Nation’s Leading Family Advocacy Groups call on Congress to act to stop Holder Justice Department’s Expansion of Online Gambling

Today 12 of the nation’s leading pro-family advocacy groups submitted a letter to the leadership of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives calling for them to act immediately to stop the massive expansion of internet gambling enabled by Attorney General Holder’s surprise reinterpretation of the Wire Act.

The letter begins:  “Six years ago, Congress voted overwhelmingly to protect vulnerable communities within our country as well as the integrity of professional sports by stopping the expansion of gambling on the internet.  Unfortunately Congress’ clear intent in the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act of 2006 (UIGEA) is now under assault and we are writing to urge you to work once again to protect those most at risk from the proliferation of illegal internet gambling.”

The letter was signed by American Values, Eagle Forum, Family Research Council Action, WallBuilders, Religious Freedom Coalition, Christian Coalition, Catholic Advocate, Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Let Freedom Ring, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, 60 Plus Association, and Concerned Women for America. It was sent today to Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader Cantor, Senate Republican Leader McConnell, and Senate Republican Whip Kyl. (more…)

First Catholic University Forced To Drop Health Insurance

Franciscan University of Steubenville becomes the first Catholic institution forced to drop their campus health insurance coverage. In a post on their website, Franciscan sites the violation of our religious liberties and additional new requirements which would double premiums.

Franciscan University might be the first but they will certainly not be the last.

Visit Catholic Advocate’s Action Center and tell Congress to support conscience protections.

Continue to read the full announcement from Franciscan University: (more…)

Cardinal Dolan delivers “Law of the Gift” message to graduates

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, delivered the Catholic University of America 123rd Annual Commencement Address on May 12, 2012. Video of his remarks is available on Catholic University’s website. We have provided the transcript here with several excellent sections in bold. (more…)

Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. on Sebelius at Georgetown “Disappointed But Not Surprised”

The Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. has weighed in on Georgetown University inviting Secretary Sebelius as a participant in an event affiliated with their commencement activities this weekend.

Below is the editorial published in the latest issue of the Catholic Standard.

Editorial: “Disappointed But Not Surprised”

Late last Friday, Georgetown University announced that U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius is the featured speaker for an awards ceremony at the University’s Public Policy Institute. This news is a disappointment but not a surprise. (more…)

Prayer in Defense of Marriage

God our Father, we give you thanks for the gift of marriage: the bond of life and love,and the font of the family.

The love of husband and wife enriches your Church with children, fills the world with a multitude of spiritual fruitfulness and service, and is the sign of the love of your Son, Jesus Christ, for his Church.

The grace of Jesus flowed forth at Cana at the request of the Blessed Mother. May your Son, through the intercession of Mary, pour out upon us a new measure of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit as we join with all people of good will to promote and protect the unique beauty of marriage.

May your Holy Spirit enlighten our society to treasure the heroic love of husband and wife, and guide our leaders to sustain and protect the singular place of mothers and fathers in the lives of their children.

Father, we ask that our prayers be joined to those of the Virgin Mary, that your Word may transform our service so as to safeguard the incomparable splendor of marriage. We ask all these things through Christ our Lord,

Amen.

Saints Joachim and Anne, pray for us.

Published by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops