News
Catholic advocates push Congress for a budget that protects poor people
The advocates told Catholic News Service they want to prevent trillions of dollars in social services spending from disappearing over the next decade as Congress seeks to balance the federal budget and reduce the nation's growing debt.
Utah lawmakers end session with passage of anti-discrimination bill
The measure, signed into law by Republican Gov. Gary Herbert March 12 in the Capitol rotunda, adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes against whom landlords and employers may not discriminate.
Polish missionary finds Baroque music still evangelizes in Bolivia
How did a musically inclined Polish missionary with his heart set on evangelizing in Japan end up in Bolivia leading an indigenous choir that sings centuries-old Baroque tunes?
Nebraska bishops, Kansas groups call for repeal of death penalty
Archbishop George J. Lucas of Omaha, Bishop James D. Conley of Lincoln and Bishop William J. Dendinger of Grand Island said in March 17 statement that while Catholic teaching allows capital punishment under certain clear and specific conditions, "We do not believe that those conditions exist in Nebraska at this time."
New York parade-goers number 2 million; gay group marches for first time
New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan was this year's grand marshal, leading the 254th annual procession for a ways on Fifth Avenue. He then returned to St. Patrick's Cathedral, to review the parade from the steps of the church.
British traditionalist bishop is excommunicated for illicit ordination
British Bishop Richard Williamson violated church law when he ordained Father Jean-Michel Faure, 73, a bishop without papal approval during a ceremony in Nova Friburgo, Brazil, March 19, the feast of St. Joseph.
Women’s-only Bible study groups boast big numbers, strong faith
“Walking With a Purpose” is Bible study just for women but is open to all faiths. Unlike the handful attending most parish groups, 120 women each week come to St. Isaac Jogues Parish.
Today’s teaching on the family
See the daily excerpt from the preparatory catechesis for the 2015 World Meeting of Families, “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.”
Let all the nations sing in Philadelphia
Hundreds of Catholics from 25 ethnic communities celebrated their diversity and unity in the church at the annual Cultural Heritage Mass Saturday, March 14, at the cathedral.
U.N. says Pope Francis will visit morning of Sept. 25
In a statement March 18, the United Nations also said the pope would meet separately with the secretary-general and with the president of the General Assembly and would participate in a town hall gathering with U.N. staff.