Copyright (c) 2013 The Georgia Bulletin http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world Catholic news happening around the world from the The Georgia Bulletin http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-1/?s= Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-1/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- After running afoul of the courts yet again, the Federal Communications Commission is taking another stab at rewriting its regulations on indecent content on over-the-air television and radio. Whether the regulations need to be rewritten, though, is another matter entirely. The FCC has sustained its court losses... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-2/?s= Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-2/?s= MADISON, Ind. (CNS) -- Although Grote Industries in Madison has been in business for more than a century, one date in May holds particular significance to the family-owned, worldwide manufacturer of vehicle lighting products. On May 22, a three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-3/?s= Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-3/?s= GRANBURY, Texas (CNS) -- "Overwhelmed." That's how relief volunteer Julie Lyssy described the families who sought shelter inside St. Frances Cabrini's Family Life Center after a tornado ravaged their neighborhoods May 15. The deadly funnel cloud, one of several tornadoes that ripped through parts of north Texas, killed six, injured... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-4/?s= Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-4/?s= ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS) -- If New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo pushes to have "a right to an abortion" codified in state law, he will face "vociferous" and "rigorous" opposition from Catholic and other pro-lifers, said Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York. But the cardinal hopes it doesn't come to... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-5/?s= Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-5/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The key problem in everyone's relationship with God is not that they sin, but that they are not ashamed of their sin and don't ask forgiveness, Pope Francis said. In a homily about St. Peter's relationship with Jesus, Pope Francis said Peter thought he was a... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-6/?s= Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-6/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With slightly more of a swipe than a tap, Pope Francis helped the Pontifical Mission Societies of the United States broaden its reach around the world by unlocking a smartphone app. At the end of an audience with national directors of pontifical mission societies from around... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-7/?s= Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-7/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis said the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, which cares for the church in mission territories, has been teaching him about the nuts and bolts reality of the universal Catholic Church. "He is a professor and comes to me and says,... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-8/?s= Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-8/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta has a special briefcase he uses exclusively to carry documentation for a project that would completely revise an entire section of the Catholic Church's basic law. The black case contains a 40-page draft text for a new "Book VI: Sanctions in the... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-9/?s= Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-9/?s= UNITED NATIONS (CNS) -- The political commitment to combat human trafficking must be backed by concrete actions to ensure that victims gain their freedom from modern-day slavery, said the Vatican's representative to the United Nations. Addressing a U.N. General Assembly meeting to develop a global plan to address human trafficking... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-10/?s= Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/17/news-10/?s= MADISON, Wis. (CNS) -- Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, predicted "the end of abortion in our lifetime" in a recent talk he gave in Madison sponsored by Wisconsin Right to Life. The trial of abortionist Dr. Kermit Gosnell in Philadelphia exposed the grisly truths about the... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-1/?s= Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-1/?s= PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- Dr. Kermit Gosnell may have been convicted May 13 of murder at his Philadelphia abortion clinic, but "nothing can bring back the innocent children he killed, or make up for the vulnerable women he exploited," said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. And, he added, "the repugnance of his... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-2/?s= Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-2/?s= LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (CNS) -- Minnesota businessman Cy Laurent remembers the moment the Holy Spirit lit a path for what would become his lay ministry, the Laboure Society. Talking to a young woman about a job, she told him she had discerned a vocation but had been stymied by her... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-3/?s= Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-3/?s= CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (CNS) -- Carrying red flowers representing the 389 workers arrested during a 2008 raid, hundreds of people participated in a Walk for Justice and interfaith prayer service to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the immigration raid on the Agriprocessors Plant in Postville. The event continues to have... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-4/?s= Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-4/?s= NEW YORK (CNS) -- Faith-based humanitarian aid channels the influence of privately held religious commitments into the public sphere around the globe, but it is poorly understood and often suspected of being a vehicle for proselytizing, according to speakers at a May 15 panel in New York. Jesuit-run Fordham University... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-5/?s= Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-5/?s= FAIRFAX, Va. (CNS) -- A diverse group of young college women lounged on couches at the entrance of the George Mason University Student Union on a recent afternoon. Ninoska Moratin, a campus missionary with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, better known as FOCUS, entreated the students to review their... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-6/?s= Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-6/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis called for global financial reform that respects human dignity, helps the poor, promotes the common good and allows states to regulate markets. "Money has to serve, not to rule," he said in his strongest remarks yet as pope concerning the world's economic and financial... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-7/?s= Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-7/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis was scheduled to help the Pontifical Mission Societies of the United States broaden its reach around the world by unlocking a smartphone app. During an audience with national directors of pontifical mission societies from around the world, the pope was set to launch the... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-8/?s= Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-8/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The church doesn't need couch-potato Catholics, it needs believers with "apostolic zeal," willing to preach the uncomfortable words of Christ, Pope Francis said. "And if we annoy people" with this zeal for Christ, then "blessed be the Lord," he said in his daily morning Mass homily... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-9/?s= Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-9/?s= MANCHESTER, England (CNS) -- England's Catholic leaders have asked politicians to "think again" about redefining marriage to include same-sex couples, but to protect conscience rights if they pass the legislation. The Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill poses "grave risks to freedom of speech and freedom of religion", said Archbishops Vincent Nichols... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-10/?s= Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-10/?s= UNITED NATIONS (CNS) -- World leaders must step up to call for an end to the escalating violence in war-torn Syria to stop the killing of innocent people and halt human rights violations, said the Vatican's permanent observer to the United Nations. Archbishop Francis A. Chullikatt told the world body... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-11/?s= Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/16/news-11/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Catholic Church needs to revive its loving and tender side, which gets lost when the church becomes too serious, Pope Francis said. The church has ended up with "deviations, sects and heresies when it got too serious, that is, when it took things here too... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-1/?s= Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-1/?s= ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) -- The "full social and legal effects" of state lawmakers' decision to legalize same-sex marriage "will begin to manifest themselves in the years ahead," said the Minnesota Catholic Conference. "Today the Minnesota Senate voted to redefine marriage in Minnesota. The outcome, though expected, is no less... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-2/?s= Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-2/?s= PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- Dr. Kermit Gosnell may have been convicted May 13 of murder at his Philadelphia abortion clinic, but "nothing can bring back the innocent children he killed, or make up for the vulnerable women he exploited," said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. And, he added, "the repugnance of his... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-3/?s= Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-3/?s= PROVIDENCE, R.I. (CNS) -- As Boston, and the nation, moves from shock and deep sadness to healing after the Boston Marathon bombings, Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley said he hopes members of the community will maintain the solidarity in spirit and faith they have displayed throughout the ordeal. "We encourage them... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-4/?s= Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-4/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As Oregon scientists announced May 15 that they had successfully converted human skin cells into embryonic stem cells, the chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities warned that the technique is morally troubling on many levels. Scientists at the Oregon Health & Science University and... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-5/?s= Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-5/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis asked Catholics to pray for their bishops and priests, asking God to help them be real shepherds who are poor, humble and meek. "Pray for us bishops and priests," he said May 15 during an early morning Mass with employees of Vatican Radio. "We... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-6/?s= Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-6/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As part of ongoing efforts to promote transparency and chip away at the myths surrounding what is commonly called the Vatican bank, its new president announced it will have a website by the end of the year and will publish its annual report. Ernst von Freyberg,... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-7/?s= Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-7/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Catholics can't put their faith on a part-time schedule or rely on it just for the moments they choose; being Christian is a full-time occupation, Pope Francis said. If people don't open their hearts to the Holy Spirit to let God purify and enlighten them, then... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-8/?s= Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-8/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The head of the Vatican office promoting new evangelization said that while he does not like the terms "Francis effect" or "Francis bump," it is true that "Pope Francis has touched the hearts and minds of many people." Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-9/?s= Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-9/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' native city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, has a centuries-old connection with the Italian island city of Cagliari, Sardinia. The name of the Argentine capital resulted from a compromise between the city's Spanish founder, Pedro de Mendoza, and the Sardinian sailors who sailed his ship... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-10/?s= Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/15/news-10/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Scottish Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who resigned as archbishop after admitting to sexual misconduct, will leave Scotland "for several months for the purpose of spiritual renewal, prayer and penance," the Vatican said. Any decision about when the period will end or where the cardinal will live permanently... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-1/?s= Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-1/?s= ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) -- The "full social and legal effects" of state lawmakers' decision to legalize same-sex marriage "will begin to manifest themselves in the years ahead," said the Minnesota Catholic Conference. "Today the Minnesota Senate voted to redefine marriage in Minnesota. The outcome, though expected, is no less... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-2/?s= Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-2/?s= PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- Dr. Kermit Gosnell may have been convicted May 13 of murder at his Philadelphia abortion clinic, but "nothing can bring back the innocent children he killed, or make up for the vulnerable women he exploited," said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. And, he added, "the repugnance of his... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-3/?s= Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-3/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In March, they came together to help elect a new pope. In May, several American cardinals came together to help support scholarships for students attending The Catholic University of America. Four U.S. cardinal electors from the recent conclave were among the 650 guests at the 24th American... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-4/?s= Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-4/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Human trafficking is so widespread that congregations of women religious are uniting in a nationwide effort to limit its reach. The effort will focus on broader education about sex and labor trafficking, legislative advocacy for stricter laws and penalties for traffickers and wider support for victims through... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-5/?s= Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-5/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Payback with Satan is rotten as he pushes people to be loveless and selfish, finally leaving them with nothing and alone, Pope Francis said. "Satan always rips us off, always!" he said during a morning Mass homily. The pope concelebrated Mass May 14 with Archbishop Ricardo... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-6/?s= Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-6/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After years of discussion and at least one failed attempt, the Vatican will open a pavilion at the 2013 Venice Bienniale, a major international contemporary art exhibition. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, told reporters May 14 the pavilion -- paid for... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-7/?s= Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-7/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- U.S. Cardinal Raymond L. Burke and U.S. pro-life leaders joined tens of thousands of demonstrators in Italy's third annual March for Life May 12, which ended with a personal greeting from Pope Francis. According to organizers, some 30,000 marched along the route from the Colosseum to... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-8/?s= Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-8/?s= WARSAW, Poland (CNS) -- Polish victims of alleged sexual abuse by Catholic priests have formed a foundation to seek damages from the church. "This is to be our forum for cooperating with the church -- we want the people who harmed us to be penalized, barred from working with children... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-9/?s= Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-9/?s= MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- Philippine conservative groups led by Catholics are now looking at how to proceed after preliminary election results showed not all of their chosen candidates secured Senate seats. A coalition of 41 religious conservatives got behind 10 candidates, saying they could influence about 6 million votes of... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-10/?s= Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/14/news-10/?s= GUATEMALA CITY (CNS) -- Church officials in Guatemala did not comment in the days after a former dictator, Gen. Efrain Rios Montt, was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. A judge sentenced Rios Montt, 86, to 80 years in prison for crimes carried out in 1982, when he... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-1/?s= Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-1/?s= BOSTON (CNS) -- Priests turned away from entering the scene of the bombing at the Boston Marathon in April said they understand the actions of the police in the heat of the moment. After two bombs exploded near the finish line April 15, wounding more than 260 people and leaving... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-2/?s= Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-2/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Rural life advocates see a good chance for a delayed farm bill to finally go through Congress before the month of May is over. To that end, advocates -- among them four Catholic entities in a joint letter -- are reminding Congress of their priorities as a... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-3/?s= Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-3/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In dealing with several serious issues confronting the church and society today, "the only question is how you respond, not whether you should," said Helen Alvare at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, held May 9 in Washington. The response Alvare suggested to her audience: "As our leader... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-4/?s= Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-4/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As three choirs sang a modern-day arrangement of the "Memorare" together May 11, a Vietnamese father, mother and daughter in traditional "ao dai" attire walked reverently to the front of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington and placed an ornate crown... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-5/?s= Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-5/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- If a person's prayer life is boring, that generally means that he or she is focused too much on the self and not enough on Jesus and the needs of others, Pope Francis said during a morning Mass homily. "True prayer leads us out of ourselves... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-6/?s= Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-6/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Holy Spirit is more than a pretty dove; it is an integral part of the Trinity and deserves a prime place in people's lives, Pope Francis said. Many Christians say they get by with God the Father by praying the "Our Father" and with Jesus... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-7/?s= Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-7/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis warned against "gentrification of the heart" as a consequence of comfortable living, and called on the faithful to "touch the flesh of Christ" by caring for the needy. The pope's words came in a homily during Mass in St. Peter's Square May 12, when... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-8/?s= Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-8/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- U.S. Cardinal Raymond L. Burke and U.S. pro-life leaders joined tens of thousands of demonstrators in Italy's third annual March for Life May 12, which ended with a personal greeting from Pope Francis. According to organizers, some 30,000 marched along the route from the Colosseum to... http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-9/?s= Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2013/05/13/news-9/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although it has taken more than 400 years, the sainthood cause of Jesuit Father Matteo Ricci, the 16th-century missionary to China, appears to be back on track. Bishop Claudio Giuliodori, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Macerata, Italy, where Father Ricci was born in 1552, formally...