News
Archbishop: DOMA ruling, ENDA passage put marriage at ‘critical point’
BALTIMORE (CNS) — The Supreme Court’s ruling that rendered the federal Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, and the Senate’s passage Nov. 7 of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act put the legal defense of marriage “at a critical point in this country,” said the archbishop who heads the U.S. bishops’ Subcommittee on the Promotion and Defense of […]
Archbishop Kurtz, Cardinal DiNardo elected to top USCCB posts
BALTIMORE (CNS) -- UPDATED -- Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., was elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops by a wide margin Nov. 12. The archbishop, the current USCCB vice president, received 125 votes during the first round of balloting during the fall general assembly of the U.S. bishops in Baltimore. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston was elected vice president, edging Archbishop Charles Chaput.
Bishops OK plan to address pornography in new statement
BALTIMORE (CNS) -- The U.S. bishops Nov. 12 approved the development of a pastoral statement on the dangers pornography poses to family life that would serve as a teaching tool for church leaders. On Day Two of their annual fall general assembly in Baltimore, the bishops voted 226 to 5 to allow the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth to develop the statement.
Desperate Filipinos add to challenging logistics of delivering aid
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- International and local groups were poised to get aid to the worst-hit areas of the typhoon-stricken central Philippines, but the challenges of getting help to communities growing desperate for food and water went beyond just making sure roads were clear.
Catholics described as eager to give input as church prepares for synod
BALTIMORE (CNS) -- The extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family, called by Pope Francis for next October, is drawing great interest from everyday Catholics, many of whom are anxious to weigh in on questions the Vatican has sent out in preparation for the session.
NE Philadelphia pastor resigns due to stress from allegations
Father John Paul announced his resignation as pastor of Our Lady of Calvary Parish in Philadelphia Sunday, Nov. 10, citing in the church bulletin a decline in his “physical and spiritual health” as a result of allegations of past misconduct. Law enforcement did not press charges, but the archdiocesan investigation continues.
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.