National Catholic Reporter

The Independent News Source

People

Minn. Catholics oppose, prayerfully, marriage amendment

NCR Today: Catholic Prayer Group, Hushed but Undeterred, Completes Six Months Vigil against Marriage Amendment

More

Mexican cardinal urges priests to promote vocations among US Hispanics

Mexican Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez said he sees "many possibilities here in the United States for vocations from the Spanish-speaking people," and urged priests and other church leaders to work for...

More

Cardinal ordains U.S. archbishop, two others for diplomatic service

 | 

With ambassadors from around the world in attendance, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone ordained as archbishops three members of the Vatican diplomatic corps -- including U.S. Archbishop Michael Banach -- who will serve as nuncios.

Banach, 50, a priest of the diocese of Worcester, Mass., was named nuncio to Papua New Guinea; he had been the Vatican's representative to several international agencies based in Vienna.

Restoring trust, relationships key steps toward wellness, happiness for priests

 | 

Trust, brotherhood and finding self-value in yourself over your work. Those are among the keys for priests to achieve a greater state of wellness and mental health, according to Jesuit Fr. Gerard McGlone.

The executive director of the Saint John Vianney Center in Philadelphia, a behavioral health facility for religious and priests, McGlone outlined those three keys to happiness during a presentation Tuesday at the 45th annual conference of the National Federation of Priests’ Councils.

Catholic bishop returns petitions to ousted gay man

 | 

The story of a Long Island Catholic ousted from his parish jobs for marrying his male partner generated headlines, outrage and an 18,000-signature petition to Bishop William Murphy to have Nicholas Coppola reinstated.

But now the tale has an odd coda: Murphy, who heads the diocese of Rockville Centre, mailed the petitions back to Coppola with a one-line cover letter on the bishop's stationery that reads: "FROM YOUR FAITHFUL ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP."

No signature, nothing else.

John Paul II, Oscar Romero and the politics of making saints

 | 

Reports this week that the late Pope John Paul II may be on the verge of sainthood after a second miracle was credited to his intercession aren't a huge surprise: When he died eight years ago, crowds were already clamoring for his canonization, and Pope Benedict XVI quickly waived the usual five-year waiting period to get the process rolling.

Oakland priest holds vigil for church reform while on voluntary exile

 | 

Every Sunday morning for the last three years, Tim Stier, former pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in Fremont, Cailf., has stood outside Oakland's Cathedral of Christ the Light to call attention to the need for what he calls "structural reform" within the church. Sometimes he is alone, holding a large sign that reads, "Include the Excluded: Women, Gay Persons, Abuse Survivors." At other times, a handful of supporters joins him in the two-hour vigil.

Franciscan sister dedicated her life to teaching, health care

 | 

Sr. M. Patrice Kerin, a Franciscan sister in Sylvania, Ohio, who served as general superior and established the health care system Franciscan Services Corporation, died April 7 after a brief illness. She was 86.

Kerin was a good debater and listener, someone who helped people discover solutions instead of giving orders herself, friends said. She exhibited Franciscan values and Irish hospitality, they said.

"She had just a wonderful way of giving you the reverence that you were the only person that was important to her at that time," Franciscan Sr. Rachel Nijakowski said.

Pages

Dolan: Hurricane Sandy brought out 'noble side' of people

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan appeared on Fox News this morning to discuss the impact of Hurricane Sandy. Wearing an FDNY jacket, Dolan called the storm a "tragedy" that has brought out the "most noble sentiments of people."

Said Dolan:

What do you say? Our hearts are broken when we see the loss of life, the grieving families, the devastation,...

More

Lesbian answers bishop's call for dialogue on gay marriage

A woman whose spouse died after 10 years fights for Washington state's Referendum 74 but keeps her Catholic identity.

More

Report: Küng to retire

The Tablet of London is reporting that German theologian Hans Küng says he will "withdraw from the big stage" in March...

More

Sisters' Stories; read more

NCR Email Alerts

 

In This Issue

June 7-20, 2013

June7-cover.jpg

Not all of our content is online. Subscribe to receive all the news and features you won't find anywhere else.