Bishops Respond to House Speaker Pelosi’s Misrepresentation of Church Teaching Against Abortion
(08-120)
August 26, 2008
WASHINGTON--Cardinal Justin F. Rigali, chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop William E. Lori, chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, have issued the following statement:
In the course of a “Meet the Press” interview on abortion and other public issues on August 24, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi misrepresented the history and nature of the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church against abortion.
Documentary on Francis, Clare of Assisi Slated for ABC
(08-119)
August 26, 2008
WASHINGTON—The TV documentary “Assisi Pilgrimage: Walking in Faith with Francis and Clare” will be distributed to ABC-TV stations and affiliates on Sunday, September 14.
The hour-long documentary is part of the “Vision & Values” series sponsored by the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission, which includes the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Broadcast of the program is at the discretion of the local affiliate. Further information is available at www.interfaithbroadcasting.com.
Bishops Welcome HHS Regulations Protecting Conscience Rights in Health Care
(08-118)
August 21, 2008
WASHINGTON—Federal regulations protecting health care providers’ conscience rights were released for public comment August 21, by Secretary Michael Leavitt of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The U.S. Catholic bishops’ spokesperson on abortion, Deirdre A. McQuade, welcomed the proposed regulations as a way to protect medical personnel from being coerced to violate their consciences in federally funded programs.
“Doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel face pressure to participate in abortion – a practice that many find abhorrent in good conscience,” McQuade said. “The enforcement of federal laws designed to protect their freedom of conscience is long overdue.”
Bishops Ask Catholics To Pray Election Novena
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) invites U.S. Catholics to pray before the November election a novena for life, justice, and peace called Novena for Faithful Citizenship. It is a podcast and available for download.
Joan Rosenhauer, Associate Director for the USCCB’s Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, said that the special novena is part of “the bishops’ campaign to help Catholics develop well-formed consciences for addressing political and social questions.” The bishops issued their statement on forming consciences for faithful citizenship in November 2007.
Labor Day Message Calls For Action On Just Economy, Dignity, Workers’ Rights
WASHINGTON – An American Catholic Tradition, the U.S. bishops’ 2008 Labor Day statement calls for “renewed vigor as we seek to build together a society that cares for its own, reaches out to the poor and vulnerable, and offers true hope to all.”
Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, Chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued the statement to highlight the needs of the nation’s workers, economic inequalities and the responsibilities of all citizens to help improve working conditions.
USCCB Participates In Latin American Missionary Congress, Launch Of Great Continental Mission
WASHINGTON—A delegation representing the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) participates this week in the Third American Missionary Congress taking place in Quito, Ecuador. The delegation includes Bishop Daniel F. Walsh of Santa Rosa, CA, Bishop Octavio Cisneros, Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn, and Bishop Martin D. Holley, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, as well as six staff members representing the USCCB’s offices of Catholic Home Missions, Secretariat of Cultural Diversity and Collection for the Church in Latin America.
U.S. Bishops Congratulate Olympic Athlete Lopez Lomong On Selection As Flag Bearer For U.S. Olympic Team
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) today expressed congratulations to Lopez Lomong, Olympian athlete and former refugee from Sudan, for being chosen as the flag bearer for the U.S. Olympic team at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Second Book Of Pope’s Spiritual Thoughts Series To Honor Saint Paul
WASHINGTON—Saint Paul, a new book featuring quotes and reflections of the Holy Father on the Apostle Paul will be published on August 29. The publishing office of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has reached an agreement with the Vatican’s publishing office to launch a series of books by Pope Benedict XVI called Spiritual Thoughts.
Advisory
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has posted on www.faithfulcitizenship.org/media a series of articles by USCCB experts on issues pertinent to the November elections.
Catholic Bishops Welcome Passage And Signing Of National Housing Trust Fund
WASHINGTON – Calling the housing needs of low-income Americans a “national priority,” the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) commended bi-partisan congressional and Bush administration efforts in creating a national Housing Trust Fund. The fund will assist the lowest income households in the United States by helping to build and preserve affordable rental housing. It was created as a provision in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, which was signed into law by President Bush on July 30. It is the first new federal housing production program for the nation’s lowest income families in decades.
Secretariat of Cultural Diversity Launches New Website
WASHINGTON—The Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church (SCDC) of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is launching a new website. The Secretariat wants to build a strong online presence through the use of innovative and effective communication resources to support the overall evangelization efforts of the Church.
The new website features links to the five ethnic offices in which the secretariat is organized. In the site information can be found about the Bishops’ Committee on Cultural Diversity and its subcommittees. Features include resources such as articles, PowerPoint presentations, demographics, videos and more, which will be periodically updated.
Catholic Bishops And Catholic Relief Services Welcome Passage Of PEPFAR Reauthorization
Vatican Approves New English Translation For The Order Of Mass
Cardinal Rigali Urges Congress To Respect Conscience Rights
Comprehensive Immigration Reform To Be A Major Topic At National Migration Conference
Pope Names Minnesota Pastor Bishop Of New Ulm, Minnesota
Teens To Provide World Youth Day Web Coverage From Sydney
Pope Names Bishop Ricken Of Cheyenne To Diocese Of Green Bay
Bishops Reopen Consultation Process After Translation For Proper Of Seasons Fails To Meet Two-Third Majority
Pope Names Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Malooly To Succeed Wilmington Bishop Saltarelli, Names Philadelphia Priest Bishop Of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
U.S. To Send Largest International Pilgrim Group To World Youth Day In Sydney
Nearly $4 Million Awarded To Support The Pastoral Needs Of The Church In Latin America