VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican is helping organize an international conference meant to help dioceses work with their local communities in finding appropriate uses for decommissioned churches. The Pontifical Council for Culture, together with Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University and the Italian bishops’ conference, will sponsor the gathering, titled “Doesn’t God Dwell Here Anymore? Decommissioning
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has named a lay Italian journalist with decades of experience in print, radio and television broadcasting to head the Vatican’s Secretariat for Communication. Paolo Ruffini, 61, who headed the Italian conference of Catholic bishops’ TV and radio network, was named prefect of the dicastery July 5, making him the
ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS) — As a delegate to the Region II encuentro held recently in Albany, Daniel Solares echoed a message youth ministers have been sharing around the country during the process leading up to the National Fifth Encuentro to be held this fall. “This is the time to listen to young people. … And,
OTTAWA, Ontario (CNS) — Jesuit Father Tony Van Hee says nearly three decades spent fasting and praying on Parliament Hill to end abortion have been the best years of his life. At age 81, he has no plans of slowing down, despite a raft of rule changes that, among many restrictions, even limit his bathroom
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — Outspoken Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is to curb his tirades against the Catholic Church after agreeing to a moratorium on statements deriding priests and bishops. Ucanews.com reported the presidential palace announced the president’s decision after a 30-minute meeting July 9 between Duterte and Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, president of the
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — Catholic bishops in the Philippines, concerned about an increase in violence and police reaction to crime, announced a day of prayer and penance July 16 and three days of fasting, prayer and penance, July 17-19. The bishops said they wanted to “invoke God’s mercy and justice on those who have blasphemed
PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — Faith and football connected for a gain at a recent dinner in downtown Philadelphia sponsored by the American Bible Society and attended by nearly 1,000 folks who have faith and almost certainly are Philadelphia Eagles fans. The featured guest celebrity and an obvious draw for the event was Philadelphia’s favorite coach of
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God wants his disciples to bring his mercy and love to everyone, everywhere on earth, which means it may cost them their “good name,” comfort and their life, Pope Francis said on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. Following Christ requires “that we open our hearts to the Father and
PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — A grand street procession dedicated to Mary through North Philadelphia’s busy neighborhoods on a recent Sunday was a highlight of St. Veronica Parish’s days-long Marian Mission. “Putting Mary everywhere” is a major goal of St. Veronica parishioners, said Incarnate Word Father Joseph LoJacono, the pastor. The particular title of Mary honored during
ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS) — One focus at the Region II encuentro in Albany June 22-24 was a need for the Catholic Church to focus on family ministry. Because families are the foundation of society, evangelized families would transform the world, Albany Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger told Catholic News Service. “We reflect God’s divinity in our
