U.S. & World News
To stream or not: Italians debate online Masses when faithful can attend
As Italian Catholics prepared to celebrate Pentecost, the second Sunday with Masses permitted with a limited number of faithful, bishops and priests were still debating whether to continue livestreaming Masses as well.
Church reopening debate revolves around religious freedom, public safety
Catholic churches in Minnesota reopened for the public celebration of Mass May 27, but not before the state’s bishops took a bold stance to assert that churches were as important as bars, restaurants and hair salons.
NFL dream now a reality for 2017 grad of Philadelphia Jesuit high school
The NFL announced May 7 it is planning a return to its regular season in the fall, and among the players on the roster for the Detroit Lions will be Philadelphia native and St. Joseph’s Prep star D’Andre Swift.
Congress urged to make poor, vulnerable a priority for next stimulus bill
Congress needs to remember the needs of “the poor, the vulnerable and people on the margins” when considering additional pandemic economic relief packages, said the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development.
Priest’s treasured chalice resurfaces after going missing for five years
Like many people, the Rev. Shawn Brandon, pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, has had more time on his hands while sheltering in place during the coronavirus pandemic, but little did he know he would solve a five-year mystery while cleaning out a closet in his Arnold, Maryland, church.
Prayer is powerful, life-giving, pope says
Prayer is powerful not because it changes God or God’s plans, but because it changes individuals and communities, one heart at a time, Pope Francis said.
Pope clears way to sainthood for three, advances causes of others
Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of two women and 11 men, including a miracle attributed to Blessed Charles de Foucauld.
Pope clears way for beatification of Knights of Columbus founder
Pope Francis has approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Father Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, clearing the way for his beatification.
Pope renews prayers for Catholics in China
Pope Francis assured Catholics in China that the universal church shared their hopes and supported them during hardship.
Pope to lead world shrines in rosary prayer for pandemic May 30
Pope Francis will lead the major shrines around the world in praying the rosary to implore Mary’s intercession and protection amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Bioethics center: U.K. elderly death rate greatest failure of pandemic
The “extremely high death rate” in U.K. care homes for the elderly will go down as the greatest national failure of the coronavirus crisis, a Catholic bioethics institute said.
Faith leaders: Protecting human life is priority in reopening churches
The bishops of the state of Washington said suspension of the public celebration of Mass because of the coronavirus pandemic was undertaken “not out of fear, but out of our deepest respect for human life and health.”
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