Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Pope removes firebrand Texas bishop from diocese

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By Maria Wiering and Peter Jesserer Smith OSV News Pope Francis has removed Bishop Joseph E. Strickland from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, the Holy See Press Office announced Nov. 11. Simultaneously, Francis has appointed Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin as apostolic administrator to oversee the diocese until a new […]

Pope welcomes migrant he’s been praying for since July

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — When Mbengue Nyimbilo Crepin told Pope Francis of his harrowing journey to Italy and about the deaths of his wife and 6-year-old daughter in the desert along the border between Libya and Tunisia, the pope told him he had been praying for them since July. Nyimbilo, […]

Pope encourages children to speak up, work for peace

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — In a celebration of life, peace, joy and harmony, thousands of children representing young people on every continent greeted Pope Francis during an afternoon event in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall. Children from different parts of the world, such as the Amazon and favelas of Brazil, […]

Talk story: God’s style: proximity, compassion, tenderness

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OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY “Today I would like to talk to you about a man who made Jesus and his poorest brothers the passion of his life … considering himself a ‘universal brother’ and welcoming everyone, he shows us the evangelizing force of meekness, of tenderness.” (Pope Francis, general audience, Oct. 18) While Catholics from […]

Whoopi Goldberg delivers ‘Sister Act’ swag to pope

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis praised actor and comedian Whoopi Goldberg for helping people laugh and feel joy, telling her, “You are very important.” “Not as important as you!” she replied, shaking her head in disbelief during a private audience at the Vatican Oct. 12, seen in a clip […]

New cardinals bring experience of ‘peripheries’ to church

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Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Speaking to reporters a few days before receiving their red hats, many of the 21 new cardinals said their induction into the College of Cardinals was less about them and more about their local church and its contribution to the universal church. Cardinal-designate Stephen Chow Sau-Yan of Hong Kong […]

People have a duty to save migrants at risk of drowning, Pope Francis says

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service MARSEILLE, France — At a moving ceremony at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Pope Francis led a moment of silence for the countless lives lost in its blue but treacherous waters. And he warned the world it was now at a crossroads: people must choose […]

Pope Francis in Mongolia: Jesus is the answer to human longing

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia — Like the land struck by a “zud,” the human heart has a thirst and longing that can be alleviated only by the God of love, Pope Francis told Mongolians gathered for Mass in Ulaanbaatar’s Steppe Arena. Countless generations of Mongolians have feared the “zud,” an extreme […]

Synod assembly not a TV show, won’t be open to press, pontiff says

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM MONGOLIA — The Synod of Bishops is not a television show or a parliamentary debate, and its discussions will not be open to the public or to reporters, Pope Francis said. “We must safeguard the synodal climate,” the pope responded Sept. 4 when asked […]