Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Father Kenneth Doyle: Is there sex in heaven? How do I receive forgiveness?

by

QUESTION CORNER Q: It seems odd that genital intercourse is automatically excluded in theological views of heaven — since Christian hope envisions the fulfillment of all things and, therefore, the redemption of our bodies. If God’s love redeems all things, then shouldn’t it redeem sexual life? Do you personally believe that there will be sexual […]

After ‘taking a knee,’ border bishop gets call from the pope

by

By Rhina Guidos Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — It’s called “taking a knee,” and many professional athletes around the country have made the gesture publicly to protest police brutality. Lately, even police officers showing solidarity have kneeled around the country before those protesting the May 25 killing of George Floyd, who died after being filmed […]

Bishops call for end to surrogacy as pandemic strands newborns

by

By Catholic News Service KYIV, Ukraine — Border closures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have highlighted another “pathology” in modern Ukraine: the practice of commercial surrogacy, said the country’s Catholic bishops. Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych, head of the Eastern-rite Ukrainian Catholic Church, and Archbishop Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki of Lviv, president of the country’s Latin-rite […]

Sacraments hard without the dimension of touch

by

By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — In a “touchless” environment spawned by the coronavirus pandemic, living out the church’s sacramental life is tough without the element of touch: the reception of the Eucharist, the baptism with water, the laying on of hands, the anointing with oil. Even so, good works have continued to […]

Nigerian bishop says murdered seminarian had courage of a martyr

by

By Catholic News Service SOKOTO, Nigeria — A murdered Nigerian seminarian had the courage of a martyr, his bishop said after three men were arrested for murder and kidnapping. One of the suspects said Michael Nnadi was killed because he kept asking his kidnappers “to repent and turn their lives around from their evil ways,” […]

Pope merges Anchorage, Juneau as one archdiocese

by

By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — Pope Francis has merged the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska, and the Diocese of Juneau, Alaska, and erected the new ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau. He also has appointed Juneau Bishop Andrew E. Bellisario to head the newly configured archdiocese. Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Vatican nuncio to the […]

St. John Paul was a good shepherd, pope says on saint’s 100th birthday

by

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — St. John Paul II was a man of deep prayer, who loved being close to people and loved God’s justice and mercy, Pope Francis said. “Let us pray to him today that he may give all of us — especially shepherds of the church — but […]

Dozens gather virtually to sing psalms, hymns, songs

by

By Dan Meloy Catholic News Service PONTIAC, Mich. — Notre Dame Preparatory High School’s choir and alumni are bringing the world a little closer together, even when it remains far apart. On April 19, the school released a video that featured 92 singers — 67 current students and 25 alumni and teachers — singing a […]

During Laudato Si’ Week, 24 Catholic entities divest from fossil fuels

by

By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service CLEVELAND — The justice and peace commission of the Bangladeshi bishops’ conference as well as dioceses in Brazil, Indonesia and Ireland are among the latest institutions announcing their intent to divest from fossil fuel companies. The entities are among 24 Catholic and 18 other faith institutions in 14 countries […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: Was author of ‘Hail, Holy Queen’ troubled? Did God create COVID-19?

by

QUESTION CORNER Q: The prayer “Hail, Holy Queen” has three phrases in it that trouble me. They are: “to thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve”; “mourning and weeping in this valley of tears”; and “after this, our exile.” The author of this prayer makes life on earth appear to be a punishment. […]