National News
Diocese of Gallup, N.M., poised to file for bankruptcy protection
GALLUP, N.M. (CNS) -- When Bishop James Wall was installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Gallup in 2009, he knew there were festering issues regarding allegations of clergy sex abuse, but not to the extent that has brought the sprawling southwestern diocese to the doors of U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
USCCB leaders join pope’s call for day of fasting, prayer for peace
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Two leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged U.S. Catholics to take up Pope Francis’ call to fast and pray for peace in Syria, the Middle East and the world Sept. 7. Expressing anguish over the suffering of the Syrian people and echoing the pope’s exhortation for negotiation and dialogue […]
N.Y. Catholic hip-hop artist ‘unafraid’ of sending a message of faith
ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS) -- A 20-year-old Schenectady, N.Y., Catholic is making a name for himself in the hip-hop and contemporary Christian music worlds. But he doesn't care about his Facebook followers or fan mail. In fact, being idolized is "the worst feeling," said Cory Larmour, whose stage name is Cory Matthews. But the attention "lets me know there are more people out there hearing God," he said. "I don't care if it's through me. It's all about love."
Military archbishop opposes death penalty for Fort Hood shooter
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Archbishop Timothy M. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services said he opposes capital punishment for Army Maj. Nidal Hasan, who was sentenced to death Aug. 28 following his conviction of the shootings in the 2009 massacre at Fort Hood, Texas. “The church teaches that unjustified killing is wrong in all […]
Catholic’s White House work led to role as consultant for ‘The Butler’
ALEXANDRIA, Va., (CNS) -- For four years, Steve Rochon worked alongside presidents, dignitaries and international heads of state in his position as director of the executive residence and chief usher at the White House. Rochon, a parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Alexandria, Va., led 95 full-time and 250 part-time staff members in running and preserving the White House under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama from 2007 to 2011.
At interfaith service, calls made to continue search for justice
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Recalling the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington urged people to join hands and walk together, and not alone, for justice during an interfaith prayer service marking the 50th anniversary of the civil rights leader's "I Have a Dream" speech.
Some strides, but also shortcomings, seen by 1963 marchers
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Cordelia Coleman was just 12 when she went 50 years ago to the first March on Washington with her mother, father, sister and brother. Fifty years later, Coleman was accompanied by her son Ronald to the second of two marches commemorating the original march in 1963. The Aug. 28 march capped a week of activities surrounding the march, cemented into history by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.
The summer of immigration groundwork: working toward passing a new law
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Members of Congress may be out of town and immigration reform legislation may be stuck until at least this fall, but the summer recess has been time for Catholic activists to rally their forces and pressure elected representatives.
N.M. bishops: Let lawmakers decide fate of same-sex marriage in state
LOS LUNAS, N.M. (CNS) -- New Mexico's bishops asserted that the state legislature is the best group to decide whether same-sex marriage should be permitted in the state. The statement was prompted by the announcement the same day by Lynn Ellins, county clerk of Dona Ana County -- home to Las Cruces, the state's second-biggest city -- that his office would start issuing marriage licenses for same-sex couples.
Latino leaders urged to put the Gospel in action at their workplace
LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- Peter J. Coulchinsky arrived in the United States from Argentina in 1986 as a young man seeking to earn a law degree. As his time in the U.S. lengthened, the more he decided he wanted to stay. There was just one problem: He had only a student visa.