ALBANY, N.Y.  — Gov. Andrew Cuomo has decided to save the bulk of his women’s equality agenda by creating a separate bill for the most radical expansion of abortion in New York State since the Roe v. Wade decision. But the governor’s move is not enough for pro-life leaders to declare victory, pointing to previous 11th-hour negotiations that gave the governor his most controversial legislative triumphs.

Cuomo has divided the Women’s Equality Act into 10 bills, after negotiating with leaders from the Assembly and the Senate. Cuomo backed down from his all-or-nothing position, after it was clear the New York Legislature would not resolve an impasse over the WEA’s inclusion of a provision...READ MORE

VATICAN CITY — Theologians at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints are reported to have approved a second miracle granted through the intercession of Blessed John Paul II, moving him closer to being declared a saint.

“The proclamation of his sainthood needs only the approval of the commission of cardinals and bishops and the final signature of Pope Francis,” Italian news agency ANSA reported June 18.

Britain’s Telegraph newspaper also reported June 19 that a Vatican source had confirmed a miracle. The source did not disclose details of the miracle, but said it involved a Costa Rican woman whose “extraordinary healing” would “amaze the world.”

Before Blessed John Paul II can be...READ MORE

Catholics Carry Parish Banner in 'Gay' Pride Parade by Matt Archbold - BigPulpit.com

Why God Is Father, Not Mother – Taylor Marshall PhD, Canterbury Tales

Reverence - Kaitlin Davis, Ignitum Today

In Defense of Church’s Strong Language on Homosexuality – Daniel Mattson, First Things/On the Square

Pio Nono, The Washington Monument, and a Purloined Block of Marble – Donald R. McClarey JD, The American Catholic

I’ve Changed My Mind About Womynpreests - LarryD, Acts of the Apostasy

The Pilgrimage of Faith, Christianity’s Unvanquished Hope - Anthony Lilles, Roman Catholic Spiritual Direction

The Difference Between a Pilgrim and a Tourist - Marc Barnes, Patheos/Bad Catholic

The...READ MORE

MADRID — In a message to participants of the Fifth World Congress Against the Death Penalty held in Madrid, Pope Francis reiterated the Holy See’s support for “the abolition of the death penalty.”

Opposition to the death penalty is part of the Church’s defense of the dignity of human life, he said, and it is “a courageous reaffirmation of the conviction that humanity can successfully confront criminality” without resorting to the suppression of life.

In his message, which was signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Holy Father recalled that his predecessors Benedict XVI and John Paul II made similar pleas.

He asked that “capital sentences be commuted to a...READ MORE

WASHINGTON — Despite passing the U.S. House of Representatives, a bill to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy faces an uncertain future, as President Obama’s administration has suggested that he will veto it.

“Science is on our side,” Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., told MSNBC in an interview.

Blackburn joined other pro-life representatives, including Michelle Bachmann, R- Minn., and Virginia Foxx, R- N.C., in defending the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would ban abortions 20 weeks into a pregnancy and later, based on science indicating that unborn children can feel pain by this point. Exceptions in cases of rape, incest or a risk to the mother’s life were...READ MORE

PHILADELPHIA — The Liberty Bell stands in Philadelphia as an icon of American freedom and independence since 1776. Today, Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput warns that the bell is tolling for religious liberty in the United States, and lay Catholics must determine whether it rings in the rebirth or the end of that cherished freedom.

Archbishop Chaput and the rest of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have called upon Catholic Americans to observe the second annual “Fortnight for Freedom” from June 21 to July 4. The bishops have asked Catholics to engage in two weeks of prayer, education and action to address the many challenges to religious liberty in the United States,...READ MORE

Why Do Some Catholic Schools Require Students to Read Really Vulgar Books? by Carl Olson - BigPulpit.com

Do You or Someone You Know Need to Forgive? – Dawn Eden, Feast of Eden

Can We Stop Fretting About Modesty? - Mary C. Tillotson, Ignitum Today

The Gospel of Life is the ‘Way to Freedom’, Says Pope Francis – Ed West, Catholic Herald

Tenderhearted - Diane McKelva, Catholic Stand

A Witnessed Moment of Heartbreaking Love – Matt Archbold, Creative Minority Report

Quotes Suitable For Framing: Saint John Fisher – Donald R. McClarey JD, The American Catholic

Overcoming Suffering with Love – Steve Pokorny, Truth and Charity Forum

Five Ways to Ruin the Mass - Jeffrey A. Tucker,...READ MORE

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — When Arthur Goldberg’s son confided that he was struggling with same-sex attraction, the Goldbergs reached out for help. But no Jewish organization existed to give them authentic information on this complex, sensitive subject.

So, in 1999, Arthur and his wife and another couple founded JONAH (Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing) to help Jews and others struggling with unwanted same-sex attractions.   

“The key word is ‘unwanted,’” said Goldberg, who added that his nonprofit organization’s referrals to therapists, books and other resources to help people change their sexual orientation are “not coercive in any shape, manner or form.”  

Now, however, the...READ MORE