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Catholic News Agency
North Dakota bill would force priests to violate confession seal in abuse cases
by Mary Farrow Denver Newsroom, Jan 13, 2021 / 09:01 pm MT (CNA).- Three North Dakota state legislators introduced a bill this week that would oblige Catholic priests to violate the seal of confession in cases of confirmed or suspected child abuse, on penalty of imprisonment or heavy fines. The …
Ohio requires in-person administration of medical abortion
by Christine Rousselle Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jan 13, 2021 / 07:01 pm MT (CNA).- The governor of Ohio has signed a bill which requires physicians to be present during the administration of the first drug of an abortion pill regimen, banning the practice of “telemedicine abortion” procedures in the state. …
China deemed a top religious freedom concern in 2021
by Matt Hadro Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jan 13, 2021 / 12:13 am MT (CNA).- China remains a primary human rights concern in 2021, a federal religious freedom commissioner told CNA this week. “China remains of utmost concern to USCIRF,” said Nadine Maenza, commissioner at the U.S. Commissioner on International Religious …
Cardinal Dolan: Catholics more ‘hung up’ on abortion as Biden administration looms
New York City, N.Y., Jan 13, 2021 / 01:49 pm MT (CNA).- Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York has explained why Catholics are not ashamed of being ‘hung up’ on abortion, especially in the context of the upcoming Biden administration, in a Wednesday column. Recalling a conversation with a politician …
Pope Francis opens ministries of lector and acolyte to women: A CNA Explainer
Vatican City, Jan 11, 2021 / 11:45 am MT (CNA).- On Jan. 11, Pope Francis published an apostolic letter issued motu proprio (which means “on his own impulse” in Latin), modifying canon law regarding women’s access to the ministries of lector and acolyte. He also released a letter to Vatican …
Bishops call on Trump administration to stop planned federal executions
by Matt Hadro Washington D.C., Jan 11, 2021 / 03:34 pm MT (CNA).- In a joint statement Jan. 11, the U.S. bishops’ domestic justice chair Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, joined by pro-life chair Archbishop Joseph Naumann, called for a stop to planned federal executions on Tuesday, Thursday, and …
Catholic leaders speak out on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jan 11, 2021 / 01:49 pm MT (CNA).- Catholic leaders spoke out against human trafficking on Monday, National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. “It is shocking to consider the size and scope of the tragedy of human trafficking that exists in our world in 2021,” stated Bishop Robert …
Benedict XVI to receive coronavirus vaccine
Vatican City, Jan 12, 2021 / 03:30 am MT (CNA).- Pope emeritus Benedict XVI will receive the coronavirus vaccine as soon as it is available, his personal secretary said Tuesday. Archbishop Georg Gänswein told CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner, Jan. 12 that the 93-year-old former pope would be vaccinated …
Why is the internet abuzz with false claims of a ‘Vatican blackout’?: A CNA Explainer
CNA Staff, Jan 11, 2021 / 07:30 am MT (CNA).- On Sunday, Jan. 10, the internet was abuzz with false reports of an overnight blackout at the Vatican, accompanied by a series of claims concerning Pope Francis, the Italian police, and the FBI. The claims were widely shared by conspiracy …
Pope Francis admits women to ministries of lector and acolyte in new motu proprio
by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 11, 2021 / 04:05 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis issued a motu proprio Monday changing canon law to allow women to serve as lectors and acolytes. In the motu proprio “Spiritus Domini,” issued on Jan. 11, the pope changed canon 230 § 1 of …
