Articles by Marianne Medlin
Pakistani Catholics mourn death of Cabinet member with funeral Mass, protests
Mar 3, 2011 / 18:55 pmTorn with grief over the recent assassination of Pakistani government minister Shahbaz Bhatti, the Christian community in Pakistan declared three days of mourning for the late Catholic political leader, who was gunned down on March 2.
Proposed federal budget cuts could have 'drastic' impact on poor
Mar 2, 2011 / 03:57 amAs Congress considers potential federal budget cuts for the upcoming year, the nation's Catholic bishops warned again that the proposed reductions would hurt the poor – both in this country and overseas.
Protests continue as Wisconsin lawmakers push budget proposal to Senate
Feb 26, 2011 / 17:18 pmAs tens of thousands continue to protest in Wisconsin’s capitol city of Madison, Republican lawmaker have pushed controversial budget cuts through the local state Assembly and on to the Senate.
Catholic mothers debate breastfeeding and government involvement
Feb 25, 2011 / 00:21 amAlthough they agree on the numerous benefits of breastfeeding, prominent Catholic experts on motherhood are at odds over government attempts to promote the practice in the fight against childhood obesity.
Dr. Bernard Nathanson remembered for his profound pro-life conversion
Feb 23, 2011 / 07:26 amAfter the recent death of abortionist turned pro-life advocate Dr. Bernard Nathanson, his close friend Fr. C. John McCloskey said that the doctor's conversion to the faith was “one of the great Catholic moments of the 20th century in the United States.”
Wisconsin Catholic bishops urge protection of workers' rights as protests surge
Feb 19, 2011 / 05:27 amAmid unprecedented protests in the state of Wisconsin over Republican Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to sharply limit bargaining rights for union employees, the state’s Catholic bishops underscored the “moral obligation” of protecting workers' rights and called for lawmakers to carefully evaluate the difficult situation.
Celebrity-dramatized audio Bible brings renewed vitality to Gospel story
Feb 18, 2011 / 09:08 amA new audio version of the New Testament dramatized by numerous celebrities is being heralded as a “significant” contribution to modern evangelizing and for sparking a renewed interest in the gripping narrative of Scripture.
Hopes for pro-life pregnancy initiative brighter under new Kansas governor
Feb 15, 2011 / 01:18 amA crisis pregnancy program in Kansas is facing a brighter future under Gov. Sam Brownback, who's made it a priority to fund the effort in his proposed budget.
Couple recognized for Valentine's Day wedding 82 years ago
Feb 14, 2011 / 14:55 pmMarshall and Winnie Kuykendall of New Mexico – a couple celebrating their 82nd wedding anniversary this Valentine's Day – were honored recently as the national winners of a “Longest Married Couple” contest.
Chicago pro-life project helps women halt second trimester abortions
Feb 11, 2011 / 06:45 amWith the help of two pro-life groups in the area, a Catholic hospital in Illinois has become one of the first in the U.S. to assist women who've changed their minds and want to stop the process of a second trimester abortion, which can often take several days.
Amid criticism, President Obama moves to fill vacant religious ambassador post
Feb 9, 2011 / 12:28 pmIn the wake of criticism from religious leaders and political experts, President Obama has moved to appoint a religious freedom ambassador, a post he has allowed to remain vacant for the more than two years he has held office.
Massachusetts Catholics fight to reinstate Defense of Marriage Act
Feb 3, 2011 / 14:33 pmThe U.S. Bishops and the Massachusetts Catholic Conference have joined a list of 17 religious groups moving to appeal the state's rejection of the Defense of Marriage Act last year.
'Lost Valentine' TV movie promotes Catholic values, says priest
Jan 29, 2011 / 16:22 pmA new made-for-TV movie by Hallmark and a faith-based film company in time for Valentine's Day promotes “tremendous” Catholic values, a priest involved with the production said.
On religious liberty, Obama administration still 'falling short,' leading authority says
Jan 28, 2011 / 16:04 pmLast week’s state visit by China’s President Hu Jintao again underscored the Obama Administration’s reluctance to defend human rights and religious freedom, according to a leading authority.
Pro-life vigil Mass in DC draws thousands of nation's youth
Jan 25, 2011 / 03:47 amAround 10,000 Catholics, many of them young people from schools around the nation, met to pray for an end to abortion at a pro-life vigil Mass in D.C. on the eve of the annual March for Life.
Exorcist praises new movie 'The Rite' for showing power of faith
Jan 22, 2011 / 06:04 amFather Gary Thomas, whose real life experience as an exorcist-in-training is chronicled in the highly anticipated movie “The Rite,” praised the film for its positive portrayal of the Church and for its witness to the power of faith.
Human rights groups urge Obama to press Chinese president on abuses
Jan 19, 2011 / 00:56 amAs the White House welcomes President Hu Jintao of China this week, critics are decrying China for its record of human rights abuses and urging the Obama administration to “vigorously” address the issues during the Chinese president's visit.
Weakening of Catholic identity contributes to school enrollment decline, cautions professor
Jan 18, 2011 / 04:02 amIn the wake of the Archdiocese of New York recently closing 27 of its schools, conversation on the sharp decline of Catholic school enrollment has once again been ignited. One education expert says a weakening of Catholic identity is a primary factor in the school closures.
Pope recognizes heroic virtue of American priest, Fr. Nelson Baker
Jan 15, 2011 / 16:38 pmPope Benedict officially recognized the heroic virtues of 20th century American priest Fr. Nelson Baker, which moves the beloved champion for the poor further along in the process towards sainthood.
Founder of Catholic homosexual support group passes away
Jan 11, 2011 / 03:40 amFr. John Harvey, known for founding Courage, the international support group for Catholics who experience same-sex attraction, passed away recently at the age of 92.