WASHINGTON – Speaking on behalf of his fellow Catholic bishops in California, Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton praised the California Supreme Court for upholding the voters' affirmation of marriage as the union of a man and a woman, but expressed disappointment that the court permitted an estimated 18,000 same-sex couples to remain legally married.Read More

The Save Middle East Action Committee and East Baltimore Development Initiative may have clashed over plans to revitalize a troubled East Baltimore neighborhood, but both organizations agree that Baltimore’s St. Wenceslaus has been instrumental in helping them compromise. St. Wenceslaus, which is focusing on commemorating signs of hope in the community, honored the two groups...Read More

MOUNT CALVARY, Wis. – High school graduation is a long-awaited day for seniors, a time when they’re warned about tripping across the stage as they receive their diplomas in front of family and friends.Read More

APARECIDA, Brazil – With their agenda broadly outlined by Pope Benedict XVI, the bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean began the conference that will lead to pastoral guidelines for the region for the next 10-15 years. Several bishops who spoke with journalists said the pope raised many of the issues likely to be addressed...Read More

Karen Kansler was only in her early 50s, but arthritis in her hip was already robbing her of many of the greatest joys of her life. The on-the-go parishioner of St. Isaac Jogues in Carney had to give up bowling, golf and dancing. Even walking with her husband was becoming a chore.Read More

SAO PAULO, Brazil – Pope Benedict XVI addressed a stadium full of enthusiastic Brazilian young people, telling them that a life lived without moral responsibility is a life wasted. At a rally May 10 in Sao Paulo, the pope warned against sexual infidelity, drug use and unethical shortcuts to success and said the desire to...Read More

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Bishop John M. D’Arcy of Fort Wayne-South Bend May 16 made it clear that even though he would not attend the university’s commencement ceremony the next day, he was not giving up on Notre Dame.Read More

More than 200 religious education directors, catechists and priests filled the meeting room at St. John the Evangelist, Columbia, May 9 for an all day Bishop’s Summit on Confirmation, sponsored by the Division of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. “This is an opportunity to encourage and increase enthusiasm for confirmation,” said Scott Miller, coordinator of...Read More