El BANANAL, Argentina – Church workers ministering to Argentine indigenous communities have been watching the Latin American and Caribbean bishops’ meeting in Brazil with bated breath, wondering whether Latin American bishops will change their methods in evangelizing the Gospel to native peoples. “We are waiting and watching with anxiety, given that before Benedict was pope...Read More
The aroma of sizzling steak on a grill may permeate through Maryland neighborhoods mostly in warmer months, but it’s a scent Parkville residents – who live near Bob Delisle’s home – smell all year. The avid outdoor chef and St. Matthew, Northwood, parishioner doesn’t need to dust off his two grills in the late spring...Read More
Representatives of St. Agnes HealthCare in Baltimore and St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson announced May 16 that Patrick F. Mutch has been chosen as executive director of Mission Health Partners, the multi-institutional health-care collaborative formed by two Baltimore hospitals early this year. Mr. Mutch, a parishioner of St. Ann in Baltimore, will be responsible...Read More
A memorial tree honoring “the life and supreme sacrifice” of Calvert Hall College High School, Towson, 1994 graduate E. Austin Koth was dedicated on campus May 10.Read More
WASHINGTON – Five years after the U.S. bishops passed their landmark policies to prevent child sex abuse, they can look back at successes in institutionalizing safeguards and look ahead to challenges in restoring church credibility. But the basic question is: Are children safer now? “Absolutely yes,” answers Patricia O’Donnell Ewers, chairwoman of the National Review...Read More
SEATTLE – A funeral Mass was celebrated May 12 in a chapel at Seattle University for Walter Hubbard Jr., a national African-American Catholic leader who had headed the Seattle-based National Office for Black Catholics since 1970. Mr. Hubbard, 82, died May 5 in Seattle. No cause of death was given. He had served for two...Read More
NEW CASTLE, Ind. – Five weeks after fire destroyed historic St. Anne Church in New Castle during the early morning hours of Holy Saturday, Henry County authorities arrested William L. Abbott, 33, of New Castle on felony charges of arson, burglary and theft. County prosecutor Kit Crane said Abbott was arrested May 10 and charged...Read More
VATICAN CITY – In early May, the Vatican opened its doors to 18 diplomats from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries with significant Muslim populations. The young diplomats were attending a May 7-27 introductory course on the Vatican, Vatican diplomacy and the Vatican’s approach to Catholic-Muslim and intercultural dialogue. “We saw beautiful rooms in the Vatican...Read More
APARECIDA, Brazil – The changes which have occurred in Latin America in recent years are so profound that they require fundamental changes in the way the church approaches pastoral work, said a cardinal from Honduras. “We need a pastoral conversion,” Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa said. “If these are difficult times, new disciples are...Read More
WASHINGTON – Only one-third of Catholics in a national survey said they had heard of the U.S. bishops’ policies to prevent child sex abuse and respond to abuse allegations, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate said May 16. Only one-sixth said they have heard of the abuse prevention programs in their own diocese,...Read More
In an effort to cut expenses and unify the parish congregation, Transfiguration Catholic Community plans to begin celebrating Masses in only one of its three West Baltimore churches by August. Transfiguration pastor Father Mark Carter, O.F.M. Cap., and the parish council are trying to determine which church will be used for Mass and what functions...Read More
CUMBERLAND – Surrounded by colorful dangling rosaries, intricate crucifixes, scapulars, prayer books and all manner of saintly figurines, Betty Dyer rested a hand on a glass countertop and surveyed her diverse inventory. “It’s a lovely space,” said Ms. Dyer, one of the volunteer coordinators of the Catholic gift shop at Ss. Peter and Paul in...Read More