National News
Bishop Finn convicted on one charge of failure to report abuse
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (CNS) -- Bishop Robert W. Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph was convicted Sept. 6 of one count of failing to report suspected child abuse and acquitted on another count in a brief bench trial. Jackson County Circuit Judge John M. Torrence issued the verdict and quickly set and suspended a sentence of two years' probation. The charges carried a possible maximum sentence of one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
DNC forum explores: Can you be a Democrat and be pro-life?
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS) — Buttons were available at the Democrats for Life of America forum Sept. 4 during the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. “Do We Count?” the button asks. The forum was an effort by pro-life Democrats to examine the question: “Can you be pro-life in a pro-choice party?” The answer to both […]
Charlotte Catholics offer eucharistic adoration during Democratic convention
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS) — In his homily during a “Vigil for Liberty” Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral Sept. 4, Charlotte Bishop Peter J. Jugis emphasized the importance of prayer to remaining strong as Catholics spread the message of the Gospel to the world. At the Mass during the first day of the Democratic National Convention […]
Democrat who brokered health law compromise calls HHS mandate illegal
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS) — The Department of Health and Human Services’ mandate that would force many religious institutions to provide free contraceptives against their consciences is illegal, former U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., said Sept. 4 during a meeting of pro-life Democrats. During debate over the legislation that would become the 2010 Patient Protection and […]
Father Groeschel apologizes after rebuke for comments on sexual abuse
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Father Benedict Groeschel, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal who has long been a popular speaker and television personality, apologized Aug. 30 for interview comments he made that were published online two days earlier, saying that "in a lot of cases" the victim of child sexual abuse is "the seducer." Father Groeschel also had said priests who have committed abuse just one time should not go to jail.
Courts urged not to dismiss Catholic lawsuits against HHS mandate
WASHINGTON (CNS) — In a dozen courts around the country, attorneys representing more than 40 Catholic dioceses or institutions have filed briefs arguing against the federal government’s call to dismiss lawsuits against its contraceptive mandate. The Catholic entities are seeking to overturn a requirement that most religious employers provide contraceptives and sterilization to their employees. […]
GOP convention speakers reflect new importance of Hispanic electorate
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CNS) — With the Hispanic electorate expected to be a pivotal voting bloc in this year’s presidential election, the list of speakers at the Republican National Convention in Tampa reflects that reality. At least five of the scheduled GOP speakers at the Aug. 27-30 convention in Tampa represent new faces of […]
Latino Catholic leaders urged to ‘lead society to conversion’
MIAMI (CNS) — Hispanic business leaders from across the country were repeatedly called to “be different from the world around us” during the seventh annual meeting of CALL — the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders — held Aug. 24-26 in Miami. The high-powered group, with 148 members and 10 chapters nationwide, was joined by an […]
Cardinal Dolan to pray at close of both parties’ conventions
NEW YORK (CNS) — New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan will offer closing prayers at the Democratic National Convention Sept. 6, as he will at the Republican National Convention a week earlier. Cardinal Dolan, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, accepted an invitation from the Democratic convention organizers to deliver the benediction […]
Cardinal Dolan asks presidential candidates to sign civility petition
NEW YORK (CNS) — Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York invited the Republican and Democratic candidates for president and vice president to sign a petition seeking civil dialogue and to refrain from personal attacks during the two months remaining in the campaign leading up to the November election. The “Civility in America” petition developed […]