Washington (EWTN News) — The TV network NBC apologized for omitting the words “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance during its coverage leading up to the U.S. Open championship.

The June 19 program featured a group of children saying the pledge before the sports event at the Congressional Country Club, but the network edited out the words “under God” from the pledge twice.

Reacting to immediate criticism, NBC issued an on-air statement saying the intent was to include “a feature that captured the patriotism of our national championship.”

“Regrettably, a portion of the Pledge of Allegiance that was in that feature was edited out,” network officials said. “It was not done to upset...READ MORE

ALBANY, N.Y. (EWTN News/CNA) — New York state senators did not reach a conclusion about homosexual “marriage” as the Senate met before its summer recess on June 20.

“Every day that goes by and the bill does not pass is a good day, (but) we are realistic enough to know that this is a very serious danger,” said Dennis Poust, New York
Catholic Conference director of communications in a June 20 interview with EWTN News.

The issue was delayed along with other topics, including rent control and property tax in New York, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Conference is doing its best to convince senators that the homosexual “marriage” bill is not a good idea for...READ MORE

New Translation:  Blessed Are You, Lord - Jake Tawney, Roma locuta est

The Informality of Blogging Bishops - Patrick Brennan, Mirror of Justice

Earthly Treasures vs. Heavenly Treasures - Maurice Blumberg, Catholic Lane

Asceticism and the Consumer Society - Metropolitan Jonah, Acton Institute

For Those Called to Marriage - Doctor Jeff Mirus, CatholicCulture.org/On the Culture

The Political Economy of Distributism - John Médaille, The Distributist Review

Planned Parenthood Funding:  Madison & Subsidiarity vs. Obama - Paul Kengor, Catholic Vote

Famous Welsh Statue of Our Lady Missing - Richard Collins, Linen on the Hedgerow

The True Causes of Schism - Devin Rose, St. Joseph’s Vanguard...READ MORE

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN NEWS) — Pope Benedict stressed the importance of global leaders welcoming refugees in light of recent violence that has displaced thousands of people in Africa and the Middle East.

“I invite the civil authorities and all people of good will to ensure refugees are welcomed and given dignified living conditions as they await the chance to return freely and safely to their own countries,” he said before praying the Angelus on Sunday, June 19.

World Refugee Day is celebrated annually on June 20.

The celebration this year coincides with the 60th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the adoption of the 1951 Geneva Convention...READ MORE

WASHINGTON (CNA/EWTN News) — Diocesan bishops will be allowed to gradually introduce the musical settings for Mass parts from the new Roman Missal beginning in September, Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans announced June 16.

“I ask you to encourage this as a means of preparing our people and helping them embrace the new translation,” Archbishop Aymond told the bishops during their spring assembly near Seattle.

This announcement primarily affects the Gloria, the Holy, Holy, Holy and the Memorial Acclamations of the liturgy. The change will allow parish communities to learn the various parts of the new translation “in a timely fashion and an even pace.”

The bishops’ Committee on...READ MORE

“As the regional priest servant of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), I issue the following statement on behalf of the society:

On 16 March 2011, the Bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas, and the SOLT received a complaint against Father John Corapi, SOLT. As is normal procedure and due to the gravity of the accusation alleging conduct not in concert with the priestly state or his promises as a member of an society of apostolic of diocesan right, Father Corapi was suspended from active ministry (put on administrative leave) until such a time that the complaint could be fully investigated and due process given to Father Corapi. In the midst of the investigation, the SOLT...READ MORE

DENVER (CNA/EWTN News) — In an era of family breakdown and easy divorce, there is still hope for Catholic families to grow and develop under the leadership of fathers, both biological and spiritual. But men today must confront new challenges to their traditional roles.

“The greatest force pulling apart fathers and children is divorce,” said Brian Caulfied, editor of the website Fathers for Good. He told CNA that, over time, children of divorce “generally have little or no contact with their biological fathers.”

“It’s tough to put a broken glass back together, and the pieces never again quite fit,” said Caulfield, the father of two children.

An analysis released in June 2011 by the Pew...READ MORE

VATICAN CITY (EWTN NEWS)— Young people should not be afraid to ask the big questions in life, such as “Who are we? Where do we come from? For whom do we live?” Pope Benedict told the youth of the Diocese of San Marino-Motefeltro on June 19.

“Man cannot live without this search for the truth about himself; truth that spurs us towards new horizons and to go beyond what is merely material, not to escape from reality, but to live a more authentic life, richer in meaning and hope,” he said.

The Sunday address was the conclusion of the Pope’s one-day visit to the diocese, part of which contains the small independent state of San Marino. The gathering was in the Italian half of the diocese in...READ MORE