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BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) -- Libya is rapidly turning into a new front in the fight against the Islamic State group, which is heavily recruiting militants from abroad and trying to exploit years of chaos to expand its foothold in the oil-rich North African nation....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- It only took one man's death to give Congress an opening to extend its dysfunction to the rest of government....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- In a hallowed place where popes have prayed and pilgrims have flocked, mourners gathered Saturday at the nation's largest Catholic church to pay their final respects to Justice Antonin Scalia....
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The Latest on the 2016 president election and two crucial contests Saturday: South Carolina's Republican primary and Nevada's Democratic caucuses (all times local):...
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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The Holy Father on Saturday appointed His Excellency Bp. Ricardo Baccay Lingan, until now titular Bishop of Gabala and Auxiliary of Tuguegarao, the new bishop of Alaminos (Philippines). Bp. Ricardo was born on April 3, 1961 in Tuguegarao and was ordained a priest on April 10, 1987 and received Episcopal Ordination on April 10 2007.EDUCATION· Elementary – Last Central School , Tuguegarao (1966-1972)· High School – San Jacinto Seminary, Tuguegarao (1973-1978)· Philosophy – Pontifical Central Seminary, University of Santo Tomas, Manila (1982)· Theology – Pontifical Central Seminary, University of Santo Tomas, Manila (1986 )· Master of Arts in Education – ...
The Holy Father on Saturday appointed His Excellency Bp. Ricardo Baccay Lingan, until now titular Bishop of Gabala and Auxiliary of Tuguegarao, the new bishop of Alaminos (Philippines). Bp. Ricardo was born on April 3, 1961 in Tuguegarao and was ordained a priest on April 10, 1987 and received Episcopal Ordination on April 10 2007.
EDUCATION
· Elementary – Last Central School , Tuguegarao (1966-1972)
· High School – San Jacinto Seminary, Tuguegarao (1973-1978)
· Philosophy – Pontifical Central Seminary, University of Santo Tomas, Manila (1982)
· Theology – Pontifical Central Seminary, University of Santo Tomas, Manila (1986 )
· Master of Arts in Education – Lyceum of Aparri
· Ph. D. in Educational Management
MINISTRY
· 1987 – 1993 – Secretary of the Archbishop
· 1987 – Archdiocesan Director of Catechesis
· 1993 – 1999 – Parish Priest, “St. Dominic Parish”, Gataggaman, Tuguegarao
· 1999 – 2005 – Parish Priest, “Sto. Niño Parish”, San Gabriel, Tuguegarao
· 2005 - Rector of Minor Seminary, “San Jacinto Seminary”, Tuguegarao
· 2007-2009 – Member, CBCP Permanent Committee on Cultural Heritage of the Church
· 2007-2011 – Member, CBCP Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education
· 2009-present – Member, CBCP Episcopal Commission on Seminaries
· 2011-present – Member, CBCP Office on Bioethics
The Diocese of Alaminos was erected on Jan 12, 1985. It has about 420,000 inhabitants from about 84,000 households of which 83 per cent are Catholic. And ministering to this new diocese are 14 diocesan priests, 5 Columban Missionary priests, 2 Capuchin Missionaries and 58 women religious from 13 congregations. There are 19 parishes in all in the 14 municipalities that belong to the diocese. The largest of these is the Parish of Alalminos with 54,600 parishioners, followed by Bugallon with 44,000, Mangatarem with 42,000 and Bolinao with 41,000.
(Vatican Radio) This was Pope Francis’ second “Jubilee Audience” in St. Peter’s Square and he used his catechesis to focus on the Year of Mercy, especially in this season of Lent.Speaking to the thousands of pilgrims and visitors gathered on Saturday, the Holy Father said in these weeks before Easter the Church was inviting the faithful to deepen their commitment “to express God’s mercy in every aspect of their daily lives.” Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report He said that “such faithful Christian witness is our way of responding to God’s prior commitment to us, as expressed not only in his gift of creation, but above all in the sending of his Son. He went on to say that in Jesus, God committed himself to offering hope and redemption to the poor, the sick, sinners and all those in need. God, the Holy Father continued, is committed to us, his first task was to create the world, and despite our attempts t...
(Vatican Radio) This was Pope Francis’ second “Jubilee Audience” in St. Peter’s Square and he used his catechesis to focus on the Year of Mercy, especially in this season of Lent.
Speaking to the thousands of pilgrims and visitors gathered on Saturday, the Holy Father said in these weeks before Easter the Church was inviting the faithful to deepen their commitment “to express God’s mercy in every aspect of their daily lives.”
Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report
He said that “such faithful Christian witness is our way of responding to God’s prior commitment to us, as expressed not only in his gift of creation, but above all in the sending of his Son.
He went on to say that in Jesus, God committed himself to offering hope and redemption to the poor, the sick, sinners and all those in need. God, the Holy Father continued, is committed to us, his first task was to create the world, and despite our attempts to ruin it, he is committed to keeping it alive.”
Jesus, the Pope underlined “is the living expression of God’s mercy and as Christians he added, we are called to bear witness to the Gospel message of hope and solidarity.
Following his catechesis the Holy Father greeted the Italian Federation of Blood Donors (FIDAS) who are holding their Jubilee Pilgrimage.
FIDAS is using the occasion to celebrate the success of their efforts since their participation in the 2000 Jubilee with St. John Paul II.
The Federation is hoping that people will consider giving blood voluntarily during the Jubilee Year.
Concluding his Audience, Pope Francis greeted all the English-speaking pilgrims present and expressed the hope that the Jubilee of Mercy would be a moment of grace and spiritual renewal for them and for their families.
Vatican City, Feb 20, 2016 / 04:46 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Saturday Pope Francis held his second Saturday general audience of the Jubilee, encouraging pilgrims to make a daily commitment to spreading God’s mercy both in the small things, and to those most in need.“My life, my attitude, my way of living, must truly be a concrete sign that God is close to us,” the Pope said Feb. 20.He explained that this is done through “small gestures of love, tenderness and care” which show that “the Lord is with us, that he's close to us. And this is how the door of mercy opens.”Pope Francis spoke to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his second Saturday general audience for the Holy Year of Mercy.In addition to his weekly Wednesday general audiences, the Pope chose to hold an extra one once a month on a Saturday as a special initiative for the Jubilee. In his address, Francis continued his reflections on the topic of mercy as understood ...
Vatican City, Feb 20, 2016 / 04:46 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Saturday Pope Francis held his second Saturday general audience of the Jubilee, encouraging pilgrims to make a daily commitment to spreading God’s mercy both in the small things, and to those most in need.
“My life, my attitude, my way of living, must truly be a concrete sign that God is close to us,” the Pope said Feb. 20.
He explained that this is done through “small gestures of love, tenderness and care” which show that “the Lord is with us, that he's close to us. And this is how the door of mercy opens.”
Pope Francis spoke to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his second Saturday general audience for the Holy Year of Mercy.
In addition to his weekly Wednesday general audiences, the Pope chose to hold an extra one once a month on a Saturday as a special initiative for the Jubilee. In his address, Francis continued his reflections on the topic of mercy as understood through scripture, this week focusing on God’s commitment to humanity in sending Jesus.
He said that committing oneself to something means to “assume a responsibility, a task toward someone; and it also means the style, the attitude of fidelity and dedication, of special attention with which we carry forward this task.”
Each day we are asked to commit ourselves in the simple things we do, such as prayer, work and study, as well as in sports or free time, he said. “To commit ourselves, then, means to put our good will and our efforts to improve life,” Francis said, noting that God is also committed to us.
God’s first commitment to humanity was when he created the world and dedicated himself to keeping it alive “despite our efforts to ruin it – and there are many.” But God’s greatest commitment, he said, was when he gave us Jesus.
“Jesus is truly the extreme commitment that God has made toward us…this is the greatest commitment of God,” he said, adding that along with Jesus, “the Father will give us everything we need.”
Seeing this commitment in action is easy if we read the Gospel, which tells us how through Jesus, God totally committed himself to restoring hope to the poor and those deprived of their dignity, as well as to strangers, the sick, prisoners and sinners, he said.
“In all of this, Jesus was a living expression of the mercy of the Father,” the Pope continued. In off-the-cuff remarks, he underlined Jesus’ merciful attitude in his unconditional welcome of sinners with goodness.
When seen in a human way, the sinner seems like God’s enemy, he said, but noted that despite this, Jesus still “drew close to them with goodness, he loved them and he changed their hearts.”
All of us are sinners who have some sort of guilt before God, Francis said, yet the Lord still chooses to be near us in order to give us comfort, love and mercy.
“This is the commitment of God! And because of this he sent Jesus!” he said. “To draw close to us, to all of us, and to open to us the door of his love, his heart, his mercy. And this is very beautiful, very beautiful!”
Pope Francis concluded saying that in response to God’s commitment to us, we in turn must commit ourselves to spreading his love, mercy and goodness, beginning with those most in need.
He pointed to those who suffer due to abandonment, illness, a serious disability as well as those who are dying or who cannot express their gratitude.
“In all of these realities we bring the mercy of God through a life commitment, which is the testimony of our faith in Christ,” he said, and told pilgrims to always bring God’s caress to others, “because God has caressed us like this with his mercy.”
“Bring it to others, to those in need, to those who suffer in their hearts, or who are sad. Draw near to them with that caress of God, which is the same that he had with us,” he said.
He closed by praying that the Jubilee would help to open our minds and hearts so that we can “touch with our hands” the commitment God has for each person, and that our lives would be transformed “into a commitment of mercy for all.”
BEIRUT (AP) -- The main Syrian opposition group said Saturday it would be ready "in principle" to implement a provisional truce, slamming Russia and the Syrian government after a deadline set for a temporary cessation of hostilities passed and fighting continued....
