Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

‘Sister Listeners’ help Rwandans move beyond horrors of genocide

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By Melanie Lidman Catholic News Service KIGALI, Rwanda — The Benebikira Sisters, the oldest indigenous congregation in Rwanda, have sisters who are teachers, nurses, pharmacists, formators and administrators. But they also have religious with a unique title: Sister Listeners. “The genocide created many problems; some people don’t want to live because of what happened,” said […]

U.S., North Korea need diplomatic solution to escalating tensions

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM CAIRO — A diplomatic solution must be found to the escalating tension between North Korea and the United States, Pope Francis told journalists. “The path (to take) is the path of negotiation, the path of a diplomatic solution,” he said when asked about U.S. […]

Bishop granted early retirement to return to missions

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis accepted the early retirement request of Italian Bishop Gianfranco Todisco, who begged to be allowed to return to missionary work or to be sent “to the farthest, most disadvantaged” diocese. The Vatican announced Bishop Todisco’s resignation April 21 as bishop of Melfi-Rapolla-Venosa in southern […]

Richard Doerflinger: Death without dignity in D.C.

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A MORE HUMAN SOCIETY Recent partisan impasses in Congress raise the question: Can the two parties agree on anything? One issue they should agree on may come up this spring, as appropriations bills for the next fiscal year are debated. The Council of the District of Columbia and the mayor have approved a law allowing […]

Father Eugene Hemrick: Science isn’t always glamorous

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Some consider it miraculous, some fear it and still others wish it never existed. The “it” is science that can create awesome wonders and produce fearful results. Thanks to science, our lifespan is longer, crippling pain has been reduced and we are better protected against deadly diseases. On the other hand, science has created the […]

Pope Benedict, 90, celebrates birthday with beer, pretzels

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — A bit of Bavaria, including German beer and pretzels, came to the Vatican to help celebrate retired Pope Benedict XVI’s 90th birthday. “Thank you for bringing Bavaria here,” he told his guests, commenting on the beauty of gathering together under a blue Roman sky with white […]

Catholic chaplain accompanies sad circus workers on final tour

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By Tanya Connor Catholic News Service WORCESTER, Mass. — The congregation, numbering about 50, gathered for their last Easter Mass together on the DCU Center’s arena floor. The chaplain, Father George “Jerry” Hogan, borrowed one of their colorful boxes to use as an altar. The altar cloths and his chasuble sported circus images. Costume designers […]