Washington
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Advocates encouraged by legislative successes on abortion
By ZOEY DI MAURO Catholic News Service
Published August 30, 2013WASHINGTON (CNS)—With the recent success of abortion-related legislation at the state and federal levels, is the end in sight for pro-life supporters? The country watched as Democratic State Sen. Wendy Davis of Fort Worth filibustered against a bill to toughen abortion regulations, only to have it passed later in a second special session and signed […]
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Western church leaders warn against intervention in Syria
By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Published August 30, 2013WASHINGTON (CNS)—As speculation mounted about Western air strikes on Syria, a committee of U.S. bishops called for a political solution, and Catholic leaders in Europe warned military intervention could lead to an escalation of hostilities. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, the chairman of the bishops’ Committee on International Justice and […]
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Millennials, young minority adults suffer high unemployment
By LYNN LECLUYSE, Catholic News Service
Published August 15, 2013WASHINGTON (CNS)—Emily Rolla, a 22-year-old graduate of the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, recently accepted a retail job at Target after trying unsuccessfully since December to get a job in her field of study. A double major in communication arts and German, Rolla has applied for jobs ranging from public relations, social media management […] Full Story
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Bishop says joblessness, exploitation denying millions ‘honor, respect’
By MARK PATTISON, Catholic News Service
Published August 15, 2013WASHINGTON (CNS)—Millions of workers are being denied the honor and respect they deserve because of a lack of jobs, underemployment, low wages and exploitation, according to the bishop who heads the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. “Earlier this year, Pope Francis pointed out, ‘Work is fundamental to the dignity of a […] Full Story
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Madagascar archbishop confirms no contraceptives in CRS programs
By DENNIS SADOWSKI, Catholic News Service
Published August 15, 2013WASHINGTON (CNS)—A Madagascar archbishop confirmed in talks with leading U.S. church leaders that Catholic Relief Services is not providing or facilitating access to contraceptives and abortifacients in its health care programs in his archdiocese. The Population Research Institute had alleged in a series of reports in July that some CRS workers were engaged in family […] Full Story
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Church musician convention highlights liturgy constitution anniversary
By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service
Published August 1, 2013WASHINGTON (CNS)—Most Americans will remember Nov. 22, 1963, as the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, but liturgists will note that date also as the day the Second Vatican Council approved the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. The effects of the constitution, promulgated Dec. 4, 1963, are still being felt today, and its golden […] Full Story
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All called to ‘proclaim truth’ of faith, bishop tells deaf conference
Published August 1, 2013
WASHINGTON (CNS)—With hands moving quickly through the air, members of the International Catholic Deaf Association signed all the responses in unison for a July 16 Mass celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington as part of their seventh biennial conference. “We have been called to life, we have […]
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Bishops will closely study final HHS rule
By CAROL ZIMMERMANN, Catholic News Service
Published July 4, 2013WASHINGTON (CNS)—The final rules issued June 28 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services implementing its mandate that employers provide coverage of contraceptives “will require more careful analysis,” New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan said in a statement. The cardinal, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the 110-page ruling is […] Full Story
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U.S. bishops, religious leaders call for religious liberty protections
By CAROL ZIMMERMANN, CNS
Published July 4, 2013WASHINGTON (CNS)—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 said the country’s “delicate liberty of conscience is under […]
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Senate immigration bill passes, moves to uncertain fate in House
By PATRICIA ZAPOR, Catholic News Service
Published July 4, 2013WASHINGTON (CNS)—The diverse coalition of faith, labor, business and civil rights activists who are trying to rework the nation’s immigration system celebrated the June 27 Senate passage of a massive reform bill. The bill moves to the House, where Speaker John Boehner has said he would not allow it on the floor unless a majority […] Full Story
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Court overturns DOMA, sends Proposition 8 back to lower court
By PATRICIA ZAPOR, Catholic News Service
Published July 4, 2013WASHINGTON (CNS)—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 a separate case, the court sent back to lower courts a challenge to California’s Proposition 8, the voter-approved initiative […] Full Story
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Bishops to study final HHS rule; attorney sees little change
By CAROL ZIMMERMANN, Catholic News Service
Published July 4, 2013WASHINGTON (CNS)—The final rules issued June 28 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services implementing its mandate that employers provide coverage of contraceptives “will require more careful analysis,” New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan said in a statement. The cardinal, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the 110-page ruling is […] Full Story
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Administration Drops Fight To Limit Plan B
By CAROL ZIMMERMANN, CNS
Published June 20, 2013WASHINGTON (CNS)—U.S. Catholic officials expressed disappointment with the June 10 announcement that the federal government will comply with a judge’s ruling to allow girls of any age to buy the morning-after pill without a prescription. The decision reversed recent course of action by the federal government. On May 1, the Justice Department announced that it […]
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Scouts’ Policy Change ‘Not In Conflict’ With Church
By MARK PATTISON, CNS
Published June 6, 2013WASHINGTON (CNS)—The head of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting said the Boy Scouts’ vote in May to admit homosexual youth into their ranks is “not in conflict with Catholic teaching,” something by which “we should be encouraged.” Edward Martin, the committee’s national chairman, said Scouting is “still the best youth-serving program available to all […]
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‘Pacem In Terris’ Guides 21st-Century Peace Efforts
By DENNIS SADOWSKI, CNS
Published May 9, 2013WASHINGTON (CNS)—Recognizing the inherent dignity of each person is the greatest weapon anyone has against war and violence, Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, told a conference marking the 50th anniversary of Blessed John XXIII’s encyclical “Pacem in Terris” (“Peace on Earth”). Peace is intimately connected to working for […]
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Grand Jury: Gosnell’s Clinic A ‘Baby Charnel House’
By JOSEPH AUSTIN, CNS
Published April 25, 2013WASHINGTON (CNS)—When a team of health officials and investigators looking into illegal drug use raided Dr. Kermit Barron Gosnell’s Women’s Medical Society Feb. 18, 2010, they happened upon what many are calling a “house of horrors.” “There was blood on the floor. A stench of urine filled the air. A flea-infested cat was wandering through […]
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Judge Lifts Age Limits On Emergency Contraceptives
By CNS
Published April 11, 2013WASHINGTON (CNS)—An April 5 decision by a New York federal judge to lift age limits on purchases of over-the-counter emergency contraceptives should be “appealed and overturned,” according to an official of the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops. “No public health consideration justifies the unregulated distribution of such drugs to children,” said Deirdre McQuade, spokeswoman for […] Full Story
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Catholic Charities USA Collects Funds To Aid Hurricane Victims
Published November 8, 2012
Charities USA is accepting cash donations as it develops its response to the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Donations can be made online at the Catholic Charities USA website at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org. Donations also can be made by calling toll-free (800) 919-9338 or by mail to P.O. Box 17066, Baltimore, MD 21297-1066. The Alexandria, Va.-based agency has […]
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7 Keys To The New Evangelization
By PETER MURPHY, Commentary
Published October 25, 2012Pope Benedict XVI has announced a Year of Faith, starting Oct. 11 and ending Nov. 24, 2013, to strengthen the faith of Catholics and draw the world to faith by their example. The Year of Faith is meant to reflect one of the themes of Pope Benedict’s pontificate, the New Evangelization. He called a Synod […]
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7 Keys To The New Evangelization
By PETER MURPHY, Commentary
Published October 25, 2012Pope Benedict XVI has announced a Year of Faith, starting Oct. 11 and ending Nov. 24, 2013, to strengthen the faith of Catholics and draw the world to faith by their example. The Year of Faith is meant to reflect one of the themes of Pope Benedict’s pontificate, the New Evangelization. He called a Synod […]