Catholic News and Information from around U.S. and the World.
  • Dutch Catholic leaders call for external investigation of sex abuse cases
    • Amsterdam, Netherlands, Mar 11, 2010 / 03:46 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Following meetings between leaders of religious orders in Holland and members of the Dutch Bishops' Conference, the Dutch Church announced that it will seek an "external, broad and independent" inquiry into cases of possible sexual abuses in religious schools. They asked for forgiveness and assured that they will listen to victims.
  • Man's happiness and fulfillment depend on religious freedom, asserts Vatican official
    • Vatican City, Mar 11, 2010 / 02:52 pm (CNA).- The secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Archbishop Mario Toso, remarked this week that, "man's happiness and complete fulfillment depend on religious freedom," adding that religion's "public value" must be recognized.
  • Benedict XVI sends condolences for death of Egyptian Sheikh
    • Vatican City, Mar 11, 2010 / 02:26 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Pope remembered the Grand Imam and Sheikh of al-Azhar University, Dr. Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi, after his death on Wednesday. Sheikh Tantawi was instrumental maintaining relations between the Catholic Church and the Muslim world and was the head of the highest Islamic religious authority in Egypt, the al-Azhar.
  • Father Lombardi responds to Pontifical Academy for Life member, refutes claims
    • Vatican City, Mar 11, 2010 / 12:59 pm (CNA).- Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi responded to an open letter this week sent to him by Christine de Vollmer, a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. His response, in which he called one of de Vollmer's claims against him "deceptive" and "calumnious," was discussed in a new column by Vatican analyst Sandro Magister.
  • Diocese of Dallas receives two of its own as bishops
    • Dallas, Texas, Mar 11, 2010 / 12:18 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Vatican announced on Thursday that Pope Benedict XVI has appointed two priests in the Diocese of Dallas as auxiliary bishops for the same diocese. In Washington D.C. this morning, papal nuncio Archbishop Pietro Sambi announced Fr. J. Douglas Deshotal and Monsignor Mark J. Seitz as the two who will help shepherd the burgeoning diocese. 
  • Pope urges priests to offer Confession and educate faithful on sin
    • Vatican City, Mar 11, 2010 / 11:32 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Participants in this week's course on the hearing Confessions met with the Holy Father in audience on Thursday morning. To the group of priests, Pope Benedict XVI underlined the importance of guiding their flocks "not to conform itself to this world" and the necessity of opening a "dialogue of salvation" with those who seek forgiveness.
  • Michigan diocese investigates miracle attributed to former bishop
    • Marquette, Mich., Mar 11, 2010 / 08:26 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Diocese of Marquette is investigating an possible miracle attributed to Servant of God, Bishop Frederic Baraga. The official inquiry will move the cause for Bishop Baraga's canonization forward, which was opened for the prelate in 1952.
  • Anti-Catholic tract distribution was 'reprehensible,' Tenn. bishop says
    • Knoxville, Tenn., Mar 11, 2010 / 06:49 am (CNA).- The recent distribution of Anti-Catholic tracts in a Tennessee town constituted "reprehensible acts of prejudice and hatred" by people who were ignorant of true Catholic teaching, the Bishop of Knoxville has said.
  • Study claiming Catholic co-eds likelier to 'hook up' draws criticism
    • Washington D.C., Mar 11, 2010 / 04:14 am (CNA).- A study which claimed that Catholic college women are likelier to "hook up" than women with no religious affiliation has been criticized by researchers. Parts of the survey report were based on a sample size of only 39 Catholic college women, while the report wrongly saw a college's religious affiliation as more influential than parents.
  • Celebrities should not undermine morals by endorsing condoms, Philippines bishops say
    • Manila, Philippines, Mar 11, 2010 / 03:36 am (CNA).- The Catholic bishops of the Philippines urged movie stars and artists not to endorse condoms, asking that they remain good examples who safeguard "the morality of the people."
  • Shooter of pro-life activist does not feel bad about murders
    • Corunna, Mich., Mar 11, 2010 / 01:38 am (CNA).- The man accused of shooting and killing a pro-life advocate and a local business man in Michigan took the stand in his trial on Tuesday, saying he does not feel bad about the murders but believes he deserves punishment. The pro-life activist's sign upset his mother and nieces and should not have been shown to children, he said.

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