Author Archive
Puerto Rican governor’s actions set off ‘time bomb,’ bishop says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Marco Bello, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The president of the Puerto Rican bishops’ conference said the actions of Gov. Ricardo Rossello and his administration were the final straw for residents of the U.S. commonwealth who have suffered through years of financial mismanagement, corruption …
Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Brennan named to head West Virginia diocese
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Daphne Stubbolo, The Archdiocese of Washington By WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Francis has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Mark E. Brennan of Baltimore to head the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia. A native of Boston, Bishop Brennan, 72, has been a Baltimore auxiliary since his episcopal ordination Jan. 19, …
Program gives educators tools to teach about Holocaust, anti-Semitism
IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Elizabeth Bachmann WASHINGTON (CNS) — A group of 35 teachers from Catholic middle and high schools around the country went back to school briefly this summer to learn how to better approach anti-Semitism and the Holocaust in the classroom. In its 24th annual summer conference, …
Audit firm, other financial controls announced for West Virginia diocese
By Christopher Gunty BALTIMORE (CNS) — The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, has selected a new external auditor as part of the progress that has been made since Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael J. Bransfield as head of the diocese in September 2018. Baltimore Archbishop William E. …
Pope writes Syrian president, urging him to protect civilians, seek peace
IMAGE: CNS photo/White Helmets, social media via Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis urged Syrian President Bashar Assad to put an end to his country’s eight-year-long conflict and seek reconciliation for the good of the nation and its vulnerable people. "The Holy Father asks the president …
Pope issues sanctions against former West Virginia bishop
IMAGE: CNS photo/Tim Bishop, Catholic Spirit) By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston announced July 19 sanctions from the Vatican — including taking away the faculties of celebrating Mass — against a former West Virginia bishop who stepped down last year under a cloud of allegations of …
Agencies ‘appalled’ by reports U.S. could end refugee admissions
IMAGE: CNS photo/Giorgos Moutafis, Reuters By Julie Asher WASHINGTON (CNS) — News that officials in the Trump administration are considering "zeroing out" the number of refugees accepted by the United States brought an immediate outcry from Catholic and other faith-based agencies urging the government to reconsider such a move. "The …
Dialogue with indigenous: Understanding that ‘we are simple stewards’
IMAGE: CNS Photo/Paul Jeffrey By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — By convening a special synod on the Amazon at the Vatican in October, Pope Francis will be giving greater exposure to the church’s deep concern for the people and the ecosystem on which they depend. Like other synods with …
Catholics put focus on immigrant children with rally, civil disobedience
IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — A few hundred Catholic activists, including dozens of women religious, gathered outside at the foot of the U.S. Capitol July 18 urging politicians to stop its "inhumane treatment" of immigrant children at the border and reminding people of faith to …
Faith is no trick up this magician’s sleeve
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Giancarlo Bernini By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — For Giancarlo Bernini, a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, things are not always as they appear and that’s a good thing because it is how he plans to make a living. The magician, who has …