News & Events

White House Misrepresents its own Contraceptive Mandate

Friday, 03 February 2012 17:40
WASHINGTON (USCCB) — The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued the following response to the February 2 post on the White House blog. Full text follows: The Obama administration, to justify its widely criticized mandate for contraception and sterilization coverage in private health plans, has posted a set of false and misleading claims on the White House blog (“Health Reform, Preventive Services, and Religious Institutions,” February 1). In what follows, each White House claim is quoted with a response. Claim: “Churches are exempt from the new rules: Churches and other houses of worship will be exempt from the requirement to offer insurance that covers contraception.” Response: This is not entirely true. To be eligible, even churches and houses of worship must show the government that they hire and serve primarily people of their own faith and have the inculcation of religious values as their purpose. Some churches may have service to the broader community as a major focus, for example, by providing direct service to the poor regardless of faith. Such churches would be denied an exemption precisely because their service to the common good is so great. More importantly, the vast array of other religious organizations – schools, hospitals, universities, charitable institutions – will clearly not be exempt.
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“JAM” Concert to Support Toni and Trish House

Friday, 03 February 2012 12:10

   WHAT:    “Evening of Praise and Worship” to benefit Toni and Trish House
   WHEN:     7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 17
   WHERE:   St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 6400 McCarty Rd., Saginaw

SAGINAW — The parish community of St. John Vianney Catholic Church invites the public to an “Evening of Praise and Worship,” in which the group, “JAM” or “Jesus and Music” will perform. The group, which consists of youth and adults from St. John Vianney will perform music from artists such as Tim Booth, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Third Day and more. In addition to “JAM,” the parish’s adult choir also will be featured.

There is no fee to attend, but a free will offering will be accepted to benefit the Toni and Trish House in Auburn, whose mission “affirms that life in its final months and days can be lived in dignity, peace and comfort, with compassionate care in a peaceful, respectful home-like environment.”

Bishop Cistone to Meet with Pope

Thursday, 02 February 2012 16:04

SAGINAW — The Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone is in Rome for his “ad limina” visit to the Vatican (Feb. 1 — Feb. 6), when he will report on the state of the Diocese of Saginaw to the Holy See, Pope Benedict XVI. Bishop Cistone made the pilgrimage with Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, and the bishops of the other dioceses of Michigan and Ohio.

While in Rome, Bishop Cistone will have a meeting with the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI and visit the tombs of Ss. Peter and Paul.

“Ad limina” comes from the Latin phrase ad limina apostolorum (to the threshold of the Apostles), which is a reference to the pilgrimage to the center of the Church, Rome, and includes prayer at the tombs of Ss. Peter and Paul. Bishops are required by church law to visit Rome and meet with the Holy Father every five years, in order to discuss each diocese.

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