Latest news with #NationalShrine
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man convicted of stealing Baby Jesus statue from Northern Liberties church speaks out
PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia man says he was convicted of a crime he didn't commit—stealing a Baby Jesus statue from a nativity scene at the National Shrine of Saint John Neumann. Now, he's sharing his side of the story. What they're saying "I have no need for a Baby Jesus, to steal Baby Jesus. I grew up in a church, especially next to a dead saint there, John Neumann," said Raymond Wilson. Raymond Wilson says he had no idea why Philadelphia police came to his home and arrested him in late January. "The police came. I was outside working on my car, and they said, 'We wanna talk to you,' and they put handcuffs on me and took me to the police station," Wilson explained. The 56-year-old was arrested and charged with stealing the Baby Jesus statuette out of the nativity scene inside the Shrine of Saint John Neumann at 5th Street and Girard Avenue days after Christmas. FOX 29 reported on the theft in January with surveillance photos taken from video of the suspected thief. Raymond Wilson says this is not him, despite the resemblance to his Philadelphia police booking photo, which he even admits. "I said, 'Wow, it looks like me at first glance, but it's not me,'" Wilson stated."I never heard about it. I never knew about it, nothing." Keeley: "So if you didn't do this and never heard about this happening even though it was in the news, what went through your mind when they told you you were being arrested for stealing a Baby Jesus statue?" "I thought they would look at the photographs of the theft and let me go, but they not only didn't let me go, they tried me and convicted me," Wilson replied. Even Raymond admits he looks a lot like the man on the surveillance, but says when the video was played in his trial, showed a man with a distinctive, different walk. The judge was not swayed and convicted him last week of intentional desecration of a public monument, theft, receiving stolen property, and institutional vandalism. "It's clearly not me on the videos, and the judge kept saying it's me. And when the trial was over, he said maybe he sold it for a bag of crack. He said, 'Son, what did you get a bag of crack for that Baby Jesus?' And I stood up. My lawyer says, 'Sit down, sit down, don't say nothing,'" Wilson recounted. What's next Because of prior theft convictions, he could be facing a lengthy prison time. "At first, they offered me a deal to plead guilty—16 hours of community service and return of the Baby Jesus statue. But I don't have the Baby Jesus statue to return. I don't know nothing about it. My lawyer says it's up to the judge. My guidelines are like two and a half years to five years," Wilson said. "So they offered you no jail time, just community service and returning the Baby Jesus statue?" Wilson was asked. "Correct, yes. I don't have it to return. I never took it, so I wasn't gonna plead guilty to something I didn't do," Wilson concluded.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Catholics in DC rejoice as new pope from Chicago chosen
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — In the nation's capital, the bells chimed at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, next to Catholic University. There was a Mass set to start with the monsignor announcing the new pope, sending those gathered into cheers. PHOTOS: New pope elected on Day 2 of voting That excitement among Catholics is felt all around our region. Few could ever imagine a cardinal from the U.S. would be picked. Even Monsignor Walter Rossi was surprised. 'I said, 'Oh my God, an American Pope!' And the person I was with said, 'You said it would never happen.' I said, well, I guess I was wrong,' said Monsignor Walter Rossi. Rossi said Pope Leo XIV has been to D.C. before. 'When he was appointed cardinal two years ago by Pope Francis, he actually stopped here at the Shrine on his way to Rome to celebrate mass,' Rossi said. 'That was my first time meeting him. And at that moment he was gracious, kind and a little bit shy.' There was excitement among a group from Columbus, Ohio, on an eighth-grade field trip to the basilica. 'A guy from Chicago, the big city of Chicago, is now the pope of the world, and so it's a neat experience and I want to enjoy that today,' said visitor Jeff Uhlenhake. 'I hope that he can kind of just relate to all those in America, just because he's from here,' said Noah Phillips. 'It was really thought-provoking because he might have grown up in the same conditions that we grew up in, so he can really connect more on the people and bring more people to our faith,' said Kamani Phillips. Rossi said Pope Leo XIV is American by birth but international by life, and will carry forward the legacy of Pope Leo XIII 'A pope for the people, a pope for the marginalized, a pope for those who are in need, a pope for those who are poor,' Rossi said. Rossi hopes the pope will make a trip to D.C., but said that might take a couple of years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
South China Morning Post
16-04-2025
- South China Morning Post
History of the world's oldest Chinatown, Binondo in Manila, now a foodie paradise
Chinatowns are often portrayed as gritty underworlds riddled with prostitution, gambling and drug trafficking. Some of this is rooted in truth, but that unfair depiction is largely the result of rampant xenophobia and cultural ignorance, especially in the West. Advertisement In a series of articles , the Post explores the historical and social significance of major Chinatowns around the world and the communities that shape them. The world's oldest Chinatown and a rich mix of Chinese and Filipino culture, Binondo is found in the heart of the Philippine capital Manila. Named after the Filipino word binundok, meaning 'like a mountain', Binondo – home to about 20,000 people – boasts Taoist temples , Christian churches, Chinese restaurants and eclectic street art. It was established in 1594 by Spanish colonisers as a permanent settlement for Chinese traders who had converted to Christianity, many of whom married Filipino locals. The Minor Basilica and National Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz, popularly known as the Binondo Church, is an architectural highlight of Binondo. Photo: Instagram/ While Binondo today is known as a foodie's paradise, it was once better known as a financial hub. Before World War II, banking institutions dominated Binondo's Escolta Street, an area once known as the 'Wall Street of the Philippines'.
