Eclipse a way to appreciate creation, Vatican astronomer tells audience
IMAGE: CNS photo/Dennis Sadowski By Dennis Sadowski HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (CNS) — A total solar eclipse is a rare event, something to appreciate and enjoy in the mind of Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno, director of the Vatican Observatory. So as the first eclipse crossed the country from coast to coast in …
Pope leads prayers for an end to ‘inhuman violence’ of terrorism
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — “Let us beg the Lord, God of mercy and peace, to free the world from this inhuman violence,” Pope Francis prayed after a week of deadly terrorist attacks in Africa and Europe. Reciting the Angelus prayer at midday, the pope asked an estimated …
Pope urges respect for the life and dignity of migrants, refugees
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With millions of people fleeing violence, persecution and poverty around the globe, individual nations must expand options that make it possible for migrants and refugees to cross their borders safely and legally, Pope Francis said. “The principle of the centrality of the human …
Archbishop Broglio Issues Statement on Ship Collision Involving the USS John McCain
WASHINGTON, D.C. – His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, issued the following statement today on the ship collision involving the USS John McCain: “Once again the shepherds and faithful of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, raise our voices in …
You can send prayers with pilgrims attending Marian Pilgrimage
My Dear Friends in Christ, As you may know, more than 130 pilgrims will visit Spain, France, and Portugal during this autumn’s Marian Pilgrimage organized by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. To those who can’t be physically with us, I extend an opportunity for spiritual participation in this beautiful undertaking. Specifically, …
Vatican pharmacy does booming business
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Serving an average of more than 2,000 clients a day, the Vatican pharmacy may be one of the world’s busiest in-person dispensaries of pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medicines, soaps, ointments and elixirs. Run, since 1874, by the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God, the …
Catholic leaders urge prayers, unity after attacks in Spain
By Jonathan Luxmoore OXFORD, England (CNS) — Spanish church leaders urged prayers and national unity after two terrorist attacks left at least 19 people dead. Pope Francis, U.S. bishops and others weighed in with prayers and rejection of the Aug. 17 attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils, where cars drove into …
U.S. Bishops Conference Chairman Statement in Response to Barcelona Terror Attack
WASHINGTON—Bishop Oscar Cantú of Las Cruces, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on International Justice and Peace, has issued the following statement in response to today’s terror attack in Barcelona: “Once again, an act of terror has taken more than a dozen lives and injured scores of …
Pope offers prayers for victims of terrorist attack in Barcelona
IMAGE: CNS photo/Ana Jimenez, La Vanguardia via Reuters By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims of a terrorist attack in Barcelona, Spain, that left at least 12 people dead and injured dozens of others. “With great concern the Holy Father has learned about what is …
Being legally blind doesn’t hinder Catholic priest in serving his flock
IMAGE: ED KOSKEY JR. By Anthony Salamone EASTON, Pa. (CNS) — A visitor attending Mass at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church might not notice anything unusual about the celebrant. Father Bernard J. Ezaki walks the center aisle of the massive church in Easton. He climbs the steps leading to …