Court may hold off California marriage law ruling, justices suggest
The time might not be "ripe" for a national-level ruling on same-sex marriage, the Supreme Court justices suggested Tuesday.
Washington
Opponents of gay marriage say they're not bigots
They are moms and dads, authors and activists, a former police officer and a former single mom. They're black and white and Hispanic. One's a Roman Catholic archbishop, another an evangelical minister. Many have large families -- including gay members.
They are among the leading opponents of gay marriage, or as they prefer to be called, defenders of traditional marriage. And they're trying to stop an increasingly popular movement as it approaches two dates with history this week at the Supreme Court.
Bishops remind Congress that poor must be first in budget priorities
Poor and vulnerable Americans must be at the top of the country's spending priorities, the chairmen of two USCCB committees said.
USCCB: New proposed rules on mandate still violate religious freedom
New proposed regulations governing the contraceptive mandate under the Affordable Care Act continue to violate basic principles of religious freedom, said the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Georgetown conference explores secularism
On Feb. 20, a conference at Georgetown University here focused on cleaning up what many Americans consider a dirty word -- secularism.
The goal of the conference, called “Secularism on the Edge: United States, France and Israel,” was to define what secularism is and what it is not. It drew participants from all three countries.
“[Secularism] is a guarantee of two things: freedom of religion and freedom from religion,” said conference organizer Jacques Berlinerblau, Georgetown professor of Jewish civilization.
Jews worldwide see an ally in Pope Francis
Jews worldwide welcome Pope Francis as a friend, pointing to his reaction to the 1994 bombing of a Jewish center in his native Argentina, the deadliest bombing in the country's history.
Boston cardinal asks House to pass Health Care Conscience Rights Act
Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, has asked members of the House to approve the Health Care Conscience Rights Act.
Introduced March 5 by three House Republicans, the bill had 66 co-sponsors as of Monday.
The bill will "help preserve the vitally important traditions of religious freedom and the right of conscience," O'Malley said in a letter to House members Monday.
Conscience-protection bill for HHS mandate introduced in House
Three Republican members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday introduced a bill to protect conscience rights for both workers in the health care industry and for employers in light of the federal mandate requiring employers to cover contraceptives, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs.
One of the sponsors, Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., said it is possible that the bill, the Health Care Conscience Rights Act, could be folded into a continuing resolution being considered by the House to keep the federal government operating beyond March 27.
Pope Benedict’s politics defied ideological categories
Benedict stands in a long line of popes whose teachings challenge both the political left and right, but conservatives found more challenge and less solace from Rome.
Boston cardinal urges social ministry gathering to focus on mission
Boston's Cardinal Sean O'Malley urged the 450 participants of the 2013 national Catholic Social Ministry Gathering to use their time together to discern their vocation in the church and world.
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In This Issue
May 10-23, 2013
- Illinois parish's ESL program welcomes all
- A different Mary assumes the stage
- A question few seem to consider when the US wages war afar
- [Print Edition Only] Special Section: Summer Listings
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