VATICAN CITY (Catholic News Agency/EWTN News)—The 19 men chosen to be named cardinals in this month stress Pope Francis’ attention on the peripheries of the Church, and that appointment to a major diocese no longer automatically comes with a “red hat.” The 19 will be elevated to cardinal at a …
Several developments looming large at Vatican in 2014
Canonization ceremony, new cardinals, papal trip to Holy Land, Synod of Bishops chief among them VATICAN CITY — After a year that included the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and a series of celebrated innovations by Pope Francis, it is hard to imagine 2014 at the Vatican could be …
Pro-life supporters ‘freeze for best cause in the world’
WASHINGTON (Catholic News Service/Catholic News Agency)— The polar vortex couldn’t chill the ardor of thousands of participants who demonstrated their determination to continue speaking out against abortion at the annual March for Life and rally Jan. 22 in Washington. Temperatures went briefly into double digits but hovered around 8 degrees. …
Courts give last-minute relief from HHS contraceptive mandate
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — In the midst of their New Year’s Eve celebration with low-income elderly residents, the Baltimore-based Little Sisters of the Poor learned that the Supreme Court issued an injunction temporarily protecting them from the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate. The order by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, issued …
Archbishop Kurtz elected USCCB president
Diocese of Knoxville’s second bishop succeeds Cardinal Dolan BALTIMORE — The newly elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has been a bishop for nearly 14 years, but it’s as a priest, family member and social worker that he describes himself. By way of introduction to American Catholics, …
World embraces simple hug by Pope Francis
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — For someone who has frequently been shunned and humiliated because of a disease that has severely disfigured his entire body, receiving the pope’s loving embrace was like being in paradise. Vinicio Riva, who is afflicted with neurofibromatosis, said his brief encounter with Pope Francis Nov. 6 …
Pope to canonize John XXIII, John Paul II
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Recognizing that Blessed John XXIII and John Paul II have widespread reputations for holiness and that years of studying their lives and actions have proven their exceptional virtue, Pope Francis announced he would declare his two predecessors saints at a single ceremony April 27. The …
USCCB leaders join pope’s call for day of fasting, prayer for peace
WASHINGTON (Catholic News Service) — Two leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged U.S. Catholics to take up Pope Francis’ call to fast and pray for peace in Syria, the Middle East and the world Sept. 7. Expressing anguish over the suffering of the Syrian people and echoing …
Pope clears the way for the canonizations of John Paul II, John XXIII
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has signed a decree clearing the way for the canonization of Blessed John Paul II and has decided also to ask the world’s cardinals to vote on the canonization of Blessed John XXIII, even in the absence of a miracle. After Pope Francis met July …
Catholic, Southern Baptist religious leaders call for expanded HHS conscience protections
WASHINGTON (Catholic News Service) — A diverse group of religious leaders, including Catholics, Protestants, evangelicals and a representative from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, issued an open letter July 2 urging the U.S. government to “expand conscience protections” in its Health and Human Services contraceptive mandate. The letter, which …
Supreme Court strikes down Defense of Marriage Act
U.S. bishops: Justices’ rulings on same-sex marriage are ‘tragic day for marriage in our country’ WASHINGTON—The federal Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, defining marriage as between one man and one woman, is unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause, the Supreme Court ruled June 26 in a 5-4 opinion. In …
Second Fortnight for Freedom held June 21-July 4
WASHINGTON—The second annual Fortnight for Freedom will take place from June 21 to July 4, and will consist of national and local efforts to educate Americans on challenges to religious liberty both at home and abroad. As with last year’s Fortnight, the event will begin and end with a special …
