National News
Federal appellate court blocks Arizona’s ban on late-term abortions
PHOENIX (CNS) — In a blow to Arizona’s recently enacted late-term abortion ban, a three-judge panel of the U.S Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in San Francisco has blocked a key provision of the law from taking effect. The Mother’s Health and Safety Act, passed by the Arizona Legislature and signed into law […]
Erie, Pa. diocese gets new bishop
Pope Benedict XVI appointed Msgr. Lawrence T. Persico, a priest of the Diocese of Greensburg, in western Pennsylvania, as bishop of Erie, Pa., July 31. Bishop-elect Persico was born in Monessen, Pa., in 1950 and was ordained a priest in 1977. Currently he is vicar general for the Greensburg Diocese and pastor of St. James […]
Bishop Nelson Perez ordained in N.Y. diocese
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (CNS) — At a joy-filled liturgy rich in symbolic tradition, the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s two newest auxiliary bishops were ordained at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre July 25. Introducing Bishops Nelson J. Perez and Robert J. Brennan, Bishop William F. Murphy, who heads the diocese, instructed the congregation to “see […]
Bishop says ‘false hearsay’ linking him to claim hurts diocese, family
WHEELING, W.Va. (CNS) — Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston said the “false hearsay statements” made against him at the recently concluded Philadelphia trial of two priests on sex abuse-related charges have hurt him, his family and the people of his diocese. In a July 23 letter to the priests and people of the Wheeling-Charleston […]
CRS: Funding for relief aid did not violate church teaching
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Catholic Relief Services said that $5.3 million in emergency funding it provided to the humanitarian organization CARE in 2010 under a U.S. government grant did not violate Catholic teaching. In postings on its website July 20 and July 24, the U.S. bishops’ international development and relief agency explained that the money it […]
Faith-based AIDS workers defend efforts at White House meeting
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Catholic and other faith-based workers defended their efforts against the worldwide AIDS pandemic in a meeting at the White House after a United Nations official cautioned that any restrictions in services based on religious belief could result in reduced support from funders. The workers said during the July 24 meeting that their […]
No ‘middle ground’ possible with LCWR on key issues, Bishop Blair says
WASHINGTON (CNS) — There can be no “middle ground” on matters of faith and morals, the bishop who conducted the Vatican-ordered doctrinal assessment of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious said in an interview that aired July 25 on National Public Radio’s “Fresh Air” program. Bishop Leonard P. Blair of Toledo, Ohio, one of two […]
San Francisco archbishop retires; Oakland’s Bishop Cordileone to succeed him
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Archbishop George H. Niederauer of San Francisco and named Bishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of Oakland, Calif., to succeed him. The appointment and resignation were announced in Washington July 27 by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Archbishop Niederauer, 76, had […]
Deacon says congress for African-American Catholics ‘touched my spirit’
INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) — Hands were raised in prayer and gospel music echoed in a large ballroom at the J.W. Marriott Hotel July 19 as some 2,500 attendees from across the country gathered for the start of the National Black Catholic Congress XI in Indianapolis. At the start of the congress’ opening general session, a roll […]
Cardinal praises conscience provisions in House appropriations bill
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities praised lawmakers for including two conscience provisions in the House version of the 2013 appropriations bill for the federal departments of Labor and Health and Human Services. “Our government has a long history of respecting rights of conscience in health care, and […]