Washington
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As U.S. bishops meet, Vatican may be deciding fate of former cardinal
By Rhina Guidos Catholic News Service
Published January 8, 2019WASHINGTON (CNS) — As U.S. bishops gathered in early January at a seminary in Illinois to pray and reflect about the American church’s sex abuse crisis, reports trickled out about the possible fate of one their own being decided overseas. The Wall Street Journal newspaper reported Jan. 5 that a decision on whether to laicize […] Full Story
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Christmas Eve marks 200th anniversary of beloved carol ‘Silent Night’
By RICHARD SZCZEPANOWSKI, Catholic News Service
Published December 24, 2018WASHINGTON (CNS)—Exactly 200 years ago this Christmas Eve—Dec. 24, 1818—in a little church in what is now Austria, the world heard for the first time a poem set to music that eventually would be hailed as one of the most popular and beloved Christmas carols of all time. “Silent Night” was sung for the first […] Full Story
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After 25 years, Alaska priest still loves his Russian Far East mission
By Mark Pattison, Catholic News Service
Published December 18, 2018It has been 25 years and counting, but Father Michael Shields doesn’t have any plans to leave the mission of the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska, in Magadan, Russia, at least any time soon. Father Shields, 69, loves his ministry in the Russian Far East city of 100,000. Magadan and Anchorage are sister cities. The mission […] Full Story
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Catholic social teaching held up in efforts to overcome polarization
By Dennis Sadowski, Catholic News Service
Published December 12, 2018WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Francis’ repeated invitations to practice mercy and charity have become the focus of efforts to defuse the widespread polarization that has wracked society and has crossed into Catholic circles. The basic message behind such efforts during the last year is simple: come to see perceived “enemies” as real people, deserving of […] Full Story
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Catholic Charities strove to meet challenges of natural disasters
By Mark Pattison, Catholic News Service
Published December 11, 2018WASHINGTON (CNS) — Hurricane, fire, flood and even earthquake, Catholic Charities agencies did their best to help thousands of their fellow residents through some of the worst natural disasters they had ever encountered. Some of the disasters were so severe the relief work continues. “It was pretty amazing to see how much people care.” Hurricane […] Full Story
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Michigan sisters sing at National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony
By Mark Pattison, Catholic News Service
Published November 29, 2018WASHINGTON (CNS) — To hear the voices of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist from Michigan in Washington, the best bet was to listen to them sing at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse outside the White House late Nov. 28. Ahead of the ceremony, the sisters had turned […] Full Story
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Atlanta pro-life advocate, Catholic leaders respond to U.S. abortion rate decline
By Catholic News Service
Published November 27, 2018WASHINGTON (CNS)—The archbishop who chairs the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities cheered news that the abortion rate in the United States continues to shrink, as does the number of abortions overall. “I am gratified that the number of abortions in the United States continues to decline,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, […] Full Story
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Catholic, other faith groups pledge solidarity all seeking asylum in U.S.
By Catholic News Service
Published November 26, 2018Over 3,000 Catholics and other people of faith signed a pledge Nov. 19 to express solidarity with all those seeking asylum in the United States and “promising to be good neighbors to those seeking refuge in our community and to build a community where all are welcome.” The same day U.S. District Court Judge Jon […] Full Story
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Archbishop Gregory, other leaders urge inquiry into abuse claims against former cardinal
By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Published August 10, 2018WASHINGTON (CNS)—U.S. Catholic church leaders have been calling for an internal investigation into the handling of allegations of abuse and sexual misconduct against Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick and urging such an inquiry be spearheaded by laypeople. “I think we have reached a point where bishops alone investigating bishops is not the answer. To have credibility, […] Full Story
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Ethical questions surface as scientists advance gene-editing work
By DENNIS SADOWSKI, Catholic News Service
Published August 24, 2017WASHINGTON (CNS)—Catholic observers and others are raising ethical questions about the work of an international team of scientists who report that they were able to edit the DNA in human embryos to correct a health disorder. The questions focus on two concerns: the creation of human embryos for scientific experimentation and then destruction, and the […] Full Story
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Bishops urge Congress to take bipartisan approach on health care reform
By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Published April 10, 2017WASHINGTON (CNS)—Now that lawmakers have withdrawn the American Health Care Act, Congress must “seize this moment to create a new spirit of bipartisanship” and make “necessary reforms” in existing health care law to address access, affordability, life and conscience, said three U.S. bishops’ committee chairmen. The GOP bill was removed from consideration by the House […] Full Story
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2016: The year racism and fear make a comeback
By RHINA GUIDOS, Catholic News Service
Published December 13, 2016WASHINGTON (CNS)—It began with the fatal shootings of unarmed black men and women by police. It was exacerbated in the summer when, on July 7, a gunman in Dallas opened fire on police during a march, killing five officers in a presumed act of retaliation. Catholic Church leaders such as Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of […] Full Story | En Español
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Stephen Colbert, in interview, discusses faith, joy and humor
By MARK PATTISON, Catholic News Service
Published September 18, 2015WASHINGTON (CNS)—Stephen Colbert, who took over Sept. 8 as host of CBS’ “Late Night” program, said in an interview for Canada’s Salt + Light Television that his “Colbert Report” character was intended to be a “well-intentioned, poorly informed, high-status idiot.” “I would say he’s a fool. And though Christ says, “Call no man fool,’ I […] Full Story
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Cardinal urges senators to back measure to defund Planned Parenthood
By Catholic News Service
Published August 7, 2015WASHINGTON (CNS)—The head of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee Aug. 3 urged U.S. senators to take the federal money that goes to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and instead fund women’s health care providers that do not promote abortion. “It has long been troubling to many Americans that the nation’s largest abortion network, performing […] Full Story
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With Jim and Jeannie Gaffigan, it’s a family affair
By MARK PATTISON, Catholic News Service
Published July 9, 2015WASHINGTON (CNS)—Jim Gaffigan, the comic actor known both for his funny books like “Dad Is Fat” and “Food: A Love Story” and his inclusion of his Catholicism in his stand-up routines, has a close collaborator: his wife, Jeannie. “We’re truly partners,” Jeannie Gaffigan said during a June 11 teleconference with Jim to promote their TV […] Full Story
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Ruling has a myriad of legal implications, say church officials; ‘difficult road ahead for people of faith’
By JULIE ASHER, Catholic News Service
Published June 27, 2015WASHINGTON (CNS)—Analyzing the ramifications of the June 26 same-sex marriage ruling for the Catholic Church at the national, state and local levels will take time, said Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore. It has implications for “hundreds, if not thousands” of laws at all levels, and there is “a difficult road ahead for people of […] Full Story
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Court rules same-sex marriage legal nationwide
By PATRICIA ZAPOR, Catholic News Service
Published June 27, 2015WASHINGTON (CNS)—In a landmark ruling, a divided Supreme Court June 26 said same-sex marriage is constitutional nationwide. “The nature of marriage is that, through its enduring bond, two persons together can find other freedoms, such as expression, intimacy, and spirituality,” wrote Justice Anthony Kennedy for the 5-4 majority. “This is true for all persons, whatever […] Full Story
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People express heartache, outrage as they mourn shooting victims
By DANIEL O'SHEA, Catholic News Service
Published June 25, 2015WASHINGTON (CNS)—The tragic taking of nine lives at a historically black church in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, brought an outpouring of solidarity, compassion and sorrow from around the country. After an all-night search, police June 18 found the white man suspected of fatally shooting nine people, including the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, a state senator and […] Full Story
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Pope speaks as a pastor in call to protect earth, USCCB president says
By DENNIS SADOWSKI, Catholic News Service
Published June 25, 2015WASHINGTON (CNS)—Pope Francis speaks with a pastor’s voice and with deep respect for science in calling the world to address threats to all life on earth through environmental degradation and the mindset of a “throwaway culture” in his encyclical, said the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, […] Full Story
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AP: Number of abortions in U.S. down 12 percent since 2010
By MARK PATTISON, Catholic News Service
Published June 12, 2015WASHINGTON (CNS)–An Associated Press survey of abortion in the United States this decade has revealed that the number of abortions has gone down by 12 percent since 2010. The news was welcomed by pro-life advocates. “It’s important to realize, first of all, that the factors accounting for this are multiple, complex and often hard to […] Full Story