Author Archive
‘The meeting is the message,’ pope tells head of al-Azhar
IMAGE: CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — After five years of tension and top-level silence, Pope Francis and the grand imam of one of the most important Sunni Muslim universities in the world embraced at the Vatican May 23. “The meeting is the message,” …
South Carolina Catholic makes sacred art from simplest of office supplies
IMAGE: CNS photo/Christina Lee Knauss, The Catholic Miscellany By Christina Lee Knauss ST. MATTHEWS, S.C. (CNS) — For years, Matthew Quay picked up paper clips from desks and absent-mindedly straightened them while listening to discussions or presentations at work. He also carried some in his pockets to straighten during Mass …
Pope Benedict denies latest rumors about Fatima ‘secret’
IMAGE: CNS photo/Rafael Marchante, Reuters By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Sixteen years after the Vatican released the text of the so-called Third Secret of Fatima, rumors cyclically arise claiming that the Vatican still is keeping part of Mary’s message to three children in Fatima, Portugal, secret. The Vatican …
Catholics gather for requiem for Slovak nun shot in South Sudan
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Father Liam Dunne By Francis Njuguna NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) — Missionaries and other Catholics gathered in Nairobi May 23 for a requiem Mass for a Slovak nun killed in Yei, South Sudan. Holy Spirit Missionary Sister Veronika Theresia Rackova, 58, director of St. Bakhita Medical Center in …
Tournament sets goals of friendship, nets goals for players
IMAGE: GIAMPIERO SPOSITO By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — When Emmanuele Trincas described Roman Cocco as a “bomber” on the soccer field, they both laughed, but it also gave Cocco the confidence he needed to talk about his experience as a Special Olympics athlete. “I know it’s not modest,” Cocco …
USCCB abuse audit warns of complacency, cites ‘room for improvement’
IMAGE: CNS/USCCB By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — The annual report on the implementation of the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” warns against complacency in dioceses, and the firm contracted to conduct audits of dioceses and parishes said there was “plenty of room for …
Franciscan tasked with locating, preparing bones of Albania’s martyrs
IMAGE: CNS photo/James Martone By James Martone SHKODER, Albania (CNS) — Human bones, old shoes and deteriorating priest collars fill cardboard boxes in the office of Franciscan Brother Vincenzo Foca, an Italian who lives and works in Shkoder. The “relics” belong to Catholics killed under Albania’s previous communist, staunchly atheist …
Pope rules Vatican review needed to set up diocesan religious order
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Diocesan bishops must consult with the Vatican before establishing a diocesan religious order, Pope Francis ruled. The consultation “is to be understood as necessary for the validity of the erection of a diocesan institute of consecrated life,” said the rescript or ruling approved …
Archbishop Martin says pope to visit Ireland for 2018 meeting of families
IMAGE: CNS photo/John Mc Elroy By DUBLIN (CNS) — Archbishop Diarmuid Martin confirmed that Pope Francis, or his successor, will visit Ireland in 2018 for the World Meeting of Families. Archbishop Martin confirmed that when he discussed the issue of visiting Ireland with the pontiff, Pope Francis said: “‘I will …
Friars to make pilgrimage on foot, will say Mass, promote vocations
IMAGE: CNS illustration/courtesy Southern Dominican Province By Peter Finney Jr. NEW ORLEANS (CNS) — The idea of making a walking pilgrimage in the United States took root about four years ago when Dominican Fathers Francis Orozco and Thomas Schaefgen were studying together for the priesthood. They saw the movie, “The …