http://www.ncregister.com/ Breaking News and Analysis from the National Catholic Register en tmcfeely@ncregister.com Copyright 2009 2009-07-3T19:33:51+00:00 http://www.ncregister.com/daily/freedom_prayer/ http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/freedom_prayer/#When:18:33:51Z By Tom McFeely | Archbishop Allan Vigneron of Detroit, who on Monday was one of five U.S. archbishops who received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter’s Basilica, has posted this Independence Day prayer on his archdiocesan website. Heavenly Father, on this holiday weekend we give thanks to you for the gift and blessing of the freedom we enjoy … 2009-07-3T18:33:51+00:00 http://www.ncregister.com/daily/kmiec_gets_malta/ http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/kmiec_gets_malta/#When:16:10:29Z By Tom McFeely | Catholic law professor Doug Kmiec, the pro-Obama Catholic who was overlooked for the appointment as the new U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, has been named ambassador to Malta as a consolation prize. Kmiec’s chances of securing the Holy See ambassadorship were discounted by most Vatican analysts, because of Kmiec’s public claims that President Barack Obama isn’t … 2009-07-3T16:10:29+00:00 http://www.ncregister.com/daily/cardinal_newman_miracle/ http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/cardinal_newman_miracle/#When:13:35:10Z By Tom McFeely | The Vatican announced today that Pope Benedict XVI has promulgated a decree regarding a miracle attributed to the intercession of Cardinal Newman. The statement read: Today, 3rd July 2009, the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, received in private audience H.E. Mons. Angelo Amato, S.D.B., Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. In the course of the … 2009-07-3T13:35:10+00:00 http://www.ncregister.com/daily/president_to_catholic_press_on_the_bishops/ http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/president_to_catholic_press_on_the_bishops/#When:10:43:27Z By Tim Drake | In response to Joe Feuerherd’s question about whether the president might “write off the bishops,” President Obama had this to say. He said that he would not “write off the bishops,” and gave his reasons. “Number one, one of the strengths of our democracy is that everybody is free to express their political opinions, and I take … 2009-07-3T10:43:27+00:00 http://www.ncregister.com/daily/who_asked_what_of_the_president/ http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/who_asked_what_of_the_president/#When:06:49:43Z By Tim Drake | The buzz on the Internet seems to be interested in what questions were asked of the president at his meeting with members of the Catholic press, and who asked them. Given the press’ recent grilling of White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, it should be known that the questions were not pre-packaged. Here’s a rundown on who asked … 2009-07-3T06:49:43+00:00 http://www.ncregister.com/daily/president_to_catholic_press_on_the_middle_east/ http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/president_to_catholic_press_on_the_middle_east/#When:21:42:14Z By Tim Drake | President Obama wrapped up his interview with the Catholic press with a question on the Middle East and how his administration plans to address the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. “We have been very clear that we think settlements should stop ...,” said the president. “On the other hand, it’s not just the problem of Israeli settlements. The Palestinians have … 2009-07-2T21:42:14+00:00 http://www.ncregister.com/daily/president_to_catholic_press_on_homosexual_rights/ http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/president_to_catholic_press_on_homosexual_rights/#When:21:31:05Z By Tim Drake | In response to a question about statements made by those affiliated with the president’s administration, President Obama offered his position on homosexual rights with regard to the Church. “For the gay and lesbian community in this country, I think it’s clear that they feel victimized in fairly powerful ways and they’re often hurt by not just certain … 2009-07-2T21:31:05+00:00 http://www.ncregister.com/daily/president_to_catholic_press_on_conscience_protection/ http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/president_to_catholic_press_on_conscience_protection/#When:21:22:19Z By Tim Drake | We reported earlier on the president’s meeting with the Catholic press and his promise regarding conscience-clause protection. For his exact words on the subject, read on. “I think that the only reason that my position may appear unclear is because it came in the wake of a last-minute, 11th-hour change in conscience clause provisions that were pushed … 2009-07-2T21:22:19+00:00 http://www.ncregister.com/daily/president_to_catholic_press_on_church_attendance/ http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/president_to_catholic_press_on_church_attendance/#When:19:21:50Z By Tim Drake | In response to a question from The Washington Post regarding finding a home church, President Obama had this to say: “Michelle and I decided that we would wait a few months after arriving before we made a decision on this, partly — let’s be blunt: I mean, we were pretty affected by what happened at Trinity and … 2009-07-2T19:21:50+00:00 http://www.ncregister.com/daily/president_to_catholic_press_on_the_catholic_divide/ http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/president_to_catholic_press_on_the_catholic_divide/#When:19:05:53Z By Tim Drake | Another questioner asked the president if he felt as if he had been dragged into a longtime family feud among Catholics, liberal and conservative. For the second time during the discussion, President Obama mentioned the influence of Cardinal Bernardin. “When I was first becoming interested in social justice issues, the American bishops were talking about nuclear freezes … 2009-07-2T19:05:53+00:00 http://www.ncregister.com/daily/president_obama_to_catholic_press_on_abortion/ http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/president_obama_to_catholic_press_on_abortion/#When:18:37:46Z By Tim Drake | During the course of the Catholic press interview of President Obama, Paul Baumann of Commonweal magazine asked the president about the forthcoming report on efforts to seek common ground on abortion. “What are your realistic hopes for this group?” asked Baumann. The president responded that the group has met, received a range of perspectives, gathered comments, and … 2009-07-2T18:37:46+00:00 http://www.ncregister.com/daily/catholic_press_meets_with_president_obama/ http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/catholic_press_meets_with_president_obama/#When:16:02:50Z By Tim Drake | In a 47-minute meeting in the White House’s Roosevelt Room, eight members of the press, most of whom represented Catholic publications, met with President Obama this morning. In addition to Father Owen Kearns, editor in chief and publisher of the Register, those attending were representatives from America, Avvenire/Vatican Radio, Catholic News Service, Catholic Digest, Commonweal, National Catholic … 2009-07-2T16:02:50+00:00 http://www.ncregister.com/daily/the_wages_of_sin_taxes/ http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/the_wages_of_sin_taxes/#When:14:57:30Z By Tom McFeely | The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty is not a fan of the Senate Finance Committee’s bid to impose “lifestyle taxes.” The “sin taxes” would increases taxes on alcoholic beverages and impose new taxes on drinks with high sugar and corn syrup content. The revenues would go to fund President Obama’s proposed $1.2-trillion health-care … 2009-07-2T14:57:30+00:00 http://www.ncregister.com/daily/senators_rally_for_jailed_priest/ http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/senators_rally_for_jailed_priest/#When:13:42:36Z By Tom McFeely | Thirty-seven U.S. senators have sent a letter to Vietnam’s president appealing for the release of Father Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly, who is serving a 13-year jail term in Vietnam. According to Associated Press: In a letter sent through the Vietnamese Embassy, the senators said the Rev. Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly had no lawyers during his four-hour trial … 2009-07-2T13:42:36+00:00 http://www.ncregister.com/daily/benedict_to_visit_synagogue/ http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/benedict_to_visit_synagogue/#When:13:14:03Z By Edward Pentin | The date has yet to be fixed, but Pope Benedict XVI will visit Rome’s synagogue in the fall. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told the Register today the visit has been “openly discussed and can be confirmed.” The Pope is expected to make the trip across the Tiber in November. The Jewish place of worship belongs to … 2009-07-2T13:14:03+00:00