Topic: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

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Health-care mandate: Catholic leaders sue over birth control

Health-care plan provision for employer-paid birth control riles Catholic schools, dioceses, and health-care providers. Negotiations with White House 'not encouraging.'
Catholic groups take fight against Obama birth-control rules to court

Some 43 Catholic groups including Notre Dame are attempting to block rules in the new health-care law that require health insurance to provide access to birth-control services.
Obama backs gay marriage: How it plays with Christian church leaders (+video)

The response from Christian church leaders ranged from "giddy" to "deeply saddening" when asked about President Obama's new support of gay marriage. Will it fire up evangelical Christians to vote against Obama in November?
Churches and politicians should stay in their own lanes, say Americans

A record 38 percent of Americans, including 24 percent of Republicans, say their political leaders are talking too much about faith and prayer. Fifty-four percent say churches should stay out of politics, says a Pew Research Poll.
Health insurance plan: No more changes on birth control rule

Health insurance program's new rule on contraceptive coverage, after Obama's compromise for religious groups, will have no other changes, says White House chief of staff. But US Catholic bishops say they will still challenge health insurance plan in the courts.
As birth control flap goes on, who benefits most? Santorum? Obama?

The two sides are hardening their positions on contraception. The divide between many Catholics and bishops remains. And it’s raising questions over who benefits in the presidential election.
The Vote
Political fallout from birth control fight: A glimmer of good news for Obama?

Under fire from Catholic bishops and others, the Obama administration had to backtrack on contraception and health insurance. But many Catholics differ with the church hierarchy over birth control.
Catholic furor over birth control rule turns Democrats on one another

The Catholic Church's anger over a proposed federal rule to force church-affiliated organizations to offer health plans covering birth control has provided Republicans with an opportunity – and Democrats with a problem.
Abortion, birth control becoming major campaign issues

GOP presidential hopefuls are attacking President Obama's order on contraception and Catholic institutions. But Mitt Romney also faces questions about his past support for abortion rights.
Jack Kevorkian drove the debate on physician-assisted suicide

Jack Kevorkian, who died Thursday, was a controversial figure who confronted one of society’s most profound ethical issues: Should a physician be able to help a person commit suicide?
Chapter & Verse
Is it right to revise the Bible?

"The New American Bible" is not the first Catholic bible to be updated to reflect changes in the way English is understood, but the latest revisions are controversial.
New Bible to replace 'holocaust,' 'booty,' and 'cereal.' Why?

New Bible: a new Roman Catholic Church edition of the New American Bible will replace some words, revert to an earlier version of the 23rd Psalm, and include fresh notes of Church interpretation. A digital edition of this new bible will also be available next week.
Nancy Pelosi puts her stamp on the House

Nancy Pelosi is a master tactician and the most powerful speaker in a half century. Behind her personal brand of power politics – and whether she will still be speaker after the midterm elections.
Cracks appear in abortion front against healthcare reform

The coalition of Catholics and anti-abortion advocates that has opposed healthcare reform – saying it could allow federal funds for abortion – is slowly splintering.
Healthcare reform would lower deficit by $130 billion over 10 years

House leaders made that announcement about the healthcare reform legislation, citing a forthcoming report from the Congressional Budget Office.
Dennis Kucinich to hold his nose but will vote yes on healthcare

Still not a big fan of President Obama's healthcare bill, Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich on Wednesday said he would vote yes for the legislation.
TPS: Haiti's illegal immigrants given temporary protection in US

The Department of Homeland Security said it would offer Haitians who were here illegally before Tuesday's earthquake temporary protected status (TPS). Haiti has 100,000 people living in the US illegally.
Catholics face moral crisis between healthcare reform and abortion

Catholics have long supported healthcare reform. But many now worry that it might compromise existing restrictions on federal funding of abortions, leaving them with a tough choice.
Patrick Kennedy communion clash reveals split in Catholic church

Rep. Patrick Kennedy said Sunday that he is being barred from taking communion because he favors abortion rights. The disagreement points to broader tensions in the Catholic church regarding abortion measures in the healthcare reform bill.
On healthcare reform, House lawmakers get past the abortion hurdle

To pass a healthcare reform bill, addressing abortion is necessary in order to get the support of conservative Democrats. Lobbyists for Catholic bishops were part of the negotiation.
Obama weighs patient rights vs. doctor's conscience

The administration will soon decide whether to reverse Bush's 'conscience rule.'
Fight against poverty unites Christian left and right

Liberal and conservative groups bridge some differences in new collaborative efforts to fight the problem.
Bush, other leaders to promote interfaith dialogue at UN

The gathering follows a successful Muslim-Catholic forum at the Vatican.
Recast prayer renews ancient strain between Jews and Vatican

Roman Catholics' altered wording of a missal widely offensive to Jews still takes 'conversionist' approach.