Copyright (c) 2012 The Georgia Bulletin http://www.georgiabulletin.org/ Catholic news happening in the Archdiocese of Atlanta and around the world from the The Georgia Bulletin http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/03/news-1/?s= Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/03/news-1/?s= DALLAS (CNS) -- The Feb. 3 decision by Susan G. Komen for the Cure to reinstate grants to Planned Parenthood affiliates for breast cancer screenings was the result of a "vicious attack" on the organization, said a pro-life leader. Pro-life leaders hailed Komen's announcement Jan. 31 that it would no... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/03/news-2/?s= Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/03/news-2/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Whether the rich-poor divide in the United States is a demographic statistic or a politician's talking point is irrelevant to the agencies that are simply trying to make sure the people on the poor side of the equation have a roof over their head and food on... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/03/news-3/?s= Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/03/news-3/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 2, President Barack Obama linked his actions as president to influences of faith, particularly Jesus' call to care for "the least of these." Obama said at the annual gathering that "when I decide to stand up for foreign aid,... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/03/news-4/?s= Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/03/news-4/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Something old, something new, something borrowed and something red will be part of the mix Feb. 18 when Pope Benedict XVI creates new cardinals. The general format of the consistory has been maintained, but the ceremony has been modified and will include the use of prayers... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/03/news-5/?s= Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/03/news-5/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Wealthier religious orders should share their resources with struggling religious communities, said the prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Cardinal-designate Joao Braz de Aviz said that while religious men and women live a life of poverty and possess... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/03/news-6/?s= Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/03/news-6/?s= ROME (CNS) -- A Vatican cardinal will lead a penitential vigil to show contrition for the sexual abuse of children by priests and for the actions of Catholic officials who shielded the perpetrators from justice. Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops, will preside over the vigil... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/03/news-7/?s= Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/03/news-7/?s= ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- Waving flags and holding signs, people three deep along the parade route yelled, "Welcome home," "You rock" and "We salute you" to troops who have returned from Iraq. They were taking part in the nation's first "Welcome Home the Heroes from Iraq Day" Jan. 28 in... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/mandatedhealthplan/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/mandatedhealthplan/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS)— Although Catholic leaders vowed to fight on, the Obama administration has turned down repeated requests from Catholic bishops, hospitals, schools and charitable organizations to revise its religious exemption to the requirement that all health plans cover contraceptives and sterilization free of charge. Instead, Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/nationdivided/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/nationdivided/?s= Paul Kelly and his 10-year-old son Aidan, foreground, join hundreds of others gathering for the Together for Life rally in front of the Georgia State Capitol, Jan. 23. The event was sponsored by Georgia Right to Life. (Photo by Michael Alexander) ATLANTA— Echoing the Gospel reading from St. Mark,... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/adlimina2012/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/adlimina2012/?s= ATLANTA— Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory and Auxiliary Bishop Luis R. Zarama will be leading an archdiocesan pilgrimage to Rome from May 2-12, as part of the bishops’ “Ad Limina Apostolorum” visit, a periodic requirement for the diocesan bishops to travel to Rome to report to the Holy Father... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/murray/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/murray/?s= Many Catholics would be eager to be given an all-expenses-paid trip to Lourdes, but there are some who might decline. After all, not everyone is keen on overseas travel, not to mention the huge crowds that gather there. And as the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes approaches on... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/awg/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/awg/?s= I love this particular week each year in my calendar—Catholic Schools Week. I love it because it means that I get a chance to visit a number of the schools in our Archdiocese. I generally visit schools throughout the course of the year, in the fall when the new year... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/abgesp/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/abgesp/?s= Cada año espero por esta semana con anticipación– la Semana de Escuelas Católicas. Me encanta esta semana porque significa que tendré la oportunidad de visitar a varias escuelas en nuestra Arquidiócesis. Normalmente visito escuelas a través del año escolar: en el otoño cuando comienza la escuela, al fin de año... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/frbehrens/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/frbehrens/?s= It seems like a long jump, to go from the readings given us during the Christmas season and the baptism of Jesus to the account of the wedding feast at Cana. But the narratives move fast and leave little, if any, room for what we are accustomed to when familiarizing... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/priestassignments/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/priestassignments/?s= ATLANTA— Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory has announced the following change in priest assignment. He has confirmed the recommendation of Father John Che-chon Chong, superior of the Korea Province of the Society of Jesus, and assigned Father Tae Jin Kim as parochial vicar at the Korean Martyrs Church, Doraville ,... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/letterstotheeditor/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/letterstotheeditor/?s= Heartened By New Church Efforts For Poor, Homeless To the Editor: It was truly heartening to read two recent articles (“Drive To Raise Funds, Food For St. Vincent De Paul Begins At MLK Mass” and “Family Promise Begins In Rockdale, Newton Counties,” Georgia Bulletin, Jan. 19), which detailed new... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/prolifelockin/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/prolifelockin/?s= Father Jimmy Adams, the chaplain at Our Lady of Mercy High School, standing left, introduced Father Timothy Hepburn, far right, vocations director for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the night’s first speaker in the school’s media center. (Photos by Michael Alexander) FAYETTEVILLE— Piles of pillows, sleeping bags and backpacks sat... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/aaa2012/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/aaa2012/?s= ATLANTA— The 2012 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal was announced in parishes this past weekend, with Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory by letter asking Catholics to support this annual fundraising effort “so that the many ministries operating in central and north Georgia may continue to bring knowledge and practice of the faith... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/taxcredits/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/taxcredits/?s= ATLANTA— Students, parents and teachers crowded the Statehouse rally Wednesday, Jan. 25, in support of school choice. People streamed into the legislature after the rally to tell lawmakers personal stories of what school choice has meant for them. The Archdiocese of Atlanta was among about a dozen organizations backing... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/timesblogmaristseniors/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/timesblogmaristseniors/?s= ATLANTA— Two Marist School students are sharing their heartaches and triumphs as they apply to college, from rejection letters to concerns about a college price tag. Eric Eichelberger and Clare Tiarsmith are bloggers for “The Choice,” an education blog at The New York Times. They are among eight high... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/vietnamesenewyear/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/vietnamesenewyear/?s= RIVERDALE— Our Lady of Vietnam Church, a parish of some 800 families, marked the Vietnamese New Year, formally know as Tet Nguyen Dan, with a Mass and all-day celebration Jan. 22. Msgr. Francis Pham Van Phuong, pastor of the Clayton County parish, was the liturgy’s main celebrant and parochial... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/stann_respondstopoor/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/stann_respondstopoor/?s= MARIETTA— It began with a simple idea of providing candles to MUST Ministries for the homeless in hopes of keeping rats away while they slept in the streets. Just two months later, the response and support of the parishioners at St. Ann Church has turned into a full-fledged ministry... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/lentenrecipes/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/lentenrecipes/?s= Lent will begin on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, and once again, The Georgia Bulletin is seeking those delicious Lenten, meat-free recipes most enjoyed by your family to share with the readers of the newspaper. If you have any stories to go along with the recipes, we’d love to read them,... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/areacatholicathletescollegesports/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/02/02/areacatholicathletescollegesports/?s= ATLANTA— This year’s National Signing Day took place on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Local Catholic high school seniors joined other athletes around the country by making it official when they signed binding national letters of intent to play collegiate sports at the college or university of their choice. The list... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-1/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-1/?s= ANNAPOLIS, Md. (CNS) -- Framing his support for same-sex marriage in the context of respect for human dignity, Gov. Martin J. O'Malley testified before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Jan. 31 in favor of a bill that would legalize gay marriage. Supporters of traditional marriage, however, countered that marriage is... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-2/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-2/?s= CHICAGO (CNS) -- Catholic Press Month, celebrated in February, "comes at a particularly critical moment" this year, said Greg Erlandson, president of the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada. The nation's Catholic bishops "have made clear their concern with recent government regulations and the threat such regulations... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-3/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-3/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A federal court in Mississippi Feb. 2 dismissed a 10-year-old lawsuit accusing the Vatican of complicity in a scheme to bilk more than $200 million from insurance companies. The state insurance commissioners of Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas had filed the lawsuit in 2002 charging... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-4/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-4/?s= LUSAKA, Zambia (CNS) -- About 6,000 Rwandan refugees in Zambia want the Catholic Church to help stop the state plans to repatriate them and instead to regularize their Zambian citizenship. The refugees also want the bishops' conference to remind the government to respect their human rights and their right to... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-5/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-5/?s= MADALLA, Nigeria (CNS) -- Officials of the Archdiocese of Abuja celebrated Mass for 18 victims of the Christmas bombings at St. Theresa Catholic Church, then buried the remains within the church grounds. Abuja Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan told about 2,000 people gathered at the church Feb. 1 that "those who... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-6/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-6/?s= MANCHESTER, England (CNS) -- English and Welsh bishops are producing a million "faith cards" to identify the holders as Catholics in the event of an accident. The credit card-sized items will be distributed during February and March throughout all dioceses, including the Bishopric of the Forces and the Personal Ordinariate... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-7/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-7/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Something old, something new, something borrowed and something red will be part of the mix Feb. 18 when Pope Benedict XVI creates 22 new cardinals. The general format of the consistory has been maintained, but the ceremony has been modified and will include the use of... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-8/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-8/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Strengthening one's relationship with God must be the highest priority and most defining quality of religious life, Pope Benedict XVI said. Celebrating vespers with members of religious orders Feb. 2, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the World Day for Consecrated Life, the... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-9/?s= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/02/news-9/?s= BANGALORE, India (CNS) -- Catholic prohibitionists in India's Kerala state have proposed making alcoholism a sin in the nation's largest Christian enclave. "Alcoholism is a serious problem in Kerala, and we have to take tough measures to counter it," Bishop Sebastian Thekethecheril, chairman of the Temperance Commission of the Kerala... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/01/news-1/?s= Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/01/news-1/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, retired archbishop of Los Angeles and longtime advocate of comprehensive immigration reform, is frustrated with the lack of action from Congress on the issue and hopes that today's young people will bring about a change. "They get it. They're the ones who will... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/01/news-2/?s= Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/01/news-2/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Whether they are just starting out or nearing the end of their careers, Catholics who want to practice medicine in conformity with the church's teachings wonder how a new federal regulation requiring health plans to cover contraceptives and sterilization free of charge will affect their work. Although... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/01/news-3/?s= Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/01/news-3/?s= ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- The Jan. 31 announcement by Susan G. Komen for the Cure that it will no longer give grants to Planned Parenthood affiliates for breast cancer screenings "shows we are making a difference and having an impact," said a coordinator of pro-life programs for the St. Louis... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/01/news-4/?s= Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/01/news-4/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Only by fully following God's will can humanity find true freedom and the strength to bear the fear or suffering in one's life, Pope Benedict XVI said. "Only by conforming one's own will to the divine does the human person reach his true greatness -- becomes... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/01/news-5/?s= Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/01/news-5/?s= LUSAKA, Zambia (CNS) -- About 600,000 Rwandan refugees in Zambia want the Catholic Church to help stop the state plans to repatriate them and instead to regularize their Zambian citizenship. The refugees also want the bishops' conference to remind the government to respect their human rights and their right to... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/01/news-6/?s= Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/01/news-6/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Religious freedom and environmental disaster were on the agenda in late January for U.S. Catholic bishops from five southern states making their periodic "ad limina" visits to Rome. In meetings with Pope Benedict XVI and Vatican officials, bishops from Region V -- which includes parts of... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/01/news-7/?s= Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/01/news-7/?s= PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua, retired archbishop of Philadelphia, died Jan. 31 at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, where he resided. According to the Philadelphia Archdiocese, he died in his sleep at 9:15 p.m. He was 88. The archdiocese said he had been battling dementia and an undisclosed form... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/30/news-1/?s= Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/30/news-1/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The same-sex marriage issue will be facing lawmakers and voters in several states this year. Democratic-controlled legislatures in Washington state, Maryland and New Jersey are considering legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage, while Maine voters will vote on a same-sex marriage referendum in November. Voters in North... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/30/news-2/?s= Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/30/news-2/?s= INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) -- A historic Indianapolis church is in the center of festivities surrounding the Feb. 5 Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium. St. John the Evangelist Parish, founded 175 years ago when Indianapolis was a small town on the edge of the American frontier, is the middle of... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/30/news-3/?s= Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/30/news-3/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican and the Palestine Liberation Organization are continuing talks aimed at a formal agreement regulating and promoting the presence and activity of the Catholic Church in the Palestinian territories. Vatican and PLO representatives met Jan. 28 at the headquarters of the Palestinian president in Ramallah,... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/30/news-4/?s= Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/30/news-4/?s= ROME (CNS) -- Representatives of most of the world's bishops' conferences and 30 religious orders will meet in Rome in early February to launch a global initiative aimed at improving efforts to stop clerical sexual abuse and better protect children and vulnerable adults. The conference, "Toward Healing and Renewal," will... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/30/news-5/?s= Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/30/news-5/?s= SAN SALVADOR (CNS) -- The decision of a judge to order the arrest of former Guatemalan dictator Efrain Rios Montt, accused of genocide and crimes against humanity, is a good precedent to remove the impunity that has prevailed for years in the country, said the executive director of the human... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/30/news-6/?s= Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/30/news-6/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Priests hearing confessions need to replace any negative or aggressive attitudes with meekness and mercy toward the penitent, said a Vatican expert on confession. The sacrament of reconciliation "has led to a unilateral overemphasis on the accusation and listing of sins," said Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, regent... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/30/news-7/?s= Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/30/news-7/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- "Mamma mia," Pope Benedict XVI said as a dove flew over his head and back into his apartment Jan. 29 after he and two Italian school children released the bird as a symbol of peace. The pope and representatives of the Italian Catholic Action children's section... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/27/news-1/?s= Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/27/news-1/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- President Barack Obama's decision to deny a permit for the 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline to carry Canadian crude oil to Gulf Coast refineries should have surprised no one, not even the project's staunchest supporters. The president promised he would nix the permit after Congress inserted a deadline... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/27/news-2/?s= Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/27/news-2/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A week after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told individuals and institutions who oppose contraception "to hell with you," as one bishop put it, members of the U.S. Catholic hierarchy were mobilizing their followers to fight. Bishops across the country -- including Archbishop Wilton... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/27/news-3/?s= Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/01/27/news-3/?s= NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) -- It will be up to Catholic voters to convince the federal government to rescind a recent decision by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to go forward with a mandate that all health insurance plans cover contraceptives and sterilization free of charge, said Archbishop...