BUCHAREST, Romania – Historians and communist-era diplomats have cast doubts on a former Romanian general’s claim that he helped with a KGB plot to portray Pope Pius XII as a Nazi sympathizer in order to weaken the Catholic Church. Gen. Ion Mihai Pacepa, a Romanian intelligence chief under dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, said that between 1960...Read More

WASHINGTON – In a case that hinges on procedural questions of when a taxpayer has the legal standing to challenge how the administration spends money appropriated by Congress, the Supreme Court is being asked to open the door to legal fights over President George W. Bush’s faith-based initiative. The only question before the court is...Read More

In a press conference at Towson High School Feb. 26, St. Joseph Medical Center, Towson, The Maryland State Department of Education and Congressman Elijah Cummings announced an anabolic steroids and supplements awareness campaign. This new campaign will address the issue of anabolic steroid abuse and educate Maryland middle and high school students, parents, coaches and...Read More

International peace worker Arthur Romano, Holocaust survivor Nesse Godin, documentary film producer Martin Doblmeier and music therapist Dr. Deforia Lane will present keynote addresses March 12-16 at Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, during the third annual Calling Conference.Read More

LONDON – A British Catholic aid agency has demanded that charges are dropped against a British activist who was arrested in Angola. Sarah Wykes, who works for the nongovernmental organization Global Witness, was taken from her hotel Feb. 18 by armed police in the oil-rich province of Cabinda and imprisoned amid accusations of espionage. She...Read More

MANILA, Philippines – Bishops in the Philippines have expressed concern over potential human rights violations which could result from an anti-terrorism bill. Bishop Martin Jumoad of Isabela said that, although he is “glad” the Human Security Act was passed by Congress, an independent body is needed to avoid such violations. “There should be another body...Read More

Eleventh-grader Mary J. Maclean, a student at Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville, was one of six winners in Maryknoll’s 2006 annual student essay contest. Mary won $300 for second place out of 4,000 students writing on the topic, “Continuing the Mission.” Students nationwide wrote about where they would go and what they would do...Read More

Samuel Chairs has always been generous supporting worthwhile causes – especially helping the poor and strengthening education. But the parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ellicott City recently decided to step it up a notch and encourage philanthropy among his seven children by donating $1 million to Catholic organizations through the Catholic Family...Read More