Vandals target crisis pregnancy center in western Massachusetts
EASTHAMPTON, Massachusetts — Police are investigating vandalism at a western Massachusetts pregnancy center that provides women facing a crisis pregnancy with free diapers, wipes, baby clothes, strollers and car seats. Police said vandals early Aug. 18 spray-painted “Jane’s Revenge” on benches located outside of Bethlehem House in Easthampton, near Springfield, along with the message, “If […]
In note to nuns, pope says he is doing everything he can for Ukraine
ROME — Pope Francis said he is doing everything he can for Ukraine, saying the world was witnessing “cruelty.” In a short handwritten note sent to Sister Teresina Longo, mother superior of a religious institute hosting Ukrainian orphans evacuated to Italy, the pope said he was praying for them and for Our Lady’s intercession. “I […]
BREAKING: Police force their way into chancery and abduct bishop in Nicaragua
Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, is monitored by police in early August 2022. / Photo credit: Diocese of Matagalpa Matagalpa, Nicaragua, Aug 19, 2022 / 09:20 am (CNA). Nicaraguan police forced their way into the residence of Bish… […]
Cardinal Ouellet: Allegations against me are defamatory
Cardinal Marc Ouellet takes part in the Pontifical Council for Culture’s Plenary Assembly on Women’s Cultures in Rome, Feb. 6, 2015. / Bohumil Petrik/CNA. Denver Newsroom, Aug 19, 2022 / 10:00 am (CNA). Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, on Friday denied having made inappropriate gestures on a woman who has alleged […]
Federal judge rules CRS must pay health benefits for spouse of gay employee
BALTIMORE (CNS) — A U.S. District Court judge in Maryland has ruled that Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops’ overseas relief and development agency, must offer health care coverage to the spouses of gay employees as long as the employees’ jobs are nonreligious in nature. In its court filing, the Baltimore-based Catholic agency asked the […]
Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet ‘firmly denies’ sexual misconduct allegations
‘I firmly deny having made any inappropriate gestures toward her and I consider defamatory the interpretation and dissemination of these allegations as sexual assault,’ wrote the cardinal.
Suit alleges Catholic schools discriminate against disabled
NEW ORLEANS — Catholic Church officials in New Orleans are accused in a class-action lawsuit of discriminating against children with disabilities. WWL-TV reports that the lawsuit says the Archdiocese of New Orleans illegally asks questions about student’s disabilities on application forms and fails to make accommodations for students with physical or learning disabilities at its […]
Vatican cardinal terms assault allegations false, defamatory
ROME — The Vatican cardinal accused in a class-action lawsuit in Canada of sexual assault against a woman on Friday denied any inappropriate behavior and said he would vigorously fight the “false” and “defamatory” accusations if the case proceeds. Cardinal Marc Ouellet issued his own statement via the Vatican press office a day after the […]
Brazil slave descendants revive Catholic festival after COVID
CAVALCANTE, Brazil — For three long years, Vandeli Matos was an emperor in waiting. The symbolic coronation of the 33-year-old finally occurred this week when the Kalunga quilombo — as Brazilian communities descended from runaway slaves are known — gathered for the first time since the pandemic began. It was part of a festival that […]
Portugal abuse commission urges victims to come forward during home visits
LISBON, Portugal — An independent commission investigating sexual abuse in Portugal’s Catholic Church urged more victims to submit testimonies, especially during summer home visits by citizens living abroad. “In our work as a voice in the silence, we continue appealing to all adults who may have been victims as children,” said the commission’s chairman, Pedro […]