News
Cardinal Dolan urges bishops to make religious freedom a priority
BALTIMORE (CNS) -- New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan called upon his brother bishops to champion the cause of people around the world being persecuted because of their faith even as the bishops continue to prevent what he described as infringements upon religious practice in the United States. In his final address as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at the opening of their fall general assembly Nov. 11 in Baltimore, Cardinal Dolan outlined a series of steps the bishops can take to protect religious freedom around the world.
Pope asks parishes to be inclusive of the sick, value their gifts
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Parishes and Catholic organizations must be "pastorally inclusive" of the fragile and sick, who are a "spiritual resource" and not simply the object of Christian charity, Pope Francis said. Especially at a time when modern societies seem so intent on "hiding physical frailty and seeing it only as a problem," he said, Catholic parishes and associations must help the sick and physically challenged feel "fully part of the life and mission of the church."
Speakers see Vatican openness to including more women in church roles
NEW YORK (CNS) -- After private meetings with prefects of Vatican congregations and presidents of pontifical councils in late October, six Catholic women philanthropists came away hopeful and encouraged, because they felt an openness to including more women in advisory and other roles in the Catholic Church.
Something — or something less — for everyone in new farm bill?
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The farm bill, already one year late, could be even later if the House-Senate conference committee working on the compromise version takes its sweet time. According to Bob Gronski, a policy analyst with the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, the lawmakers are taking the bill one "title" at a time until the conference committee is satisfied with the result.
CRS, Special Olympics link to aid people with intellectual disabilities
WASHINGTON (CNS) — A partnership between Catholic Relief Services and Special Olympics International is expected to bring together the expertise of both organizations to help people with intellectual disabilities move from the margins of society. Announced Nov. 6, the partnership will connect the development work of CRS, the U.S. bishops’ overseas relief and development agency, […]
Pope leads prayers, calls for aid for people hit by deadly typhoon
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis led prayers in St. Peter's Square Nov. 10 for people hit by a deadly typhoon in the Philippines and surrounding region, and asked that concrete aid be sent soon.
At Manila air base, distraught family members hope for plane to Leyte
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- The back entry to the grandstand at the Villamor Air Base was teeming with people as the noon sun peaked. It was Nov. 11, three days after Super Typhoon Haiyan pounded the central Philippine islands, leaving a path of overwhelming destruction that emergency and relief workers were hard-pressed to penetrate.
Church workers lose contact with central Philippines as typhoon hits
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — As Super Typhoon Haiyan barreled across the central Philippines, national and international church aid officials lost contact with their local counterparts. “I’m just monitoring the news and I’m just hoping for the best,” said Josephine Ignacio of Caritas Philippines. “I’m just hoping that the government’s massive pre-emptive evacuation operation did miracles.” […]
Archdiocesan parishes pray for immigrants this weekend
Parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will pray for and remember immigrants who have died crossing the border or remain separated from their families at Masses Sunday, Nov. 10. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office for Cultural Ministries invites everyone to join participating parishes in praying for the passage of immigration reform. The parish churches and […]
Catholic advocates to add church voice to Warsaw climate discussions
WARSAW, Poland (CNS) -- When government delegates begin debating climate change in Warsaw Nov. 11, Catholic representatives will be working to ensure the church's voice is heard. The Conference of the Parties, running until Nov. 22, will review progress since the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which committed industrialized countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.