Young nun, postulants among hundreds of Ecuador earthquake victims
IMAGE: CNS photo/Henry Romero, Reuters By WASHINGTON (CNS) — Six members of the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother, including a young nun from Northern Ireland, are among the dead in the strongest earthquake to strike Ecuador since 1979. Sister Clare Theresa Crockett, 33, of Londonderry, died while …
From nightmare to dream: Syrian refugees thank pope for safety
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — After less than 48 hours in Rome, “dream” is the word used most often by the six Syrian adults Pope Francis brought back to Italy with him from a refugee camp in Greece. By April 18, the couples — who asked …
Words and deeds can’t be separated, pope tells new priests
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — What you say and how you live always go hand in hand, building up the church and the people of God, Pope Francis told new priests. “Therefore, may your doctrine be nourishment to the people of God, joy and supporting …
‘We too are living in a time of martyrdom’, Pope tells Scottish seminarians
The world continues to be “hostile to the Gospel,” just as it was four centuries ago when St. John Ogilvie was martyred for his faith in Scotland, but continuing to witness to Christ will change the world, Pope Francis said on Thursday. This was the message of the Holy Father …
Report: Baby girls are being targeted for abortion in the West
The problem of sex-selective abortion is not limited to China and India, but is increasing in communities within Western countries, a new report by the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute says. “I think for a long time we’ve been denying that sex-selective abortion happens in the United States,” said Anna Higgins, …
God wants total abandonment, body and soul, to His will
I don’t know how many people are like me. I consider myself a fairly good listener and have always been ready with what I have considered pretty good advice. I certainly have had my fair share of times when I have given bad advice as well, but good or bad, …
Pastoral Council hears upbeat financial report at March meeting
The Archdiocesan Pastoral Council continued to discuss revision of its bylaws and membership parameters at its regular meeting March 5 at the Bartlett Center on the campus of the Athenaeum of Ohio. However, the commission first heard an upbeat report on the archdiocese’s finances from its own oversight committee and …
‘It makes you weep,’ pope says of refugees’ stories
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM GREECE (CNS) — When an aide suggested Pope Francis offer to fly some Syrian refugees back to Rome with him, the pope said he agreed immediately because it was “an inspiration of the Holy Spirit.” In the end, he …
Pope prays for refugees, brings 12 Syrians back to Rome
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden MYTILENE, Greece (CNS) — Pope Francis’ five-hour visit to Greece ended with him offering safe passage to Italy to 12 Syrian Muslims, half under the age of 18. The Vatican had kept secret the pope’s plan to invite the members of three Syrian families …
Pope, Orthodox leaders listen to cries of refugees, urge help
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden MYTILENE, Greece (CNS) — Although their speeches were punctuated with policy appeals, Pope Francis and Orthodox leaders focused their visit to the island of Lesbos on the faces, stories and drawings of refugees. Pope Francis, Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and Archbishop Ieronymos …