A Christmas message from Bishop Lucia
Bishop Douglas J. Lucia offers a blessing at the close of the Christmas Mass pre-recorded for television Dec. 15. (Sun photo | Chuck Wainwright) Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, The year 2020 has been one we will not soon forget, although we may want to. It...
Away in a manger: Bishops share Nativity scenes, childhood memories
The Nativity scenes in Bishop Douglas J. Lucia’s office and retired Bishop Robert J. Cunningham’s residence are full of well-loved figures and childhood memories. Both bishops recently took the Sun on a trip down memory lane.
1-2-3-4, how to play without a flaw: Gaelic Knight Gaughan scores all the goals as Ludden grabs trophy
Bishop Ludden’s Blake Sheen, left, and Colden Sheen hold the Battle of the Bishops Trophy after their triumph. (Sun photo | Tom Maguire) By Tom Maguire | Associate editor The Battle of the Bishops offered explosive action around the goal, with the Gaelic...
Carrying the light of Christ, December 17: At Christmas, ‘discover anew the One who gives meaning and light’
Editor’s note: Bishop Douglas J. Lucia issued the following letter Dec. 14. Dear Diocesan Family, In today’s calendar of saints, the Church calls to mind St. John of the Cross, a priest of the 16th century who along with St. Teresa of Avila called the Carmelite order...
Bishop Lucia reaffirms directives for ‘orange zone’ parishes
Bishop Douglas J. Lucia Nov. 27 reaffirmed directives limiting the number of attendees permitted at Masses celebrated in the “orange zone.”
Court says N.Y. pandemic limits on houses of worship restrict religious freedom
In a 5-4 opinion, the Supreme Court late Nov. 25 sided with the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y., and two synagogues in ruling that some of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s pandemic restrictions on houses of worship violated the First Amendment guarantee of religious freedom.
‘Orange zone’ parishes to reduce capacity in response to state restrictions
Some Onondaga County parishes will reduce capacity in response to new state restrictions aimed at stemming the recent surge of coronavirus infections.
Breath by breath, Msgr. Yeazel recovers from COVID-19
After seven months of COVID-19 treatment and rehabilitation, Msgr. J. Robert Yeazel is regaining his strength step by step and breath by breath.
Use of Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccines is morally acceptable, say bishops
“COVID-19” is reflected in a vaccine drop that dangles from a syringe needle in this illustration photo Nov. 9, 2020. (CNS photo | Dado Ruvic, Reuters) By Julie Asher | Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — While confusion has arisen in recent...
State’s lawsuit says Buffalo Diocese, bishops covered up failures on abuse cases
New York State Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit Nov. 23 against the Diocese of Buffalo and Bishop Richard J. Malone, who headed the diocese from 2012 to 2019, and newly retired Auxiliary Bishop Edward M. Grosz.
Bishop Lucia issues directives for parishes in the ‘orange zone’
November 23, 2020 Dear Diocesan Family, I had hoped that I would not have to write another letter regarding the imposition of restrictions on public worship. However, due to the surge of COVID-19 in parts of the Diocese of Syracuse and the imposition of the...
McCarrick report summary cites lack of serious investigations of rumors
Although dogged for years by rumors of sexual impropriety, Theodore E. McCarrick was able to rise up the Catholic hierarchical structure based on personal contacts, protestations of his innocence, and a lack of church officials reporting and investigating accusations, according to the Vatican summary of its report on the matter.
Report’s X-ray look into U.S. abuse scandal digs up pain, hope in transparency
A Swiss Guard stands at a Vatican entrance Nov. 9, 2020, the day before the Vatican released its long-awaited report on ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. (CNS photo | Remo Casilli, Reuters) By Rhina Guidos | Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Catholic...
Fighting abuse: What Pope Francis has done during his pontificate
Pope Francis prays at the opening session of the meeting on the protection of minors in the church at the Vatican Feb. 21, 2019. Pope Francis has issued numerous new laws and guidelines for handling accusations of clerical sexual abuse and its cover-up by church...
Gomez: Nation’s leaders must now ‘come together’ with election of new president
With Joe Biden now elected as the nation’s 46th president, it is “time for our leaders to come together in a spirit of national unity,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
News organizations project Biden win; second Catholic elected U.S. president
Horns blared near the White House just before noon Nov. 7 as major U.S. news organizations projected Democrat Joe Biden will be the 46th president of the United States, making him the second Catholic in the country’s history to be elected to the nation’s highest office.
Questions continue around film’s use of pope’s quote on civil unions
While there is no doubt that Pope Francis said civil laws should protect the rights of gay couples, some mystery shrouds the context in which he said it and the way it is used in a new film.
In new film, Pope Francis affirms gay people ‘are children of God,’ expresses support for legalizing civil unions
Saying that gay people “are children of God” who deserve their family’s love and the care of the church, Pope Francis in a new documentary expresses support for legalizing civil unions.
Pope has history of defending marriage, but being open to some civil unions
Pope Francis often has expressed openness to the idea of laws recognizing civil unions, including for gay couples, to protect their rights. The pope’s comments in a brief passage in the documentary film, “Francesco,” are similar to the position he took while archbishop of Buenos Aires and echo remarks he has made in several interviews during his pontificate: “Marriage” is only between a man and a woman, but civil union laws could provide legal protection for couples in long-term, committed relationships.
