National News
Reform of U.S. nuns group an opportunity for dialogue, archbishop says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Citing “serious doctrinal problems which affect many in consecrated life,” the Vatican announced a major reform of an association of women’s religious congregations in the U.S. to ensure their fidelity to Catholic teaching in areas including abortion, euthanasia, women’s ordination and homosexuality. Archbishop J. Peter Sartain of Seattle will provide “review, […]
More than 10,000 educators attend annual NCEA convention in Boston
BOSTON (CNS) — A national and international crowd of Catholic educators converged on Boston April 11 to kick off the National Catholic Educational Association 2012 Convention and Expo. According to organizers, more than 10,000 participants registered for the three-day event at the John B. Hynes Convention Center. The NCEA provided attendees more than 400 workshops […]
Anglican parishes in Philadelphia, Indianapolis and Canada join Church
By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — Anglican parishes in Philadelphia and Indianapolis were received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church in early April, and two Anglican bishops in Canada were slated to lead their clergy and congregants into the church later in the month. The Anglicans are joining the new U.S. Ordinariate […]
Bill banning late-term abortions in Arizona awaits governor’s signature
PHOENIX (CNS) — The executive director of the Arizona Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s Catholic bishops, said he was pleased the Arizona Legislature has passed a bill to outlaw abortions past 20 weeks gestation. “It’s very exciting news,” Ron Johnson told The Catholic Sun, newspaper of the Phoenix Diocese. “It’s on […]
Pope asks Castro for more church freedom, Good Friday holiday
HAVANA (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI spent more than 40 minutes meeting privately with Cuban President Raul Castro and asked the Cuban leader for further freedoms for the Catholic Church in Cuba and attention to certain “humanitarian” situations. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, told reporters late March 27 that Cuban President Raul Castro […]
Vatican announces investigations into document leaks
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has established a commission to investigate a series of leaks of letters exchanged among Vatican officials and between the officials and the pope himself. Archbishop Angelo Becciu, Vatican substitute secretary of state, said March 16 that the papal commission would try “to shed light on the whole affair,” […]
Bishops promise to continue ‘vigorous efforts’ against HHS violations of religious freedom in health care reform mandate
WASHINGTON — The U.S. bishops are strongly united in their ongoing and determined efforts to protect religious freedom, the Administrative Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) said in a March 14 statement. The Administrative Committee, chaired by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the USCCB, is the highest […]
Retired Bishop Reiss of Trenton, N.J., dies at age 89
TRENTON, N.J. (CNS) — Retired Bishop John C. Reiss of Trenton, who served as auxiliary bishop and bishop in his home diocese, died March 4 at Morris Hall, the diocesan home for the aged in Lawrenceville. He was 89. The eighth ordinary in the diocese’s history, Bishop Reiss served as auxiliary bishop from 1967 to […]
For Cuban-Americans, generational shift parallels changes on island
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CNS) — As Armando Gil departed Havana in 1965, his father’s last words to him, whispered in his ear, were: “Under no circumstances are you to return as long as there is communism in Cuba.” Bound for Mexico, then the United States, Gil was not in the United States a full […]
Gov. Christie vetoes same-sex marriage bill, wants issue put to voters
TRENTON, N.J. (CNS) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Feb. 17 made good on his pledge to veto a bill legalizing same-sex marriage passed by the state Legislature but at the same time said he might name an ombudsman to make sure the state’s current law recognizing civil unions is respected. The state Assembly passed […]