WASHINGTON – The bishop of Tyler, Texas, has concluded that Catholic hospitals in his diocese have violated ethical directives by performing sterilizations.
WASHINGTON – The bishop of Tyler, Texas, has concluded that Catholic hospitals in his diocese have violated ethical directives by performing sterilizations.

This is not your grandfather’s hospital. From private patient rooms furnished with sleeper sofas, to a refurbished chapel, to the kinetic sculpture in the main lobby, St. Joseph Medical Center is celebrating a monumental opening.
I am always pleased to read Tony Magliano’s articles. He writes in a clear and concise style which helps to educate his readers. Also, I feel that his passion about the issues that we face as Catholics in America today comes through and can spur readers on to action. Please continue to print his articles.
It has been very interesting to see the responses and reactions to my letter (CR, Nov. 20), as well as others in support of the sanctity of life. Sadly, from too many of the letters, it is clear that there are those who apparently consider themselves to be Catholic, who do not know what the church actually teaches, or God spare us, dismiss it and seem to follow party politics rather than to obey the authority of the church. Many issues were distorted in an attempt to justify support for the culture of death, which now has a prominent face in the person of the president-elect as well as all of his appointments who will pollute policy and the courts for generations to come.
VATICAN CITY – While theologians can make valuable contributions to society’s reflections on justice, peace and ecology, their main task is to reflect on the truth of Christian revelation and not simply its practical applications, Pope Benedict XVI said.

VATICAN CITY – The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow, died Dec. 5 at his home outside the Russian capital. He was 79.
YAN’AN, China – Carbon monoxide poisoning, apparently from burning coal in a school dormitory in Shaanxi province, killed 11 Catholic girls ages 8-10 and left a 12th girl in a coma.

BOSTON – The prayers of family and friends and the rosary helped a Brockton couple endure a 15-hour ordeal waiting to be rescued from their room in the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, India, which came under siege from terrorists Nov. 26.
VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI asked the knights and dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem to continue praying and working to help Christians in the Holy Land, who are “burdened by an uncertain and dangerous climate.”

UNITED NATIONS – A U.S. nun who was murdered in 2005 while she worked to defend the rights of poor farmers in the Brazilian Amazon region has been named a recipient of a prestigious U.N. human rights prize.

ATLANTA – As a young Jesuit, Father John Dear chose to add his own vow of nonviolence to his order’s required vows of obedience, poverty and chastity.
VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI warned young people of some of the dangers provoked by new computer technologies.
