News

Relief Efforts in Darfur Fail to Reach the NeedyDespite the efforts of Caritas Internationalis and other agencies in the war-torn Darfur region of western Sudan, a large percentage of the people who need aid do not receive it, according to the president of Caritas Internationalis, Denis Vienot. The

Church Groups Resist Contraceptive MandateClaiming that New York’s highest state court erred on several counts in upholding a state mandate that would require religious organizations to provide contraceptive prescription coverage for their employees, eight Catholic and two Protestant groups ha

Pope: Dialogue Can Help End Terrorism, War, StrifeAddressing international diplomats on his first day in Turkey, Pope Benedict XVI said respectful dialogue must be the basis for ending terrorism, wars and religious differences in the world. Religions have a key role in this dialogue, but on the cond

U.S. Policy Challenges Church Aid WorkersThe U.S. government’s policy of no contact with Hamas leaders has complicated church aid workers’ duties in the Palestinian territories, said an official of Catholic Relief Services. The United States lists Hamas as a terrorist organization, and d

U.S. Bishops Hold Fall General Meeting in BaltimoreAs the U.S. bishops were finishing their second day of business at their Nov. 13-16 fall general meeting in Baltimore, they allocated $335,000 for the next phases of a national study on the causes and context of sexual abuse of minors by members of

The Election: Catholic Voters and IssuesExit polls indicate that a majority of Catholics voted Democratic on Nov. 7, helping the party to take control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate. According to The New Republic, 52 percent of Catholics voted Democratic, compared with 47 pe

Brazilian Cardinal to Head Clergy CongregationPope Benedict XVI has named Cardinal Claudio Hummes of S o Paulo Brazil a Franciscan to be the new prefect of the Congregation for Clergy The 72-year-old Brazilian-born son of German immigrants Cardinal Hummes will succeed Cardinal Dar o Castrill

Mideast Patriarchs Address InstabilityCatholic patriarchs of the Middle East said political instability across the region must be tackled if the current Christian exodus is to be stemmed. The negative impact of this instability on local economies and services, as well as on the psychology within com

Security Must Not Trump Human RightsCounterterrorism strategy must not sacrifice fundamental human rights in the name of security, said the Vatican’s ambassador to the United Nations Oct. 16. The ambassador, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, spoke at a U.N. committee session deliberating on a pro

2008 World Synod of Bishops Will Focus on BiblePope Benedict XVI has scheduled a meeting of the World Synod of Bishops for 2008 and has decided the synod will focus on the Bible in the life of the church. A brief announcement issued on Oct. 6 said bishops from around the world elected to represent t