Challenging questions can be sign of faith, preacher tells pope
IMAGE: CNS/Cristian Gennari By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — At the end of a Lenten retreat focused on questions in the Gospels, Servite Father Ermes Ronchi told Pope Francis and senior members of the Roman Curia that it is tempting to bristle when the faithful ask challenging questions, but …
Local Sister of Charity celebrates 100th birthday

This week friends and family of Sister of Charity Annina Morgan celebrated a century of blessings. A Sister of Charity of Cincinnati for 82 years, Sister Annina turned 100 years old on March 9. A couple of days before her 100th birthday, Sister Annina reflected on the past 82 years. …
Pope approves new financial regulations for sainthood causes
IMAGE: CNS photo/Ettore Ferrari, EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In an effort to ensure greater financial transparency and accountability, Pope Francis approved new regulations governing the financial contributions given for sainthood causes, the Vatican announced. The new “norms on the administration of goods of the causes …
Father Simone pleads guilty to theft, plea deal includes jail time

Father Earl F. Simone, former pastor of St. Peter Church in Huber Heights, pleaded guilty Thursday, March 10 in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court to a charge of aggravated theft from the parish. The investigation into financial irregularities at the parish was initiated by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati after receiving an …
Holy Year brings more people to confessionals in St. Peter’s Basilica
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The number of people going to confession in St. Peter’s Basilica increased noticeably in the first months of Year of Mercy, but not among English-speakers, who apparently are staying away from Europe out of fear of terrorism, said the …
Throwback Thursday: Role of women in church examined in 1975

The United Nations dubbed 1975 as International Women’s Year and ever since March 8 has been celebrated as International Women’s Day. March is also Women’s History Month in the United States. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati celebrates the achievement of women throughout the church to this day, and took note of …
Students’ speaking invitation to Planned Parenthood CEO draws criticism
By Richard Szczepanowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Archdiocese of Washington has criticized a Georgetown University student group’s invitation to the president of Planned Parenthood to speak on campus. In a statement, the archdiocese said the issue is not about free speech because “lacking in this choice by the student group …
Catholic silence on involvement in Middle East called ‘massive failure’
IMAGE: (CNS photo/Mohammed Badra, EPA By Beth Griffin NEW YORK (CNS) — “The most massive failure of the Catholic community at all levels in the past 20 years has been to address the question of our ongoing involvement in the Middle East,” according to San Diego Bishop Robert W. McElroy. …
Catholic priest charged with aggravated theft

UPDATE: Father Simone plead guilty to the charge on Thursday, March 10. For the full story, click HERE. A bill of information filed on the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts website today shows Father Earl Simone, a retired priest who served more than 20 years as pastor of St. Peter’s …
Preacher to Curia: Christians wounded by clerical greed, pedophilia
IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano, handout By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The sexual abuse of minors and greed by members of the clergy have left Christians wounded, a Servite priest told the pope and Vatican officials during their Lenten retreat. “Pedophilia and the attachment to money are the …