National News
Catholics must make space for the soul online, Vatican official says
BRAINTREE, Mass. (CNS) -- The Internet will host the parish community of the future, according to Msgr. Paul Tighe, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. "Social media is redefining how we understand local community," he said. "The digital parish will be where people cluster around shared interests and shared ideas."
Appeals court OKs admitting privileges for abortion doctors in Texas
AUSTIN, Texas (CNS) -- A panel of judges on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Oct. 31 that a provision in a Texas law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital can take effect. The panel made the ruling three days after Judge Lee Yeakel of the U.S. District Court in Austin said the provision was unconstitutional.
Another appeals court rules on religious rights of for-profit entities
WASHINGTON (CNS) --The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled Nov. 1 that two Catholic brothers from Ohio were wrongly denied a preliminary injunction exempting them from providing contraceptive coverage in employee health insurance, sending the case back to a lower court.
Cardinal to Congress: Disclose abortion coverage in health care law
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley urged members of Congress to support the Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act, a measure that would require health plans to disclose if they subsidize abortion coverage. Cardinal O’Malley, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the legislation would address […]
Bishops asked to assess marriage, family life to prepare for synod
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Bishops around the world are being asked to take a realistic look at the situation of families under their care and at how effective pastoral and educational programs have been at promoting church teaching on sexuality, marriage and family life.
Four petitions on high court docket ask intervention on health law
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Supreme Court now has petitions asking it to review lower court rulings in three different lawsuits that challenge the federal government’s requirement for employer-sponsored health insurance to include contraceptive coverage. Three petitions filed in the last six weeks involve private, for-profit companies owned by Christians who object to their employee insurance […]
Special Mass remembers Sandy’s victims, celebrates parish’s resilience
BELLE HARBOR, N.Y. (CNS) -- Joyful prayers, songs and conversation could be heard along the street as the parish community of St. Francis de Sales in Belle Harbor gathered to observe the first anniversary of Hurricane Sandy. Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio was the main celebrant of a special evening Mass of remembrance and thanksgiving Oct. 26.
Federal judge strikes down part of new Texas abortion law
AUSTIN, Texas (CNS) — A federal judge voided one section of Texas’ new abortion law that was scheduled to take effect Oct. 29. Judge Lee Yeakel of the U.S. District Court in Austin ruled Oct. 28 that the admitting-privileges provision of the new law was unconstitutional. The law required abortion providers to have admitting privileges […]
EWTN files second lawsuit against HHS mandate; Alabama is co-plaintiff
MOBILE, Ala. (CNS) — The Eternal Word Television Network, joined by the state of Alabama, has filed another lawsuit challenging the federal mandate requiring most employers to provide coverage of contraceptives, sterilizations and some abortion-inducing drugs free of charge. The suit was filed Oct. 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of […]
Washington cathedral, site of Kennedy funeral in ’63, is ‘holy ground’
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- On Nov. 25, 1963, a television audience of millions of people around the world prayerfully bid farewell to President John F. Kennedy, as his flag-draped coffin was placed before the sanctuary of the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, during the funeral Mass for the slain president.