VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a letter to the world’s bishops, Pope Benedict XVI expressed regret that his lifting of the excommunications of four traditionalist bishops gave rise to a storm of protests and bitterness. The pope said the controversy over Bishop Richard Williamson’s statements denying the extent of the Holocaust was “an unforeseen mishap” […]
Continue readingSAN FRANCISCO (CNS) — The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco March 3 upheld a 2006 lower court ruling that the Vatican is not entitled to sovereign immunity from a clergy sex abuse lawsuit that named it as a defendant. But it narrowed the extent of that ruling by remanding the case […]
Continue readingTORONTO (CNS) — Several Catholic officials welcomed a breakthrough in stem-cell research that could advance the science of regenerative medicine, but at least one Catholic ethicist wanted more information about the procedure. Dr. Andras Nagy of Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital announced a new technique for creating pluripotent stem cells that can develop into most other […]
Continue readingCAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) — The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference said it made a mistake in giving the go-ahead to parishes to use Vatican-approved Mass translations, but it has asked the Vatican to allow continued use of the texts. The conference said March 4 it was awaiting the Vatican’s response. It told parishes […]
Continue readingWASHINGTON (CNS) — To combat what they see as threats to the conscience rights of health care professionals who oppose abortion, the Catholic Medical Association and other organizations are taking both legal and educational steps. The Philadelphia-based Catholic Medical Association, which has some 1,100 members nationwide, has joined with the Christian Medical Association and the […]
Continue readingLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (CNS) — The ultimate goal of fasting during Lent is to draw “us closer in a more regular way to the heart of God,” said Cackie Upchurch, director of the Little Rock Scripture Study. Fasting is an ancient custom that can be found in almost all religious traditions, she said in an […]
Continue readingVATICAN CITY (CNS) — The global financial crisis is likely to dramatically impact the world’s poor in coming months, depriving children of essential services in education and health care, a Vatican official said. The negative consequences of the economic crisis “exert a more dramatic impact on the developing world and on the most vulnerable groups […]
Continue readingWASHINGTON (CNS) — Eighteen individuals with expertise in anti-poverty initiatives and poverty reform efforts have put forth a multitiered proposal that they say can help reduce poverty for Americans living on the margins. Under the title the Poverty Forum, the individuals Feb. 17 called upon the administration of President Barack Obama and the Congress to […]
Continue readingCHICAGO (CNS) — Supporters of the religious rights of immigrants detained by the federal government celebrated the passage of a law requiring Illinois state and county detention facilities to allow detained immigrants to meet with pastoral workers. The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, of which the Archdiocese of Chicago and many other Catholic […]
Continue readingVATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI met privately with U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives, and told her that all Catholics, especially those who are lawmakers, must work to protect human life at every stage. Pelosi, a Catholic Democrat from California, has been criticized by many Catholics for her support […]
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