Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

China-born priest left with mixed feelings about Vatican-China agreement

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By Anna Weaver Hawaii Catholic Herald The provisional Vatican-China agreement on appointments of Chinese Catholic bishops has left Diocese of Honolulu priest Father Paul Li with mixed emotions. Father Li, who was born and raised in China and started his seminary studies there in the “underground” Catholic Church before coming to Hawaii, said that there […]

Vatican exhibit displays design inspired by Catholic symbolism, art

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — When Pope Benedict XVI’s custom-made red leather loafers became a signature part of his wardrobe after his election in 2005, Newsweek labeled him “a religious-fashion icon” and Esquire named him “Accessorizer of the Year.” While some critics saw the media’s sudden fixation on papal fashion as […]

Christmas proclaims hope, charity where fear reigns, pope says

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By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christmas calls believers to see God’s presence where he is often perceived as absent, especially in the “unwelcomed visitor, often unrecognizable, who walks through our cities and our neighborhoods, who travels on our buses and knocks on our doors,” Pope Francis said. “Christmas is […]

The weary world rejoices: Nativity scenes bring joy to hardened hearts

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square is not getting rave reviews: The backdrop does not look like a stable and the characters in need — hungry, naked, dead, imprisoned — don’t exactly evoke a silent night when all was cozy, calm and bright. Franciscan Father […]

Nativity scene, Christmas tree are visible signs of God’s compassion

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By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — A Nativity scene and Christmas tree, like those displayed in St. Peter’s Square, are visible reminders of God’s benevolence and closeness to all men and women, Pope Francis said. The traditional Christmas displays are “the signs of the heavenly Father’s compassion, of his participation and […]

Vatican summit participants vow efforts to stop organ trafficking

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — A Vatican summit on organ trafficking called for greater efforts to prevent the exploitation of those vulnerable to corrupt health professionals and criminal networks making the sale of human organs possible. “We, the undersigned participants of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences summit on organ trafficking, resolve […]

China, Vatican reach consensus on appointing bishops

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By Barb Fraze Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — China and the Vatican have reached consensus on the appointment of bishops, which will lead to the resolution of other outstanding problems, said Hong Kong Cardinal John Tong. “From now on, there will be no more the crisis of a division between the open and underground communities […]

Vatican opens homeless shelter for men

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By Nicole Pellicano Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The Vatican opened the “Gift of Mercy,” a shelter for homeless men, just a few hundred yards away from St. Peter’s Square. Housed in a Jesuit-owned building, the shelter was created by and is run with funds from the papal almoner, who has taken a variety […]