Minnesota churches move to bring ‘Laudato Si” into parish life
IMAGE: CNS photo/Catholic Climate Covenant By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — Living in rural central Minnesota, JoAnn Braegelman and her neighbors in the Diocese of St. Cloud know that disrespecting the natural resources "right outside our window" would quickly make life very difficult. It’s imperative, they realize, that the soil …
Mexican shelters tell of harassment since U.S.-Mexico deal on migrants
IMAGE: CNS photo/Daniel Becerril, Reuters By David Agren MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Soldiers appeared recently at the diocesan migrant shelter in the northern Mexican city of Saltillo and demanded to see the identifications of its guests. Shelter director Alberto Xicotencatl raced into the street to confront the soldiers July 23, …
Puerto Rican governor’s actions set off ‘time bomb,’ bishop says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Marco Bello, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The president of the Puerto Rican bishops’ conference said the actions of Gov. Ricardo Rossello and his administration were the final straw for residents of the U.S. commonwealth who have suffered through years of financial mismanagement, corruption …
Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Brennan named to head West Virginia diocese
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Daphne Stubbolo, The Archdiocese of Washington By WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Francis has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Mark E. Brennan of Baltimore to head the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia. A native of Boston, Bishop Brennan, 72, has been a Baltimore auxiliary since his episcopal ordination Jan. 19, …
Program gives educators tools to teach about Holocaust, anti-Semitism
IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Elizabeth Bachmann WASHINGTON (CNS) — A group of 35 teachers from Catholic middle and high schools around the country went back to school briefly this summer to learn how to better approach anti-Semitism and the Holocaust in the classroom. In its 24th annual summer conference, …
Audit firm, other financial controls announced for West Virginia diocese
By Christopher Gunty BALTIMORE (CNS) — The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, has selected a new external auditor as part of the progress that has been made since Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael J. Bransfield as head of the diocese in September 2018. Baltimore Archbishop William E. …
Pope writes Syrian president, urging him to protect civilians, seek peace
IMAGE: CNS photo/White Helmets, social media via Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis urged Syrian President Bashar Assad to put an end to his country’s eight-year-long conflict and seek reconciliation for the good of the nation and its vulnerable people. "The Holy Father asks the president …
Father Rick Nieberding C.PP.S.
Fr. Richard Nieberding, C.PP.S. January 19, 1953 – July 20, 2019 Fr. Richard Nieberding, C.PP.S., died unexpectedly on Saturday, July 20, 2019, in the rectory of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Montezuma, Ohio, where he was the pastor. He was 66. He was born on January 19, 1953, in Dayton, …
Pope issues sanctions against former West Virginia bishop
IMAGE: CNS photo/Tim Bishop, Catholic Spirit) By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston announced July 19 sanctions from the Vatican — including taking away the faculties of celebrating Mass — against a former West Virginia bishop who stepped down last year under a cloud of allegations of …
Agencies ‘appalled’ by reports U.S. could end refugee admissions
IMAGE: CNS photo/Giorgos Moutafis, Reuters By Julie Asher WASHINGTON (CNS) — News that officials in the Trump administration are considering "zeroing out" the number of refugees accepted by the United States brought an immediate outcry from Catholic and other faith-based agencies urging the government to reconsider such a move. "The …