CHICAGO (CNS) – The Chicago Archdiocese has laid off 60 pastoral center employees and must consolidate some of its agencies because of a deficit in the budget of its administrative operations, according to Cardinal Francis E. George. “Like so many other families and institutions, the Archdiocese of Chicago has suffered during the economic downturn of […]
Uncategorized
Hugo Chavez Dead at 58
by Ezra Fieser SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (CNS) — Hugo Chavez, a socialist president who transformed Venezuela while acting as chief protagonist in what was one of the worst Catholic Church-government relationships in Latin America, died March 5. He was 58. Chavez died of complications from a respiratory infection nearly two years and four surgeries […]
Suspense, Planning during Interregnum
by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The period immediately following a pontificate is one of excited speculation, more or less loose, about the identity of the next pope. Though secrecy rules do not forbid cardinals from naming their preferences, custom and prudence effectively do. In any case, as history shows, once the electors […]
Catherine McAuley H.S. Will Close in June
Catherine McAuley H.S., a small, Catholic, girls’ high school sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community, will close at the end of this school year because of declining enrollment, changing demographics, rising costs, increasing deficits and the economic downswing. Over the past several years, the administration and staff of the East Flatbush school […]
Will One of These Men Be Next Pope?
by Cindy Wooden and Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Wherever journalists and bookmakers may be getting the names on their lists of top candidates for the next pope, it’s not from the cardinals who will actually vote in the election. Both custom and canon law forbid the cardinals to discuss the matter in […]
The Next Pope – Here’s What the Cardinals Will Be Looking for as They Enter the Conclave
by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – One task facing the College of Cardinals already has been completed: A job description for the Catholic Church’s chief evangelizer already is written. He must be humble, but firmly grounded in Church teaching; joyful and enthusiastic; willing to listen to and dialogue with others; and courageous in defending […]
Reforming Roman Curia Will Be Immediate Task for Next Pontiff
by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Threats to religious freedom around the world, the human costs of globalization, media transformed by the revolution in information technology – these are some of the challenges that the next pope is bound to face in leading the Church. According to one highly informed observer, the next […]
Pope Will Serve Church Through Prayer
by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In one of his last public appearances, Pope Benedict XVI told an overflow crowd in St. Peter’s Square Feb. 24 that his upcoming retirement does not mean he is abandoning the Church, but that he will be serving it in a new way, through prayer and meditation. […]
Factoids about Popes’ Ages and Nationalities
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – When Pope Benedict XVI, 85, announced his resignation, he said that “both strength of mind and body are necessary” to carry out the papal ministry in the modern world. He was elected in 2005, just after his 78th birthday. Of the 102 popes whose exact age at election is known, Pope […]
Some Little Known Facts About Papal Conclaves
by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Ambrogio Piazzoni, vice prefect of the Vatican Library and author of the book, History of Papal Elections, shared facts and curiosities with journalists at the Vatican Feb. 20: • Electing a pope is the main and most serious responsibility of members of the College of Cardinals. In the […]