Press Release Pope Francis has awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal to retiring Assistant Superintendent Sister of Mercy Helen Lucille Habig. The medal was presented to Sister Helen Lucille during a retirement celebration June 11. Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice translates as “For Church and Pope.”

USCCB Report The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today in favor of Hobby Lobby Stores and Conestoga Wood Specialties means “justice has prevailed,” said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Ad …

(Updated at 12:44 p.m.) By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service    READ MORE: USCCB Releases Statement Live Twitter feed of Supreme Court Coverage  WASHINGTON — In a narrowly tailored 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court June 30 said closely held companies may be exempted from a government requirement to include contraceptives …

Staff Report The Supreme Court decision in the cases involving the Department of Health and Human Services’ contraceptive mandate and for-profit employers Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Woods will be handed down this morning, June 30, around 10 a.m.

By John Stegeman The Catholic Telegraph  In the time of the New Evangelization, many are turning to so-called new media to help promote the Gospel. The Vocations Office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and a group of seminarians from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West at the Athenaeum of …

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON — In a June 26 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that 35-foot buffer zones around abortion clinics — meant to keep demonstrators away — violates First Amendment rights. Supreme Court watchers suspect a decision in the other high-profile case being monitored …

By Francis Njuguna Catholic News Service  NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s Catholic bishops blamed “inherent corruption” and ethnic tensions for the country’s recent insecurity. A June 25 statement signed by the country’s 26 bishops said the “situation has been aggravated further by the rising political temperatures on both sides of the …

By Catholic News Service  SILVER SPRING, Md. — Msgr. Richard Hilgartner, outgoing executive director of the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat of Divine Worship, has been named the new president of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, based in the Washington suburb of Silver Spring. Msgr. Hilgartner will assume his new role …

Staff Report The July edition of The Catholic Telegraph will be mailed out soon and several major stories are included. J. Thomas Wray, a married father of two and former Episcopal priest, has been accepted as a candidate for ordination to the Catholic priesthood. This is possible through the Pastoral …

Staff Report  Among national general interest Catholic magazines, Cincinnati-based St. Anthony Messenger has been named one of the best. The Franciscan publication won third place in “General Excellence” at the Catholic Press Association awards in Charlotte, N.C. in late June.