. Catholic universities, “by their very nature, are committed to demonstrating the harmony of faith and reason and the relevance of the Christian message […]

Online Exclusive: Auxiliary Bishops Visit Catholic Schools

  Auxiliary Bishops Raymond Chappetto, Octavio Cisneros and Paul Sanchez visited Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens during Catholic Schools Week. Bishop Chappetto, vicar general of the Diocese, visited two schools in Bensonhurst on Tuesday, Jan. 28: Our Lady of Guadalupe, at 9:15 a.m., and St. Athanasius, at 10:30 a.m. Bishop Cisneros held an assembly […]

Bishop Visits: Kids Excited to Host Bishop During Catholic Schools Week (with slideshow)

As part of his annual Catholic Schools Week (CSW) schedule, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio visited Immaculate Conception School, Jamaica Estates, on the morning on Jan. 30 to promote this year’s CSW theme – “Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” The entire student body of more than 500 children from nursery through eighth grade attended a special […]

Remembering Fort Greene Pastor

Adelphi Street, corner of Park Avenue, in Fort Greene recently was named Father Walter C. Murphy Way. The dedication pays tribute to the late pastor of Sacred Heart parish, who died April 24, 2012, at the age of 82.

Pope Wants Greater Role for Women

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Women should play a greater role in society and the Church without sacrificing their essential attention and contribution to their families, Pope Francis said. Women’s distinctive skill sets and sensibilities make them invaluable not only for building “peace and harmony” in families but for all of humanity, too, he said. The […]

Pope Francis Ushered in A ‘New Era’ for Church – Seeks New Kind of Care for the Needy

by Jonathan Luxmoore OXFORD, England (CNS) – The cardinal who heads Pope Francis’ Council of Cardinals said the Catholic Church is entering a “new era” and accused critics of the pope’s statements on economic injustice of failing to “understand reality.” “I’m firmly convinced we are at the dawn of a new era in the church, […]