News
Missouri Legislature overrides veto of bill on HHS mandate
ST. LOUIS (CNS) — Two months to the day after Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed a religious liberty bill, both houses of the Missouri Legislature voted by wide margins to override the veto. The Archdiocese of St. Louis called the veto override “a victory for Catholics, people of all faiths, and more specifically, Missouri citizens […]
Vatican firmly condemns US deaths, disrespect against religions
UPDATED — VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican firmly condemned the recent attack against a U.S. consulate in Libya, which led to the death of a U.S. ambassador, three U.S. personnel and at least 10 Libyans. “The very serious attack organized against the United States diplomatic mission in Libya,” it said, “calls for the firmest […]
Phila. Mayor Nutter, in nod to former teacher, visits Little Flower High School
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter makes it a practice to visit schools of all types at the opening of the school year – public, private, Catholic and charters. His Sept. 11 visit to Little Flower High School in the Hunting Park section of the city was probably not a random choice. He admits when growing up […]
Religious leaders decry attack on diplomat in Libya, urge understanding
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Religious leaders from across the spectrum were quick to condemn the hate message of an anti-Islam film and the violent attack it supposedly provoked Sept. 11 in which the U.S. ambassador to Libya, three other Americans and several Libyan soldiers were killed in the consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Such eruptions of violence […]
Bishop who brokered gang truce asks public’s trust
SAN SALVADOR (CNS) — Against all odds, as virtually everyone thought that the truce between violent Salvadoran gangs would break at any time, Bishop Fabio Colindres Abarca has proved otherwise. The agreement not only continues but has also led gang leaders to seek an agreement with the government. Yet skepticism reigns. “There are people who […]
Pa.’s Catholic bishops urge Corbett to commute death sentence
Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops wrote to the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons Sept. 5 urging its members to recommend to Governor Tom Corbett a commutation of Terrance Williams’ sentence to life in prison, according to a statement by the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference. The bishops, including Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput in his column on CatholicPhilly.com, are encouraging […]
Help Christians stay in Mideast, build peace, pope says at audience
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Just two days before beginning a pastoral journey to the Middle East, Pope Benedict XVI launched an appeal to all Christians in the region to respond to social and political tensions and insecurity by being hopeful, active builders of peace and reconciliation. At the end of his weekly general audience Sept. […]
Cardinal Dolan traces historic role of religious freedom in US
WASHINGTON (CNS) — To the enthusiastic reception of an audience of John Carroll Society members Sept. 10, New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan traced the historic origins of U.S. religious freedom in light of a current battle with the government over those rights. Saying that he wanted to “restore the luster” on “this first and […]
Need for US immigration reform at a ‘critical moment,’ say speakers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS) — Christians, especially political leaders of both parties, have a moral duty to address the plight of undocumented immigrants in America — as part of the Gospel message to bring justice to the poor, welcome the marginalized and stand up for the powerless. That was the main point during a recent screening […]
Swiss bishop’s comments on Church reforms defended by spokesman
WARSAW, Poland (CNS) — A spokesman for the Swiss bishops’ conference defended its newly elected president, Bishop Markus Buchel of Sankt Gallen, after he called for local bishops to have a greater say on Church reforms. “Bishop Buchel has his colleagues’ confidence and his election has nothing to do with his views on such issues,” […]