VATICAN CITY – An Italian animal rights group called on Pope Benedict XVI to stop wearing fur out of “respect for the sacredness of the lives of all living creatures.” The Italian Anti-Vivisection League made the appeal ahead of the pope’s April 22 visit to the Italian city of Pavia, where he was to receive...Read More

An exhibition on Pope John Paul II and the Jewish people will be on display at the Jewish Museum of Maryland in Baltimore from Sept 2 through Dec. 26.Read More

Regarding “USCCB group explains direct, indirect abortion” (CR, July 1), is it really Catholic doctrine that the fetus’ life must be saved and the mother sacrificed, as in case one of the story? Or is this the overly rigid interpretation of ultraconservative theologians? My understanding of Catholic doctrine is that where there is a choice,...Read More

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI encouraged today’s priests to be inspired by Christ’s sacrifice and love for others as they face their “tremendously heavy” burden of pastoral responsibilities. The pope made the comments April 5 at a chrism Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, where he led more than 1,000 priests and bishops in a...Read More

Nancy Fortier Paltell, associate director for the respect life office of the Maryland Catholic Conference, said she was “disgusted” by the Maryland Senate Finance Committee’s rejection of a bill to ban human cloning. In an 8-3 vote March 26, the committee killed the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2007, sponsored by Sen. Roy Dyson of...Read More

NEW YORK – New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan and his predecessor, Cardinal Edward M. Egan, mourned the death of New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, recalling his kindness and generosity toward various charities, including Catholic agencies.Read More

LIMA, Peru – A Peruvian judge gave a British missionary a temporary stay on a government order expelling him from the country.Read More

As more than 800 catechumens and candidates from the Archdiocese of Baltimore prepare to enter the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil, April 7, Holy Saturday morning will provide an opportunity for prayer and reflection. The elect, whose February ceremonies were cancelled because of snow, will make one final preparation at 10 a.m. during Preparation...Read More