LUANDA, Angola – Pope Benedict XVI’s in-flight statement opposing condom distribution in AIDS prevention drew sharp criticism and was seen by many as a distraction from his main message in Africa.Read More

WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives rejected a bill June 6 that would have allowed human cloning but passed legislation the next day that would promote stem-cell research involving the destruction of human embryos.Read More

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI’s first social encyclical is already completed and should be ready for release in early May, said a top Vatican official.Read More

DETROIT – Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox will study the June 4 federal appeals court decision blocking Michigan’s Legal Birth Definition Act, and consider an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.Read More

Readers of The Catholic Review were lucky to have Daniel Medinger as editor of the newspaper for nearly 25 years, “Amazing Run” (CR, Feb. 19). His first priority was always news from parishes and schools that would be of interest and value to readers.Read More

St. Augustine School, Elkridge, Principal Patricia Schratz was challenged the morning of May 30 as she delivered opening remarks outside for the 150th birthday bash. Behind her, the hovering Baltimore Oriole bird wisecracked, kissed her head, and caused the yellow and blue-clad student body to snicker.Read More

WASHINGTON – Come June 30, 2010, there will be 52 fewer parishes in the Cleveland Diocese.Read More

WASHINGTON – The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate reports that in 2006-07 it identified more permanent deacon candidates and more students in U.S. lay ecclesial ministry programs than in the previous year.Read More