Catholic News Headlines / Links [11-17-10]

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Note: The following are from the MyCatholicSource.com News & Opinion Page at
http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cmno/news_and_opinion.htm (or archived at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cmno/news_and_opinion_archive.htm ). Not all links may be included. Dates in brackets may refer to dates the links were added to the MCS news page. Items herein contain text only. To view news briefs, actual news links (or to view full news stories), click above link for MCS News & Opinion Page (or archive).

*** ADVISORY: NEWS ITEMS MAY CONTAIN UNDESIRABLE TERMS & COVER SENSITIVE SUBJECTS ***
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Some good news: Number of new seminarians in England this year 'hits a 10-year high' [11/17]

Mass to be celebrated in Vatican Basilica on November 25 for victims of Baghdad cathedral attack [11/17]

On the eve of being elected USCCB vice president, Archbishop Kurtz spoke of the "urgency of our priority to promote, protect and strengthen" true marriage against threats of homosexual 'marriage'; Prelate said "today is like 1970 for marriage", referring to Roe v. Wade [11/17]

President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications announces creation of new multi-media web site; 'Yet to be defined is the name of the page, as well as the timeframe for launching the new site' [11/17]

Pope Benedict makes appeal for Pakistani Catholic mother sentenced to death for 'blaspheming Mohammed' [11/17]

Vatican Radio interview with Cardinal-designate Raymond Burke [11/17]

Archbishop of Mosul says there is a 'change in strategy in attacks on Christians'; Terrorists are now "attacking people directly in their homes" [11/17]

Bishops in China taken to 'undisclosed location' by government officials; Priests fear they are facing pressure to participate in an illicit consecration of a new bishop [11/17]

Ecumenical milestone' or scary surrender? USCCB votes in favor of 'common agreement on Baptism' allowing Catholics to 'presume' certain Protestant baptisms are valid [Note: Properly conducted baptisms performed by Protestants (or anyone for that matter) have always been recognized as valid by the Church. Nevertheless, 'scrupulous priests' - aware of the grave importance of baptism - (wisely!) recommend "conditional baptism" for those entering the Catholic Church] [11/17]

More problems in China: Chinese Catholics may be pressured to attend government-backed National Assembly of Catholic Representatives meeting, "putting additional pressure on Catholics to recognize the authority of that government-backed body rather than the Holy See" [11/17]

USCCB argues that contraceptives & sterilization are not 'preventive' services and should not be included in list of services provided under new healthcare legislation, USCCB spokesperson reminds that pregnancy is not a 'disease' and that "contraception and sterilization pose their own unique and serious health risks to women and adolescents" [Refresher: Catholic teachings against 'birth control'] [11/17]

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