National News
Citing conscience laws, Illinois judge halts contraceptive mandate
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Catholic owners of an Illinois health services consulting company have won a temporary restraining order against the state's contraceptive mandate. Judge Terence M. Sheen of the DuPage County Circuit Court granted the order Jan. 15 to Christopher and Mary Anne Yep and their company, Triune Health Group Inc., saying Illinois' conscience laws take precedence over the state mandate that the health insurance they provide to their employees must cover abortion, sterilizations and contraceptives.
Pro-lifer says activism has shown her ‘despair’ in abortion ‘mindset’
ARLINGTON, Va. (CNS) -- Pro-life activist Lila Rose was a just child when she first became aware of the tragedy of abortion. Growing up in San Jose, Calif., the third of eight children, "we were taught from a young age to love and respect human life," she told more than 150 pro-life advocates gathered at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Arlington for a mini-retreat. Rose, a 24-year-old Catholic convert, officially became involved with the right-to-life movement at 15 when she founded Live Action, a pro-life nonprofit specializing in investigative journalism.
Flu epidemic prompts some churches to stop offering Communion chalice
WASHINGTON (CNS) — This year amid the raging flu epidemic in the United States, several dioceses have issued recommendations for receiving Communion, offering the sign of peace and even attending Mass. According to a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu season started earlier than usual this year. As of […]
Federal court panel dismisses ACLU challenge of USCCB trafficking grant
WASHINGTON (CNS) — A federal appeals court dismissed an American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts legal challenge to a contract between the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, saying the case had become moot because the contract had expired. In a unanimous ruling Jan. 15, the three-judge panel […]
Women from diverse backgrounds drawn to life of cloistered monastery
TYRINGHAM, Mass. (CNS) -- They come from California, Delaware, Pennsylvania and India. One is a nurse; another was an assistant manager at a Walgreen's. They have different life experiences and span several decades in age. However, the four newest members of the Visitation Monastery in Tyringham have one thing in common: They all feel drawn to the life of a cloistered nun.
‘Youth-friendly’ novena part of ‘Nine Days’ event to mark Roe decision
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. Catholic bishops have launched “Nine Days of Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage” to take place Jan. 19-27 as part of events marking the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion virtually on demand in the U.S. Jan. 22 is the actual anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 […]
Allowing driver’s licenses for undocumented benefits all, say advocates
CHICAGO (CNS) -- Undocumented immigrants who can prove they have lived in Illinois for at least a year will soon be eligible for temporary driver's licenses, under a bill passed Jan. 8 by the Illinois state House of Representatives.
Catholic doctors oppose call for over-the-counter contraceptive pills
QUINCY, Mass. (CNS) — Some Catholic physicians, including those who do not prescribe contraceptives, are questioning the safety of allowing oral contraceptives to be sold over the counter, as the nation’s largest body of obstetricians and gynecologists recommended in December. Dr. Kathleen Raviele, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Atlanta and former president of the Catholic Medical Association, […]
Franciscan friars pray for intentions via texting
NEW YORK (CNS) — Often, prayer intentions are offered with hands folded, but a new service allows hands and fingers to move freely — provided a cellphone is handy. The New York-based Holy Name Province of the Franciscans has started a service it calls “Text a Prayer Intention to a Franciscan Friar.” Here’s how it […]
People around world pledge to say rosary daily during Year of Faith
EASTON, Mass. (CNS) -- The Family Rosary division of Holy Cross Family Ministries in Easton has gathered more than 80,000 pledges from people around the globe who said they would pray the rosary daily during the 2012-13 Year of Faith. The pledges, which came in response to a program offering free rosaries, were gathered in a book and presented recently to Pope Benedict XVI by Holy Cross Father John Phalen, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries.