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August 2017

August 1

Hall of Fame basketball coach Kundla began career with Catholic schools

August 1, 2017

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Before John Kundla, who died July 23 at 101, became a Hall of Fame basketball coach with the Minneapolis Lakers, he started his career with Catholic schools.

Robotic spider snares Ottawa archbishop in web of controversy

August 1, 2017

OTTAWA – The archbishop of Ottawa has expressed his regret after several Catholics were shocked at the sight of a giant robotic spider perched on Notre Dame Cathedral.

Tourism should benefit both travellers and local communities, Vatican says

August 1, 2017

VATICAN CITY – While tourism can broaden travellers' horizons and improve local economies, it cannot be seen as being part of "sustainable development" unless it includes respect for workers' rights, the local culture and the environment, said Cardinal Peter Turkson.

Pope names coadjutor to Hong Kong as Cardinal Tong retires as bishop

August 1, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal John Tong Hon as bishop of Hong Kong. Coadjutor Bishop Michael Yeung Ming-cheung, 70, succeeds the cardinal as head of the diocese, the Vatican announced Aug. 1.

Welsh seminarians mistaken for bachelor party nearly kicked out of pub

August 1, 2017

CARDIFF, Wales – Seven seminarians walk into a bar … and almost get kicked out.

Dutch cardinal on euthanasia spike: bishops warned of slippery slope years ago

August 1, 2017

OXFORD, England – Recent increases in euthanasia and assisted suicide deaths among psychiatric and dementia patients reflect the concerns church officials expressed years ago, said a Dutch cardinal.

Quebec nun officiates wedding with special permission from the Vatican

August 1, 2017

OTTAWA – When no priests were available, the Bishop of the Quebec diocese of Rouyn-Noranda sought and received Vatican permission for a local nun to officiate at a wedding.

August 2

Maryknoll priest honoured by Knights for ministry to sick in North Korea

August 2, 2017

-WASHINGTON – Maryknoll Father Gerard Hammond has been named the winner of the Gaudium et Spes Award from the Knights of Columbus for the 84-year-old priest's missionary work with tuberculosis patients in North Korea.

Judge strikes down Alabama abortion law involving parental consent

August 2, 2017

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A federal judge has struck down an Alabama law requiring more scrutiny for minors who seek an abortion without parental consent.

Vatican insists on peaceful, democratic resolution in Venezuela

August 2, 2017

VATICAN CITY – After violence followed a controversial vote in Venezuela this weekend, the Vatican Secretary of State has encouraged the country's citizens to find a "peaceful and democratic" way out of the crisis.

Knights of Columbus to send $2.5 million to restore Christian town in Iraq

August 2, 2017

WASHINGTON – In 2014, the Islamic State removed hundreds of families of religious minorities from their homes in Karamdes, a mostly Christian town on the Ninevah Plain in Iraq. Just over two years later, the town, also known as Karemlash, was liberated.

Military archbishop backs transgender ban, but says human dignity must prevail

August 2, 2017

WASHINGTON – Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services offered support for President Donald Trump's reinstatement of a ban on transgender people serving in any branch of the military.

Christian leaders unite to oppose assisted suicide in Australia

August 2, 2017

MELBOURNE, Australia – Catholics and Christian leaders from several denominations have joined forces in the Australian state of Victoria to decry a bill in favour of assisted suicide, expected to be proposed and voted on later this year.

August 3

Malawi's government encourages local Catholic media

August 3, 2017

KARONGA, Malawi – Mawali's information, communication and technology ministry praised the country's Catholic media this week for their evangelization efforts as part of the 51st Communications Sunday.

Mexican priest stabbed at cathedral in May dies

August 3, 2017

MEXICO CITY – Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera and the Metropolitan Cathedral said that Father Miguel Angel Machorro, stabbed at the altar while celebrating Mass May 15, has died.

Bishop asks Congress to reject 'discriminatory' immigration bill

August 3, 2017

WASHINGTON – Calling a proposed piece of legislation "discriminatory," the head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration called on the president and Congress to reject a bill that seeks to drastically cut legal immigration levels in half over a decade and which also would greatly limit the ability of citizens and legal residents to bring family into the U.S.

Family census data presents new challenges for the Church

August 3, 2017

OTTAWA – The 2016 census data on the family underscores a host of new challenges for government policy, churches and other social institutions, said experts.

Catholic voices to be heard at Supreme Court in religious freedom case

August 3, 2017

OTTAWA – Canada’s Catholic Bishops and the Catholic Civil Rights League have been granted intervener status in an important religious freedom case to be heard later this year by the Supreme Court.

August 4

'Tears of St. Lawrence' meteor shower to light up the sky

August 4, 2017

DENVER, Col. – Star-gazing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when Catholics think of St. Lawrence, the early Christian martyr who was cooked to death by the Romans on an outdoor grill.

Cardinal Parolin’s Russia visit packed with political, religious significance

August 4, 2017

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican Secretary of State's visit to Russia later this month comes at a crucial juncture for the country, and is packed with both political and religious significance.