Articles by Adelaide Mena
Book on Pope Francis to illuminate his context, background
Oct 17, 2013 / 23:05 pmAusten Ivereigh, author of an upcoming book on Pope Francis, says it will help explain the Pope's pastoral approach to North Americans and Europeans, who may not understand his Latin American roots.
US bishops welcome end of government shutdown
Oct 17, 2013 / 18:08 pmThe end of a two-week shutdown of the federal government was welcomed by both the U.S. bishops and President Barack Obama, both speaking to the harm caused to the American people by the stalemate.
Academics call religion vital to a well-functioning society
Oct 17, 2013 / 16:07 pmAlthough different belief systems create varying ideas on what's best for a nation, religious freedom is essential for the maintenance of a just and thriving society, academics said at a recent D.C. event.
Supreme Court term touches on prayer, religious liberty
Oct 15, 2013 / 15:55 pmThe 2013-2014 Supreme Court term, which began Oct. 7, will address several prominent issues in the public square, including freedom of speech for pro-life demonstrations, prayer in legislative settings, and religious freedom.
Convent on Staten Island subject of possible arson
Oct 14, 2013 / 23:04 pmA convent and chapel in New York City were the site this weekend of a suspicious fire, in which two nuns and four firefighters were injured.
Suit challenges HHS mandate on social justice grounds
Oct 11, 2013 / 16:14 pmThe owner of a U.S. manufacturing business is filing an appeal to the Supreme Court over the HHS mandate, both because it violates his religious beliefs and because it interferes with his ability to treat his workers justly.
Bill introduced to show abortion charges in insurance exchanges
Oct 11, 2013 / 01:01 amA bill newly introduced in the House of Representatives would enable individuals to determine if they are paying a surcharge for abortion under the health care exchanges available under the Affordable Care Act.
Catholic Charities faces challenges from government shutdown
Oct 10, 2013 / 16:17 pmAs the U.S. government shutdown continues, nonprofit aid groups such as Catholic Charities are feeling an added strain on their work at the national and local levels.
Loyola Marymount abortion policy change prompts criticism
Oct 10, 2013 / 01:07 amA Jesuit college in California has sparked controversy by announcing that it will stop directly covering elective abortions, but will instead offer employees a separate, unsubsidized plan to cover them.
Defense of marriage is a social justice issue, scholar says
Oct 9, 2013 / 16:38 pmMaintaining marriage as a union between a man and a woman is a matter of social justice, said Ryan Anderson, a political scholar and editor of the online journal Public Discourse, in a recent talk.
Updated Newman Guide helps students find faithful colleges
Oct 9, 2013 / 16:07 pmNew guides by the Cardinal Newman Society provide guidance for Catholic families looking at higher education for their children as they seek out faithful Catholic colleges.
Victims of sex trafficking need Church community, group says
Oct 9, 2013 / 03:12 amAlthough largely unrecognized, sex trafficking in the U.S. is a serious problem, and its victims needs the loving support that the Catholic Church can give, says the head of a D.C.- based ministry.
Cardinal O'Malley calls Christians to open hearts to life
Oct 8, 2013 / 23:43 pmA year-long initiative from the U.S. bishops is calling the faithful to respond to the needs of the unborn, supporting life in its most vulnerable stages.
'Little Flower' artifacts draw faithful closer to St. Thérèse
Oct 5, 2013 / 14:03 pmAs a weathered wooden writing desk tours the U.S., its drawers stained black with century-old ink, its presence helps bring the faithful closer to the saint who used it to pen “Story of a Soul” – Thérèse of Lisieux.
Panelists point to Pope as model for Catholics, entire world
Oct 4, 2013 / 16:49 pmPope Francis’ message of service and encounter is a model for the faithful and for society at large, said panelists at a recent conference on the Holy Father.
John Paul II shrine prepares for canonization with joy
Oct 3, 2013 / 16:18 pmUpon hearing the official date for John Paul II’s canonization, the Washington, D.C., shrine dedicated to the former Pope is preparing to celebrate his sainthood and continuing “legacy of love.”
Chinese pro-life activist awarded human rights fellowships
Oct 2, 2013 / 17:14 pmChinese pro-life activist Chen Guangcheng has announced a new three-year partnership with the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., as well as with two other human rights groups.
Catholics continue to have lowest divorce rates, report finds
Oct 1, 2013 / 16:14 pmRecent studies on marriage show that while their rates of divorce are significant, U.S. Catholics are less likely to divorce than people of other religious affiliations.
Cardinal calls faithful to share pro-life message of mercy
Oct 1, 2013 / 01:06 amCiting the words of Pope Francis, the leader of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee called the faithful to open their hearts to Christ, sharing the Gospel message of mercy and the sanctity of human life.
Prayer vigils recognize American pastor imprisoned in Iran
Sep 30, 2013 / 16:39 pmHuman rights advocates gathered in front of the White House last week to pray and raise awareness for Christian pastor Saeed Abedini, a U.S. citizen who has been held in an Iranian prison for the past year.