VATICAN CITY – Even though taking the abortion pill RU-486 may be less traumatic than a surgical abortion, it still involves the taking of an innocent human life, said Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life.Read More
Maryland Catholics are urged to rally at Lobby Night in Annapolis Feb., 19, Presidents’ Day, to learn about important public-policy initiatives and meet their elected state officials. The 23rd annual Lobby Night, sponsored by the Maryland Catholic Conference, will begin at 3 p.m. at St. Mary’s School, Marian Hall, with issue briefings. The briefings will...Read More
As Father Carl F. Cummings prepares to take on a new role as pastor of St. Jane Frances de Chantal in Pasadena, the 65-year-old Baltimorean is focused on getting to know the people of the parish.Read More
WASHINGTON – Use of the sacrament of penance makes each Catholic “an evangelist for the forgiveness of Christ and a witness to God’s wondrous mercy,” said Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl in his first pastoral letter as head of the Washington Archdiocese. Archbishop Wuerl called confession “a great gift” that offers new life in Christ. “When...Read More
The Catholic Church in her Catechism teaches, “Among the Christian faithful by divine institution there exist in the Church sacred ministers, who are also called clerics.” (#934). The exact meaning of priestly titles and offices in this divine institution, however, would develop over time. In the documents of the early church there are scattered references...Read More
As Del. Steven J. DeBoy Sr. prepared for a busy day representing Baltimore and Howard counties in the Maryland General Assembly, a group of Catholic Charities employees ushered an ex-convict into his office. The Catholic state delegate and special investigator for the Howard County Police Department sized up 51-year-old Edwin Gregory of Baltimore as he...Read More
WASHINGTON – Judge Sonia Sotomayor appeared to be headed for the Supreme Court after at least half a dozen Republican senators said at the conclusion of her confirmation hearings July 16 that they would vote to affirm her appointment to the high court.Read More
When it comes to the worth of St. Ursula School volunteers, Sister Joan Kelly, S.N.D. de N., says she could never “put a dollar figure on it.” “They help as classroom volunteers, they work in the library, and they work in the lunchroom and schoolyard,” the principal of the Parkville school said. “They assist in...Read More
ANAHEIM, Calif. – Episcopal bishops, priests and lay delegates at their church’s triennial convention in Anaheim voted July 14 to lift a moratorium on the ordination of gay and lesbian bishops that had been in place for three years.Read More
Tristan Deppe acknowledges that then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s “Introduction to Christianity” was not exactly at the top of his reading list. But the text by the future Pope Benedict XVI was just one of several weighty theological works the 16-year-old parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Baynesville, read for the first time last semester as one...Read More
VATICAN CITY – When Pope Benedict XVI gave President Barack Obama a Vatican document on bioethics, he was trying to be clear with him about church teaching and open a path to further dialogue, the Vatican spokesman said.Read More
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Catholic Campaign for Human Development has been waging a new media campaign to raise awareness in the nation, especially among the nation's Catholics, about the extent and impact of poverty in America. "Right now in America 37 million people are working to become independent while struggling to afford the very basics...Read More