Page 1808 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

If advertising weren’t effective, it wouldn’t be so pervasive. Part of the pervasiveness of advertising lies in the fact that with so many ads out there – not only on TV but billboards, signs, online and other electronic media – some eye-catching gimmick has to be used to lure folks to the message.

Efforts to protect religious freedom around world mark 10th year

WASHINGTON – With the daily news from Capitol Hill focused on the often-combative process of passing legislation to reform immigration, fund the war in Iraq or even reauthorize the farm bill, it’s refreshing to look back at another carefully negotiated bill that took a less contentious course.

Diocese exploring how to develop a ministry to homosexuals

TUCSON, Ariz. – The Diocese of Tucson will develop a ministry to homosexuals, Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas said in a column in his diocesan newspaper, “The New Vision.” In the May edition of the paper, Bishop Kicanas said he thinks the church should be doing more to minister to people with a same-sex orientation than the approach he and his priests’ council settled upon several years ago.

Papal honors presented to 19 in the archdiocese

A lawyer, a member of the second deacon class of the archdiocese, the president of a Catholic hospital and an administrator for Stella Maris in Timonium, are among 19 individuals in the Archdiocese of Baltimore who have been awarded papal honors. Cardinal William H. Keeler will present the awards at a special ceremony June 24, at 6 p.m., at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Homeland.

Cool under pressure: Papal guards handle many pilgrims discreetly

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI’s security guards are known for composure under pressure, and they showed it when a deranged German tried to jump onto the pope’s jeep at a general audience. Within seconds, 11 Vatican plainclothes agents – Swiss Guards and policemen – subdued the 27-year-old man and pinned him to the ground. He was unarmed, and the pope was unharmed in the June 6 incident. The whole thing happened so quickly and quietly that it went unnoticed by most people in the square, including the pope. No guns were drawn and no alarms were sounded. The pope’s jeep never sped up, and most of the faithful, even those right in front of the scene, just kept snapping pictures of the pontiff.

U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services has new headquarters

WASHINGTON – When Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien approved plans in 2005 to move the military archdiocese’s headquarters from its location at The Catholic University of America’s Theological College, he and his staff hoped a new building would raise the profile of an archdiocese that serves one of the Catholic Church’s largest populations. The end result was moving in March to a renovated 30,000-square-foot building just blocks away from the Catholic University campus in Washington.

Australian cardinal says he regrets vote for therapeutic cloning

SYDNEY, Australia – Cardinal George Pell of Sydney said he regrets the passage of a therapeutic cloning initiative by the New South Wales state parliament.

German man sent for treatment after jumping toward papal jeep

VATICAN CITY – A 27-year-old German man was forced to undergo immediate psychiatric treatment June 6 after he jumped over a barrier in St. Peter’s Square and reached the back of the open jeep in which Pope Benedict XVI was riding. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, refused to release the man’s name but said he was in a Rome psychiatric facility by 2:30 p.m., about four hours after being tackled to the ground by Vatican police. The man was first taken to the Vatican police station and questioned by Gianluigi Marrone, a Vatican judge, Father Lombardi said.

Pope publicly calls on G-8 leaders to increase development aid

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI publicly called on the leaders of the world’s richest nations to keep their promises to increase development aid.

State attorney general to review block on partial-birth abortion ban

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.

Maryland bishops write pastoral letter on care of sick and dying

In an age when medical technology makes it possible to extend human life far beyond what was previously possible, the nine active Catholic bishops serving Maryland have completed a new pastoral letter aimed at helping Catholics apply their faith to end-of-life decisions.

Cardinal Keeler, Catholic leaders say letter will help decision-making