Author Archive
House bill’s ‘life protections’ said laudable, other aspects ‘troubling’
By WASHINGTON (CNS) — The inclusion of “critical life protections” in the House health care bill is laudable, but other provisions, including those related to Medicaid and tax credits, are “troubling” and “must be addressed” before the measure is passed, said the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ domestic policy committee. …
Pope apologizes for Catholics’ participation in Rwanda genocide
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Meeting Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Pope Francis asked God’s forgiveness for the failures of the Catholic Church during the 1994 Rwanda genocide and for the hatred and violence perpetrated by some priests and religious. “He implored anew God’s forgiveness for the sins and …
Slain Jesuit inspires another Salvadoran archbishop and an ode to martyrs
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy of the Archdiocese of San Salvador By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — Jesuit Father Rutilio Grande has been credited with inspiring Blessed Oscar Romero, archbishop of San Salvador, El Salvador, toward a journey of defending the poor that led to his martyrdom in 1980. But now, Father …
Pope presides over Lenten penance service at Vatican
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A few hours after urging priests to be generously available for the sacrament of penance, Pope Francis went to confession, then offered the sacrament to seven Catholics. Presiding over the annual Lenten penance service March 17 in St. Peter’s Basilica, …
Bagpipes, drums more than St. Patrick’s Day music for the McPhees
IMAGE: CNS photo/Michael Alexander, Georgia Bulletin By Andrew Nelson JACKSON, Ga. (CNS) — As a kid, Richard McPhee played the clarinet. But when his firefighter father asked for “Amazing Grace” at his funeral with the skirl of the pipes, McPhee pledged to his father, he’d take care of it. Now …
Make confession more available, God’s heart is always open, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Evandro Inetti, pool By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Hear confession every time someone asks, Pope Francis said, and don’t ever put limited hours on the sacrament of reconciliation. “Please, let there never be those signs that say, ‘Confessions: Mondays and Wednesdays from this time to that time,’” …
Lent provides opportunity for Catholics to focus attention on homeless
IMAGE: CNS photo/Chaz Muth By Chaz Muth WASHINGTON (CNS) — Almsgiving is a Lenten tradition and Washington resident Ron Van Bellen says his volunteer work feeding the homeless honors his Catholic faith as he prepares for Easter. The real estate agent and parishioner at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown …
The path toward corruption is a slippery road, pope says
By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians who trust in themselves rather than God eventually become unsympathetic to those in need and slide down the slippery path of corruption, Pope Francis said. People who place their trust in their own vanity, pride and riches lose their sense of …
Author maintains that Muslims have influenced America for centuries
IMAGE: CNS illustration/courtesy Baylor By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — Amir Hussain wants Americans to know that Muslims have always been a part of the history of the United States, starting long before the country gained its independence from Great Britain. “There’s never been an America without Muslims,” said Hussain, …
Shady business deals that threaten employment a ‘grave sin,’ pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Employers who make business deals that threaten people’s livelihood commit a sin that robs men, women and their families of their dignity, Pope Francis said. “Whoever — because of economic maneuvering and business dealings that are not all clear …