Catholic News 2
PHOENIX (AP) -- A jury verdict against two polygamous towns in Arizona and Utah for discriminating against nonbelievers now puts the future of the communities in the hands of a judge who will have to remedy the sweeping civil rights violations....
TOKYO (AP) -- Massive joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises are a spring ritual on the Korean Peninsula guaranteed to draw a lot of threat-laced venom from Pyongyang. This time, not only are the war games the biggest ever, but the troops now massed south of the Demilitarized Zone have reportedly incorporated a new hypothetical into their training: a "beheading mission" against Kim Jong Un himself....
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:...
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Michigan is the crown jewel Tuesday as voters in four states deliver verdicts on the presidential campaign. It's the first big industrial state to weigh in, and should offer clues about how the candidates will play in important Midwest contests to come. But it will be Wednesday on the East Coast before the night's final prize gets awarded in Hawaii....
WASHINGTON-Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on everyone "concerned about the tragedy of abortion" to recommit to a "vision of life and love, a vision that excludes no one" on January 14. His statement marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Cardinal Dolan chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops."Most Americans oppose a policy allowing legal abortion for virtually any reason - though many still do not realize that this is what the Supreme Court gave us," wrote Cardinal Dolan. "Most want to protect unborn children at later stages of pregnancy, to regulate or limit the practice of abortion, and to stop the use of taxpayer dollars for the destruction of unborn children. Yet many who support important goals of the pro-life movement do not identify as 'pro-life,' a fact which should lead us to examine how we present our pro-life vision to others.""Even as Americans rema...
WASHINGTON-Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on everyone "concerned about the tragedy of abortion" to recommit to a "vision of life and love, a vision that excludes no one" on January 14. His statement marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Cardinal Dolan chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"Most Americans oppose a policy allowing legal abortion for virtually any reason - though many still do not realize that this is what the Supreme Court gave us," wrote Cardinal Dolan. "Most want to protect unborn children at later stages of pregnancy, to regulate or limit the practice of abortion, and to stop the use of taxpayer dollars for the destruction of unborn children. Yet many who support important goals of the pro-life movement do not identify as 'pro-life,' a fact which should lead us to examine how we present our pro-life vision to others."
"Even as Americans remain troubled by abortion," wrote Cardinal Dolan, a powerful and well-funded lobby holds "that abortion must be celebrated as a positive good for women and society, and those who cannot in conscience provide it are to be condemned for practicing substandard medicine and waging a 'war on women'." He said this trend was seen recently when President Obama and other Democratic leaders prevented passage of the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, "a modest measure to provide for effective enforcement" of conscience laws.
"While this is disturbing," said Cardinal Dolan, "it is also an opportunity." Pro-life Americans should reach out to "the great majority of Americans" who are "open to hearing a message of reverence for life." He added that "we who present the pro-life message must always strive to be better messengers. A cause that teaches the inexpressibly great value of each and every human being cannot show disdain or disrespect for any fellow human being." He encouraged Catholics to take part, through prayer and action, in the upcoming "9 Days for Life" campaign, January 16-24. More information on the campaign is available online: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxJwfcefUiU
He also cited the Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis as a time for women and men to find healing through the Church's Project Rachel post-abortion ministry.
The full text of Cardinal Dolan's message is available online.
---
Keywords: Roe v. Wade, anniversary, Pro-Life, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, 9 Days for Life, USCCB, U.S. bishops, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Year of Mercy, Project Rachel, Pope Francis
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT
Don Clemmer
O: 202-541-3206
WASHINGTON-The Office of General Counsel of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) filed an amicus curiae brief in the U.S. Supreme Court, February 1, on behalf of USCCB, the Texas Catholic Conference and several Christian partners in support of a Texas law mandating health and safety standards protecting women who undergo abortions. Other groups joining the brief include the National Association of Evangelicals, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. The case is Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, currently before the U.S. Supreme Court."There is ample evidence in this case that hospital admitting privileges and ambulatory surgical center requirements protect women's lives and health," said the brief. "When such requirements are not enforced, abuses detrimental to women's lives and health arise."The brief noted that some abortion clinics have decla...
"There is ample evidence in this case that hospital admitting privileges and ambulatory surgical center requirements protect women's lives and health," said the brief. "When such requirements are not enforced, abuses detrimental to women's lives and health arise."
The brief noted that some abortion clinics have declared the standards too strict, although the standards are similar to those issued by the abortion industry. It added that abortion providers "should not be allowed to rely upon their own failure to comply with health and safety laws" as a reason to strike such laws down. The brief said the providers' resistance to such regulations is not in the best interests of women's health and safety. It also noted that over 40 years of precedent, including the Court's 1992 decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, reaffirms that states may regulate abortion to protect maternal life and health.
Full text of the brief is available online: www.usccb.org/about/general-counsel/amicus-briefs/upload/Whole-Woman-s-Health-v-Hellerstedt.pdf
---
Keywords: General Counsel, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Texas law abortion, amicus curia, National Association of Evangelicals, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, U.S. Supreme Court
# # #
Catholic Bishops in Southern Africa are inviting the faithful in South Africa to acknowledge the outburst of racial issues in their country, including within the Church, and to reflect in prayer on ways of overcoming the vice.“In humility, as St. Peter confessed, we your pastors prostrate before God and before all who are in pain, ask for forgiveness for our historic complicity with racism in the Church,” the Bishops state.In a letter signed by the President of Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) Archbishop Stephen Brislin, the Bishops call for “a candid conversation on racism and its manifestations in order to adequately and seriously address racism and racial divisions in our country.”The Bishops say they realise the sensitivity of discussing issues around racism and highlight reactions from self-justification to self-righteous feelings; from “guilt and denial” on one hand; to, “on the other hand, feelings of ange...
Catholic Bishops in Southern Africa are inviting the faithful in South Africa to acknowledge the outburst of racial issues in their country, including within the Church, and to reflect in prayer on ways of overcoming the vice.
“In humility, as St. Peter confessed, we your pastors prostrate before God and before all who are in pain, ask for forgiveness for our historic complicity with racism in the Church,” the Bishops state.
In a letter signed by the President of Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) Archbishop Stephen Brislin, the Bishops call for “a candid conversation on racism and its manifestations in order to adequately and seriously address racism and racial divisions in our country.”
The Bishops say they realise the sensitivity of discussing issues around racism and highlight reactions from self-justification to self-righteous feelings; from “guilt and denial” on one hand; to, “on the other hand, feelings of anger and sadness.”
“Dialogue, rational and respectful, is necessary so that we open ourselves to receive God’s healing,” the Bishops say, invoking the Holy Spirit as guide.
“Our invitation to become part of this dialogue comes from a realisation that the Holy Spirit calls us as a country to be healed; to build and develop relationships of equality, dignity and mutual respect,” the bishops say in their pastoral letter available below and which can be downloaded from their website.
Bishops in Southern Africa Call for “a candid conversation on racism,” Ask Forgiveness for Racism in Church even within the Church in the context of the Jubilee Year of Mercy and state, “This will mean acknowledging the presence of racism in the Church before and during the apartheid era and in these years of democracy.”
Below is the full text of the Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on Racism in South Africa.
PASTORAL LETTER: SOUTHERN AFRICAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE: "A CALL TO OVERCOME RACISM"
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (Luke 4:18-19)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
We need to have a candid conversation on racism and its manifestations in order to adequately and seriously address racism and racial divisions in our country.
We realise that this is not an easy conversation, one that many of us may prefer to avoid. Our invitation to such a dialogue may in itself evoke a range of emotions, including self-justification and self-righteous feelings; or, guilt and denial; on the other hand, feelings of anger and sadness. Dialogue, rational and respectful, is necessary so that we open ourselves to receive God’s healing.
The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others was something which St. Peter and the early Church overcame through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. “Truly I now perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34-35)
Our invitation to become part of this dialogue comes from a realisation that the Holy Spirit calls us as a country to be healed; to build and develop relationships of equality, dignity and mutual respect.
In this third decade after gaining our democratic freedom and rights,
We need to address the issues of our social trauma as a country which result from the violence of centuries of colonialism and the violent decades of apartheid. We need to dialogue and work together to achieve healing as a nation.
We need to acknowledge the link between race, power and privilege.
We need to redress urgently the economic inequalities present in our society as a result of past racial discriminatory laws and practices; to allay unfounded fears and promotes justice.
Our responsibilities within the Church
In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, as Church in Southern Africa, we commit ourselves to a credible and comprehensive conversation on racism. This will mean acknowledging the presence of racism in the Church before and during the apartheid era and in these years of democracy. In humility, as St. Peter confessed, we your pastors prostrate before God and before all who are in pain, ask for forgiveness for our historic complicity with racism in the Church.
As we seek God’s mercy that comes with the Jubilee of Mercy, we challenge ourselves as your pastors and we call upon all the faithful and all people of goodwill to do all in our power to address the problem of racism in our society and in the Church. To this effect, our Conference will be adopting a process to be used in small group reflection in our dioceses and parishes engaging all in dealing with the issues of racism.
Furthermore, we encourage this open dialogue at the level of our parishes, availing parishioners of the opportunity to look at how people can grow in positive appreciation of cultural diversity and how this is expressed in the liturgy and other activities of the parish. Our experience of the Gospel call us to rejoice in diversity, to become more culturally inclusive and more enthusiastic in our appreciation of God’s gift of racial diversity. This leads us to appreciate that in our parishes, in our religious communities and in our dioceses, the glory of the body of Christ is enriched and mediated through the various rich cultural, social economic contributions that each race and all ethnic groups contribute from their basket of traditions and social identities.
Through our celebration of the Eucharist, the symbol of unity in the body of Christ, we ask the Lord to heal and transform the relationships in our dioceses and our parishes so that we become communities of faith where “there is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female.” (Galatians 3: 28).
Personal responsibility of each
If we want our conversion to contribute to the building of a South Africa freed from racism, we must strive to lead lives worthy of the Gospel (cf. Phil. 1.27; Eph. 4.1), refrain from loving only people who are just like ourselves. In loving only those who share our racial and ethnic backgrounds, we fall short of fulfilling the demands of love which the Gospel calls for. The words of our Lord challenge us that if we greet only our brothers and sisters, "what more are you doing than others? Do not even the non-believers do the same?” (Matthew 5: 47)
While reaching out to one another, in open and honest dialogue, the sacrament of Reconciliation becomes especially important and meaningful because through it we come in our sinfulness to our all merciful Father for healing and forgiveness.
A call to prayer
The task of reconciliation therefore requires watchfulness and ardent prayer on the part of each. In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we ask all parish priests and parishioners to commit themselves to a parish campaign to overcome racism, e.g. a parish prayer campaign or a family prayer, special days of prayer and fasting, co-operating with other parishes across racial lines and working with organisations promoting the dismantling of racism. We ask each parish to organise and commit themselves to do this.
May the Lord of Peace grant our nation the peace, the healing and the reconciliation that we seek. (cf. 2 Th. 3.16).
Archbishop Stephen Brislin
President of Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference
(Fr. Don Bosco Onyalla, CANAA in Nairobi)
Kansas City, Mo., Mar 8, 2016 / 12:50 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A Missouri court ruling in favor of a Catholic diocese protects the right of religious institutions to fire ministerial employees who do not live consistently with their religious beliefs.“This ruling rightly preserves the integrity of churches and religious institutions,” Jeremiah Galus, legal counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, told CNA March 2. “If churches are forced to employ people who do not follow their religious teachings, they will no longer be able to minister consistently or freely in accordance with their faith.”Galus was responding to a court ruling that the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph is free to make ministerial employment decisions without government interference and did not violate any laws by terminating employment of a woman in a same-sex marriage.“Churches should have the right to hire and fire people based on how consistently they live out their religious beliefs....
Kansas City, Mo., Mar 8, 2016 / 12:50 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A Missouri court ruling in favor of a Catholic diocese protects the right of religious institutions to fire ministerial employees who do not live consistently with their religious beliefs.
“This ruling rightly preserves the integrity of churches and religious institutions,” Jeremiah Galus, legal counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, told CNA March 2. “If churches are forced to employ people who do not follow their religious teachings, they will no longer be able to minister consistently or freely in accordance with their faith.”
Galus was responding to a court ruling that the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph is free to make ministerial employment decisions without government interference and did not violate any laws by terminating employment of a woman in a same-sex marriage.
“Churches should have the right to hire and fire people based on how consistently they live out their religious beliefs. If an employee is undermining or publicly opposing the church’s teaching, the church is within its constitutional rights to terminate employment,” Galus said.
In May 2014, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph terminated employment of Colleen Simon as director for social ministries at St. Francis Xavier Parish after she was featured in Kansas City Star’s 816 Magazine with her legal wife.
The diocese said that Simon’s same-sex marriage conflicted with Catholic Church teaching and she could no longer continue to minister in her role.
Two months later, Simon filed a lawsuit against the diocese, claiming the diocese knew she was a lesbian before hiring her in 2013 and that the new pastor of the church was also aware. She also claimed that the diocese “fraudulently” misled her to believe that her sexuality would not adversely affect her job.
However, according to a brief filed by Alliance Defending Freedom on behalf of the diocese, Simon was “fully aware that same-sex conduct could be an issue.”
“Having worked in various Diocese churches, she would have been aware of the ‘Church laws, discipline, and teaching, and the diocesan Policy on Ethics and Integrity in Ministry’ to which the Diocese adhered,” the brief states.
Last month, the Jackson County Circuit Court dismissed Simon’s fraud claim and ruled that courts must respect the First Amendment of churches and are not allowed to interfere with church practices and doctrine.
“The First Amendment does not preclude the court’s involvement in church disputes where the issue is one which deals purely with a religiously neutral civil law. Courts may exercise jurisdiction in disputes having no issues of religious doctrine, policy and practice so long as courts utilize a neutral principles-of-law approach and judges do not become entangled in questions which are essentially religious,” the decision states.
Galus said the court was not side-tracked by the plaintiff’s claim of fraud and reaffirmed U.S. Supreme Court precedent on this issue.
“This decision reaffirms a principle that the U.S. Supreme Court already established in Hosanna-Tabor, where the court unanimously ruled that federal discrimination laws do not apply to religious organizations regarding the hiring of religious leaders,” he said.
“The other side unsuccessfully tried to circumvent the ministerial exception by claiming fraud, when in reality, they were challenging the church’s decision to fire the plaintiff based on her lifestyle and her ministerial role.”
Travis Weber, director of the Center for Religious Liberty at the Family Research Council, said this ruling has far-reaching implications not just for churches but for all Americans.
“It is impermissible for the government to interfere in religious affairs. If it did, we would have an authoritarian state that would abolish religious freedom,” Weber told CNA.
“Churches, as well as private individuals, should be allowed to publicly affirm and live out their religious beliefs without government interference. Every American should support this,” he said.
“The government cannot dictate what churches or citizens should or should not believe. Thankfully, the court rightly ruled that the First Amendment prohibits this kind of authoritarian government rule.”
Weber also said that churches face a growing threat to their religious freedom because of a philosophical shift in the culture and changes in non-discrimination laws.
“Philosophically there has been a shift in our culture, which can be seen most prominently on college campuses, that rejects a biblical and traditional understanding of marriage, human sexuality and gender,” Weber said.
“Churches face a growing threat to their religious freedom because they maintain this biblical worldview. These threats are coming under non-discrimination laws, which thanks to the Obama administration now include sexual orientation and gender identity,” Weber explained.
He said that churches need knowledge and legal resources to thwart potential threats.
“Churches must be aware of these issues and when faced with a situation like in Kansas, must seek good legal counsel. This is the best way to ward off potential threats and protect their First Amendment freedoms,” Weber said.
“The reality is that churches and individuals are going to believe and live different things, and that is a good thing – not a source of contention or litigation. That is what democracy and America is all about.”
Photo credit: Minutius Hora via www.shutterstock.com
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Computers eventually will defeat human players of Go, but the beauty of the ancient Chinese game of strategy that has fascinated people for thousands of years will remain, the Go world champion said Tuesday....
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Six months after fleeing a Taliban assault on her city, the owner of an Afghan radio station devoted to women's rights is back home and returning to the airwaves....
