Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Vatican City state set to end sale of single-use plastics

by

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — After current supplies run out, Vatican City State will no longer be selling any single-use plastic items on its tiny territory. While the European Union pledged in May to ban single-use plastic starting in 2021, the Vatican had already begun limiting its use and soon “it […]

Moises Sandoval: Hard to be a good Samaritan

by

  COMMENTARY In these times, it is good to reflect once again on the parable of the good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37) because along our southern border the mercy and compassion urged by Jesus can result in criminal charges that can lead to prison. First, let’s look at the parable. Jesus responding to the question about […]

After 50 years, Moon landing still generates a wistful sense of wonderment

by

By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — When Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong gingerly stepped onto the surface of the moon July 20, 1969, Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno had no idea that some day he would become the director of the Vatican Observatory. Sixteen at the time, he had followed the space program since […]

Bishops blame U.S. policies for child deaths at border

by

By Rhina Guidos Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — Leadership of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in an op-ed cast blame on government policies for recent child deaths near the U.S.-Mexico border. In a June 30 op-ed published by The Hill newspaper in Washington, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of […]

Pope gives relics of St. Peter to Orthodox patriarch

by

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — In what Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople described as a “brave and bold” gesture, Pope Francis gave the patriarch a famous reliquary containing bone fragments believed to belong to St. Peter. The only time the bronze reliquary has been displayed publicly was in November 2013, […]

Migrant shelters suffer harassment as Mexico toughens enforcement

by

By David Agren Catholic News Service TENOSIQUE, Mexico — The Franciscan-run migrant shelter La 72 has welcomed a steady stream of migrants since opening its doors in 2011 in this sweaty railway terminus near the Guatemalan border. It has also endured a steady stream of harassment — from politicians and police officers, immigration officials and […]

Pope, Putin meet, discuss wars in Ukraine, Syria, church in Russia

by

By Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Vatican July 4, and the two discussed the ongoing wars in Eastern Ukraine and in Syria, the Vatican said. Russia plays a major role in both conflicts. At the end of the 55-minute private meeting, Alessandro Gisotti, interim director […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: Is there still a purgatory? Do Catholic politicians who vote to provide abortions get excommunicated?

by

QUESTION CORNER Q: I am a cradle Catholic and have always believed in purgatory. Now I am hearing from some people (including from some priests) who deny its existence. Can you clarify this for me? (City and state of origin withheld) A: The Catholic Church does indeed believe in the existence of purgatory. The Catechism […]

Amid new tensions in China, Vatican tells bishops, priests to follow their consciences

by

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has told bishops and priests in China that they must follow their own consciences in deciding whether to register with the government, and it urged Catholics in the country not to judge them for the choices they make. The problem, the Vatican said, is […]

Pontiff calls Trump, Kim meeting a positive step

by

By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service ROME — After U.S. President Donald Trump became the first sitting president to set foot in North Korea, Pope Francis called his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a positive step toward world peace. After praying the Angelus with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square June […]