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‘Pay, pray and obey’ Catholics are dwindling
MIAMI (CNS) -— The days of Catholics who “pay, pray and obey” are gone and likely never coming back, according to a sociologist who has studied the beliefs and practices of American Catholics for more than two decades.
Vatican: Kneeling for Eucharist will be norm at papal liturgies
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -— Receiving the Eucharist on the tongue while kneeling before the pope will become the norm at papal liturgies, said the Vatican’s liturgist.
G-8 should put needs of poor at forefront of summit, pope urges
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -— Pope Benedict XVI urged world leaders from the Group of Eight to put the needs of the poor and weak at the forefront of their discussions.
Scripture and Tradition work together to guard deposit of faith
The starting point for all theological discourse is the fundamental assertion that God has revealed himself in human history. This is indeed a bold declaration, but our Catholic faith takes it even one step further. Not only has God shown himself to humankind; he actually chose to become one of us in the Person of Jesus Christ. (Seeds of Faith)
Sin is a cancer for the soul; the best medicine is confession
My doctor sat beside my hospital bed in the recovery room. He carefully explained to me that he had just removed a precancerous tumor “the size of my thumb” from my colon. “That growth would have been full blown cancer by the time you turned 30,” he said gravely. I was 28 at the time. (Seeds of Faith)
Catholic schools honored for inner-city effort
PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — The National Leadership Roundtable on Church Management honored the school system of the Diocese of Memphis, Tenn., June 26 for its efforts to make Catholic schools accessible to inner-city children.
USCCB study guide examines torture issue
WASHINGTON (CNS) -— The dignity and respect of the human person is the cornerstone of a new study guide on torture as a moral issue published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Bishops urge U.S., Mexico to protect rights
MEXICO CITY (CNS) -— U.S. and Latin American bishops urged the U.S. and Mexican governments to better protect the rights of undocumented migrants heading north in search of better economic opportunities.
Mugabe fans assault priests in Zimbabwe
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) -— Several Catholic priests have been assaulted by supporters of Zimbabwe’s ruling party and at least one house belonging to the Church has been burned down, a Jesuit spokesman said.
In 11-country pilgrimage, author finds hope for inner peace
“Along the Templar Trail: Seven Million Steps for Peace” by Brandon Wilson is an account of a pilgrimage for peace across two continents, following the route of the first Crusaders and the Knights Templar. (CNS)
Embryonic stem cell debate will heat up
At their spring 2008 general meeting, the Catholic bishops of the United States overwhelmingly approved a new statement on embryonic stem cell research. (Columns)
In God’s hands: Raising kids requires tricky balance
“Daddy, I’m gettun biggewr, huh?” has been the incessant refrain in my home for the past few months. My son Max just turned “thwee” years old, and his mother and I were given notice that it was time to upgrade from the “little kid” tricycle to the “big boy” bike. (Columns)
U.S. candidates shouldn’t be tested on faith
In another presidential election year 48 years ago, John F. Kennedy met head-on the prejudice that plagued his campaign. That prejudice in 1960 was religion. (Opinions)
