National News
Religious life calls Air Force vet who once produced nuclear weapons
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (CNS) — Salesian Sister Jennifer Kane is a living conversion story, who has gone, she said, from “bombs to Bibles.” A 16-year military veteran who at one time was a missile systems engineer working on intercontinental nuclear weapons, Sister Jennifer is preparing to make her first profession of vows with the Salesian Sisters […]
Newark priest resigns after banned contact with minors discovered
NEWARK, N.J. (CNS) -- A priest of the Archdiocese of Newark resigned from active ministry May 2 after reports surfaced of his being with minors in apparent violation of a court's memorandum of understanding that forbids him from contact with underage people. While the Newark archdiocese had said Father Michael Fugee, 53, was working under supervision, it later acknowledged the priest had not asked permission to be part of retreats with teenagers. Photos of him with the teenagers were published by a Newark newspaper.
School-choice movement gains slow but steady momentum
The movement was given a big boost in late March when the Indiana Supreme Court upheld one of the country's most comprehensive school-choice programs. Currently, there are 30 school-choice programs in 17 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 250,000 students.
Immigration advocates pleased by recent court rulings
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Supreme Court April 29 let stand a lower-court ruling that tossed out restrictive provisions of an Alabama immigration law. Later in the week, three jurisdictions acted to make it easier for people without legal immigration status to get driver’s licenses. Without comment, the court rejected Alabama’s appeal of an 11th Circuit […]
Immigrants at rally say legislation fight is all about the papers
GEORGETOWN, Del. (CNS) — For the residents of this small town in agriculture-focused Sussex County, the pending immigration reform legislation in Congress is first and foremost about papers. Work permits, Social Security cards, permanent residency or green cards, and driver’s licenses — that’s what the mostly Guatemalan immigrants in Georgetown say they most look forward […]
Bishops hail repeal of capital punishment in Maryland
WASHINGTON (CNS) — One U.S. Catholic bishop hailed the repeal of the death penalty in Maryland as “a courageous step toward a culture of life.” The comment, by Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, was issued May 2, the day Maryland Gov. […]
Detroit Archdiocese to sell 4 buildings, move administrative offices
DETROIT (CNS) -- The Archdiocese of Detroit announced it has sold four buildings in or close to downtown Detroit and will relocate its administrative offices sometime next year to another building downtown where it will be the anchor tenant. Proceeds from the sales will net the archdiocese $3.2 million, the archdiocese said in an April 30 press release. The archdiocese added the funds will be used for repairs and maintenance on other properties.
Emergency contraceptive OK’d for 15-year-old girls; bishops call FDA irresponsible
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Food and Drug Administration "acted irresponsibly" with its decision to lower the age limit from 17 to 15 for purchasing an over-the-counter emergency contraceptive, said an official of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Explosion-shattered Texas town buries victims, picks up pieces
WEST, Texas (CNS) -- The town of West all but shut down April 25 as most of its 2,800 residents headed to Baylor University in Waco, 20 miles south, for a memorial service for the first responder victims of an April 17 factory explosion. As the town's public works agencies struggled to restore water, gas and electrical service to the damaged areas, the St. Vincent de Paul Society was overseeing assistance from Catholic organizations. Austin Bishop Joe S. Vasquez had asked parishes in the diocese to hold special collections to aid in the relief efforts.
New magazine for women set for May debut
Five young Catholic women living in New York learned that women overall were experiencing a decline in happiness. So the five decided to develop a magazine that would offer something different. Verily magazine, unveiled April 17 at its website verilymag.com, will feature articles of hope to "lift women up," a founding editor said.