By Patrick Downes Catholic News Service HONOLULU (CNS) — When Tonga’s future cardinal came to Hawaii as a priest in 2005 for the ordination of his cousin, one of the Tongan Catholic women hosting him wanted to buy him a pair of shoes. Then-Father Soane Mafi politely turned down the offer, preferring instead the sandals ...read more

By David Agren Catholic News Service MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Cardinal-designate Jose de Jesus Pimiento Rodriguez, retired archbishop of Manizales, Colombia, will be the oldest of 20 men elevated to cardinal Feb. 14. The cardinal-designate, who will turn 96 Feb. 18, was ordained a priest Dec. 14, 1941 — three days before Pope Francis turned ...read more

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — German Cardinal-designate Karl-Josef Rauber said he would be more than content to continue celebrating daily Mass and hearing the confessions of the Schonstatt Sisters he lives with and helping out with confirmations in the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart. The 80-year-old veteran Vatican diplomat said he knows ...read more

By David Agren Catholic News Service MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Cardinal-designate Jose Lacunza Maestrojuan of David, Panama, learned of his elevation to cardinal via his smartphone. His sister, living in Spain, sent him a short message via the instant messaging service WhatsApp asking, “You have nothing to tell me? The pope has made new announcements. ...read more

By Lise Alves Catholic News Service SAO PAULO (CNS) — Cardinal-designate Arlindo Gomes Furtado, whose diocese is part of an archipelago 400 miles off the coast of West Africa, said the challenges to the church in Cape Verde mirror those found elsewhere. “We are trying to make the church more open, welcoming … more dynamic ...read more

Here’s what’s been making headlines across the country: The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that doctors can help people commit suicide. Reaction has been swift. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops issued this statement. Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton had this to say. On a lighter note, one Saskatchewan sister is playing an important role ...read more

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Spain’s newest cardinal-designate is known as an outspoken champion of peace and reconciliation — a common trait among some of the men chosen by Pope Francis to join the College of Cardinals in February. Cardinal-designate Ricardo Blazquez Perez, who has been archbishop of Valladolid since ...read more

By Catholic News Service YANGON, Myanmar (CNS) — Cardinal-designate Charles Bo’s appointment as Myanmar’s first cardinal is seen as support for his efforts to push national reconciliation, peace, justice and freedom as his people struggle with religious and ethnic tensions and other problems. The new position draws attention to Cardinal-designate Bo’s country, formerly Burma, which ...read more

On this week’s Vatican Connections, we look at the long-awaited beatification decree for Archbishop Oscar Romero. We talk to Father Frank Desiderio, a Paulist priest who worked with the producer of the 1989 film about the martyr, and we look at the reaction of Salvadoreans who have long referred to their slain archbishop as “el ...read more

By Peter Grace Catholic News Service WELLINGTON, New Zealand (CNS) — Cardinal-designate John Dew of Wellington has appealed for a more pastoral approach for some of the family issues facing New Zealand Catholics. At the 2005 Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist, he called on church leaders to discuss a “pastoral approach” to ending “the ...read more