News
As president, John F. Kennedy faced challenges of fast-changing world
DALLAS (CNS) -- A young first family, captivating and chipper, reinvented life in the White House during John F. Kennedy's 34-month presidency in the early 1960s. As Kennedy, then 46, arrived in Texas in November 1963, the visit came against a backdrop of the Cold War, the space race and the nation's volatile civil rights scene. Reflecting on the president who was assassinated 50 years ago this week, a historian argues Kennedy earned a reputation for inspired crisis management at a time when humanity grappled with unprecedented fears.
Boehner remarks raise questions on immigration reform
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Depending on how one interprets House Speaker John Boehner's recent comments on the prospects for immigration reform legislation to be passed in the House, it might be out of the question or the measure might just take a different form than the bill already passed by the Senate. According to one advocate of reform, the House can instead move to the floor five separate bills that deal with aspects of immigration reform, which have already moved through relevant committees.
Now-overturned abortion law aimed at protecting women, says archbishop
OKLAHOMA CITY (CNS) -- Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul S. Coakley called it "gravely disappointing" the U.S. Supreme Court declined to consider a challenge to a ruling that overturned an Oklahoma law requiring women who seek an abortion to get an ultrasound.
Nuns help debrief stressed typhoon victims arriving in Manila
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- The grandstand of Villamor Air Base was buzzing with teams of workers trying to help people displaced by the super typhoon that struck the central Philippines 10 days earlier. Evacuees were there to get help to start their lives over and receive some much needed stress-debriefing. That was where some local nuns stepped in.
Pope Francis’ first apostolic exhortation to be published Nov. 26
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican will publish Pope Francis’ first apostolic exhortation Nov. 26, two days after he formally delivers it to the church at a Mass concluding the 2012-13 Year of Faith. The Vatican announced Nov. 18 that “Evangelii Gaudium” (“The Joy of the Gospel”) will be presented at a news conference featuring […]
Pope revises statutes of Vatican’s Financial Intelligence Authority
The authority's new supervision and regulation department will not only investigate suspect transactions at the Vatican but will also have a role in establishing procedures to reduce the possibility of questionable financial dealings. Pope Benedict XVI established the Authority in 2010 to monitor Vatican financial operations and ensure they met international norms against money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Bishops send ‘special message’ reiterating objections to HHS mandate
BALTIMORE (CNS) -- In a "special message" released Nov. 13, the U.S. bishops reiterated their objections to the Affordable Care Act's requirement that employee insurance include contraceptive coverage and said they remain "united in our resolve to resist this heavy burden and protect our religious freedom."
Pope reiterates call for Catholics to adopt missionary mindset
MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis once again called for Catholics to adopt a missionary mindset and make mission the priority of all pastoral activities. The pope, speaking from the Vatican via video to an audience of clergy, religious and laity at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, also called for participants to cast aside clericalism and to get out of their churches to serve people where they are.
Archdiocese invites lay, clergy input on marriage and family life for Vatican meeting
In what is billed as a “unique opportunity for the clergy and faithful,” Catholics of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are now able to participate in a “consultation” with the Vatican in preparation for next year’s Synod of Bishops in Rome. The archdiocese announced Nov. 15 that it has posted a form on the archdiocesan website for Catholics to provide input on current challenges to marriage and the family.
In Philippines, signs of faith among ruins of typhoon
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- In the week after Super Typhoon Haiyan cut a path of devastation across the central Philippines, faith remained strong among the hardest hit. A storm surge that Haiyan churned up brought 15-foot waves to Tacloban, the obliterated city on Leyte's east coast that took the worst hit from the typhoon. "All of a sudden all the houses were gone," including his, said Gonzales, who lived right outside Tacloban. "You can't find any trace of it, not one piece."