News
Cardinal praises conscience provisions in House appropriations bill
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities praised lawmakers for including two conscience provisions in the House version of the 2013 appropriations bill for the federal departments of Labor and Health and Human Services. “Our government has a long history of respecting rights of conscience in health care, and […]
What Catholics can learn during Islam’s holy month
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which started July 20 in many countries, is a time of fasting, prayer and repentance, when Muslims distance themselves from worldly activities in an effort to align their lives more closely with God and his laws. According to the Vatican’s point man for dialogue with […]
Vatican withdraws recognition of Peru university as ‘Catholic’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican has withdrawn the titles “Catholic” and “Pontifical” from a university in Peru after decades of discussions over the school’s Catholic identity and after tensions between university officials and the local cardinal over control of the school’s assets. In a communique published July 21, the Vatican said Lima’s Pontifical Catholic […]
At 50, St. Hilary’s still a welcoming parish in Rydal
Archbishop John Krol must have been in a theological mood in 1962. Three of the five parishes established that year were named for doctors of the Church. St. Hilary of Poitiers in Rydal, which is named for a 4th century theologian, was among them. It was founded on June 6th out of territory taken from […]
Federal judges in Nebraska, D.C. dismiss lawsuits against HHS mandate
Two federal judges have dismissed lawsuits against the Department of Health and Human Services’ mandated contraceptive coverage under the new health reform law. U.S. District Court Judge Warren K. Urbom ruled July 17 in Nebraska that seven states and various other individuals and groups that filed suit in February against the mandate had failed to […]
Denver prelates offer prayers after Colorado shootings
DENVER (CNS) — Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila of Denver and his auxiliary, Bishop James D. Conley, offered prayers and support to the victims, survivors and the community after a gunman killed at least a dozen people and wounded dozens more during a July 20 midnight screening of the movie “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora. […]
Faith guides Maryland swimmer, youngest on US Olympic team, in quest for gold
BETHESDA, Md. (CNS) — When teenage swimming sensation Katie Ledecky slices through the water during the 800-meter freestyle race at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, she may not be able to hear the roaring cheers of adoring fans back home, but she’s convinced they will be with her in spirit. “Everybody has been so […]
Brazilian beach volleyball player says Catholic school taught values
RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) — In the Catholic classroom, the beach volleyball player learned the value of discipline and humility. Olympian Maria Elisa Antonelli, 28, credits her Salesian education as teaching her valuable lessons and recognizing her potential. “I received some very good lessons about life, and I learned how to be a professional player […]
Mississippi abortion clinic stays open; Indy abortion law overturned
JACKSON, Miss. (CNS) — A federal judge allowed Mississippi’s only abortion clinic to remain open while it continued to work toward compliance with a new state law permitting only certain doctors to perform abortions there. District Court Judge Daniel P. Jordan III of Jackson partially lifted the injunction on a law that had been scheduled […]
Archdiocese welcomes not one, but two new superintendents of schools
The one shall become two. Former archdiocesan Superintendent of Schools Mary Rochford, who retired at the end of the school term in June, is succeeded by two women in a position that splits the responsibilities Rochford held. Dr. Carol A. Cary is the new Superintendent of Secondary Schools and Jacqueline P. Coccia is the new Superintendent of Elementary Schools, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office of Catholic Education (OCE) announced July 19.