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Catholic college graduates urged to go out and change the world

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:35:10 -0500

Mateo Vazquez, a graduate of the Lay Leadership Certificate Spanish program, gets a congratulatory hug following ceremonies at the academic convocation of the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill., May 11. (CNS photo/Karen Callaway, Catholic New World)

Tornadoes exact deadly toll in Oklahoma; area needs 'a lot of prayers'

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:50:27 -0500

OKLAHOMA CITY (CNS) -- Even after the initial death toll was cut by more than half, the human and material devastation of a string of tornadoes that buffeted areas of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City May 19-20 was incalculable.

Cardinal urges young adults to deepen their Catholic faith, share it

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:50:25 -0500

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Since participating in the March conclave that elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington has spoken about the experience to reporters and during Masses at local parishes

Missio: Pope Francis to unlock app for Pontifical Mission Societies

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:22:08 -0500

During an audience with national directors of pontifical mission societies from around the world, the pope was set to launch the organization's new Missio app from the Vatican May 17, sending news and content in eight languages. News and information will be available in English, Spanish, Italian, German, French, Portuguese, Chinese and Arabic from Fides, the Vatican's missionary news agency, and news.va. The app also includes videos from news.va and Catholic News Service.

Pope Francis calls for global, ethical finance reform, end to cult of money

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:14:20 -0500

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis called for global financial reform that respects human dignity, helps the poor, promotes the common good and allows states to regulate markets. "Money has to serve, not to rule," he said in his strongest remarks yet as pope concerning the world's economic and financial crises.

Gosnell's conviction shows 'ugliness of abortion,' archbishop says

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:52:53 -0500

PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- Dr. Kermit Gosnell may have been convicted May 13 of murder at his Philadelphia abortion clinic, but "nothing can bring back the innocent children he killed, or make up for the vulnerable women he exploited," said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput.

Pope: Satan tricks people into being selfish, leaving them loveless

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:34:57 -0500

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Payback with Satan is rotten as he pushes people to be loveless and selfish, finally leaving them with nothing and alone, Pope Francis said.

Marian devotion unifies hundreds at Asia-Pacific Islanders pilgrimage

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:24:42 -0500

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As three choirs sang a modern-day arrangement of the "Memorare" together May 11, a Vietnamese father, mother and daughter in traditional "ao dai" attire walked reverently to the front of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington and placed an ornate crown on the statue of Mary to the left of the altar.

Patroness, inspiration, intercessor: Mary is beloved in Latin America

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:05:58 -0500

MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- May is the month of Mary, who is celebrated the length of Latin America as someone more than the mother of God -- or even a religious figure.

Rural life advocates hope for congressional action soon on farm bill

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:25:20 -0500

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Rural life advocates see a good chance for a delayed farm bill to finally go through Congress before the month of May is over.

Blind singer-pianist says he relies on God to be his eyes

Thu, 09 May 2013 15:55:04 -0500

ANNANDALE, Va. (CNS) -- Behind all the musical prowess of Carlos Ibay is a young man whose strong connection to the heart of Jesus can be recognized through the many outlets of his ingenuity.

Through blogs, Catholic moms share their faith as 'digital disciples'

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:53:15 -0500

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- One of Mary's titles is "Christ's First Disciple," and some of Christ's earliest followers were women, two of whom he appeared to first after his resurrection.

Pope tells sisters the church needs them, they need the church

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:33:08 -0500

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis told 800 superiors of women's orders from around the world that the Catholic Church needs religious women and that religious women need to be in harmony with the faith and teachings of the church.

Foster care seen as crucial to helping unaccompanied minors flourish

Wed, 08 May 2013 11:56:06 -0500

GLENDALE, Ariz. (CNS) -- As a child, Johnson Toe spent 12 hours a day farming okra, rice, tomatoes, and peppers on his grandmother's farm in Liberia.

USCCB says Administration mandate violates First Amendment freedoms of Religious Orders and others

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:01:06 -0500

WASHINGTON— The general counsel of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops states that the current proposed revisions of the Obama Administration’s contraceptive mandate are “an unprecedented …violation of religious liberty by the federal government” and must be changed.

The Catholic Relief Services Collection helps 'Jesus In Disguise'

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:41:53 -0600

WASHINGTON— The Catholic Relief Services Collection will take place the weekend of March 9-10. This year's collection theme: "Jesus in Disguise: How will you help?" invites Catholics to influence the lives of more than 100 million people at home and abroad, particularly families affected by persecution, war and natural disasters.

Papacy of Pope Benedict XVI highlighted his pastoral, scholarly, holy life, says Cardinal Dolan

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:44:07 -0600

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued this statement moments after learning of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 11, 2013

Archbishop Jose H. Gomez calls Senate immigration framework important first step

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:26:28 -0600

WASHINGTON—Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, welcomed principles set forth by a group of eight U.S. Senators as a blueprint for reform of our nation's immigration system.

Bishop Soto announces half a million dollars to victims of Hurricane Sandy

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:16:14 -0600

WASHINGTON—The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the domestic anti-poverty program of the U.S. bishops, has approved a grant of half a million dollars to assist victims of Hurricane Sandy along the East Coast of the United States. CCHD will also launch a national strategic grant program to address poverty-related issues across the country.

Bishop Blaire, Bishop Pates Urge Congress to protect the poor, future generations

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:35:48 -0600

WASHINGTON—Congress should avoid measures that harm at-risk students, low-income families and people currently benefiting from poverty-focused international assistance, according to a letter from the bishops who oversee the justice and peace efforts of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Report finds Catholics active in social media, room to grow for Church�s online presence

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:18:02 -0600

BALTIMORE—Sixty-two percent of adult U.S. Catholics, representing an estimated 36.2 million people, have a profile on Facebook; 58 percent of Catholics age 30 and under share content such as pictures, articles and comments at least once a week on social media; and nearly a third of all surveyed said they would like their pastors and bishops to blog, according to a newly-released study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University.

Bishops' Defense of Marriage chair calls for prayer, renewed culture of marriage

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 11:43:47 -0600

WASHINGTON—In response to the November 6 statewide referenda results in Washington State, Minnesota, Maryland, and Maine regarding marriage, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, called for renewed efforts to strengthen and protect marriage and family life and expressed gratitude to marriage protection supporters.

Cardinal Dolan congratulates President Obama on re-election

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:17:51 -0600

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, congratulated President Barack Obama, November 7, the day after his re-election as President of the United States.

USCCB Evangelization and Cathechesis offers 'Ten American Saints for the Year of Faith'

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:55:39 -0500

To honor the fiftieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the twentieth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI has announced a Year of Faith, starting October 11 and ending November 24, 2013, meant to strengthen the faith of Catholics and draw the world to faith by their example.

New Poverty USA website offers statistics, stories, resources to Catholics

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 10:33:44 -0500

WASHINGTON—Catholics can learn about the state of poverty in the United States and concrete ways they can make a difference at a new website from the the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Bishops welcome inclusion of conscience provisions in House Appropriations Bill

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 08:05:10 -0500

WASHINGTON— The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor/HHS "took a first, urgently needed step toward upholding rights of conscience and religious freedom in our health care system," by including two key provisions in its appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2013, according to the chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).