National News
Same-sex marriage bill fails in Illinois House
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The failure of members of the Illinois House to vote on a bill legalizing same-sex marriage before the legislative session ended shows that “marriage redefinition — even in the face of intense political pressure — is not inevitable,” said Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco. It “reflects a failure to have […]
Tornado victims receiving ‘overwhelming’ outpouring of prayer, support
OKLAHOMA CITY (CNS) -- As communities across central Oklahoma continued to recover from the "powerful and deadly tornadoes" rated EF5 of May 19 and 20, they have experienced an "overwhelming" outpouring of "prayer, love and support from across our great state and from around the nation," said Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul S. Coakley. On May 31, the western suburbs of Oklahoma City were hit by an EF3 tornado area. Thirteen people were killed, including two children.
Immigration laws must reflect nation’s values, not its fears, nun says
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS) -- Three days into its 6,500-mile journey from Ellis Island in New York to Angel Island in San Francisco, the "Nuns on the Bus" tour for immigration reform cruised into Charlotte May 31 -- fueled by a cheering crowd outside a church. The bus campaign is rallying support for immigration reform legislation currently being debated by the U.S. Senate. A total of 29 women religious planned to go along for at least part of the trek through 40 cities in 15 states.
Scouts’ policy change said to be ‘not in conflict’ with church teaching
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The head of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting said the Boy Scouts' vote in May to admit homosexual youth into their ranks is "not in conflict with Catholic teaching," something by which "we should be encouraged." Edward Martin, the committee's national chairman, said Scouting is "still the best youth-serving program available to all youth." He added, "We need to use this opportunity to show our commitment to making Catholic Scouting a safe environment for all youth in which the Catholic faith is taught, practiced and nurtured."
State legislators organizing to respond to religious freedom challenges
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- State legislatures, rather than the federal courts, are becoming the new battlegrounds over religious freedom, two state legislators acknowledged at the 2013 National Religious Freedom Conference. Citing examples of legislative proposals and the introduction of rules governing state-funded programs and schools, Oklahoma State Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, a Democrat, and Idaho State Sen. Curt McKenzie, a Republican, said they believe such efforts are intended to remove any religious influence from public life.
Equating HHS mandate, union health benefits is wrong, says spokesman
NEW YORK (CNS) -- A New York Times article May 27 said the New York Archdiocese "has quietly been paying" for birth control coverage for its unionized employees while New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan has been spearheading efforts to fight the federal health care law requiring employers to cover birth control in employee health plans. The same day, Joseph Zwilling, archdiocesan director of communications, released a statement saying the article "incorrectly equates" the health care benefits of its unionized employees at Catholic facilities with the U.S. Health and Human Services contraceptive mandate.
CLINIC marks 25 years of helping immigrants through church agencies
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Like it was yesterday, Vanna Slaughter pulls from memory the details of what was happening when Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc., known as CLINIC, was created -- 25 years ago. When the U.S. Catholic bishops' conference established CLINIC as a legal services adjunct to the more policy-focused Migration and Refugee Services, the immediate goal was to provide legal support to Catholic agencies that were assisting with a new immigration law that was helping millions of people legalize their status.
Father Greeley, sociologist and best-selling author, dies at 85
CHICAGO (CNS) -- Father Andrew Greeley, a Chicago archdiocesan priest and well-known novelist, journalist and sociologist, died late May 29 at his home in Chicago's John Hancock Center. He was 85 years old.
U.S. bishops’ second annual Fortnight for Freedom to be June 21-July 4
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. bishops' second annual Fortnight for Freedom -- a period of prayer and fasting to raise awareness of challenges to religious liberty, both nationally and internationally -- is planned for June 21 to July 4. The website www.Fortnight4Freedom.org has details of fortnight events and suggested activities for parishes and families, as well as fact sheets, educational resources and suggested prayers for the observance.
Cardinal Wuerl, co-author examine why Catholics call churches home
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In their book "The Mass: The Glory, the Mystery, the Tradition," co-authors Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington and Mike Aquilina wrote about the Mass, the place "where heaven meets earth" as Catholics receive Christ in the Eucharist and then are called to go forth and bring Christ to the world.