WARSAW, Poland – Poland’s Catholic bishops criticized legislators’ rejection of proposed constitutional amendments that would have protected life from the moment of conception. “Arbitrary parliamentary arithmetic has won the upper hand over each person’s elementary right to life,” said the bishops in a statement April 13. “The church in Poland will go on supporting actions...Read More
VATICAN CITY – In his new volume on “Jesus of Nazareth,” Pope Benedict XVI presents the passion and resurrection of Christ as history-changing events that answer humanity’s unceasing need to be reconciled with God.Read More
Several pro-life groups held a candlelight vigil Nov. 11 near the Baltimore hotel where the U.S. bishops were conducting their fall general assembly, protesting statements made by some Catholic leaders who called the victorious campaign of President-elect Barack Obama a step forward in stamping out racism.Read More
BEIJING – China’s one-child policy, begun nearly 30 years ago, still provides pastoral challenges and is taking a toll on vocations, said some Chinese church leaders. Auxiliary Bishop Paul Pei Junmin of Liaoning said that, in the past, the diocese used to have 20 young men and women enter the seminary and convent each year,...Read More
One of the late Henry Tom’s most interesting characteristics was that, for a man of words, he was a man of few words. As Dean Smith cited (CR, Feb. 10) Henry wrote the book on pastoral planning, a process through which faith communities strive to align their actions with their beliefs. That is how Henry...Read More
BALTIMORE – The historic significance of the election of President-elect Barack Obama dominated the Nov. 10 opening address of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ fall general assembly in Baltimore.Read More
VATICAN CITY – The working world must not just be about competition and productivity; today’s workers must also make room for charity and defending human dignity, said Pope Benedict XVI. “Today more than ever it’s urgent and necessary” to live as Christians in the workplace and to become “apostles among workers,” the pope said. “Becoming...Read More
VATICAN CITY – After 40 years of formal Catholic-Jewish dialogue, leaders in the movement feel an obligation to listen to and support their younger members as they face new concerns and prepare to continue the dialogue.Read More
I read Michael Madden’s response (CR, Oct. 16) to my letter, which stated that I was incorrect when I said Congress “prepares the budget.” Let’s look at the recent so-called “bail out” bill that the President sent to Congress which was three pages long and rejected by Congress. However, when a 400-plus page bill designed...Read More
MIAMI – Calling U.S. immigration policy toward Haitians “totally immoral,” Archbishop John C. Favalora of Miami has urged “the powers that be” to grant temporary protected status to all Haitian migrants until the political and economic situation in their island nation stabilizes. He also pleaded for the immediate release from detention of 101 Haitians –...Read More
Mark J. Potter Executive Director, Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust Inc. “Cardinal Keeler recognized early on in his episcopacy the responsibility that he had as steward of the Basilica of the Assumption. The cardinal realized that by concentrating on the basilica’s rich history, he could give the church a bright future. Through the recently...Read More
WASHINGTON – Catholics pretty much voted the way the rest of the country did Nov. 4, even backing Democratic Sen. Barack Obama a little more strongly than the electorate overall, according to exit polls.Read More