Sexual Allegations Against Priests Is on the Decline

WASHINGTON (CNS) – The annual audit of diocesan compliance with the U.S. Catholic Church’s “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” found a drop in the number of allegations, number of victims and number of offenders reported in 2012. Georgetown University-based Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, which gathered data for the […]

New Saints – Pope Francis Canonizes Largest Number of Saints in One Day

by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis warned against “gentrification of the heart” as a consequence of comfortable living, and called on the faithful to “touch the flesh of Christ” by caring for the needy. The pope’s words came in a homily during Mass in St. Peter’s Square May 12, when he […]

NY Cardinal Prays for Kidnapped Archbishops

by Christie L. Chicoine Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan challenged Massgoers to hold onto hope and to pray for the safety and well-being of two Orthodox archbishops kidnapped in Syria in late April while carrying out a humanitarian mission. “Our prayers are singularly fervent this spring morning as I invite all of us to unite in […]

St. John’s U. President Resigns

Vincentian Father Donald J. Harrington announced his resignation May 3 as the president of St. John’s University, Jamaica. He had been president at St. John’s for 24 years. His resignation takes effect July 31. In a letter announcing his resignation to St. John’s faculty and students, Father Harrington said, “I do this with the firm […]

At World Youth Day in Brazil, Pope Will Visit Shrine, Slum and Youth

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis will meet slum-dwellers and powerful politicians, pay homage at a Marian shrine and celebrate with participants at World Youth Day when he visits Brazil in late July. The Argentine pope’s first international trip, which will take him to his native Latin America, was planned under his predecessor, retired Pope […]

Pope Francis Welcomes Home Pope Emeritus

by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – For the first time in history, the Vatican is home to a pope and a retired pope. Pope Francis welcomed his predecessor, retired Pope Benedict XVI, to the Vatican May 2 outside the convent remodeled for the 86-year-old retired pontiff and five aides. Pope Francis and Pope Benedict […]

Nuncio Escapes Terrorist Bomb In Tanzania

by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The deadly bombing of a new church in northern Tanzania left at least two people dead and a dozen injured, while the Vatican nuncio escaped unharmed after the attack. Archbishop Francisco Padilla, apostolic nuncio to Tanzania, was among those attending the inauguration of a new church in the […]

Prayers for Beatified Puerto Rican Layman

by Marie Elena Giossi Petitions for health and healing were raised to Blessed Carlos Manuel “Charlie” Rodríguez at a bilingual Mass of intercession at St. Paul the Apostle Church, Corona, May 4. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Blessed Charlie, who is the first Puerto Rican to be beatified. The largely […]

Knights to the Rescue

Councils Respond to a Member’s Tragedy and Grief by Marie Elena Giossi When tragedy struck a local Knight of Columbus and his family far from home, his brother Knights in two states and their local communities responded with overwhelming concern and support. On Holy Saturday, March 30, the Malave family of St. Fidelis parish, College […]