VATICAN CITY (Catholic News Agency/EWTN News)—The 19 men chosen to be named cardinals in this month stress Pope Francis’ attention on the peripheries of the Church, and that appointment to a major diocese no longer automatically comes with a “red hat.” The 19 will be elevated to cardinal at a …
Several developments looming large at Vatican in 2014
Canonization ceremony, new cardinals, papal trip to Holy Land, Synod of Bishops chief among them VATICAN CITY — After a year that included the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and a series of celebrated innovations by Pope Francis, it is hard to imagine 2014 at the Vatican could be …
Bishop Stika leads 2014 diocesan Men’s Conference
Bishop Richard F. Stika spent a morning and afternoon with some 165 participants at A Diocesan Men’s Conference: A Dialogue With Our Shepherd on Jan. 11 at All Saints Church. The conference was presented by the All Saints Peter and Paul Society and by Sacred Heart Parish’s St. Joseph Society. …
Pope Francis named Time magazine’s 2013 Person of the Year
By Catholic News Agency/EWTN News New York — Time Magazine has announced its choice of Pope Francis for the 2013 “Person of the Year,” stating that he is changing the “tone and perception” of the Church. The announcement was made Dec. 11 on the Today Show. Reacting to the news, …
World embraces simple hug by Pope Francis
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — For someone who has frequently been shunned and humiliated because of a disease that has severely disfigured his entire body, receiving the pope’s loving embrace was like being in paradise. Vinicio Riva, who is afflicted with neurofibromatosis, said his brief encounter with Pope Francis Nov. 6 …
Catholics asked to pray for Syria
Catholics across East Tennessee and around the country joined a “Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace in Syria, the Middle East and the World” on Sept. 7. The prayers were in response to Pope Francis’ request for peace in Syria.
The truth about marriage: Turn off the noise, turn on the attention
In July I attended the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers conference (NACFLM) in St. Louis. During one of the breakout sessions, the presenter mentioned that when he speaks to couples with hurting marriages, the couples’ conversation can be broken down to two basic points…the wife wants to be …
East Tennessee Catholics praying, fasting for peace in Syria
Catholics across East Tennessee and around the country are encouraged to join a “Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace in Syria, the Middle East and the World” on Saturday, Sept. 7, as the U.S. government considers its role in the ongoing struggle in Syria. Pope Francis has called on …
USCCB leaders join pope’s call for day of fasting, prayer for peace
WASHINGTON (Catholic News Service) — Two leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged U.S. Catholics to take up Pope Francis’ call to fast and pray for peace in Syria, the Middle East and the world Sept. 7. Expressing anguish over the suffering of the Syrian people and echoing …
Pontiff receives greetings from the Diocese of Knoxville
Bishop Stika delivers best wishes, invitation, gift to Pope Francis on weeklong Papal Foundation visit The Diocese of Knoxville is making quite an impression on Pope Francis so early in his pontificate. Bishop Richard F. Stika, who serves on the Papal Foundation’s board of trustees, met with the pope in …
Pope Francis presents Diocese of Knoxville with blessing
One of new pontiff’s first acts is to sign papal document for Cardinal Rigali as gift to Bishop Stika and the diocesan faithful As Pope Francis establishes the 265th pontificate since St. Peter following his March 13 ascension from the College of Cardinals, where he served as Archbishop Jorge Mario …
Diocesan parishioners respond to selection of Pope Francis
Hispanic community already feeling impact with the election of first Holy Father from the Americas The impact of Pope Francis’ election is being felt around the world, and in the Diocese of Knoxville parishioners are reacting with excitement to the new pontiff and his interaction with the faithful. Deacon Bill …
