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National & World News
Pope: You make the Church ‘sick’ if you don’t support your bishop
By Ann Schneible CNA/EWTN News VATICAN CITY — During his weekly general audience on Wednesday Pope Francis said that a Church which does not foster communion with the bishop is unhealthy. In his remarks to the crowds gathered in Saint Peter’s Square on Nov. 5, the Pope called on Christian …
Pope appoints Wisconsin bishop to head statewide Diocese of Boise
By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael P. Driscoll of Boise, Idaho, and appointed Bishop Peter F. Christensen of Superior, Wisconsin, to succeed him. Bishop Driscoll, who has headed the statewide diocese since 1999, is 75, the age at which bishops are …
Pope Francis to open Vatican conference on traditional marriage
By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — A month after closing a Synod of Bishops on the family stirred by controversy over divorce, same-sex unions and other nonmarital relationships, Pope Francis will open an interreligious conference dedicated to traditional marriage. The Vatican-sponsored gathering, on the “Complementarity of …
Maynard suicide called tragedy, symbol of ‘culture of death’ in U.S.
By Catholic News Service PORTLAND, Ore. — Brittany Maynard, a young California woman who was suffering from terminal brain cancer and gained national attention for her plan to use Oregon’s assisted suicide law, ended her life Nov. 1. She was 29 years old.
Want to bolster families? Return to Gospel concepts of freedom, fidelity
By Matt Hadro CNA/EWTN News WASHINGTON, DC — The Church must work to strengthen the family by helping couples practice Christian concepts of virtues if it wishes to “open wide the doors to Christ” in the vision of St. John Paul II, the head of the Knights of Columbus said …
Bright lights, cool air protect Sistine Chapel from visiting hordes
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The Vatican is not promising visitors to the Sistine Chapel more elbow room, but it is guaranteeing a cooler experience. Marking the year of the 450th anniversary of Michelangelo Buonarroti’s death, the Vatican Museums hope the brand new air conditioning system …
Cardinal announces school closures, mergers in Chicago Archdiocese
By Catholic News Service CHICAGO — In a major restructuring, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced Oct. 29 that 14 elementary schools would be closed or merged at the end of the 2014-2015 academic year. “This restructuring is the result of our ongoing efforts to strengthen and support sustainable Catholic schools …
Halloween costumes that mock religious figures called disrespectful
By Rose Ybarra Catholic News Service BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Every October, many look forward to Halloween — the trick-or-treating, the parties and especially the costumes. Every Halloween, however, many also mock religious figures with their costume choices. Costumes for badly behaved nuns, rabbis, Muslims, priests, Catholic schoolgirls, Sikhs and Buddhist …
CRS manages ‘safe and dignified’ burials of Sierra Leone Ebola victims
By Bronwen Dachs Catholic News Service CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Burials that are dignified and safe are urgently needed for Ebola victims in West Africa, where corpses are frequently left unattended for days and then thrown into graves without ceremony, a U.S. church aid official said. “So many people …
R U texting in church? Put the phone down!
By Angela Cave Catholic News Service ALBANY, N.Y. — Entire families navigate their smartphones while sharing meals at restaurants. Students text in class. Parents take phone calls at their children’s sporting events and plays.