U.S. bishop says Palestinians in Cremisan Valley ‘have lost hope’
IMAGE: CNS photo/Debbie Hill By Judith Sudilovsky BEIT JALLA, West Bank (CNS) — A U.S. bishop visiting the Holy Land for the second year in a row said Palestinians whose land has been divided by the Israeli separation barrier “have lost hope.” “It was very sad to see the present …
Warmth of mercy can overcome cold indifference, pope tells diplomats
IMAGE: CNS photo/Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Cold indifference to migrants, the poor, the hungry and the persecuted must be overcome through the warmth of mercy, which can transform people into artisans of peace, Pope Francis said. In a lengthy speech Jan. 11 to …
Church’s credibility found in showing mercy, pope says in new book
IMAGE: CNS/Gruppo Mondadori By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Being ministers of God’s mercy, church members overcome “prejudice and rigidity,” taking risks like Jesus did in order to heal and to save, Pope Francis said. In Jesus’ day, lepers were cast out of the community “to avoid contamination: the …
Year of Consecrated Life coming to close, events planned
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati, in union with the Catholic Church around the world, has been celebrating members of religious orders and others in consecrated life during the Year of Consecrated Life called by Pope Francis from Nov. 30, 2014 to Feb. 2, 2016. The theme for the celebration in the …
Lawmakers’ action on guns less swift and sure than the president’s
IMAGE: CNS photo/Kevin Lamarque, Reuters By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — When President Barack Obama unveiled a series of executive orders Jan. 5 intended to make a dent in gun violence in the United States, people reacted. And how. “Thank God that someone finally has the courage to close the …
Archdiocese of Cincinnati offices relocate within building
Visitors to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati central office building in downtown Cincinnati should take note that several offices have moved from the sixth floor to the ninth. Vacant for more than five years, the ninth floor has been extensively renovated using sustainable materials designed to create not only an effective …
Seminarian tradition consecrates year to Mary with polar plunge
Seminarians Peter Langenkamp, Jacob Willig, and Deacon Chris Geiger joined Father Ethan Moore for New Year’s Day plunge into the chilly waters of Lake Loramie (near Minster, Ohio) to consecrate 2016 to the Blessed Virgin. “This was my ninth year to take the plunge for Our Mother. Next year is …
Schedule of Roe vs. Wade memorial events around archdiocese released
The following information, released by Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati, are known area events commemorating the Jan. 22 1973 Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Decision, which legalized abortion on-demand–the 43rd year of this tragic memorial. (Any later additional events will be posted on the Cincinnati Right to Life Area Events page). “Since 1973, over …
French Muslim wages ‘jihad’ against extremists
IMAGE: CNS photo/James Martone By James Martone PARIS (CNS) — Mohammed Chirani was pursuing a midlife career change in the United Kingdom when news erupted out of his native France that Muslim extremists had attacked the Paris headquarters of a satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 people, including eight of …
Lebanon strains under weight of refugees
IMAGE: CNS photo/Lucie Parsaghian, EPA By Doreen Abi Raad BEIRUT (CNS) — While the flow of migrants into Europe and the West has sparked controversy, Lebanon continues to bear the brunt of absorbing massive numbers of refugees. A commonly cited figure is that one in four people in Lebanon is …