New abuse reports in 2010 led pope, Vatican to refine policies
Dec 31 2011
VATICAN CITY – New revelations about clerical sex abuse cases, particularly in Europe, led Pope Benedict XVI and his top aides in 2010 to look for ways to refine policies for handling accusations and strengthening child protection programs.
Immigration action in 2011 came in the states and courts
Dec 26 2011
WASHINGTON – With a politically divided Congress putting immigration on the don’t-even-bother list of stagnate legislation, action on the subject in 2011 fell to state legislatures and federal courts – where challenges focused on whether states have the right to act on immigration.
Bishops join others in lauding new EPA toxins rule
Dec 23 2011
WASHINGTON - The head of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development joined with others in praising a new federal rule to cut down on the amount of toxins emitted from coal- and oil-fired plants.
Our Christmas challenge
Dec 22 2011
Several years ago, I was celebrating Christmas Eve Mass in a far-off land, one which I can’t remember. As usual, for Christmas, the chapel was full. I welcomed those in attendance for the celebration, and made a point to especially acknowledge the presence of our non-Catholic friends who were joining us, as well as our Catholic sisters and brothers who might not have been to church in some time. Pointing to the center of the sanctuary, I said, “For your benefit, this is an altar.”
New CRS president gives back to faith that propelled her
Dec 21 2011
FOURTH IN A SERIES
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Carolyn Woo learned English from Maryknoll missioner sisters.
In tears her first day at Purdue University because she couldn’t decipher a campus map, she found solace at its Newman Center. Woo met and married her husband at Purdue, and its church bell rang when she defended her doctoral dissertation there.
Camp GLOW lights the Christmas spirit
Dec 20 2011
SPARKS – Bill Fleming didn’t need to finish his sentence. As he welcomed people to the Camp GLOW Christmas Party at the Monsignor O’Dwyer Retreat House Dec. 18, he told them a special guest was on his way.
“Posada” draws attention to need for immigration reform
Dec 20 2011
CHICAGO – Catholic advocates for immigration reform used a Dec. 16 “posada,” a traditional Mexican re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem, to demonstrate the need to change the immigration system.
Catonsville parishioner provides haven for ill children
Dec 20 2011
As Brian Morrison walked around the Children’s House at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore, a woman emerged from a room. She overheard Morrison talking about the services his organization, the Believe In Tomorrow Children’s Foundation, provides for the house.