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SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -- Three inmates planned their escape from a California jail for at least six months then abducted a taxi driver and drove to Northern California, where two of the fugitives argued about killing him, authorities said Monday....
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -- Two Virginia Tech students who had bright futures appeared before a judge Monday in the death of a seventh-grade girl who was active on social media and apparently climbed out her bedroom window....
GENEVA (AP) -- The World Health Organization declared a global emergency over the explosive spread of the Zika virus, which has been linked to birth defects in the Americas, calling it is an "extraordinary event" that poses a public health threat to other parts of the world....
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- ...
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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(Vatican Radio) Thousands of religious gathered in the Paul VI hall on Monday for an audience with Pope Francis concluding the Year for Consecrated Life.Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report At the heart of Pope Francis’ address to the men and women religious were three words, prophesy, proximity and hope.Putting aside his prepared remarks, the Pope spoke directly to those present about obedience and how difficult it is to be obedient all the time. That level of obedience, the Holy Father said, was what the Son of God had. But he added, that there were some religious men and women who had a high level of obedience and underlined that this gift from the heart was in its nature prophesy.Turning his attention to the second word proximity, the Pope stressed how important it was for those consecrated persons to reach out to both Christians and non-Christians, in their sufferings, their problems.The Holy Father also renewed is warning against the damage that can be caused by gos...
(Vatican Radio) Thousands of religious gathered in the Paul VI hall on Monday for an audience with Pope Francis concluding the Year for Consecrated Life.
Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report
At the heart of Pope Francis’ address to the men and women religious were three words, prophesy, proximity and hope.
Putting aside his prepared remarks, the Pope spoke directly to those present about obedience and how difficult it is to be obedient all the time. That level of obedience, the Holy Father said, was what the Son of God had. But he added, that there were some religious men and women who had a high level of obedience and underlined that this gift from the heart was in its nature prophesy.
Turning his attention to the second word proximity, the Pope stressed how important it was for those consecrated persons to reach out to both Christians and non-Christians, in their sufferings, their problems.
The Holy Father also renewed is warning against the damage that can be caused by gossip in the religious life. He again compared the gossiping religious to a terrorist who throws a bomb into the middle of their community.
Finally, focusing on the word hope, the Pope said having hope was at times difficult for him, especially when it comes to vocations. He described his sadness hearing about orders and monasteries with few religious or communities where the priests and nuns were getting older without people to carry on their work. He also underlined that prayer not money was the answer to an increase in candidates to the consecrated life. Thanking in particular nuns for the work they do, the Pope said, “what would the Church be like without nuns.”
The Year for Consecrated Life concludes on February 2nd with a Mass in St Peter’s Basilica presided over by the Holy Father.
(Vatican Radio) The death toll from the attack by Islamist militant group Boko Haram near Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri has risen to 85, and many of the injured are in critical condition.Security and medical officials said the remains of a dozen victims were burnt beyond recognition in Saturday's attack when militants opened fire on residents, set fire to houses and targeted a crowd with suicide bombers.The attack was perpetrated against the community of Dalori in Borno State.It was the third attack this week suspected to have been carried out by the insurgent group - and the most deadly. Father Patrick Alumuku, director of communications of Abuja Diocese told Linda Bordoni that Nigerians feel the international community should provide support in this difficult time.Listen to the interview: Fr Alumuku explains that since it started losing control of territory thanks to intensified military action and a new strategy, Boko Haram has reverted to hit-an...
(Vatican Radio) The death toll from the attack by Islamist militant group Boko Haram near Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri has risen to 85, and many of the injured are in critical condition.
Security and medical officials said the remains of a dozen victims were burnt beyond recognition in Saturday's attack when militants opened fire on residents, set fire to houses and targeted a crowd with suicide bombers.
The attack was perpetrated against the community of Dalori in Borno State.
It was the third attack this week suspected to have been carried out by the insurgent group - and the most deadly.
Father Patrick Alumuku, director of communications of Abuja Diocese told Linda Bordoni that Nigerians feel the international community should provide support in this difficult time.
Listen to the interview:
Fr Alumuku explains that since it started losing control of territory thanks to intensified military action and a new strategy, Boko Haram has reverted to hit-and-run attacks on villages as well as suicide bombings on places of worship or markets.
Borno State is the heartland of the seven-year insurgency that seeks to establish an Islamist state.
Alumuku speaks of the over 2 million people who have been displaced, tens of thousands of them forced to seek shelter in camps near the city of Maiduguri and even as far away as Abuja.
He says that only the Church and other small groups are helping support the thousands of people in the camps.
Alumuku says the Cardinal of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan as well as the bishops and priests have visited the displaced and continue to do what they can providing food and other basic necessities.
He speaks of the feeling of isolation and lack of support Nigerians feel as neither the international community of the African Unity is offering support or solidarity.
"Many feel that at a moment such as this we have been abandoned by the international community - if you could only see what the diplaced people are going through..." he says.
And as for the African Union, he says that when there are crises in other nations it is the Nigerian community that helps out, and so now "with the great amount of difficulties the goverrnment has had to counter the insurgency, prevent the spread of violence and try to provide some support to the displaced the African community could do much more, no matter how little".
By Junno Arocho EstevesROME (CNS) -- Hundreds of thousands of people gathered inRome's Circus Maximus to protest against a proposed bill that would grant legalrecognition to nonmarriedheterosexual and homosexual couples and give them the right to adopt children.Althoughnot officially sponsored by the Catholic Church or any other religious group,the rally Jan. 30 did include men and women religious and at least one Italianbishop. Most of the participants were families, many carrying signs defendingthe rights of children to be raised by both a mother and a father. The legislation, known in Italy as the "Cirinna" bill, includes a proposedclause that would allow for a nonbiological parent in a homosexual union toadopt a child conceived by his or her partner, either through artificialinsemination or with a surrogate mother. The event's organizer, Massimo Gandolfini, told the crowdthat the rally's aim was not "to make war against anyone" and thattraditional families are the backbone of s...
By Junno Arocho Esteves
ROME (CNS) -- Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Rome's Circus Maximus to protest against a proposed bill that would grant legal recognition to nonmarried heterosexual and homosexual couples and give them the right to adopt children.
Although not officially sponsored by the Catholic Church or any other religious group, the rally Jan. 30 did include men and women religious and at least one Italian bishop. Most of the participants were families, many carrying signs defending the rights of children to be raised by both a mother and a father.
The legislation, known in Italy as the "Cirinna" bill, includes a proposed clause that would allow for a nonbiological parent in a homosexual union to adopt a child conceived by his or her partner, either through artificial insemination or with a surrogate mother.
The event's organizer, Massimo Gandolfini, told the crowd that the rally's aim was not "to make war against anyone" and that traditional families are the backbone of society.
"The family cannot become a neglected institution; it is precisely the family that keeps our society standing," he told the crowd.
The "Family Day" rally, which is credited with leading to the defeat of a similar civil union bill in 2007, received endorsements from Catholic leaders and politicians in the country.
According to the Italian newspaper La Stampa, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco of Genoa, the head of the Italian bishop's conference, said Jan. 17 the rally was "absolutely necessary." Days before the legislation was to be debated on the Senate floor, Cardinal Bagnasco also addressed concerns over the proposed bill, saying that the Italian constitution must be "appreciated and cherished."
"Children have a right to be raised by a mother and a father. The family is an anthropological fact, not ideological," he said.
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Copyright © 2016 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. www.catholicnews.com. All rights reserved. Republishing or redistributing of CNS content, including by framing or similar means without prior permission, is prohibited. You may link to stories on our public site. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To request permission for republishing or redistributing of CNS content, please contact permissions at cns@catholicnews.com.
By Cindy WoodenVATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although the number is not high, it isno longer "exceptional" to have priests turn down an appointment asbishop, said Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation forBishops.Speaking Feb. 1 about the annual course his office sponsorsfor new bishops, the cardinal was asked about rumors that more and more priestsare saying they do not want to be a bishop and declining an appointment evenwhen the pope, on the recommendation of Cardinal Ouellet's office, has chosenthem."Yes, that's true. Nowadays you have people who do notaccept the appointment," he said, adding that he would not providestatistics on how often it happens, although he insisted the number was nothuge.Priests decline for a variety of reasons, Cardinal Ouelletsaid, pointing to the example of a priest who was chosen, but then informed thecongregation that he had cancer and had not told others of his illness."It was a sign of responsibility not to accept the appointment," h...
By Cindy Wooden
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although the number is not high, it is no longer "exceptional" to have priests turn down an appointment as bishop, said Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
Speaking Feb. 1 about the annual course his office sponsors for new bishops, the cardinal was asked about rumors that more and more priests are saying they do not want to be a bishop and declining an appointment even when the pope, on the recommendation of Cardinal Ouellet's office, has chosen them.
"Yes, that's true. Nowadays you have people who do not accept the appointment," he said, adding that he would not provide statistics on how often it happens, although he insisted the number was not huge.
Priests decline for a variety of reasons, Cardinal Ouellet said, pointing to the example of a priest who was chosen, but then informed the congregation that he had cancer and had not told others of his illness. "It was a sign of responsibility not to accept the appointment," he said.
Others decline because of something in their past or because they think they cannot handle the responsibility, he said. In the latter case, he said, "normally we insist" because often people are not the best judges of their own abilities. But when a person makes "a decision in conscience," the Vatican respects that.
As for the type of priests Pope Francis and the congregation are looking for as candidates, Cardinal Ouellet said the pope "has insisted on the pastoral quality of the bishops. That's very clear. It does not mean that they do not have to be masters of the faith because a bishops is, first and foremost, the first teacher of the faith in his diocese."
"But the capacity to relate to people, to establish dialogue, to start from the point where people are -- this is a quality that is also requested," the cardinal said.
Pope Francis' "charism is to be very compassionate, very close to people, but at the same time, he knows where he leads people: to our Lord Jesus Christ," he said.
Cardinal Ouellet also confirmed that since at least 2010, the confidential questionnaire sent to local bishops and priests asking about a potential candidate for bishop includes a question about whether the potential candidate ever was in a position of having to handle an accusation of clerical sexual abuse made against another priest or church worker.
"We have to be able to verify that he is able to handle these cases well, that is to say, he does not have a mentality of covering them up or not reporting them or not taking them seriously," the cardinal said. As far as possible, the Vatican wants to know a potential bishop will take accusations seriously and deal with them appropriately.
Since 2001, all newly ordained bishops serving in dioceses that report to the Congregation for Bishops have been obliged to come to Rome in September for an eight- or nine-day course for new bishops. More recently, the Congregation for Eastern Churches has co-sponsored the course and brought new Eastern-rite bishops to Rome for it. Every two years, new bishops in mission territories have a similar course sponsored by the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples with some of the sessions overlapping.
The speeches, homilies and reflections from the September 2015 course were published recently in a book, "Witnesses of the Risen One." Cardinal Ouellet said he hoped publishing the papers would help bishops in their ministry as well as elicit suggestions for improving the course.
More than 1,500 bishops have participated in the past 14 years, he said. While it includes sessions on finances, rapport with one's priests and on preventing clerical sexual abuse, most participants say the most valuable part of the course was the opportunity to meet, discuss and pray with bishops from around the world.
"The goal of these meetings is to learn their new identity -- that they belong to the college of the successors of the apostles," Cardinal Ouellet said. "It's an extraordinary moment of conversion for them."
"A priest who is ordained a bishop comes to Rome to learn that from now on he has a universal responsibility as a member of this college," the cardinal said.
The new bishops, he said, also are excited to meet the pope who appointed them.
"Every pope has his gifts and this influences the way younger bishops act," Cardinal Ouellet said. "One identifies with the style" of the pope who nominated him and often tries to make choices he thinks the pope would make in ministry, lifestyle and -- especially with Pope Francis -- in ways of communicating; "he breaches boundaries in proclaiming the Gospel," the cardinal said.
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Copyright © 2016 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. www.catholicnews.com. All rights reserved. Republishing or redistributing of CNS content, including by framing or similar means without prior permission, is prohibited. You may link to stories on our public site. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To request permission for republishing or redistributing of CNS content, please contact permissions at cns@catholicnews.com.
NEW YORK (AP) -- On the field, the four-legged fur balls of the Hallmark Channel's Kitten Bowl III were all business....
