National News
Judge says employer objections to HHS mandate based on religious rights
NEW YORK (CNS) -- A spokesman for the New York Archdiocese said the archdiocese "welcomes and applauds" a Dec. 13 ruling by a federal judge granting Catholic organizations in the archdiocese and the neighboring Diocese of Rockville Centre a permanent injunction on having to comply with the federal contraceptive mandate in the health care law.
Minn. Archbishop steps down from public ministry after allegation
St. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) -- Archbishop John C. Nienstedt of St. Paul and Minneapolis is voluntarily stepping aside from all public ministry, effective immediately, while St. Paul police investigate an allegation that he inappropriately touched a male minor on the buttocks in 2009 during a group photography session following a confirmation ceremony.
Letter says Koch grant to Catholic University sends ‘confusing message’
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Fifty prominent Catholics have signed a letter to The Catholic University of America questioning the decision to accept a $1 million pledge from the Charles Koch Foundation to help fund a new business school. The letter released Dec. 16 contrasts the ideological agenda of industrialists Charles and David Koch with Catholic social teaching.
Minn. archbishop says news of clergy abuse rightly met with ‘shame, outrage’
UPDATED -- EDINA, Minn. (CNS) -- Archbishop John C. Nienstedt of St. Paul and Minneapolis, at the invitation of a parish pastor, apologized for the archdiocese's handling of clergy sexual abuse allegations in a homily delivered at two Dec. 15 Masses at the parish church.
U.S. senator, co-sponsors introduce Marriage and Religious Freedom Act
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and 11 co-sponsors introduced a measure in the U.S. Senate Dec. 12 that would protect religious organizations from discrimination by the federal government for supporting traditional marriage.
Two Omaha priests found guilty of abuse, face Church sanctions
OMAHA, Neb. (CNS) -- The Archdiocese of Omaha has found two archdiocesan priests -- in separate cases -- guilty of sexual abuse of a minor and administered ecclesiastical penalties, dismissing one from the priesthood with Vatican authorization and removing the other from active ministry and sentencing him to a life of prayer and penance.
Under Mandela, South Africa became beacon to world, says U.S. bishop
BALTIMORE (CNS) -- Witnessing thousands of South Africans of all races vote in the first free elections after the fall of apartheid was a "great, life-changing experience" for Bishop John H. Ricard.
Supreme Knight honored for his efforts to advance Marian devotion
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson Dec. 9 received the Patronal Medal, an honor jointly bestowed Washington's Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and The Catholic University of America.
Bishops back bill to limit some gun sales
SEATTLE (CNS) -- The Catholic bishops of Washington state support a legislative measure seeking new background checks for gun sales online and at trade shows, calling it "a prudent balance between concerns for personal liberty and public safety."
U.S. Syro-Malabar diocese offers Android app
The Syro-Malabar Church is one of two Eastern Catholic churches that have their origins in India. The new app, for use on Android devices, features text in both English and Malayalam, one of India's official languages.