Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Father Kenneth Doyle: Why no mention of male virginity? Plus: Are Wiccans misunderstood?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: We Catholics honor many female saints for their outstanding lives of service and virginity. Why do we never mention St. Joseph’s virginity or the virginity of some of our wonderful male saints? (City and state withheld) A: I think the main reason is that women religious generally refer to their vow of […]

Greg Erlandson: The struggle for hearts and minds will continue

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AMID THE FRAY In advance of the Supreme Court’s much-awaited decision on the Mississippi law that would ban most abortions after 15 weeks, the abortion wars have heated up again. When pro-lifers rallied in Washington Jan. 21 for the 49th time to mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, there was by all accounts a […]

Archbishop invites dialogue toward nuclear disarmament

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By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service CLEVELAND — In a new pastoral letter, Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe, New Mexico, urges the local community and the world to join “a renewed commitment to the cause of peace” with the goal of eliminating all global nuclear weapons arsenals. The document, “Living in the Light […]

Ukrainian priests appeal for prayers, support as Russian threat grows

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By Jonathan Luxmoore Catholic News Service WARSAW, Poland — Two priests in Ukraine asked Western church leaders for support, especially in anticipation of a widely expected Russian invasion. “While our TV news shows tanks and army units deployed on our borders, the war in eastern Ukraine is continuing — but the church in the West […]

Pope on couples pampering pets instead of having children

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Context is everything. But sometimes Pope Francis assumes people know him and the context of his words. When they don’t, hackles are raised. One case in point has garnered huge publicity, again: Pope Francis’ view on couples having pampered pets instead of children. The nervous laughter […]

New Ways nun reflects on letters from Pope Francis

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By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — When Loretto Sister Jeannine Gramick began her ministry to gay and lesbian Catholics 50 years ago, she likely never imagined she would be exchanging letters with a pope. But that’s what happened, and it started fairly innocuously. New Ways Ministry, which Sister Gramick co-founded with the late […]

Indian officials say lease expired, force nuns off land in Uttar Pradesh

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By Catholic News Service NEW DELHI — The Missionaries of Charity congregation has been forced to shut Nirmala Shishu Bhawan, a home for orphaned, destitute and abandoned children in Uttar Pradesh state, after its lease expired. The Defence Estates Office demanded $250,000 from the nuns for trespassing. The closure came on the heels of the […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: Is it confession or reconciliation? Did the Virgin Mary have other kids?

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QUESTION CORNER Q While I know that only confession will reconcile me with God, I am confused about the terminology used in my parish. (We are a rural parish and have very few opportunities for confession, but there is always the chance to make a private appointment for confession.) Any scheduled confessions are now announced […]