National News
Injunction stops enforcement of HHS mandate for Catholic benefits group
BALTIMORE (CNS) -- A federal district court in Oklahoma issued an injunction June 4 preventing several Catholic entities from being forced to comply with the federal Department of Health and Human Services' contraceptive mandate.
‘Fortnight’ emphasizes connection between religious freedom, service
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The third annual Fortnight for Freedom, June 21 to July 4, aims to protect religious liberties from government infringement. Archbishop William Lori said all people should be able to practice their faith and serve "unabashedly," and "we don't think we should have to compromise our beliefs in order to observe."
Members of Neocatechumenal Way take Gospel to the public
ORANGE, Calif. (CNS) -- In what the movement calls its "great mission," members volunteered to reach out to people in a public area -- perhaps the parking lot of a shopping center, perhaps in a park -- and invite them to a 75-minute gathering that included prayer and testimony from people walking "the Way," for short, as well as a group dialogue and catechesis.
World financial system is ‘new idolatry,’ cardinal tells forum
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Honduras said the church knows about the economy because "we know about the human being," and political libertarians and economists could benefit by being closer to the people.
Detroit Catholics give high marks to parishes, voice concerns for future
DETROIT (CNS) -- Parishioners generally like their parish and their pastor, and think the Archdiocese of Detroit is fulfilling its mission, but could be doing more for youth ministry and vocations, according to the results of a survey.
Conference examines church’s need for new generation of lay ministers
The organizer of a national conference said young people are interested in lay ministry, but hesitate to enter formation programs because of the lack of jobs for lay ministers. "We need a next generation of ministers to take the place of folks that are in parishes right now," she said.
Ignatian Volunteer Corps offers way to serve others, grow in faith
Ignatian Volunteer Corps, a national service organization that places retirees with community groups that serve the poor, is a Jesuit-run program founded in 1995 that has 465 retirees working with more than 400 partner groups in 20 cities.
Sponsor says aim of bill on ‘wrongful birth’ suits to protect disabled
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., has introduced the Every Child Is a Blessing Act to combat "wrongful birth" lawsuits and prevent discrimination against children born with disabilities.
Growing number of unaccompanied minors entering U.S. causes concern
SEATTLE (CNS) -- While Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio L. Elizondo of Seattle was in El Salvador recently, an immigration-reform advocate shared his view on the topic that was the focus of the bishop's trip: the increase in unaccompanied minors making the often dangerous journey from Central America and Mexico into the United States.
Celli: Church must embrace digital world to spread good news, Gospel
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CNS) -- The Catholic Church must establish a presence in the digital world of communications or risk being at the margins of people's lives, said the president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.