USCCB to meet next week, Archbishop Schnurr nominated in treasurer election
Staff Report During their Nov. 16-19 general assembly in Baltimore, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will vote for a treasurer-elect for the USCCB as well as chairmen-elect for six standing committees. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr of Cincinnati, and Bishop John M. LeVoir of New Ulm, Minnesota are both nominated for …
Bishop Murry installs 16 as acolytes at seminary
Staff Report Sixteen men took a formal step on their journey to ordination Nov. 4 when Bishop of Youngstown George V. Murry, SJ, installed them as acolytes. Bishop Murry presided at the Mass and installation in the Chapel of Saint Gregory the Great at the Athenaeum of Ohio. The bishop handed …
Mexican foreign minister confirms pope to visit capital, three states
IMAGE: CNS photo/Alex Cruz, EPA By David Agren CUAUTITLAN IZCALLI, Mexico (CNS) — Mexican Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu has confirmed that Pope Francis will visit the capital, Mexico City, along with the states of Chihuahua and Chiapas — on the northern and southern borders respectively — and Michoacan in …
Central African leaders say, despite security concerns, pope will visit
IMAGE: CNS photo/handout via EPA By Jonathan Luxmoore OXFORD, England (CNS) — Church leaders in Central African Republic said the pope’s Nov. 29-30 visit will go ahead, despite warnings that international peacekeepers may be unable to ensure his safety. “We’re full of hope the Holy Father’s presence will bring great …
Some believe Keystone pipeline through country’s midsection is not dead yet
IMAGE: CNS photo/larry Smith, EPA By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — President Barack Obama may have denied the permit for construction of the Keystone XL pipeline to carry tar sands oil from Alberta in western Canada to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries, but Nebraskans Susan and Jim Dunavan aren’t so sure …
Laity are disciples, not ‘second-class members’ of church, pope says
By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Laypeople are not second-class members at the service of the church hierarchy, but are disciples of Christ called to “enliven every environment, every activity and every human relationship according to the Gospel,” Pope Francis said. The pope sent a message Nov. 10 …
Priest: Child’s funeral brings mourners to ‘intersection of pain, anger’
IMAGE: CNS photo/Karen Callaway, Cathol By Michelle Martin CHICAGO (CNS) — The execution-style murder of 9-year-old Tyshawn Lee was not what God wanted to happen, Father Michael Pfleger said at Tyshawn’s funeral Nov. 10. “This is the face of the reality of evil,” Father Pfleger said. “This is evil right …
World Youth Day host city attractive destination for travelers, pilgrims
IMAGE: Nancy Wiechec By Nancy Wiechec KRAKOW, Poland (CNS) — Guide Ewa Basiura grasped a heavy iron cuff chained to the side of St. Mary’s Basilica. “Any idea what this was used for?” she asked her American tour group. No one ventured an answer. This is where wayward Catholics were …
Chaldean patriarch to Iraqi president: Veto law on child conversions
IMAGE: CNS photo/Ali Abbas, EPA By Simon Caldwell MANCHESTER, England (CNS) — The patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church has called upon Iraq’s president to veto a law that will force some Christian children to convert to Islam. The Assyrian International News Agency reported that Chaldean Patriarch Louis Sako of …
Evangelization congregation denies mismanaging property
By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples strongly denied accusations of cronyism in renting out properties in Rome. The congregation released a statement Nov. 11 after several news reports claimed that Vatican-owned apartments were rented far below market value and that several …