National News

Applicants line up for deferred deportation; benefits vary by state

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The first days for applying for deferred deportation for some young adults under a program to use prosecutorial discretion brought out tens of thousands of applicants to workshops around the country and a first wave of responses from state governments about what privileges they would and would not extend to the recipients. […]

‘In the realm of trauma,’ victim aides help heal the Church, bishop says

OMAHA, Neb. (CNS) — Bishops need help restoring trust and healing wounds felt by the faithful by the clergy sexual abuse scandal, and people who work in the Church to assist victims and create safe environments for children can be key partners, the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on the Protection of Children and […]

In Milwaukee, plan for 203 parishes to become 28, with 72 ‘clusters,’ by 2020

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. (CNS) — Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki is preparing the archdiocese for 2020, particularly as to how the spiritual needs of the Catholic community will best be served. “Parishes and Pastoral Leadership 2020,” approved and issued by Archbishop Listecki Aug. 8, notes “three principal factors” that will have an impact on parishes […]

A man for our times: Film tells story of St. Augustine’s conversion

WASHINGTON (CNS) — St. Augustine’s “Confessions,” the autobiographical account of his sinful youth and eventual conversion to Christianity, may be a centuries-old story but its message still resonates today, according to the head of Ignatius Press. For the first time, a feature film — titled “Restless Heart” — will tell the story of the fifth-century […]

‘Gone With the Wind’ author’s nephew donates book rights to Atlanta Archdiocese

ATLANTA (CNS) — Because of a generous bequest from Joseph Mitchell, the late nephew of celebrated author Margaret Mitchell, the Atlanta Archdiocese now owns 50 percent of the literary rights to her Pulitzer prize-winning, best-selling novel, “Gone With the Wind.” But what does this mean for the Archdiocese of Atlanta? The short answer: continuing revenue […]

Al Smith Dinner engages candidates, doesn’t endorse, cardinal says

NEW YORK (CNS) — The Al Smith dinner in New York brings people of faith together for “an evening of friendship, civility and patriotism to help those in need,” not to endorse either candidate running for the U.S. presidency, said Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York. The purpose of the dinner is to show […]

CRS says participation in CORE Group does not violate Church teaching

WASHINGTON (CNS) — A Catholic Relief Services representative rejected the claim that the agency’s work with an international organization working to improve maternal and child care violates Church teaching. John Rivera, director of communications, said in a statement on the CRS website that the agency’s membership in the CORE Group provides a “means of demonstrating […]

Romney’s running mate comes from longtime Wisconsin Catholic family

WASHINGTON (CNS) — U.S. Rep. Paul Davis Ryan, whom Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney announced Aug. 11 as his running mate for the White House, is a lifelong Catholic whose children attend their parish school in Wisconsin. Ryan’s inclusion on the presumptive Republican ticket marks the first time both halves of the major party matchup […]

Religious sisters’ group, archbishop, agree to dialogue

ST. LOUIS (CNS) — Archbishop J. Peter Sartain of Seattle “listened carefully” to the concerns and feelings of board members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and asked for the board’s help in learning more about “members’ experience and understandings of religious life,” the LCWR said after an Aug. 11 meeting with the archbishop. […]

Nationwide Crossroads walks conclude with pro-life rally in Washington

WASHINGTON (CNS) — They crossed 2,000 miles of mountains and prairie, sun and sleet, city and country to spread the Catholic Church’s pro-life message. “They” were mostly college-age volunteers who walked from coast to coast in four separate groups, protesting at abortion clinics along the way, before arriving in Washington for a rally Aug. 11. […]