Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Pope advances sainthood cause of mother of three

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By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis advanced the sainthood cause of a young mother of three who died of cancer after delaying chemotherapy treatment in order to save the life of her unborn child. The pope signed decrees recognizing the heroic virtues of one man and two women, including […]

Vaccination is an act of love, pope says in ad campaign

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — When each individual makes a small act of charity, like getting the COVID-19 vaccine, every gesture added together can transform the world, Pope Francis said in a global ad campaign. “Being vaccinated with vaccines authorized by the competent authorities is an act of love. And contributing […]

Not me: The moral dilemma of seeking vaccine exemptions

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Getting vaccinated is “an act of love,” Pope Francis said in his latest urgent appeal, after more than a year of insisting COVID-19 vaccines be equitably available worldwide for everyone to get inoculated. Nonetheless, some Catholics have been wondering if they should seek a religious exemption […]

Catholic organizations help Afghan refugees in U.S.

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By Rhina Guidos Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — An already tense situation in Afghanistan took a turn for the worse early Aug. 26 when an explosion near the Kabul airport led to casualties and injuries still being calculated. According to the Pentagon, at least 13 U.S. service members and at least 95 Afghans were killed; […]

Italian priest recounts harrowing escape from Kabul

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Leaves Afghanistan with five nuns and 14 orphaned and disabled children and young adults By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service ROME — Although Barnabite Father Giovanni Scalese, head of the Catholic mission in Afghanistan, found himself back in his native Italy after the fall of the Afghan capital, his thoughts remained on the church […]

Pakistan province demolishes Catholic church, despite protests

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By Catholic News Service KARACHI, Pakistan — A Catholic church serving more than 300 Christian families in Pakistan’s commercial capital of Karachi was demolished Aug. 24 despite resistance from a civil society group and warnings from U.N. human rights experts. The Save Karachi Movement, a group of lawyers, human rights defenders, journalists and minority activists, […]

Post-quake Haiti: Funerals and a daily quest for food

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By Tom Tracy Catholic News Service Two weeks after Haiti’s Aug. 14 earthquake, the country’s southwest peninsula is still marked by funerals, aftershocks and a daily search for clean water, food and shelter. “One of the things that really struck me two weeks out is the number of funerals — everywhere you go there are […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: Am I wrong to receive Communion? Can I ask my priest why he’s growing out his hair and beard?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: For the past year, I have been striving for a stronger Catholic faith. (Before, I guess I would say that I was a lukewarm Catholic.) I was married in a Methodist church and divorced 30 years ago through no fault of my own. I have always received holy Communion. Is this wrong? […]