Divided court reexamines insurance coverage of contraceptives May 7, 2020By Carol Zimmermann Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News The justices of the U.S. Supreme Court seemed divided May 6 over Trump administration rules that give employers more ability to opt out of providing contraceptive coverage in their health plans.
Court to hear Little Sisters, Catholic school cases by teleconference April 14, 2020By Carol Zimmermann Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News For the first time in its history, the Supreme Court announced April 13 it will conduct 10 oral arguments by teleconference in May. Among the arguments it will hear are cases involving the Little Sisters of the Poor and California Catholic schools.
Disappointed, but hopeful, thousands unable to join church this Easter April 9, 2020By Carol Zimmermann Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, Uncategorized, World News The disappointment of not being able to celebrate Easter Mass in churches across the country this year might be most strongly felt by the thousands who planned to join the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.
Catholic Church responded to plagues with penance, prayers April 4, 2020By Carol Zimmermann Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, World News Although the coronavirus pandemic brings to mind plagues from centuries ago, both with quarantines, fast-spreading diseases and deaths, there is one big difference on the spiritual side: Today’s pandemic is not, save but a lone voice or two, described as God’s punishment on humanity.
Chief Justice Roberts responds to Sen. Schumer’s remarks at court rally March 5, 2020By Carol Zimmermann Filed Under: News, World News Chief Justice John Roberts, accustomed to writing in-depth opinions on court cases, penned a rare statement March 4 denouncing remarks made earlier that day by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, at a rally outside the Supreme Court.
A divided court examines Louisiana abortion restrictions March 4, 2020By Carol Zimmermann Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News In oral arguments March 4, the Supreme Court justices expressed mixed views about a Louisiana law that requires abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a local hospital and if the abortion providers have the legal standing to challenge the state law on behalf of their patients.
High court to examine religious liberty, foster care by same-sex couples February 25, 2020By Carol Zimmermann Filed Under: News, World News The U.S. Supreme Court announced Feb. 24 that in its next term it will examine if the city of Philadelphia can exclude a Catholic social services agency from the city’s foster care program because the agency will not accept same-sex couples as foster parents.
CRS health official keeps close eye on coronavirus February 17, 2020By Carol Zimmermann Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, World News Suzanne Van Hulle, the global public health expert for Baltimore-based Catholic Relief Services, is paying particularly close attention to the spread of the virus, also called COVID-19, to ensure CRS staff members in Asia are safe.
Sister who works with Philadelphia homeless attends State of the Union February 6, 2020By Carol Zimmermann Filed Under: News, World News Mercy Sister Mary Scullion, co-founder and executive director of Project HOME, an organization that helps the homeless in Philadelphia, was one of the many guests who attended the Feb. 4 State of the Union, which she hoped would draw attention to homelessness and inspire federal aid to alleviate it.
Catholic leaders put local food on the line for Super Bowl matchup February 1, 2020By Carol Zimmermann Filed Under: News, World News The Super Bowl isn’t just about football. For many, it’s about the wings, chili, sliders, chips and dips consumed during the game.
Catholic leaders disappointed by ruling limiting immigrant aid January 30, 2020By Carol Zimmermann Filed Under: Feature, Hispanic Ministry, News, World News The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities USA and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, known as CLINIC, expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court’s Jan. 27 order allowing the Trump administration to go forward with a new rule meant to limit immigrants’ use of government benefit programs.
Supreme Court divided about religious schools in scholarship program January 23, 2020By Carol Zimmermann Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News During oral arguments Jan. 22 about the constitutionality of excluding religious schools from a scholarship aid program, a divided Supreme Court seemed like it might lean toward finding a way to allow religious schools to participate.
