News
Pope considering last-minute changes to conclave rules, Vatican says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI is considering making some changes to the conclave rules and rituals before he leaves office Feb. 28, the Vatican spokesman confirmed. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the spokesman, told reporters Feb. 20 that any papal document is more likely to deal with possible discrepancies between the apostolic constitution governing […]
Dr. Billings dies at 95; she helped develop widely used method of NFP
MELBOURNE, Australia (CNS) — Dr. Evelyn Billings, who with her husband, John, pioneered research that led them to develop a form of natural family planning supported by the Catholic Church, died Feb. 16 after a short illness. She was 95. The Australian pediatrician joined her physician-husband’s team in 1965 as he was researching a more […]
Family remains ‘fundamental unit of human society,’ says Archbishop Paglia
UNITED NATIONS (CNS) — Despite threats on many sides and prophesies of its extinction, the traditional family remains a vital resource for society, according to speakers at a U.N. event Feb. 15. The panel was held in conjunction with the 51st session of the U.N. Commission for Social Development. It was sponsored by the Holy […]
Objection raised over benefits to same-sex partners of military members
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. Defense Department's new policy that confers some military benefits on the same-sex domestic partners of members of the military undermines the traditional definition of marriage, two archbishops said Feb. 15.
Church in Illinois decries state Senate vote on same-sex marriage
CHICAGO (CNS) — The head of the Catholic Conference of Illinois decried a Feb. 14 Illinois Senate vote to permit same-sex marriage in the state, calling it “redefinition of marriage legislation.” “Marriage joins a man and a woman in love to meet one another’s needs, to procreate and to raise children. This is the lifeblood […]
Cardinal focuses on evangelizing power of Catholic social teaching
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Taking the helm of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in 2009, near the beginning of the global financial crisis, Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson's work has focused heavily on promoting Pope Benedict XVI's calls for more carefully regulated international markets and for real solidarity with the poor. The 64-year-old former archbishop of Cape Coast, Ghana, also continued his longtime defense of Catholic teaching on the family while highlighting the connection between strong families and strong, peaceful societies.
Archbishop Lori requests conscience provision be added to HHS mandate
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty has urged the House of Representatives to extend long-standing federal conscience protections to the Affordable Care Act’s new coverage mandates for private health plans. Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore made the request in a Feb. 15 letter to members […]
With huge diocese, Brazilian cardinal uses variety of media to teach
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Brazilian Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer of Sao Paulo, 63, heads Brazil's largest diocese and ministers in one of the most populous cities in the world. In the city of more than 11 million people -- more than 80 percent of whom are Catholic -- the cardinal oversees parishes that struggle with high poverty rates, crime, youth unemployment and lack of basic services like running water.
Outspoken Honduran cardinal known for charm, international charity work
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, 70, is a personal ambassador of the Catholic Church's emergency relief and development aid and probably the best-known Latin American member of the College of Cardinals. In May 2011, he was elected to a second four-year term as president of Caritas Internationalis, the Vatican-based umbrella organization for national Catholic charities around the globe. Under his presidency, he has worked with Vatican officials and Caritas leaders to implement new rules requested by Pope Benedict XVI to strengthen the agencies' Catholic identity and their ties to their local bishops.
Life in Latin America, Quebec, Rome gives cardinal unique world view
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With extensive experience in Latin America, the Vatican and his home province of Quebec, Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet possesses broad knowledge of the universal church as well as strong pastoral and leadership skills from serving as the former primate of Canada. Today the 68-year-old cardinal leads the Congregation for Bishops -- the office that helps the pope choose bishops for Latin-rite dioceses around the world. With his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, he became the first North American cardinal to be placed in charge of the powerful congregation.