CNA

Boston, Nov 21, 2008 / 10:19 pm (CNA).- Dianne Luby, the head of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts has responded to comments by Cardinal Sean O’Malley after the prelate criticized President-elect Obama and Planned Parenthood. Charging that his comments diminish his credibility, she argued that Catholics “overwhelmingly support” the “views and services” offered by Planned Parenthood and advocated by Obama.

Managua, Nov 21, 2008 / 09:12 pm (CNA).- At the conclusion of their Plenary Assembly, the bishops of Nicaragua issued a statement reiterating their concern and sorrow as pastors “over the violence in different parts of the country, which is reopening deep wounds that our people had overcome with much effort and good will.”

Rome, Nov 21, 2008 / 06:20 pm (CNA).- In a press release this week the bishops of Japan pointed out that the 188 Japanese martyrs to be beatified “are not political militants, they did not fight against a regime that hindered religious freedom: they were men and women of profound and authentic faith, who show the way for those who believe. Their experience is an opportunity for reflection for us all.”

Vatican City, Nov 21, 2008 / 03:31 pm (CNA).- This week the Vatican City government began work on the construction of a new Nativity scene that will be on display in St. Peter’s Square this Christmas.

Montevideo, Nov 21, 2008 / 02:59 pm (CNA).- Archbishop Nicolas Cotugno of Montevideo has expressed his unreserved support of President Tabare Vasquez’s historic veto of a bill that would have legalized abortion in the country.

Vatican City, Nov 21, 2008 / 11:37 am (CNA).- The Vatican’s Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff has announced the celebrations that will be led by the Holy Father between the end of November 2008 and January 2009.

Vatican City, Nov 21, 2008 / 11:18 am (CNA).- As a “concrete and tangible initiative” to promote the protection of the environment, the Vatican has replaced concrete panels on the roof of the Paul VI Hall with photo electric ones, which it will unveil next Wednesday. 

Vatican City, Nov 21, 2008 / 11:16 am (CNA).- Ecumenical relations between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church are continuing to progress as the Vatican announced today that a high-level leader from the Armenian Church will visit the Pope.

Manila, Nov 21, 2008 / 06:34 am (CNA).- The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is assisting an effort to craft an alternative version of the country’s controversial proposed Reproductive Health bill, saying their preferred version will “promote authentic human development.”

Natick, MA, Nov 21, 2008 / 04:08 am (CNA).- The Gerard Health Foundation has announced the inaugural winners of its new Life Prizes award established to recognize six individuals or groups who have made “unsurpassed strides in preserving and upholding the sanctity of human life.”

Charleston, Nov 21, 2008 / 02:56 am (CNA).- A South Carolina county councilwoman has apologized for remarks she made at a land management committee discussion considering whether to allow a Catholic church to expand. She had said she would oppose the expansion because she sees “hate” in the Catholic Church, criticizing the Church’s pro-life position and its lack of female clergy...

Washington DC, Nov 21, 2008 / 01:38 am (CNA).- As the legal status of California’s Proposition 8 remains uncertain, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty has released a study examining the problems legal same-sex marriage poses for religious freedom.

Sacramento, Nov 20, 2008 / 11:02 pm (CNA).- The California Supreme Court has agreed to hear several legal challenges to Proposition 8, the successful 2008 ballot measure which overturned the court’s imposition of same-sex marriage on the state in May. Supporters of Proposition 8 responded by saying they are optimistic their victory will stand.

Vatican City, Nov 20, 2008 / 10:22 pm (CNA).- The Congregation for the Causes of the Saints has approved the miracle of the inexplicable cure of Begona Leon Alonso, a 38 year-old woman from Madrid who suffered from Hellp Syndrome during her pregnancy and went into a coma when doctors performed surgery to save her child.

Rome, Nov 20, 2008 / 08:25 pm (CNA).- Despite threats of a Christmas protest from Hindu fundamentalists in the region of Orissa, India, Christians there plan to celebrate Jesus’ birth as usual.

Rome, Nov 20, 2008 / 06:15 pm (CNA).- CNA has exclusively obtained the full-text of Cardinal James Francis Stanford’s lecture delivered at the Catholic University of America last week in which the prelate examined President-elect Obama’s loyalty to pro-abortion organizations and described his promises as cause for Catholics to weep tears of betrayal.

Madrid, Nov 20, 2008 / 06:08 pm (CNA).- The Superior General of the Jesuits, Father Adolfo Nicolas, said this week he was disappointed that Liberation Theology has not received a “vote of confidence,” and he said the controversial approach should be given more time to mature.

Caracas, Nov 20, 2008 / 04:58 pm (CNA).- The Archbishop of Caracas, Cardinal Jorge Urosa Sabino, exhorted the Venezuelan National Electoral Council to adopt a democratic and impartial attitude this Sunday during regional elections.

Havana, Nov 20, 2008 / 03:13 pm (CNA).- The prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, will preside at the Mass of Beatification of Brother Jose Olallo Valdez on November 29 in Camaguey, in the first such ceremony ever to take place on Cuban soil.

Vatican City, Nov 20, 2008 / 11:07 am (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI has given the go-ahead for the beatification ceremonies of a group of 188 Japanese martyrs and the Cuban Br. Jose Olallo. The Japanese Catholics will be beatified on November 24 in Nagasaki and Br. Ollalo will be declared a Blessed on November 29 in Cuba.