News

Pope talks about importance of giving young people jobs

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT TO BRAZIL (CNS) -- With economic hard times as an excuse not to hire young people, the world risks tossing them aside and endangers its own future, Pope Francis said. Speaking to reporters aboard the papal flight to Rio de Janeiro July 22, the pope declined to answer their questions, but instead made very brief remarks about his July 22-29 trip and then greeted each of the 71 media members.

Hobby Lobby wins injunction against HHS mandate

OKLAHOMA CITY (CNS) -- A federal judge in Oklahoma City July 19 granted a temporary injunction to the arts and crafts chain Hobby Lobby, saying it would not have to comply with the federal health care law mandating that employers provide coverage of contraceptives in their health insurance plans.

Pope creates body to revamp Vatican’s bookkeeping, fiscal responsibility

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis has named a new commission to investigate current accounting practices among all Vatican offices and bodies and to help devise new strategies for greater fiscal responsibility and transparency.

Christian families practice small acts of faith among Muslims, Jews in Israeli village

MUQEIBLEH, Israel (CNS) — Every evening, Suhad Shunnara, 32, reads the Bible to her three sons and kneels with them to say the rosary. On Friday, she and her husband, Fuad, 40, send the children to religion class, and on Saturday, after Mass, they all watch a Christian TV channel together. In this small village […]

Man golfs coast-to-coast in epic school fundraiser

INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) -- More than two months into his drive to hit a golf ball across the country -- from California to South Carolina -- Luke Bielawski has experienced an incredible assortment of adventures. His "Tee to Shining Tee" journey hopes to raise $100,000 to help youths receive a Catholic education at Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis.

Catholic college heads appeal to Catholics in House on immigration

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Nearly 100 current and former heads of Catholic colleges and universities are appealing directly to Catholic members of the House of Representatives to "draw wisdom and moral courage from our shared faith tradition" in supporting comprehensive immigration reform.

After acquittal, attention now on how to heal societal wounds of racism

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Despite weeks of testimony and evidence and 17 months of national debate about what factors led to the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., at the end of the trial July 13, it became apparent that broader issues would not go away with the verdict of acquittal.

Clinic’s closure is ‘an answered prayer’ for pro-life demonstrators

ARLINGTON, Va. (CNS) -- Pro-lifers are celebrating the closure of one of the largest abortion clinics in Virginia. Opened in 2006, NOVA Women's Healthcare in Fairfax City closed its doors in June.

Divergent priest barred from parishes, will speak at Catholic college

An Austrian priest whose views of the Catholic Church, including the priesthood, “diverge very seriously from Catholic belief and practice” has been barred from speaking at any parish or facility of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, according to a July 18 statement by the archdiocese.

North Carolina pro-life bills move forward; governor pledges limited OK

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS) -- Pro-life supporters are encouraged by the progress of pro-life bills through the North Carolina General Assembly, but they continue to lobby state leaders even as Republican Gov. Pat McCrory has signaled his partial support for the legislation.