National News
Maryland interfaith leaders pledge to defend traditional marriage
BALTIMORE (CNS) — Leaders of a newly formed pro-marriage coalition came out swinging against efforts to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland, pledging in a Nov. 30 news conference to rally citizens across the state to defeat legislation that would alter the traditional definition of marriage. Gathered at First Apostolic Faith Church International in Baltimore, representatives […]
Catholic campaign aims to bring Catholics back to Church
ATLANTA (CNS) — A new advertising campaign aims to bring Catholics back to church with ads airing on major television networks Dec. 16-Jan. 8. The campaign, sponsored by the Atlanta-based organization Catholics Come Home, aims to reach 250 million television viewers in more than 10,000 U.S. cities.
Missal revisions amount to dozens of short, new phrases for congregation
When the first Sunday of Advent rolls around Nov. 27 and English-language Masses in the United States are all supposed to follow the updated language in the third edition of the Roman Missal, people's tongues will undoubtedly trip over some of the changes.
Speakers push for reauthorization of US religious freedom commission
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Current and past members of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom urged Congress Nov. 17 to keep the rights-monitoring agency alive and said its work must be given higher priority in foreign policy. The commission’s congressional mandate technically expired Nov. 18, but an extension until Dec. 16 was included in the […]
Image of Christ as Navajo shepherd among church’s distinctive features
TOHATCHI, N.M. (CNS) — The blue trim on the white church’s steeply pitched roof cuts a sharp angle against a darker blue sky. The small wood-frame building is St. Mary’s Church in Tohatchi, on the Navajo reservation. In a front window is an image of St. Katharine Drexel, the Philadelphia heiress and founder of the […]
Young Hispanics gather at vocation meeting
While some were busy on Friday making a fuss over the significance of the date 11/11/11, a group of about 35 high school age youths from various North and South Philadelphia groups gathered at the Bevilacqua Community center in Kensington on for a vocational evening. The evening consisted of an exhibit from about 15 religious […]
Cardinal urges Senate to drop abortion funding in appropriations bills
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo called on members of the U.S. Senate to remove four provisions “that pose a direct threat to innocent human life” from a package of three appropriations bills for fiscal 2012. “At a time when Congress is tempted to reduce even vitally important programs that serve the poorest and […]
School Choice rally energizes capitol
Nearly 50 Pennsylvania Catholic schools were represented at a rally in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, Nov. 15 in support of school choice. Hundreds of students, teachers and school staff advocated for school choice legislation that includes a voucher program and an increase to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.
Illinois Catholic Charities foster care programs end
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CNS) — Catholic bishops in Illinois announced Nov. 14 that they were dropping their lawsuit against the state for requiring Catholic Charities agencies to provide their services to same-sex couples. The agencies also will end their adoption and foster care programs, which have been in place for 50 years.
US Supreme Court to hear challenges to federal health care reform law
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Supreme Court Nov. 14 agreed to take three separate cases challenging the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, granting an unusually lengthy time period for oral arguments. The court Nov. 14 agreed to hear three cases out of Florida, each raising questions about different aspects of the national […]