News
The ‘green’ pope: Benedict’s calls to care for creation earn notice
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Care for creation has been a hallmark of Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy. From his 2009 encyclical “Caritas in Veritate” (“Charity in Truth”) to his leadership in guiding the Vatican to reduce its carbon footprint, Pope Benedict continues an 800-year Catholic tradition of holding up the environment as a gift from God that […]
Israel, Hamas must make tough decisions to end violence, bishop says
JERUSALEM (CNS) — The Israeli government and leaders of Hamas must make courageous decisions to end the violence that has once again forced residents of Southern Israel into their bomb shelters and residents of the Gaza Strip into their homes, said Auxiliary Bishop William Shomali of Jerusalem. “We are sad for this escalation. It does […]
Ethnic violence growing in Congo, Jesuit Refugee Service reports
ROME (CNS) — Jesuit Refugee Service has launched an alarm about brutal killings and village burnings by Congolese rebels from different ethnic groups, saying the violence has gone unchecked while peacekeeping forces and the army try to put down a rebellion. In the past three months in the Masisi territory of eastern Congo, civilians “have […]
Americans United for Life files brief against HHS contraceptive mandate
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Americans United for Life filed a brief Nov. 13 in Nebraska v. Health and Human Services, a case initiated by the state of Nebraska and six other states challenging the HHS mandate requiring most employers, including religious employers, to provide free coverage of contraceptives. The Washington-based group filed the brief on behalf […]
Archbishop joins voices urging Obama to ‘seize moment’ on immigration
BALTIMORE (CNS) — The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration joined the broadening chorus calling on President Barack Obama and Congress to “seize the moment” and pass comprehensive immigration reform next year. In a statement issued Nov. 13 during the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ annual fall general assembly in Baltimore, Los Angeles […]
Bishops agree on need for better preaching, more penance
BALTIMORE (CNS) — During their annual fall general assembly in Baltimore Nov. 12-15, the U.S. bishops voted down a document on the troubled U.S. economy, passed documents on penance and better preaching, approved a reorganization of their Communications Department and endorsed the sainthood cause of Dorothy Day. The bishops were to meet in executive session […]
Bishops warn Congress: Don’t let poor fall off fiscal cliff
BALTIMORE (CNS) — Congressional consideration of budget cutting to avoid the process known as sequestration should be careful to avoid hurting the poor and vulnerable in society, warned the chairmen of two committees of the U.S. bishops. In a letter to members of the House and Senate released Nov. 14, Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of […]
CCHD provides $500,000 grant to aid Hurricane Sandy victims
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Victims of Hurricane Sandy along the East Coast are getting an added boost in their recovery under a $500,000 grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. The special grant will support “people coming together to reorganize the fabric of their communities,” Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, Calif., chairman of the U.S. […]
US bishops, Catholic bloggers discuss how tweets, blogs help evangelize
BALTIMORE (CNS) — A group of U.S. bishops and Catholic bloggers discussed — and tweeted about — how to use social media to spread the Gospel message during a Nov. 11 session prior to the start of the U.S. bishops’ annual general assembly in Baltimore. In the nearly three-hour session, the group of two dozen […]
Organists plentiful but not many parishes ‘blessed’ with budget for one
NEW YORK (CNS) — If music conservatories are producing a bumper crop of organ performance graduates, why can’t the parish down the street get a substitute organist for the 10 a.m. Mass? There’s no single answer, but liturgical musicians who spoke with Catholic News Service attribute it to parish finances, cultural changes and the pastor’s […]