Pope Benedict changes rituals for new pope’s inauguration
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has ordered several changes to the Masses and liturgies that will mark the inauguration of the next pope’s pontificate. Rites and gestures that are not strictly sacramental will take place either before a Mass or in a …
St. Joseph Catholic School in OTR, St. James of the Valley were closed for illness Feb. 22
By John Stegeman The Catholic Telegraph UPDATE: Superintendent Jim Rigg confirmed that St. James of the Valley in Wyoming, Ohio was closed Friday, Feb. 22 for the same reason as St. Joseph in Over the Rhine— illness. Officials from St. James of the Valley could not be reached for further …
Former Nobel prize nominee Bishop Gassis of Sudan visits archdiocese, talks human rights
By Eileen Connelly, OSU The Catholic Telegraph Bishop Macram Max Gassis, a Comboni Missionary once proposed as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize, visited the archdiocese Feb. 15-17 to discuss his work as a human rights advocate in his home country of Sudan. His time in Cincinnati included a …
One of these men will (probably) be the new pope
Curious what Pope Benedict XVI‘s immediate successor will look like? Almost certainly he will be chosen from among the 117 Cardinal-electors pictured below. A cardinal must be below the age of 80 to vote and participate in the conclave. While a person does not need to be a cardinal …
Vatican: Pope considering last-minute changes to conclave rules
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI is considering making some changes to the conclave rules and rituals before he leaves office Feb. 28, the Vatican spokesman confirmed. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the spokesman, told reporters Feb. 20 that any papal document is more …
Outspoken Honduran cardinal known for charm, international charity work
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, 70, is a personal ambassador of the Catholic Church’s emergency relief and development aid and probably the best-known Latin American member of the College of Cardinals. In May 2011, he was elected to a …
More than 1,000 prepare to join church at Easter
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati celebrated the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion Feb. 17 with 1,023 adults and children seeking entrance into the Roman Catholic Church. The Rite of Election is celebrated with adults and children who are unbaptized and preparing to receive the sacraments of baptism, …
Wrestle & Prevail: How I spent my Super Bowl Sunday
A few weeks ago more than 70,000 people live and more than 100 million at home watched the Baltimore Ravens defeat the San Francisco 49ers in a classic Super Bowl contest. My wife and I on the other hand didn’t see a single snap. It’s not that we don’t like …
Pope asks continued prayers in these ‘unusual’ days for church
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Calling this an unusual time for him and for the church — but not specifically mentioning his resignation — Pope Benedict XVI thanked people for their affection and asked them to continue their prayers. A roar of applause rose up …
National Catholic leaders react to papal resignation
By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — Here are excerpts of statements from U.S. Catholic and other religious leaders released in reaction to Pope Benedict XVI’s Feb. 11 announcement that he is resigning, effective Feb. 28: — Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles: “Pope Benedict XVI has truly been …