Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Audit finds diocese in full compliance with safe environment charter

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By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald A three-day on-site independent audit conducted in October found the Diocese of Honolulu’s safe environment policies and procedures in full compliance with the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.” The Charter is the set of procedures the bishops established in 2002 for addressing allegations […]

Mary Adamski: Hope and joy, bring it on!

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VIEW FROM THE PEW There’s an aged poinsettia plant near my front door. At the tip of one bedraggled branch, there’s the tiny beginning of a red blossom. I’m writing a week before Christmas so maybe there’ll be a blooming miracle of color soon enough for this poor t’ing to perform as it has for […]

John Garvey: Holy mother church

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INTELLECT AND VIRTUE I’ve been having some trouble lately with the Nicene Creed. The First Council of Constantinople in 381 added the sentence, “I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.” It’s the holy part, as you might expect, that’s bothering me. The Pennsylvania grand jury report released in August disclosed years of unholy […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: What if the priest is a worse sinner? And how to mark your baptism day

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QUESTION CORNER Q: I know of several Catholics today who refuse to go to confession because they feel that the priest might be a worse sinner than they are. But yet if they get sick, they want their parish priest to come immediately to give them a blessing. How can I explain to them their […]

Laura Kelly Fanucci: Good news for crowded churches

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FAITH AT HOME Quick reminder for those of us who attend Mass regularly. Many people who don’t normally come to church joined us on Dec. 24 and 25. They took our parking spots and our usual pews. What fantastic news! More people crowding in the doors? Not enough chairs to drag up from the basement? […]

Vatican names two reconciled bishops to head Chinese dioceses

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By Michael Sainsbury Catholic News Service SYDNEY — As part of its ongoing efforts to reconcile China’s Catholic communities, the Vatican recognized two previously excommunicated Chinese bishops as heads of dioceses. The move came after an unprecedented Beijing meeting that included a group of Vatican officials led by Pope Francis’ chief China negotiator, Archbishop Claudio […]

Photos: Christmas lights and sights

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Kalanianaole parish lights Those driving along Kalanianaole Highway in Kuliouou have been treated with many wondrous lights coming from Holy Trinity Church. The display is the work of about 35 parishioners who came together on a Sunday afternoon to decorate the outside of their church. They had no plan, just hundreds of lights, enthusiasm and […]

Photo: Relics rest in Kona

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Bishop Larry Silva on Dec. 8 blessed 14 rare relics, mostly of saints, at St. Michael Parish in Kailua-Kona, donated to the Big Island church by Richard and Virginia Fischer of Virginia. Each relic came with its letter of authenticity, most dated from the 1950s. Here is how the relics were labeled: Relic of the […]

Father Eugene Hemrick: A peaceful 2019 to you

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THE HUMAN SIDE No matter where we look, peace is a rare commodity. How then can the new year be more peaceful? Start the year with avoiding certain behaviors and doubling up on civility. St. Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians often deals with adversity in his communities. Stop your strife and avoid jealousy, he counseled. […]