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Catholic News Agency
Cleveland’s Bishop Nelson Perez to lead Philadelphia archdiocese

Philadelphia, Pa., Jan 23, 2020 / 04:25 am (CNA).- Bishop Nelson Perez of Cleveland was appointed Archbishop of Philadelphia Thursday, returning to the local Church of his priestly ordination. He succeeds Archbishop Charles Chaput, 75, who had led the Philadelphia archdiocese since 2011. Ordained a priest of the Capuchin Franciscans …
Opposition to death penalty growing among Republicans, activists say

By Christine Rousselle Washington D.C., Jan 21, 2020 / 06:00 pm (CNA).- The number of Republican state lawmakers opposed to capital punishment is growing, a conservative group claims, as anti-death penalty activists look forward to continued momentum from the right on this issue in 2020. “The nation is down to …
DOJ files brief in support of Ohio Down syndrome abortion ban

Washington D.C., Jan 22, 2020 / 10:00 am (CNA).- The Department of Justice is officially supporting Ohio’s Down syndrome abortion ban before a federal circuit court. In a friend-of-the-court brief filed on Tuesday with the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said that Ohio’s law …
Trump declares Jan. 22 ‘National Sanctity of Human Life Day’

Washington D.C., Jan 21, 2020 / 04:18 pm (CNA).- President Donald Trump declared Jan. 22 to be National Sanctity of Human Life Day, in a proclamation signed Monday. “On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our Nation proudly and strongly reaffirms our commitment to protect the precious gift of life …
Tabernacle retrieved intact from church destroyed by earthquake in Puerto Rico

Ponce, Puerto Rico, Jan 16, 2020 / 04:00 am (CNA).- Precariously resting on the edge of an altar leaning forward from the impact of the earthquake that struck Puerto Rico, a tabernacle was retrieved intact from a church in Puerto Rico and brought to safety. In the early hours of …
Trump admin announces rules to allow equal access to grants for religious groups

By Matt Hadro Washington D.C., Jan 16, 2020 / 03:55 pm (CNA).- The White House announced new rules from nine federal agencies Thursday to help ensure that religious groups have equal access to public benefit programs. On Jan. 16, Religious Freedom Day, President Donald Trump announced the rules “to protect …
Will these Louisiana Cajun Catholics become saints? Diocese begins canonization cause

By Mary Farrow Lafayette, La., Jan 14, 2020 / 04:00 am (CNA).- Three Cajun Catholics from the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana are on their way to becoming canonized saints after an historic ceremony on Saturday, January 11. During the ceremony, Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel of Lafayette officially opened the causes …
Archbishop Ganswein: Benedict XVI wrote text, but did not agree to be book’s co-author

By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Jan 14, 2020 / 05:58 am (CNA).- Archbishop Georg Ganswein, the private secretary of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, said Tuesday the former pontiff was not informed he would be presented as co-author of a new book on priestly celibacy and that Benedict has asked for …
Pope Francis: It is beautiful when babies cry at Mass

By Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 12, 2020 / 04:30 am (CNA).- Pope Francis baptized 32 babies in the Sistine Chapel Sunday, telling parents not to worry if their children cry at Mass. “Let the children cry,” the pope said. “It is a beautiful homily when a child cries in …
Vatican: Pope Francis not in favor of optional priestly celibacy

By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Jan 13, 2020 / 07:01 am (CNA).- A Vatican spokesman said Monday that Pope Francis’ position on priestly celibacy is “known,” quoting the pontiff’s remarks in a January 2019 press conference, in which he said he does not agree with making priestly celibacy “optional” in …