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Catholic News Agency
US bishops disagree with designation of Cuba as terrorism sponsor

CNA Staff, Jan 14, 2021 / 06:29 pm MT (CNA).- The US bishops’ chair for international justice and peace has expressed his disagreement with the State Department’s return of Cuba to a list of state sponsors of terrorism. The decision was based in part on Cuba’s provision of haven to …
What changes to the Vatican may the replacement of the Archpriest of St Peter’s Basilica bring

by Andrea Gagliarducci Vatican City, Jan 14, 2021 / 05:45 pm MT (CNA).- Pope Francis might soon choose a new Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, to replace Cardinal Angelo Comastri, who turned 77 in September. His replacement, according to Vatican observers, may bring a broader generational change that could involve …
Catholic archbishop of Glasgow dies suddenly at age 70

CNA Staff, Jan 13, 2021 / 08:35 am MT (CNA).- The Catholic archbishop of Glasgow, Scotland, died suddenly on Wednesday two days after his 70th birthday. The Archdiocese of Glasgow announced that Archbishop Philip Tartaglia died at his home on Jan. 13, the feast of St. Mungo, patron saint of …
Iraqi Catholics urged to pray at Sunday Masses that Pope Francis will be able to visit country

CNA Staff, Jan 14, 2021 / 06:00 am MT (CNA).- A cardinal has called on Iraqi Catholics to pray at Sunday Masses that Pope Francis will be able to visit their country in March. Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, head of the Chaldean Catholic Church, issued the prayer on Jan. 14 …
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 …