National News
Drought taking its toll on farmers, consumers
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Hopes to get a farm bill passed before Congress went on its summer recess dried up faster than the Midwest’s cornfields. The House, though, did pass legislation to help drought-stricken ranchers get through a season in which corn has been plowed under and the second major crop, soybeans, has been taking a […]
Challenges to marriage, religious liberty among Knights’ top concerns
ANAHEIM, Calif. (CNS) — Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson called the number of attendees at the Knights of Columbus 130th supreme convention in Anaheim “a testament to the growth and development” of the international fraternal organization. More than 2,000 Knights from around the world — many of them with their wives and children — along […]
Church rejects same-sex marriage but won’t tolerate hate, bishop says
SPOKANE, Wash. (CNS) — The Catholic Church opposes legalizing same-sex marriage but at the same time the church “has no tolerance for the misuse” of the issue “to incite hostility toward homosexuals,” said Bishop Blase J. Cupich of Spokane. He made the comments in an Aug. 3 letter to Catholics of the diocese accompanied by […]
Pro-life directors prepare for challenges, celebrate achievements
ORANGE, Calif. (CNS) — Pro-lifers must be joyful in the work they do, said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities. “This is a beautiful time for us to gather and get energized for a difficult year ahead,” he said as he began his homily at Mass Aug. 6 […]
Cardinal urges Congress to act on HHS mandate before year’s end
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Since the courts will not act quickly enough to protect the religious liberty concerns prompted by the Obama administration’s contraceptive mandate, Congress must “address this urgent and fundamental issue before it completes its business this year,” Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo told members of the House and Senate. “Timely and uniform protection of […]
Maryland pilgrims walk 100 miles to urge for religious freedom
ANTIETAM CREEK, Md. (CNS) — Three days and 30 miles into a 100-mile trek to Baltimore from the tiny central Maryland town of Hancock, Laura Dudich lost count of her blisters. “My foot is covered in Band-Aids right now,” said the 17-year-old parishioner of St. Peter Church in Hancock, pausing briefly July 31 as she […]
Milwaukee bishops urge prayers, reflection on violence after killings of Sikhs
MILWAUKEE (CNS) — The killing of six Sikhs Aug. 5 at their temple in the Milwaukee suburb of Oak Creek brought an outpouring of spiritual support from leaders in the Catholic community, as well as a call for the entire community to examine violence in U.S. culture. Assuring the Sikh community “that our prayers go […]
Two longtime leaders get awards from National Black Catholic Congress
INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) — Two longtime black leaders in the Catholic Church received national awards during the recent National Black Catholic Congress XI, held in Indianapolis. Beverly A. Carroll, founding director of the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for African-American Catholics and currently assistant director in their Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church, received the congress’ inaugural […]
Survey: Majority of Catholics share bishops’ religious liberty concerns
WASHINGTON (CNS) — A majority of Catholics say they share the U.S. bishops’ concerns about the federal contraceptive mandate and other government restrictions on religious liberty, and the percentage of Catholics who say they are satisfied with the bishops’ leadership has increased sharply in the past 10 years. Catholics who attend Mass more frequently are […]
Olympics’ sweetheart swimmer Franklin says friends, family keep her afloat
DENVER (CNS) — For swimmer Missy Franklin, a rising senior at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, “there is nothing like wearing a cap with my country’s flag on it.” “I always remember, though, that I’m not just representing the U.S. but also my family, friends, team, school and Colorado!” She made those comments early […]