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, […]

Decision to Publish JP II’s Diary Stirs Up Controversy

by Jonathan Luxmoore WARSAW, Poland (CNS) – The former personal secretary of Blessed Pope John Paul II has approved the publication of the late pontiff’s private notebooks, despite a request in his will that they should be burned. “In writing his will, the Holy Father knew he was entrusting these notebooks to someone who would […]