Browse › 2017 › April

April 2017

April 15

Montreal seminary given official heritage status

April 15, 2017

MONTREAL – The Grand Séminaire de Montréal’s storied past is helping to preserve its future.

April 16

Fatima seers are holy because of virtue, not visions, says Portuguese cardinal

April 16, 2017

VATICAN CITY – As extraordinary as the apparitions at Fatima, Portugal, nearly 100 years ago were, the sanctity of the shepherd children did not hinge on their having seen Mary, a cardinal said.

Iraqi immigrant mother holds to faith, heritage in U.S.

April 16, 2017

PHOENIX – Chaldean immigrant Maureen Antwan wants two things for her children – for them to keep the faith and do well in school.

Pope's homily: Full text from Easter Vigil

April 16, 2017

Pope Francis delivered the homily at the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on the evening of Holy Saturday, 2017. Below are the full text of his prepared remarks in their official English translation.

Windsor's Our Lady of Assumption parish celebrating 250 years of service

April 16, 2017

WINDSOR, Ont. – The struggles of old age have taken a toll on Our Lady of Assumption parish, but that isn’t going to stop the celebration of its 250th birthday this year.

Risen Christ calls all to follow him on path to life, Pope says

April 16, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Jesus is the risen shepherd who takes upon his shoulders "our brothers and sisters crushed by evil in all its varied forms," Pope Francis said before giving his solemn Easter blessing.

April 17

91-year-old Byzantine Catholic dedicates life to spreading Fatima message

April 17, 2017

CHICAGO – Natalie Martha Loya sits in the front pew of the Byzantine Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Parma, Ohio, every Sunday morning.

Saskatoon couple works to improve marriages, which need 'regular tuneups'

April 17, 2017

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan – Phil and Mary Wrubleski are eager to bring practical marriage enrichment opportunities to couples in the Diocese of Saskatoon.

U.S. strike on Syria raises moral questions about civilian security

April 17, 2017

WASHINGTON – The U.S. cruise missile strike on a Syrian air base days after chemical weapons were dropped on civilians in rebel-controlled territory further endangers innocent people, observers familiar with the just-war theory said.

Countdown has begun on youth synod preparations

April 17, 2017

The Vatican’s launch date for a website on the 2018 Synod of Bishops has come and gone, but the web site remains offline.

April 18

Proclaim value of life with solidarity, welcome, says Pope Francis

April 18, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Simple gestures of welcome and solidarity, when supported by faith in Jesus' resurrection, proclaim the value of life, Pope Francis said.

Philippine archbishop concerned by trend of faithful rejecting church doctrine

April 18, 2017

The head of the Philippine bishops' conference expressed concern over what he perceived to be a growing trend "of rebuffing church morals and doctrine" in his country.

French archdiocese opens beatification inquiry for martyred priest killed last summer

April 18, 2017

ROUEN, France – The Archdiocese of Rouen has opened a formal inquiry into the cause for beatification of Father Jacques Hamel, who was killed while celebrating Mass in July 2016.

French presidential hopeful slams Pope Francis for welcoming migrants

April 18, 2017

ROME – France’s National Front presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen, slammed Pope Francis for welcoming migrants and attacked the Catholic Church for meddling in French politics.

At Easter, Middle East church leaders affirm Christian presence

April 18, 2017

BEIRUT – In Easter messages, Catholic patriarchs in the Middle East deplored the widespread carnage and suffering, yet affirmed the presence of Christians in the region by calling upon their faithful to carry on with hope.

Atop Mount Nebo, Christians pray for those in Mideast facing violence

April 18, 2017

MOUNT NEBO, Jordan – Christians of many denominations gathered for an Easter sunrise service atop Mount Nebo and prayed for peace and for Christians in Egypt, who were not celebrating as festively.

New film on Armenian genocide took two years to make, longer to realize

April 18, 2017

WASHINGTON – "The Promise," a film dramatizing the genocide of Armenians in the Turkish-ruled Ottoman Empire at the outset of World War I, was two years in the making, but probably a half-century in the idea stage, according to George Winter, one of the movie's producers.

New Assisi shrine is reminder to shed attachment to money, Pope says

April 18, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Like St. Francis of Assisi did, the Catholic Church and individual Christians must follow Christ by imitating his willingness to give up everything for the sake of others, Pope Francis said.

Pope Benedict celebrates 90th birthday with Bavarian guests, beer, pretzels

April 18, 2017

VATICAN CITY – A bit of Bavaria, including German beer and pretzels, came to the Vatican to help celebrate retired Pope Benedict XVI's 90th birthday.

Canada's Catholic bishops warn against marijuana legalization

April 18, 2017

OTTAWA – Legalizing marijuana shows a “disregard” for public health and safety, Canada’s Catholic bishops charge.