Catholic News 2
NEW YORK (AP) -- If you like this kind of thing, odds are you'll want to cancel weekend plans and binge on "Fuller House."...
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) -- The Syrian government and the main umbrella for Syrian opposition and rebel groups announced Tuesday their conditional acceptance of a proposed U.S.-Russian cease fire that the international community hopes will bring them back to the negotiating table in Geneva for talks to end the war....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. officials say the Pentagon's long-awaited plan to shut down the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and transfer the remaining detainees to a facility in the United States calls for up to $475 million in construction costs that would ultimately be offset by as much as $180 million per year in operating cost savings....
ELKO, Nevada (AP) -- Republican presidential candidates took last-minute appeals for support across the breadth of Nevada, jockeying for votes with unabashed critiques of their White House rivals....
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.
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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
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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
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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
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(Vatican Radio) Germany and France have urged Ukraine to overcome political turmoil and move ahead with reforms needed to revive the economy and carry out the Minsk peace agreement amid reports of new deadly clashes in the east. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault came to Kiev at a time when the country faces its biggest political crisis since the ouster of the pro-Russian president after bloody protests in 2014.Now two years later, the West has expressed frustration over a perceived lack of reforms, including ongoing corruption, and the ongoing fighting in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russian backed separatists that has killed more than 9,000 people, including several servicemen and others in recent days and weeks.Click below to hear the report from correspondent Stefan Bos Germany minister Steinmeier made clear it wasn't fair to blame only Russia for the stalemate. "We need support from ...
(Vatican Radio) Germany and France have urged Ukraine to overcome political turmoil and move ahead with reforms needed to revive the economy and carry out the Minsk peace agreement amid reports of new deadly clashes in the east. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault came to Kiev at a time when the country faces its biggest political crisis since the ouster of the pro-Russian president after bloody protests in 2014.
Now two years later, the West has expressed frustration over a perceived lack of reforms, including ongoing corruption, and the ongoing fighting in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russian backed separatists that has killed more than 9,000 people, including several servicemen and others in recent days and weeks.
Click below to hear the report from correspondent Stefan Bos
Germany minister Steinmeier made clear it wasn't fair to blame only Russia for the stalemate. "We need support from the Russian side to implement this Minsk peace deal and convince separatists to go along, but we also need Ukraine's domestic policy, especially in light of the turbulence's of the last weeks and calls for the prime minister to step down," he said.
"The discussions regarding resuming the course of reforms make it important for us to talk to the people who are responsible, with the important actors, in Kiev."
COALITION UNDER PRESSURE
Several parties and officials have recently left the troubled coalition citing a lack of reforms. However the West fears early elections could lead to more turmoil. That's why French Foreign Minister Ayrault expressed hope that a solution will be find. "We will support Ukraine, we will support the implementation of reforms in Ukraine. We will keep on asking for the implementation of the Minsk agreements. This is the message we will send to Kiev...," he added.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said he understood concerns over the lack of a ceasefire, but also made clear that Kiev expects the European Union to open its borders. "Let me start with the large scale and real ceasefire on the ground which is to be established by Russian proxies and Russian militants and Russian military," he said.
"Unity is a key issue for all of us. Unity between Ukraine and the European Union...We expect that the EU is to grant a vise-free regime for the Ukrainian people. The Parliament already passed legislation which is needed and the final report of the European Commission clearly says that Ukraine fulfilled already all necessary pre-conditions for the visa-free regime. So this will be a real tangible result," the minister stressed.
His talks with the German and French ministers came after the International Monetary Fund warned told Ukraine that it must enact promised reforms and root out corruption or risk losing the support of the financial organization.
The IMF -- the main source of rescue financing for cash-trapped Ukraine -- has a $17.5 billion bailout program for the country on condition the government enacts economic reforms and fights corruption.
(Vatican Radio) Millions of residents of India’s capital city, Delhi, remain without water, despite an agreement reached between government authorities and members of the Jat community, who have been protesting in neighbouring Haryana state for three days, during which at least 15 people have been killed.Click below to hear our report Sixteen million people live in Delhi, and around three-fifths of the city's water is supplied by the Munak canal, which runs through Haryana.The army took back control of the Munak canal on Monday after Jat protesters seized it as part of their agitation for inclusion in caste quotas for jobs and education opportunities that have been available to lower castes since 1991.Jats are currently listed as upper caste, and are a large and politically influential community within Haryana, holding a third of the 90 state assembly seats.Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra said the “crisis was still not over” and urged people to use water ca...
(Vatican Radio) Millions of residents of India’s capital city, Delhi, remain without water, despite an agreement reached between government authorities and members of the Jat community, who have been protesting in neighbouring Haryana state for three days, during which at least 15 people have been killed.
Click below to hear our report
Sixteen million people live in Delhi, and around three-fifths of the city's water is supplied by the Munak canal, which runs through Haryana.
The army took back control of the Munak canal on Monday after Jat protesters seized it as part of their agitation for inclusion in caste quotas for jobs and education opportunities that have been available to lower castes since 1991.
Jats are currently listed as upper caste, and are a large and politically influential community within Haryana, holding a third of the 90 state assembly seats.
Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra said the “crisis was still not over” and urged people to use water carefully.
As private sector employment opportunities have disappeared and farming incomes have declined, the Jat community has begun demanding inclusion on special caste status lists to enable them to secure government jobs.
In March 2014 the Congress-led national government said it would re-categorise Jats in order to facilitate access to government jobs under the quota system in place, but India’s Supreme Court blocked the reclassification in 2015.
Vatican City, Feb 23, 2016 / 12:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- As the process of reforming the Vatican's communications is carried out, Fr. Federico Lombardi will step down as director of Vatican Radio at the end of the month, though he will continue to serve as director of the Holy See press office.A Feb. 22 communique from the Secretariat for Communications announced the decision, and that Alberto Gasbarri, director of administration at Vatican Radio, will also be leaving his post.Neither Gasbarri nor Fr. Lombardi, who has served Vatican Radio for 25 years, will be replaced. Gasbarri had coordinated papal trips for 40 years.The head of the Secretariat for Communications appointed Giacomo Ghisani, deputy director of the secretariat, as Vatican Radio's interim legal representative and director of administration.Ghisani's appointment is meant to ensure Vatican Radio's “ordinary administration within the current context of review and restructuring of the Vatican’s...
Vatican City, Feb 23, 2016 / 12:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- As the process of reforming the Vatican's communications is carried out, Fr. Federico Lombardi will step down as director of Vatican Radio at the end of the month, though he will continue to serve as director of the Holy See press office.
A Feb. 22 communique from the Secretariat for Communications announced the decision, and that Alberto Gasbarri, director of administration at Vatican Radio, will also be leaving his post.
Neither Gasbarri nor Fr. Lombardi, who has served Vatican Radio for 25 years, will be replaced. Gasbarri had coordinated papal trips for 40 years.
The head of the Secretariat for Communications appointed Giacomo Ghisani, deputy director of the secretariat, as Vatican Radio's interim legal representative and director of administration.
Ghisani's appointment is meant to ensure Vatican Radio's “ordinary administration within the current context of review and restructuring of the Vatican’s media operations.”
Gasbarri’s post as organizer of papal trips is to be taken over by Msgr. Marcelo Rueda Beltz, an official of the Secretariat of State.
Vatican Radio's director of programs, Fr. Andrzej Majewski, will continue to manage news for the service.
The personnel changes are part of the reform and unification of Vatican media being undertaken by the Secretariat for Communications, which was established in June 2015 with Pope Francis' motu proprio The current context of communications.
The editorial department of the Secretariat for Communications will likely take over direction of Vatican Radio, and at the same time will manage the delivery of news and image contents for Vatican Television.
At the moment, no director for the editorial department has been appointed yet, while the directors of the other departments were appointed Feb. 9.
The Secretariat for Communications includes other two departments: the Theological-Pastoral department, headed by Natasha Govekar; and the Technology Department, chaired by Francesco Masci, who had previously been responsible for the technical side of the Vatican's internet service.
Govekar's department is to take over the functions of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, and the technology department is to centralize on one platform all the Vatican's media departments.
According to a source who took part in the reform process, there will be a new website which will include both radio and television content.
The Secretariat for Communications' editorial department will be in charge of news content.
The secretariat is meant to unify all the Vatican's media branches, which include the Pontifical Council for Social Communications; the Holy See Press Office; the Vatican Internet Service; Vatican Radio; Vatican Television; L’Osservatore Romano; Vatican Typography; the photo service; and Vatican Publishing House.
Vatican Radio and Vatican Television are to be unified this year. The communique from the Secretariat for Communications noted that the two bodies already share resources and jointly provide some services.
The communique adds that “the task that awaits us offers a great opportunity to evaluate in both entities the areas of excellence and our patrimony of multilingualism and multiculturalism.”
ZURICH (AP) -- Sepp Blatter's long-awaited book about his life at FIFA is expected to be published within days....
