By: By Dennis Sadowski, Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — The widening campaign by gay rights advocates to promote same-sex marriage as a civil rights issue is forcing Catholic and other religious institutions to confront charges of intolerance and discrimination. Also at risk, say church officials working on the legal front, is the way religious […]
Continue readingWASHINGTON (CNS) — Iraqis want a return to peace, security and stability and the chance to secure meaningful employment, said two U.S. bishops who traveled to Baghdad in a demonstration of the American Catholic Church’s solidarity with the country’s violence-weary Christians. Visiting Oct. 2-5 at the invitation of the bishops of Iraq, Bishop Gerald F. […]
Continue readingWASHINGTON (CNS) — A new introduction to the U.S. bishops’ document on political responsibility reminds Catholics that some issues “involve the clear obligation to oppose intrinsic evils which can never be justified,” while others “require action to pursue justice and promote the common good.” The brief Introductory Note to the 2011 reissue of “Forming Consciences […]
Continue readingVATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI asked the international community to continue aid to the drought- and famine-stricken Horn of Africa and asked individuals to offer prayers and donate money to help save the millions facing death. “I invited everyone to offer prayers and concrete aid for their many brothers and sisters so harshly […]
Continue readingCHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS) — Cardinal Francis Arinze told attendees at the Diocese of Charlotte’s eucharistic congress that “religion is not an option. It is not an accessory footnote. It is the duty of the human creature in front of God the creator,” he said. Cardinal Arinze spoke about the importance of Sunday Mass and the […]
Continue readingWASHINGTON (CNS) — Catholic and other groups mourned the executions Sept. 21 of Troy Davis in Georgia and of Lawrence Brewer in Texas. Davis, 42, was put to death for his conviction in the 1989 murder of off-duty Savannah, Ga., police officer Mark MacPhail. Brewer, 44, an admitted white supremacist, was executed for his role […]
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Photo Caption: Pope Benedict waves to the crowd as he arrives to celebrate Mass at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium Sept. 22. The evening liturgy was the religious high point of the pope’s first day in the German capital. By: By John Thavis, Catholic News Service BERLIN (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass in Berlin’s Olympic […]
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Photo Caption: Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein of Indianapolis is pictured during an ordination in early March. Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Buechlein for health reasons. WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein of Indianapolis for health reasons. The archbishop is 73 years old, […]
Continue readingST. LOUIS (CNS) — Sheila Gilbert, a national officer for the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul for the past six years, became the first woman to head the organization Sept. 3. Gilbert said she was humbled and grateful for this new responsibility. “Having been involved in the organization for some 30 years, I […]
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Photo Caption: A pilgrim holds a Croatian flag as Pope Benedict XVI leads his weekly general audience at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Aug. 24. By: By Catholic News Service CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) — After reviewing his trip to Madrid for World Youth Day, Pope Benedict XVI announced the themes he has […]
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