National News
Miami archbishop joins other bikers in ‘Ride With God’ fundraiser
PARKLAND, Fla. (CNS) -- Local computer systems engineer Pierre Victor's Italian-made MV Agusta F4 motorcycle was evidence that almost any hobby or special interest can be an intersection for faith-sharing and awareness raising for a good cause.
Community house members embrace ‘radical Christian discipleship’
Will, Jon and Natasha -- and infant Eloise -- are part of a new experiment in Christian community living, sponsored by Christ the King Church in Nashville, where they are members. They have made a one-year commitment to live together, share resources and volunteer at the parish.
Persecution of Christians ‘widespread, flagrant,’ archbishop says
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Vatican's apostolic nuncio to the United Nations told a congressional hearing Feb. 11 that "flagrant and widespread persecution of Christians rages in the Middle East even as we meet."
Hobby Lobby files brief with Supreme Court in HHS mandate case
ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- Arts-and-crafts retailer Hobby Lobby has filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking protection from a federal mandate that requires coverage of contraceptives in workers' health insurance plans.
Massgoer says society needs to see importance of sacrament of marriage
LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- The octogenarian lovebirds come every year to celebrate World Marriage Day at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Married at La Placita Church in Los Angeles Nov. 25, 1951, 85-year-old Ralph Guerrero and his wife, Mary, 84, were the longest-married couple among 81 couples at the World Marriage Day Mass.
New stem-cell method offers another alternative to embryonic research
BALTIMORE (CNS) -- A new method of creating versatile stem cells from a relatively simple manipulation of existing cells could further reduce the need for any stem-cell research involving human embryos, according to leading ethicists.
Babe Ruth’s first baseball field to be preserved in Baltimore
BALTIMORE (CNS) -- The baseball field where legendary slugger Babe Ruth learned to play the game is being preserved. It took a turn of events more circuitous than the drives Ruth used to pull into the stands with astonishing regularity during his 22-year career in the major leagues.
Pope names bishop for Albany Diocese; Rockville Centre to get auxiliary
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, N.Y., and named Msgr. Edward B. Scharfenberger, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y., to succeed him.
Ukrainian church leader asks for prayers to resolve national crisis
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kiev-Halych, Ukraine, head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, capped a weeklong visit to the United States by asking all people of goodwill to join Ukrainian Catholics in prayer to resolve the ongoing political crisis in Ukraine.
Puerto Rican sainthood candidate known for piety, drive to teach poor
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (CNS) -- To the average Puerto Rican, born and raised in the country, the figure of "el maestro Rafael" (Rafael the teacher) was a fleeting reference in a grade school lesson.