National News
Catholics, evangelicals team up in pressing for immigration reform
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In a joint letter to members of Congress, Catholic bishops and evangelical leaders pleaded for "common sense fixes to our immigration policies" by passing legislation this year.
Arizona governor vetoes bill, says it could have divided the state
PHOENIX (CNS) -- Concerns about the need to protect religious liberty are not unfounded but a bill allowing businesses and others to refuse to serve same-sex couples on religious grounds was "broadly worded and could result in unintended consequences" said Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer Feb. 26.
Judge: Any state law involving marriage must comply with Constitution
SAN ANTONIO (CNS) -- A U.S. District Court judge Feb. 26 struck down a Texas constitutional amendment that defined marriage as being only between one man and one woman. Judge Orlando Garcia also said it was unconstitutional for the state not to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples performed in other states.
First married man ordained priest for U.S. Maronite Catholic Church
ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- Father Wissam Akiki is the first married man to be ordained a priest for the U.S. Maronite Catholic Church.
Christian leaders pledge action on high rate of incarceration in U.S.
NEWARK, N.J. (CNS) -- Leaders of Christian Churches Together in the U.S.A., of which the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is a member, issued a pledge to engage the American public on the issue of mass incarceration in the United States.
High rate of Bible illiteracy among general population ‘no surprise’
Last year, the American Bible Society showed 57 percent of U.S. adults ages 18 to 28 read their Bible less than three times per year or never. A 2010 Pew survey found only 42 percent of U.S. Catholics could identify Genesis as the first book of the Bible.
Youth rally on Sunday aims to help anxious teens trust in God
All Catholic high school-aged students are invited to the Generation Phaith Youth Rally March 2 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., which will include live music, workshops, lunch, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, confession and Mass.
Appeals court denies Notre Dame injunction on HHS mandate
CHICAGO (CNS) -- The University of Notre Dame must provide free coverage of contraceptives as required by the federal health care law despite its moral objections to doing so, said a panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a Feb. 21 ruling.
Ordination as priest for Iowa diocese brings man’s vocation full circle
DAVENPORT, Iowa (CNS) -- Chris Young will become a pioneer in the Diocese of Davenport this summer when he is ordained to the Catholic priesthood by Bishop Martin J. Amos.
‘Restorative justice,’ not death penalty, urged for accused bomber
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In light of the proposed death penalty for 20-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, "Jesus weeps ... again" at the injustice, the Conference of Major Superiors of Men said in a Feb. 19 statement.