National News
Catholic, Pentecostal leaders listen, talk, pray together
BALTIMORE (CNS) -- Seven Catholics and four Pentecostals met in Baltimore to focus on understanding their commonalities and differences. The 11 church leaders, including Bishop Michael Burbidge, attended a session of the international Catholic-Pentecostal dialogue, which began with Mass July 14 at a basilica in Baltimore.
Catholic support for immigration reform called a ‘moral imperative’
TRENTON, N.J. (CNS) -- Catholics need to put aside "any partisan differences" they have on the immigration issue and come together to pray for the welfare of their brother and sister immigrants and for Congress to pass much-hoped-for comprehensive immigration reform, said Bishop David M. O'Connell of Trenton.
New coalition aims to protect right to religious expression in military
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Archbishop Timothy M. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services praised the efforts of a new coalition formed to fight what the organizers see as growing hostility toward service members' religious expression.
Gov. Perry signs bill that puts new restrictions on abortion in Texas
UPDATED -- AUSTIN, Texas (CNS) -- The drama in Texas over abortion that drew national and international attention came to an end for the moment after the state House of Representatives then the state Senate voted to adopt tougher abortion regulations. Gov. Rick Perry signed the measure into law during a ceremony July 17.
Bishop urges House to resist cutting, restructuring nutrition programs
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The House of Representatives passed a bill that defers funding for SNAP, once known as food stamps. The nutrition and agricultural sections of the farm bill have long been joined together in an effort to amass votes from urban and rural lawmakers for each other's interests, but the House leadership said it would deal later with nutrition issues.
Site of decisive Civil War battle called ‘a shrine and a sanctuary’
GETTYSBURG, Pa. (CNS) -- Celebrating Mass just a few miles from the hallowed grounds of its Civil War battlefields, New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan called Gettysburg "a shrine and a sanctuary" to which pilgrims journey with "a deep sense of honor, awe, reverence, patriotism and gratitude." Cardinal Dolan, who is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, celebrated the outdoor Mass July 6 on the grounds of Xavier Center, home to the parish center and parochial school of St. Francis Xavier Parish in the Diocese of Harrisburg.
Educators say interest hike puts college out of reach for more students
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Lawmakers in Congress failed to reach a consensus on federal student loan rates before a July 1 deadline, resulting in the interest rate doubling from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. "Shame on Congress for imposing its dysfunction on some of the most vulnerable people in America, low-income college students -- many of whom are single parents trying to get an education to improve the lives of their children and families," said Patricia McGuire, president of Trinity Washington University. "This is not the way to run a country."
In new Wisconsin law, judge freezes mandate that abortion doctors have hospital privileges
MADISON, Wis. (CNS) -- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker July 5 signed into law a bill that requires women who want an abortion to get an ultrasound of their unborn child and doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of an abortion clinic.
News of canonizations has ‘gladdened hearts’ of faithful, cardinal says
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The two popes whose canonizations received final clearance July 5 “each had a profound impact on the church and the world,” as New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan put it. Pope Francis signed a decree clearing the way for Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII to be canonized, possibly later […]
Catholics urged to speak truth ‘with love’ in religious freedom fight
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As people of faith and as Americans, the nation's Catholics should kneel in prayer and also stand in defense of religious freedom, Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl said July 4 during the closing Mass for the Fortnight for Freedom at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.