News & Commentary
Pope joins interreligious prayer, begging God to end pandemic
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — At a time of global “tragedy and suffering” because of the coronavirus, and in view of the long-term impact it will have, believers of every religion should beg mercy from the one God and father of all, Pope Francis said.
During his early morning Mass, Pope Francis joined leaders of every religion marking May 14 as a day of prayer, fasting and acts of charity to ask God to stop the coronavirus pandemic.
Pope makes donation to fund scholarships in Lebanon
Pope Francis donated $200,000 to fund educational scholarships in Lebanon, which is facing a devastating economic crisis compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.
Franciscan Friars Vote to Unify
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Voicing their support for the revitalization of Franciscan life in the United States, six provinces of the Order of Friars Minor have voted to form one new organization.
On May 30, the friars of each of the six provinces voted at meetings in their communities to support the formation of one new organization. It will comprise the almost 1,000 Catholic Franciscan friars belonging to the existing provinces – both brothers and priests – and will be headquartered in a yet-to-be determined location.
Contamination of water poses long-term hazards to communities, environment
The biblical author of Proverbs advises, “Drink water from your own cistern; flowing water from your own well.” But in the centuries before Jesus Christ’s birth when these verses were written, water pollution from chemicals and artificial contaminants was unknown.