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NEW YORK (AP) -- Sears, a back-to-school shopping destination for generations of kids and the place newlyweds went to choose appliances, has said that after years of losing money that there is "substantial doubt" it will be able to keep its doors open....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Pick any decade over the past half-century, and Paul Manafort has had a starring role in the rise (and maybe fall) of somebody big....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Communications of Donald Trump's transition officials - possibly including the incoming president himself - may have been scooped up in legal surveillance but then improperly distributed throughout the intelligence community, the chairman of the House intelligence committee said Wednesday....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to advance the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin a decade ago and proposed an ambitious political strategy to undermine anti-Russian opposition across former Soviet republics, The Associated Press has learned. The White House on Wednesday acknowledged the AP's revelations had "started to catch a lot of buzz" but brushed them as...
LONDON (AP) -- The Latest on the incident outside Britain's parliament (all times local):...
LONDON (AP) -- A knife-wielding man went on a deadly rampage at the heart of Britain's seat of power Wednesday, mowing down pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge before stabbing an armed police officer to death inside the gates of Parliament. Four people were killed, including the attacker, and about 20 others were injured....
A bishop in the southern Philippines calls for reflection on Laudato si’, Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, during the observance of Earth Hour on March 25. Earth Hour is a very good way to remember that we are all stewards of the environment," said Archbishop Antonio Ledesma of Cagayan de Oro.Using the simple action of turning off lights for 60 minutes is a means to deliver a powerful message about the need for decisive climate change solutions.The Philippines has been championing the switch-off since 2008 and has topped global participation records from 2009 to 2012, earning the country the title of "Earth Hour Hero Country."Archbishop Ledesma said those who will observe Earth Hour can reflect on the environment as "a gift from God," that people are asked to be "stewards of the gift," and the environment is "meant for all generations."" We can also reflect that the church herself is for integral human develop...
A bishop in the southern Philippines calls for reflection on Laudato si’, Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, during the observance of Earth Hour on March 25. Earth Hour is a very good way to remember that we are all stewards of the environment," said Archbishop Antonio Ledesma of Cagayan de Oro.
Using the simple action of turning off lights for 60 minutes is a means to deliver a powerful message about the need for decisive climate change solutions.
The Philippines has been championing the switch-off since 2008 and has topped global participation records from 2009 to 2012, earning the country the title of "Earth Hour Hero Country."
Archbishop Ledesma said those who will observe Earth Hour can reflect on the environment as "a gift from God," that people are asked to be "stewards of the gift," and the environment is "meant for all generations."
" We can also reflect that the church herself is for integral human development," said the prelate, adding that part of the church's role is "to take care of our relationship ... with God and creation."
Earth Hour is a worldwide movement for the planet organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The event is held worldwide annually encouraging individuals, communities, households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. towards the end of March, as a symbol for their commitment to the planet.
Earth Hour was started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. Since then, it has grown to engage more than 7000 cities and towns worldwide. Today, Earth Hour engages a massive mainstream community on a broad range of environmental issues. The one-hour event continues to remain the key driver of the now larger movements.
Earth Hour 2017 will be on Saturday, March 25, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (UCAN)
(Vatican Radio) Lifeguards from across Italy have presented Pope Francis with backpacks filled with products for distribution to the poor.More than 1,500 lifeguards and coastal resort business representatives wearing distinctive red jackets were at Wednesday's General Audience to give bags to the Holy Father containing items like toothpaste and razors.The initiative was organised by the "Sindacato Italiano Balneari (S.I.B)" organisation which provides vital supervision for bathers at coastal resorts throughout the country.President of the organisation, Riccardo Borgo, said: “With this gesture we came to give a concrete help to Pope Francis and his works in support of the homeless.“We also delivered to His Holiness the distinctive symbol of Italian lifeguards, the red shirt with the word 'Rescue' identical to the one worn on our beaches by the thousands of boys and girls each summer who supervise and work so that bathing happens in complete safety ...
(Vatican Radio) Lifeguards from across Italy have presented Pope Francis with backpacks filled with products for distribution to the poor.
More than 1,500 lifeguards and coastal resort business representatives wearing distinctive red jackets were at Wednesday's General Audience to give bags to the Holy Father containing items like toothpaste and razors.
The initiative was organised by the "Sindacato Italiano Balneari (S.I.B)" organisation which provides vital supervision for bathers at coastal resorts throughout the country.
President of the organisation, Riccardo Borgo, said: “With this gesture we came to give a concrete help to Pope Francis and his works in support of the homeless.
“We also delivered to His Holiness the distinctive symbol of Italian lifeguards, the red shirt with the word 'Rescue' identical to the one worn on our beaches by the thousands of boys and girls each summer who supervise and work so that bathing happens in complete safety and tranquility.”
More than 1,000 reusable backpacks made up of different products including soap, shaving foam, and deodorants were handed over to the Holy Father for distribution to the poor at Easter. S.I.B came up with the idea following Pope Francis’ initiative launched at the Vatican two years ago that provides showers and barber services for homeless people.
The lifeguards and coastal resort entrepreneurs were joined in St Peter's Square by their families and were accompanied by the Bishop of Chioggia, Adriano Tessarolo, as well as several priests from coastal regions.
Following the audience, a delegation consisting of one representative for each coastal town met with the papal almoner Archbishop Konrad Krajewski who gave them Rosary beads as a memento of the event.
Mr Borgo said: “For this summer, we have other charitable initiatives and solidarity planned in favour of children and the poor.”
Münster, Germany, Mar 22, 2017 / 07:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- When Father Clemens August von Galen was consecrated Bishop of Münster in October 1933, he chose for his episcopal motto Nec laudibus, nec timore – neither by praises nor by fear, which summed up his ministry throughout Germany's Nazi period.The motto was taken from the liturgy for episcopal consecration, which prays that the new bishop will love humility and truth, and not be overcome by either praise or fear.Bishop von Galen wrote in his first pastoral letter that “Neither the praises of men nor fear of men shall move us. Rather, our glory will be to promote the praise of God, and our steadfast effort will be to walk always in a holy fear of God.”During his entire episcopacy the bishop spoke up against the Nazis' euthanasia program and racial theories, and defended human rights and the cause of justice. He was among the most outspoken of Germany's bishops during that era, and assisted th...
Münster, Germany, Mar 22, 2017 / 07:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- When Father Clemens August von Galen was consecrated Bishop of Münster in October 1933, he chose for his episcopal motto Nec laudibus, nec timore – neither by praises nor by fear, which summed up his ministry throughout Germany's Nazi period.
The motto was taken from the liturgy for episcopal consecration, which prays that the new bishop will love humility and truth, and not be overcome by either praise or fear.
Bishop von Galen wrote in his first pastoral letter that “Neither the praises of men nor fear of men shall move us. Rather, our glory will be to promote the praise of God, and our steadfast effort will be to walk always in a holy fear of God.”
During his entire episcopacy the bishop spoke up against the Nazis' euthanasia program and racial theories, and defended human rights and the cause of justice. He was among the most outspoken of Germany's bishops during that era, and assisted the writing of Pius XI's 1937 anti-Nazi encyclical Mit brennender Sorge.
He was made a cardinal in February 1946, just one month before his March 22 death, and he was beatified in 2005 by Benedict XVI.
Blessed von Galen's motto “would be a great motto to have for a bishop,” Fr. Daniel Utrecht of the Toronto Oratory told CNA. Fr. Utrecht is the author of The Lion of Münster: The Bishop Who Roared Against the Nazis.
Fr. Utrecht was drawn to write about Blessed von Galen because he was a model bishop.
“I was telling some people about him during World Youth Day in 2005, and they said, 'We need bishops like this, why have we never heard of this guy? Someone should write a book about him',” he related.
The priest recalled reading in German a two volume work of Blessed von Galen's documents, letters, and sermons written as a bishop. “They became more and more fascinating, and there just wasn't much in English to read about him. I eventually came to the conclusion that it was up to me to write an English-language biography.”
Blessed von Galen was born into a German noble family in 1878, and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Münster in 1904. As a priest he wrote on the origins and limits of state power, and the importance of voting as a responsibility for the common good rather than doing so for private interests.
In the later years of the Weimar Republic, Blessed von Galen supported the German Centre Party, which worked to present a Christian voice in defense of Catholic interests and human rights in the public square, and entered into coalition governments with other parties in an effort to balance power.
But the priest was unable to sway many of his acquaintances to support the Centre Party – other Catholics were arguing that the Nazi Party was most compatible with Catholic ideals.
Many bishops had barred Catholics from being members of the National Socialist movement. But when Hitler softened his antireligious stance and stated early in 1933 that Christianity would be prominent in Germany's rule, the bishops took him at his word and began allowing Catholics to join the movement.
But when Blessed von Galen was made a bishop later that year, he maintained his anti-Nazi beliefs. Within a year he clashed with government officials over the rights of Catholic schools and the Nazis' racial and anti-Jewish ideology.
He was most outspoken against the Nazi's involuntary euthanasia program, which under which the disabled, mentally ill, deformed, senile, those with Down syndrome, and the incurably sick were killed. The program began in 1939, and more than 70,000 people were euthanized under it.
Blessed von Galen led Catholic protest against euthanasia. He delivered three sermons in the summer of 1941 which condemned the program, as well as Nazi attacks on the Church, and raised public awareness of what has happening. After the sermons' delivery he was nicknamed “The Lion of Münster”, and they resulted in a Nazi propaganda minister, Walter Tiessler, recommending that he be executed.
The bishop remained outspoken against Nazi atrocities throughout World War II, and afterwards spoke up against injustices committed by the occupying Allied forces.
“I see plenty of parallels today,” Fr. Utrecht told CNA. “I hope that people reading the book get it for themselves.” Blessed von Galen's “example of courage and being able to speak out in defense of human life is of interest, very much of interest today, in the fight against abortion and euthanasia … the defense of liberty, religious liberty, the defense of a place for religion in the public square is a very, very big lesson that he has for us.”
In addition to supporting Catholic witness to the value of human life in the face of abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, and the dictatorship of relativism, Fr. Utrecht said that the cardinal can speak to Catholics facing political dictatorships as well.
The priest shared how during a recent trip to Germany he met a priest from Africa who is “very keen on making von Galen known to the Africans, because he said 'In many places we have totalitarian governments and not enough of the bishops speak out', – so he thought there was a great parallel there.”
Since Cardinal von Galen was beatified 12 years ago, there is a need to develop devotion to him, Fr. Utrecht reflected. “Greater devotion to him is the next step, not just locally, but worldwide.”
“There are plenty of people who do know about him and who are pushing devotion to him, but it needs kind of a new push, so I hope we can get a push, and not only there, but among English- reading people elsewhere.”
IMAGE: CNS/Paul HaringBy Carol GlatzVATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christian hope is built onpatiently enduring everything life brings and knowing how to see God's presenceand love everywhere, Pope Francis said.God "never tires of loving us" as he"takes care of us, dressing our wounds with the caress of his goodness andhis mercy, meaning, he consoles us and he never tires of consoling us,"the pope said during his general audience in St. Peter's Square March 22.The pope also invited all Catholics to "rediscoverthe sacrament of reconciliation" during the Lenten season by taking partin the "24 Hours for the Lord" initiative, being held March 23-24 inmany dioceses and parishes worldwide. The pope asked people to make time forconfession to "experience the joyful encounter with the mercy of thefather," who welcomes and forgives everyone.During his main audience talk, the pope continued aseries of reflections on how the Apostle Paul describes the nature of Christianhope. In the apostle's Letter to...
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring
By Carol Glatz
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christian hope is built on patiently enduring everything life brings and knowing how to see God's presence and love everywhere, Pope Francis said.
God "never tires of loving us" as he "takes care of us, dressing our wounds with the caress of his goodness and his mercy, meaning, he consoles us and he never tires of consoling us," the pope said during his general audience in St. Peter's Square March 22.
The pope also invited all Catholics to "rediscover the sacrament of reconciliation" during the Lenten season by taking part in the "24 Hours for the Lord" initiative, being held March 23-24 in many dioceses and parishes worldwide. The pope asked people to make time for confession to "experience the joyful encounter with the mercy of the father," who welcomes and forgives everyone.
During his main audience talk, the pope continued a series of reflections on how the Apostle Paul describes the nature of Christian hope. In the apostle's Letter to the Romans (15:1-5), he said that it is "by endurance and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope."
This endurance or perseverance, the pope said, is the patient ability to remain faithful and steadfast even when dealing with the most unbearable burdens. It is persevering even when "we would be tempted to judge unfavorably and give up on everything and everyone."
The encouragement or consolation St. Paul talks about, the pope said, is "the grace to know how to grasp and show the presence and compassionate action of God in every situation, even in one greatly marked by disappointment and suffering."
When St. Paul says, "We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak," he isn't separating the Christian community into a special class of those who are "strong" and a group of "second-class citizens" who are weak, the pope said.
In actuality, the strong are those who experience and understand their fragility and know they need the support and comfort of others, he said. And when people are experiencing their fragility and vulnerability, they "can always offer a smile or hand to a brother or sister in need," showing them strength.
It's about people offering one another what they can and knowing that the truly strong one is Christ, who takes care of everyone. "In fact, we all need to be carried on the shoulders of the Good Shepherd and to feel surrounded by his tender and caring gaze," Pope Francis said.
That strength to endure and find encouragement all comes from God and his sacred Scriptures, the pope said, not from one's own efforts.
The closer people are to God with prayer and reading the Bible, the more they will have the energy and feel the responsibility to go to those in need, "to console them and give them strength."
The aim of serving others then will not be to feel proud of oneself, he said, but to "please our neighbor for the good, for building up," as the Apostle Paul says.
People will realize they are "a 'channel for broadcasting' the Lord's gifts and, in that way, concretely become a sower of hope," the pope said.
Planting seeds of hope "is needed today. It's not easy," Pope Francis said. But with Christ at the center of one's life, it will be him who "gives us the strength, the patience, the hope and the consolation" needed to live in harmony.
At the end of the general audience, the pope highlighted that the day also marked World Water Day, established by the United Nations 25 years ago.
The pope greeted participants attending the conference, "Watershed: Replenishing Water Values for a Thirsty World," sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Club of Rome March 22.
He said he was "happy this meeting is taking place" as part of continued joint efforts to raise awareness about "the need to protect water as a treasure belonging to everyone."
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