National News
Bishop Pates urges White House to negotiate with Iran to prevent war
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace called on the White House’s national security adviser to pursue negotiations with Iran on its nuclear research to head off the possibility of war. Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, called for “bold steps” to be considered to […]
New collection seen as boost for Archdiocese for the Military Services
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The head of the Archdiocese for the Military Services is expecting greater financial stability and less pressure on the delivery of ministries and services once funds from a new national collection begin hitting the books in 2013. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio said the collection, approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops […]
Religious colleges win legal round with court ruling on HHS suit
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Four days after the first federal appellate-level hearing on two religious colleges’ legal challenge to the contraceptive mandate, the appeals court said Dec. 18 the lawsuit will remain pending and it “will hold” the government to its word that it plans to modify enforcement of the mandate for some religious employers. Oral […]
Motives said to be as varied as the perpetrators in killing sprees
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Although the recent spate of mass gun attacks has the same results -- multiple deaths and woundings -- the motivations behind those attacks can be nearly as varied as those who commit those atrocities. "People talk about the profile as if there's one population of perpetrators," said Peter Langman, a clinical psychologist based in Allentown, Pa. "There's not one perpetrator, there's multiple types."
At funerals, Newtown pastor tells mourners child victims were gift from the start
RYE, N.Y. (CNS) -- Addressing mourners at the first two funerals for young victims of the Dec. 14 school shooting in Connecticut, Msgr. Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown asked, "Where else but the church could we bring this unspeakable act?" "Where else but the altar could we find some resolution? People bring their wounded and shattered selves here for healing, mending and transcendence," he said.
Ruling protects assets of Milwaukee parishes in bankruptcy process
MILWAUKEE (CNS) — Two decisions by a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge have kept the assets of Catholic parishes in southeastern Wisconsin out of reach of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors seeking compensation for victims/survivors of clergy sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s Chapter 11 reorganization. Judge Susan V. Kelley denied a motion filed […]
Spirited sparring between federal judges, lawyers marks HHS appeal
WASHINGTON (CNS) — In the first federal appellate-level hearing on a lawsuit challenging the HHS contraceptive mandate Dec. 14, spirited sparring between judges and attorneys marked proceedings that went twice their scheduled length. In the hearing, conducted in Washington at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, lawyers could barely complete […]
‘Sacramental sense’ of priest’s response after shooting called powerful
RYE, N.Y. (CNS) -- The "sacramental sense" of a Catholic pastor's outreach after the horrific violence that took place at a Connecticut elementary school "has brought the church to bear in the most intimate and powerful way," said the director of communications for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn. Msgr. Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown, "has brought a sense of God and the beginning of healing to everything he has done under considerable stress."
‘No words’ can describe shock, sadness after Conn. shooting, says priest
NEWTOWN, Conn. (CNS) -- Msgr. Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown, was at Sandy Hook Elementary School almost immediately after the horrific shooting Dec. 14. "There was a lot of hugging, a lot of crying, a lot of praying, a lot of just being silent," he said. At least eight of the children who died in the shooting belonged to the parish and will be buried from St. Rose.
Pope expresses grief over Newtown shooting, calls for acts of peace
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After 20 children and six adults were shot dead in Connecticut, Pope Benedict XVI offered his condolences and prayers, urging all to dedicate themselves to acts of peace in the face of such "senseless violence." "I assure the families of the victims, especially those who lost a child, of my closeness in prayer," he said Dec. 17. "May the God of consolation touch their hearts and ease their pain."