by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In a lengthy and wide-ranging interview with one of his Jesuit confreres, Pope Francis spoke with characteristic frankness about the perils of overemphasizing Catholic teaching on sexual and medical ethics; the reasons for his deliberate and consultative governing style; and his highest priority for the Church today. […]
by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Helping the Church get the Gospel message out to the digital world depends more on a loving passion for reaching out to others than being tech savvy or a verbal warrior, Pope Francis told Catholic communicators. “I believe that the goal is to understand how to enter into […]
Joseph Bach was received into the Novitiate of the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn. Pictured, from left, are Brother William Boslet, O.S.F., superior general of the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn; Brother Joseph Bach; and Brother Richard Contino, O.S.F., novice director.
The 18th annual chamber music series at Good Shepherd Church, Marine Park, begins on Oct. 6 with a performance by clarinetist Thomas Piercy. The concerts take place on 11 consecutive Sundays at 6 p.m. While admission is free and open to the public, voluntary donations for the performers are encouraged. Michael Fontana, parish music director, […]
Brooklyn seminarian Mark Bristol was promoted in the U.S. Navy from the rank of Ensign to Lieutenant Junior Grade as a Chaplain Candidate on Sept. 20 in a ceremony at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, N.Y. Shown are, from left, Navy Commander Msgr. Joseph Mulqueen; Bristol; Navy recruiter Lieutenant Commander Younker; and Lieutenant Msgr. Terrence Mulkerin.
by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In a letter to an atheistic Italian mathematician, retired Pope Benedict XVI defended his own handling of allegations of the sexual abuse of minors by clergy and politely criticized the logician’s total reliance on scientific facts for meaning. “I never sought to conceal these things,” the pope said […]
At two recent full-day orientation sessions, the diocese’s Pastoral Institute welcomed 86 new participants for its Lay Ministry Program. Coming from parishes across Brooklyn and Queens, they embarked on a three-year course of intellectual, spiritual, human and pastoral formation that will prepare them for service in their parishes. Thirty-nine will follow the English-language track, while […]
by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Visiting an Italian region especially hard hit by the European economic crisis, Pope Francis blamed high unemployment on globalization driven by greed and said those who give charitable aid to the poor must treat their beneficiaries with dignity. “We want a just system, a system that lets […]
Bishops urge Cubans to live in hope for a better future HAVANA (CNS) – In response to the “aspirations, the hopes and the frustrations of the children of God,” the bishops of Cuba urged Cubans to embrace a vision for a better future for their country. Acknowledging that Cuba has “changed in recent years” and […]
by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis’ Sept. 11 meeting with Dominican Father Gustavo Gutierrez was an informal one, held in the pope’s residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, and not listed on his official schedule. Yet the news that Pope Francis had received the 85-year old Peruvian priest, who is widely considered […]
