Pro-life law professor stunned by priest’s refusal of Communion
Jun 05 2008
WASHINGTON – For Pepperdine law professor Douglas Kmiec, a constitutional lawyer who often writes on religion in the public square, the situation had uncomfortable echoes of the last presidential election cycle – a priest was refusing to give Communion to someone on the basis of the man’s support of a candidate.
Vatican upholds excommunications; priest, parish board to appeal
Jun 04 2008
WASHINGTON – The Vatican’s doctrinal congregation has backed St. Louis Archbishop Raymond L. Burke’s excommunication of members of a parish board of directors and the priest they hired, but the excommunicated Catholics vowed June 2 to appeal that decision.
Chinese church leaders respond to Vatican talks
Mar 29 2008
HONG KONG – Several Chinese bishops interviewed by an Asian church news agency expressed concern about the “government of dioceses,” an item the Vatican said was recently discussed at a meeting of a special church commission on China.
Officials downplay impact of constitutional proposals
Mar 29 2008
MEXICO CITY – A proposal by the Mexican bishops to change the country’s constitution to allow more clergy participation in political and social activities has drawn criticism, but church officials are downplaying its potential impact.
Archbishop Burke speaks out on coach, conscience
Feb 06 2008
ST. LOUIS – People who represent Catholic institutions have an obligation to “show respect for the teachings of the church” and not to take public positions contrary to those teachings, Archbishop Raymond L. Burke of St. Louis said in an interview with his archdiocesan newspaper.
New presbyteral council meets
Jan 23 2008
A consultative body of priests known as the presbyteral council has been formed to serve as a key advisory group to Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien. The 36-member council, required by the Code of Canon Law, is composed of 17 elected members, 15 appointed members and four ex officio members.
SNAP members seek Cardinal Law’s removal
Jan 12 2008
WASHINGTON – Members of the Survivors’ Network of those Abused by Priests are calling for Cardinal Bernard F. Law’s retirement and subsequent removal from eight Vatican congregations before the pope’s visit to the United States in April.
Vatican diplomat named to head U.S. military archdiocese
Nov 19 2007
WASHINGTON – Pope Benedict XVI has named Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, a Cleveland native who is apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic and delegate to Puerto Rico, to head the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services.
Cardinal praises former presidential candidate
Oct 23 2007
BOSTON – Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley praised Sen. Sam Brownback as the candidate whose views most closely reflected Catholic social teaching, just days before the Kansas Republican ended his quest for the presidency.