News
Court weighs constitutionality and tradition of town council prayer
WASHINGTON (CNS) — In considering a New York town’s practice of opening council sessions with a prayer, the Supreme Court Nov. 6 raised questions about whether the situation is adequately covered by previous rulings allowing legislatures to open with prayers. The Rochester suburb of Greece was sued by two residents who argued that the town […]
Serve common good, put poor people first in farm bill, lawmakers urged
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Catholic leaders urged members of a Senate and House conference committee that began working on a compromise farm bill Nov. 6 to negotiate a measure "that reflects a commitment to the common good" and puts "poor and hungry people first."
Sainthood candidate an intercessor ‘for all of God’s people,’ says nun
OMAHA, Neb. (CNS) -- The prayers of two religious sisters born in the Archdiocese of Omaha were key elements of the Vatican-approved miracle that led the way to the upcoming beatification of their order's foundress, Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.
From New Jersey to the Vatican, opening a dialogue with the Gospel
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Mentoring inner-city youths is hardly the most obvious way to prepare for working at the Vatican, but Father Geno Sylva says the lessons he learned in a low-income New Jersey community have served him abundantly well in his current job as an official at the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization.
Jerusalem patriarch says church will take legal action to rebuild home
JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Archbishop Fouad Twal, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, condemned the government demolition of a home on church-owned property and said the church would take legal action to "bring back justice and rebuild this home."
Photo of the day
Of apples and immigration.
Share each other’s burdens in prayer, acts of love, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis asked people at his weekly general audience to perform an act of charity by praying for a seriously ill 18-month-old girl named Noemi. "Let's perform an act of love. We don't know her, but she's been baptized -- she's one of us, a Christian," he said, leading the crowd in a moment of silence and then the recitation of the Hail Mary. In his talk he referred to the bond of unity and sharing that should mark the life of Christians on earth.
U.S. bishops say employment bill goes beyond barring discrimination
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In a letter to the U.S. senators, the chairmen of three U.S. bishops' committees outlined their opposition to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, saying the legislation "elevates 'sexual orientation' discrimination" to the same level as race discrimination, among other issues. It also does not make a distinction between homosexual inclination and conduct, which they said legally affirms and protects that conduct.
Officials say family synod to be based on doctrine, not public opinion
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although preparations for the 2014 extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family will include an assessment of Catholics' attitudes toward relevant church teachings, the synod's work will be based on Catholic doctrine and not on current public opinion, officials said. Among the topics of a questionnaire sent to all bishops last month were divorce and remarriage, cohabitation, same-sex unions and contraception.
West Catholic wins once again
West Catholic Preparatory High School cruised past Neumann Goretti High School, 34-9, to capture the Catholic League AA football title Nov. 2. The Burrs won their eighth straight championship in their class or division.