News
CCHD awards $800,000 to three groups working on immigration reform
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Three faith-based organizations working to reform the country’s immigration laws are set to receive $800,000 from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. The grants to the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, known as CLINIC, Migration and Refugee Services of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the PICO National Network will bolster campaigns […]
Venezuelan president Chavez changed nation, had rocky relations with bishops
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (CNS) -- Hugo Chavez, a socialist president who transformed Venezuela while acting as chief protagonist in what was one of the worst Catholic Church-government relationships in Latin America, died March 5. He was 58.
Sistine Chapel goes from tourist magnet to polling place for pope
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Sistine Chapel’s transformation from a world-famous tourist site to the prayer-filled space where cardinal electors will choose the next pope is under way. Vatican workers have begun installing protective panels to cover the mosaic tile floors, and mini-scaffolding will raise a false floor level with the altar and eliminate any […]
Cardinals agree to media blackout of pre-conclave meetings
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Citing unauthorized press reports on their preparatory meetings for the upcoming papal election, the College of Cardinals agreed to a media blackout similar to one observed before the previous conclave in 2005. A briefing for journalists by New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan and Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George was cancelled at the last minute March 6. It would have been the third by U.S. cardinals since the start of the meetings.
Conscience-protection bill for HHS mandate introduced in House
The Health Care Conscience Rights Act would offer a full exemption from the U.S. Department Health and Human Services' mandate for individuals and health care entities that refuse to provide, pay for, or refer patients to abortion providers because of their religious beliefs. A sponsor said it is possible that the bill could be folded into a continuing resolution being considered by the House to keep the federal government operating beyond March 27.
Catholic men’s conference welcomes 1,200; largest turnout yet
It would not have been surprising had the fifth annual Archdiocese of Philadelphia Men’s Spirituality Conference held at Archbishop Ryan High School on March 2 had a dramatic drop in attendance this year. Because of budget cutbacks the archdiocesan office that usually runs the event turned it over completely to a lay group. Lower numbers would have certainly been understandable but it didn’t happen. The conference was run by Man Up Philly, and if you are looking for an example of dynamic grass-roots spirituality in the Archdiocese they surely qualify.
Cardinals O’Malley, DiNardo: No rush to set date for conclave
ROME (CNS) -- Two U.S. cardinals who will vote in the upcoming papal election say there is no rush to set a date for voting, which could start as late as March 20.
Writer accepts national justice award on St. Katharine’s feast
Lou Baldwin, a writer for the Catholic Standard and Times, Phaith magazine and CatholicPhilly.com, received the peace and justice award from the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament order founded by St. Katharine Drexel, who has connections to his own life.
Most cardinal electors in Rome, still no date set for conclave
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After completing their third pre-conclave meeting, the College of Cardinals still had not announced a date for the conclave. Instead, they used the March 4 and 5 meetings to discuss needs of the church. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said that by the end of the March 5 session, 33 cardinals "from every continent" had addressed the group. The meeting was attended by 148 cardinals. Although he said the cardinals made "no decision" about the start of the conclave, there was a presentation that day about the modifications Pope Benedict XVI made to the conclave rules, allowing the cardinals to begin a conclave less than 15 days after the end of a pontificate.
Panel of lay Catholics weighs in with advice for electing new pope
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Laypeople have a right and duty to offer their ideas to the cardinals who will elect the next pope, one theologian observed as part of a panel of lay Catholics who proposed that characteristics such as joy and diplomacy were important to the selection. The pope matters even beyond the Catholic Church […]