Boston blizzards affect parishes

Parishes Digging Out of Record Snow in Boston

With a variety of conditions facing urban, suburban, and somewhat rural parishes, Boston pastors offered their thoughts on the impact of blizzards and snowstorms in the parishes they serve.

Religious Leaders Want Action on Climate Control

Leaders from across the faith spectrum gathered Feb. 20 at the Capitol to seek action to combat climate change and to mitigate its effects, whether it be at the federal level or in local communities.

Hostility to Religion Is on Dramatic Rise

A new report from the Liberty Institute in Plano, Texas, shows that incidents of “religious hostility” have more than doubled in the U.S. over the past three years.

Judges’ Ruling Threatens Church’s Freedom

A three-judge panel’s Feb. 11 ruling on a court challenge to the contraceptive mandate “says that the church is no longer free to practice what we preach,” Pittsburgh Bishop David A. Zubik said.

Teachers’ Handbook Amended in San Francisco

The handbook and contract changes reiterate more strongly the responsibility of teachers and staff not to contradict Catholic teaching in school and in their public lives.

New Website Addresses End of Life Issues

The New York State Catholic Conference has produced a video and a new website to tackle questions and concerns, offer clarity and compassion and serve as an education resource for Catholics nationwide.

Court Backs Religious Freedom of Inmate

WASHINGTON (CNS) – The Supreme Court Jan. 20 ruled unanimously that the Arkansas prison system may not prohibit an inmate from growing a half-inch beard as a part of what he considers his religious obligation as a Muslim. In the beard case, Gregory Holt, also known as Abdul Maalik Muhammad, sued the Arkansas Department of […]

Court Refuses to Hear Seal of Confession Case

The Supreme Court has declined to hear a Louisiana case involving a sacramental confession and whether a priest can be compelled to disclose what transpired if the person who made the confession waives confidentiality. The effect of the court declining the case is that a lawsuit may proceed to a state court hearing about the […]