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.
Pope on Palm Sunday: Life, measured by love, is meant to serve others April 5, 2020By Carol Glatz Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, Video, World News With a small procession down the vast and empty central nave of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis began the first of a series of Holy Week liturgies celebrated without the presence of the faithful from the general public.
USCCB president calls for national moment of prayer on Good Friday April 4, 2020By Catholic News Service Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, World News Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has invited U.S. Catholics to join him on Good Friday, April 10, to pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart at noon (EDT).
Catholic Church responded to plagues with penance, prayers April 4, 2020By Carol Zimmermann Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, World News Although the coronavirus pandemic brings to mind plagues from centuries ago, both with quarantines, fast-spreading diseases and deaths, there is one big difference on the spiritual side: Today’s pandemic is not, save but a lone voice or two, described as God’s punishment on humanity.
St. John Paul showed how to face suffering by embracing God, Mary April 2, 2020By Carol Glatz Filed Under: Feature, News, World News Remembering St. John Paul II and the 15th anniversary of his death, Pope Francis encouraged people to pray for his intercession and trust in Divine Mercy, especially during these “difficult days” of the coronavirus pandemic.
Vatican approves special ‘Mass in the Time of Pandemic’ April 2, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, World News The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments has approved a special “Mass in the Time of Pandemic” to plead for God’s mercy and gift of strength in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Archbishop Blair advises cellphones cannot be used to administer sacraments April 1, 2020By Catholic News Service Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, World News Administering the sacrament of reconciliation via cellphone is impermissible under church teaching, said the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship.
