Even in time of pandemic, Easter proclaims the victory of life, pope says April 11, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, World News In a dark and nearly empty St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis blessed a fire, lit the Easter candle and called Christians to keep kindling sparks of hope, knowing that Jesus has risen and death will not have the last word.
Pope leads Way of the Cross in empty, torch-lit St. Peter’s Square April 10, 2020By Junno Arocho Esteves Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, World News For the first time in his papacy, Pope Francis led the Way of the Cross from St. Peter’s Square rather than Rome’s Colosseum, where it has been held annually for more than five decades.
Gomez: On Good Friday, in pandemic, Jesus asks us to trust in Sacred Heart April 10, 2020By Julie Asher Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, World News Standing at the foot of the cross on Good Friday with Mary, we look upon her crucified Son, asking God, “Why did he have to die? Couldn’t there be some other way?” Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles said in a homily April 10.
On Holy Thursday, pope thanks God for world’s priests April 10, 2020By Carol Glatz Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, Vatican, Video, World News Unable to invite Rome’s priests to mark Holy Thursday in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis thanked all priests for their service and called those who died ministering to the sick and health care workers part of the community of “saints next door.”
Disappointed, but hopeful, thousands unable to join church this Easter April 9, 2020By Carol Zimmermann Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, Uncategorized, World News The disappointment of not being able to celebrate Easter Mass in churches across the country this year might be most strongly felt by the thousands who planned to join the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.
Supreme Court declines review of case involving Washington Archdiocese ad April 9, 2020By Mark Zimmermann Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News The Archdiocese of Washington expressed disappointment that the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a federal appeals court ruling that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s prohibition of religious advertising did not violate the First Amendment.
USCCB Administrative Committee cancels U.S. bishops’ June assembly April 9, 2020By Catholic News Service Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, World News The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has canceled the U.S. bishops’ spring general assembly that was planned for June 10-12 in Detroit.
Catholic schools must face pandemic challenges, Vatican office says April 8, 2020By Junno Arocho Esteves Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, Schools, World News While the coronavirus pandemic has proven challenging for schools and parents in educating children, it is also a chance for Catholic schools to confront those challenges with courage, said the Congregation for Catholic Education.
Pope sets up new commission to study women deacons April 8, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: deacons, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis has established a new “Study Commission on the Female Diaconate” as a follow-up to a previous group that studied the history of women deacons in the New Testament and the early Christian communities.
Franciscans in Brazil use frevo music in video urging people to stay home April 7, 2020By Lise Alves Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, Video, World News To the soundtrack of the official hymn of Recife’s Galo da Madrugada, said to be the largest carnival block in the world, Franciscans from five convents in northeastern Brazil dance to a typical Brazilian rhythm known as the frevo with one request: “Fique em Casa” (Stay Home).
Cardinal Pell released from prison after court overturns conviction April 7, 2020By Michael Sainsbury Filed Under: News, World News Cardinal George Pell has been released from prison after 405 days behind bars after the seven judges of the High Court of Australia unanimously overturned the original December 2018 jury verdict that found him guilty on five counts of molesting two 13-year-old choirboys in 1996.
Turin Archdiocese to livestream display Shroud of Turin on Holy Saturday April 7, 2020By Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, World News With people forced to stay home, even during Holy Week, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the archbishop of Turin has announced a special online exposition of the Shroud of Turin, which many believe is the burial cloth of Jesus.
