Four men ordained priests

A shorter version of this story appeared in our July, 2018 print edition. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr ordained Fathers Craig Best, Jarred Kohn, Andrew Smith and Jacob Willig to the priesthood May 19 during a joyous Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains. Concelebrating were Bishop Joseph R. …
‘Laudato Si” provides motivation, framework for schools’ green projects
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy University of Dayton By Steve Larkin WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si’,” which was promulgated June 18, 2015, has provided both a motivation and a framework for Catholic universities implementing sustainability projects. The encyclical, which has acquired a reputation as the “environmental encyclical,” has made …
Update: Court says requirements on pregnancy centers violate free speech
IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 June 26 that a California law that placed requirements on crisis pregnancy centers that oppose abortion violated the First Amendment. In its decision in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra, the court found …
Court upholds Trump’s travel ban, says directive within president’s scope
IMAGE: CNS photo/Michael Reynolds, EPA By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — In a 5-4 decision June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld President Donald Trump’s travel ban on people entering the U.S. from some Muslim-majority countries, saying the president’s action was within his power. The court’s much anticipated decision in …
German Catholic-Lutheran couple say some in mixed marriages feel rebuffed
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy courtesy of Herbert and Ines Heinecke By Zita Ballinger Fletcher WASHINGTON (CNS) — As the heated Communion debate continues in Germany, an interchurch couple directly affected by the Catholic Church’s decisions shared their story with Catholic News Service. Herbert and Ines Heinecke have been married since 1994. …
Pregnancy Care Centers win at Supreme Court

by Gail Finke The United States Supreme Court upheld the free speech rights of pro-life pregnancy centers today, overturning a 9thCircuit Court of Appeals ruling that allowed California to require that all pregnancy care centers (PCCs) tell their clients where to obtain free, state-funded abortions. The 5-4 ruling on National …
Hundreds of calls come in at USCCB HQ seeking to foster detained kids
IMAGE: CNS photo/David Maung By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — Maybe it was the request by the Pentagon for 20,000 mattresses as military bases become, at least partly, shelters for detained border crossers. Maybe it was the federal government report that 2,342 children had been separated from 2,206 parents at …
Ex-Vatican diplomat found guilty of distributing child porn
IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A Vatican court found Msgr. Carlo Alberto Capella, a former staff member at the Vatican nunciature in Washington, guilty of possessing and distributing child pornography. Judge Giuseppe Della Torre, head of the tribunal of the Vatican City State, …
Statement from Archbishop Dennis Schnurr on the dignity of the Human Family

Dear Friends in Christ, At times throughout our nation’s history, certain events take place that animate the public and force us to ask who we are as an American people. As a community of believers in Christ Jesus, who commanded us to build His Kingdom of love on Earth as …
Trial begins for ex-Vatican diplomat accused of distributing child porn
IMAGE: CNS By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A former staff member at the Vatican nunciature in Washington, accused of possessing and distributing child pornography, admitted his guilt to a Vatican court and said he had never engaged in such behavior before his assignment in the U.S. capital. …