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GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) -- Republican presidential candidates jousted over immigration and foreign policy in a raucous debate that was shaken by the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia hours before they took the stage....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Antonin Scalia, the influential conservative and most provocative member of the Supreme Court, has died, leaving the high court without its conservative majority and setting up an ideological confrontation over his successor in the maelstrom of a presidential election year. Scalia was 79....
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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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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Mexico City, Mexico, Feb 13, 2016 / 05:52 pm (CNA).- After Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Francis spent some time in prayer before the image of Our Lady. The Pontiff offered a bouquet of yellow flowers and sat praying silently for about 20 minutes before the image of the tilma of the Virgin of Guadalupe in the so-called "dressing room" of the Virgin of Guadalupe.A few minutes before, the Pope blessed a crown for Our Lady of Guadalupe, which was placed to near the flowers.Pope Francis is in Mexico Feb. 12-17. It is his first papal visit to the country. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">El <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PapaFrancisco?src=hash">#PapaFrancisco</a> se despide de la Virgen de Guadalupe <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PapaEnMex?src=hash">#PapaEnMex</a> <a href="https://...
Mexico City, Mexico, Feb 13, 2016 / 05:52 pm (CNA).- After Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Francis spent some time in prayer before the image of Our Lady.
The Pontiff offered a bouquet of yellow flowers and sat praying silently for about 20 minutes before the image of the tilma of the Virgin of Guadalupe in the so-called "dressing room" of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
A few minutes before, the Pope blessed a crown for Our Lady of Guadalupe, which was placed to near the flowers.
Pope Francis is in Mexico Feb. 12-17. It is his first papal visit to the country.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">El <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PapaFrancisco?src=hash">#PapaFrancisco</a> se despide de la Virgen de Guadalupe <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PapaEnMex?src=hash">#PapaEnMex</a> <a href="https://t.co/S0XhkphWiU">https://t.co/S0XhkphWiU</a> <a href="https://t.co/20o12E9ccK">https://t.co/20o12E9ccK</a></p>— ACI Prensa (@aciprensa) <a href="https://twitter.com/aciprensa/status/698677588043157504">February 14, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Mexico City, Mexico, Feb 13, 2016 / 07:41 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Upon arriving in Mexico the evening of Feb. 12, Pope Francis traveled to the Apostolic Nunciature, where he spent the night– but not without a surprise.Shortly after arriving, the Pope came out to greet the crowds, speaking in a short, unscheduled address about the Blessed Mother.With hundreds of people gathered, the Holy Father spent about 10 minutes addressing the crowd. He prayed with them and blessed them.Francis asked those present to pray “for the people that I love and also for those that I do not love and for those that are angry, jealous or envious.” The Pope also asked for prayers to the Mother of God for those that “have harmed us” so that the “Lord may give us the strength” to forgive them. The Holy Father then gave his blessing and reminded those gathered that “tomorrow is Saturday, it is a day that’s kind of free and then the day after is Sunda...
Mexico City, Mexico, Feb 13, 2016 / 07:41 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Upon arriving in Mexico the evening of Feb. 12, Pope Francis traveled to the Apostolic Nunciature, where he spent the night– but not without a surprise.
Shortly after arriving, the Pope came out to greet the crowds, speaking in a short, unscheduled address about the Blessed Mother.
With hundreds of people gathered, the Holy Father spent about 10 minutes addressing the crowd. He prayed with them and blessed them.
Francis asked those present to pray “for the people that I love and also for those that I do not love and for those that are angry, jealous or envious.”
The Pope also asked for prayers to the Mother of God for those that “have harmed us” so that the “Lord may give us the strength” to forgive them.
The Holy Father then gave his blessing and reminded those gathered that “tomorrow is Saturday, it is a day that’s kind of free and then the day after is Sunday which is a day of rest and we have a lot of activities. We have to all be rested.”
“Tomorrow we will get together again, but do not forget, while on the way home and before going to sleep, remember what I told you: the people that we love, those that we do not, and those that have harmed us so that the Virgen may bless them.
“Good night, rest well, and may God Bless you,” Francis concluded.
Pope Francis' Feb. 12-17 trip to Mexico is his first as pontiff. He is the third Pope to visit the nation: St. John Paul II visited Mexico five times over the course of his 27 year pontificate, and Benedict XVI in 2012.
IMAGE: CNS/Paul HaringBy Junno Arocho EstevesMEXICO CITY (CNS) -- PopeFrancis fulfilled his much-desired wish to pray in silence before themiraculous image of Our Lady of GuadalupeAfter celebrating thefirst Mass of his papal trip to Mexico Feb. 13, the pope made his way to the"camarin" ("little room") behind the main altar of thebasilica dedicated to Mary.The miraculous mantle,which normally faces the congregation, can be turned around to allow a closerand more private moment of veneration.Laying a bouquet ofyellow roses in front of the image, the pope sat down in prayerful silence witheyes closed and head bowed. After roughly 20 minutes, the pope stood up, laidhis hand on the image and departed from the small room.About 12,000 peoplepacked the basilica for the papal Mass and another 30,000 were watching on screensset up in the outercourtyard. Built in 1976, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is located nearTepeyac hill, the site of Mary's apparitions to St. Juan Diego in 1531. ...
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring
By Junno Arocho Esteves
MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis fulfilled his much-desired wish to pray in silence before the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe
After celebrating the first Mass of his papal trip to Mexico Feb. 13, the pope made his way to the "camarin" ("little room") behind the main altar of the basilica dedicated to Mary. The miraculous mantle, which normally faces the congregation, can be turned around to allow a closer and more private moment of veneration.
Laying a bouquet of yellow roses in front of the image, the pope sat down in prayerful silence with eyes closed and head bowed. After roughly 20 minutes, the pope stood up, laid his hand on the image and departed from the small room.
About 12,000 people packed the basilica for the papal Mass and another 30,000 were watching on screens set up in the outer courtyard. Built in 1976, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is located near Tepeyac hill, the site of Mary's apparitions to St. Juan Diego in 1531. With some 12 million people visiting each year, it is Catholicism's most popular Marian shrine.
In his homily, the pope reflected on the Gospel reading, which recalled Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Mary's humility in saying "yes" to God's will, he said, is a response "which prompted her to give the best of herself, going forth to meet others."
That very humility also led her to appear to a poor indigenous man, he said. "Just as she made herself present to little Juan, so too she continues to reveal herself to all of us, especially to those who feel -- like him -- 'worthless,'" the pope said.
Recalling the miraculous appearance of Mary's image, Pope Francis noted that through such a miracle, "Juan experienced in his own life what hope is, what the mercy of God is."
The pope said that despite the indigenous saint's feelings of inadequacy, Mary chose him to "oversee, care for, protect and promote the building of this shrine."
"In this way, she managed to awaken something he did not know how to express, a veritable banner of love and justice: no one could be left out in the building of that other shrine: the shrine of life, the shrine of our communities, our societies and our cultures," he said.
God's true shrine, he added, is the life of his children, especially young people without a future, the elderly who are often unacknowledged and forgotten and families lacking even the most basic necessities.
"The shrine of God is the faces of the many people we encounter each day," the pope said.
Pope Francis said that those who suffer do not weep in vain and their sufferings are a silent prayer that rises to heaven, "always finding a place in Mary's mantle."
Like St. Juan Diego, Christians are called to be Mary's ambassadors and console those who are overwhelmed by trials and sufferings, he said.
"'Am I not your mother? Am I not here with you?' Mary says this to us again. Go and build my shrine, help me to lift up the lives of my sons and daughters, your brothers and sisters," the pope said.
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RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- Before her son was born, Danielle Alves didn't know Luiz Gustavo would have microcephaly, a condition that has left the 3-year-old so disabled he can't walk, talk or eat without help....
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Pope Francis heads into the capital's crime-ridden suburb of Ecatepec on Sunday to see firsthand the reality of the Mexican "periphery," where drug violence, gangland-style executions and kidnappings are daily facts of life....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama declared Saturday night he would seek to fill the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, charging into a heated and likely prolonged election-year fight with Republicans. Obama said a nomination was "bigger than any one party."...
