National News
Colorado officials say recovery from epic flooding could take years
DENVER (CNS) — Recovery efforts following heavy rain that dumped on northern Colorado in mid-September are expected to take years. “Catholic Charities will be there to help in any we can,” pledged Larry Smith, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver. “We are here as early responders and will continue to […]
Some faith-based contractors using own funds during federal shutdown
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Social Security, food stamp and Medicare benefits continued, but the federal government shutdown over a congressional budget impasse was putting other aid and nutrition programs at risk and forcing some faith-based contractors to use their own funds to keep them operating. On the second day of the partial shutdown that began Oct. […]
N.D. Catholic Conference challenges ruling on ‘right to abortion’
BISMARCK, N.D. (CNS) — The North Dakota Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s bishops, filed a friend-of-the-court brief Oct. 1 with the North Dakota Supreme Court, urging the court to reverse a district court ruling that found a right to an abortion in the state constitution. “The district court’s judgment, recognizing a […]
Cardinal sees religion’s soul, head, heart embodied in three popes
RYE, N.Y. (CNS) — The three most recent popes exemplify the soul, head and heart of religion, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York told an interfaith group Sept. 29. “All religions come to look to the pope for spiritual guidance and example,” he said. “Every religion, faith, church, organization, family needs a soul, a […]
Eucharistic congress celebrates ‘youth, vitality’ of Knoxville Diocese
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) — The Diocese of Knoxville celebrated its 25th anniversary in grand fashion by holding its first eucharistic congress, which drew about 5,000 Catholics from throughout Tennessee and around the country to gather in prayer and song, fellowship and worship. “My wife, Karen, and I attended this conference and were just blown away […]
Newly resigned U.S. surgeon general takes public health chair at Xavier
NEW ORLEANS (CNS) — Sister Grace Mary Flickinger has been a teacher at Xavier University of Louisiana for “only 46 years,” but she fought back tears as one of her former students, Dr. Regina Benjamin, the 18th U.S. surgeon general, returned home to run the university’s newly created Department of Public Health Sciences. “I’m fighting […]
Catholic, other religious leaders decry U.S. government shutdown
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Anticipating the worst, religious leaders gathered the day before the federal government shut down to denounce what they called "political brinkmanship." The government shut down its nonessential operations Oct. 1, the start of a new federal fiscal year, furloughing hundreds of thousands of workers. At issue is a dispute between the Republican-controlled house and the Democratic-run Senate.
Cardinal urges Catholics to ‘share truth about human life’ far and wide
The cardinal, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said in his Respect Life Month message that any work on behalf of life must be grounded in "love that seeks to serve those most in need, whatever the personal cost."
North Carolina bishops to exit council over same-sex marriage, abortion
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS) -- Both North Carolina Catholic bishops -- Raleigh Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and Charlotte Bishop Peter J. Jugis -- are resigning from the North Carolina Council of Churches, an ecumenical organization comprised of Christian church leaders from across the state, because the group supports some issues that contradict Catholic teaching.
Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux retires; New Orleans auxiliary is successor
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Sam G. Jacobs of Houma-Thibodaux, La., and appointed as his successor Auxiliary Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of New Orleans.