USCCB - (Office of Media Relations) - March 2000 Press Release Archives

March 2000 Press Release Archives

Comedy Whodunit Drowning Mona Joins CCC 800 Movie Line (00-042)
March 3, 2000
The comedy whodunit Drowning Mona joined the Catholic Communications Campaign 1-800 movie line list this week. Although rather mean-spirited at times, Mona might be considered the darkly funny best of an unpleasant lot.
Second Edition of Catechism to be Published (00-040)
March 6, 2000
A second edition of the best-selling Catechism of the Catholic Church, enhanced by the inclusion of several new features, will be published by the United States Catholic Conference in April, it was announced today.
Cdl. Keeler Urges Senate Rejection of Stem Cell Research Act (00-041)
March 6, 2000
Cardinal William Keeler urged the Senate to reject the "Stem Cell Research Act" (S. 2015)-- legislation which would give approval to and even expand the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently released draft guidelines for funding human embryonic stem cell research.
NCCB Official Urges Senate Support for Child Custody Protection Act (00-043)
March 7, 2000
Gail Quinn, Executive Director of the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB), has urged the Senate to vote in favor of the Child Custody Protection Act (S. 661).
NCCB Official Calls For Open Hearing on Fetal Body Parts Trafficking (00-047)
March 9, 2000
Helen Alvar�, Director of Planning and Information for the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued the following statement today.
Cardinal Law Explains Agreement Between P.L.O. and the Holy See (00-048)
March 9, 2000
Last month's diplomatic agreement between the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Holy See should not be construed as interference in the Middle East peace process, according to the chairman of the Bishops' International Policy Committee.
New Study Reveals Hispanics at Center of Catholic Church in the United States (00-044)
March 9, 2000
Hispanics, who will constitute a majority of the Catholic Church in the United States in the next few years, account for 71 percent of the growth in the U.S. Church in the last 40 years, according to a new study released today by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Muslims and Catholics Form Dialogue on West Coast (00-045)
March 9, 2000
Muslims and Catholics have formed the West Coast Dialogue of Muslims and Catholics. With the sponsorship of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and shurah councils of Northern and Southern California, representatives of various local and national organizations will meet annually in the West Coast region.
United States Must Make Commitments for Debt Relief (00-046)
March 9, 2000
Progress toward significant debt relief for some of the world's poorest countries will falter without further U.S. support for a recently expanded and improved initiative, the chairman of the Bishops' International Policy Committee said in a letter to congressional leaders released today.
1-800 Movie Line Takes Mission to Mars (00-050)
March 10, 2000
The Catholic Communications Campaign's 1-800 movie line this week takes a Mission to Mars, a fanciful sci-fi comedy. For family video viewing, Mulan is the pick of the week.
USCC Brief Asks Supreme Court to Overturn Lower Court Ruling in Scout Leader Removal Case (00-049)
March 14, 2000
The United States Catholic Conference (USCC) and New Jersey Catholic Conference have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court that the Boy Scouts violated state law in terminating the volunteer services of a self-described gay activist who was an Assistant Scoutmaster.
Jewish, Catholic Consultation Hails Papal Pilgrimage to Israel (00-051)
March 14, 2000
Members of the Ongoing Consultation between the National Council of Synagogues and the National Conference of Catholic Bishops have sent greetings to Pope John Paul II as the Pontiff prepares for next week's historic pilgrimage to Israel.
Jubilee Day for Singles April 27 (00-052)
March 15, 2000
The Jubilee Day for Single Persons will be celebrated April 27 by the Church in the United States.
Bishop Fiorenza Notes Start of Sainthood Cause for Dorothy Day (00-053)
March 16, 2000
Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued the following statement on learning that the Vatican has opened the cause of sainthood for Dorothy Day, now to be called Dorothy Day, Servant of God.
Pope's 'Purification of Memory' Act Is Model for All Catholics, Especially Bishops, Says NCCB Administrative Committee (00-054)
March 16, 2000
The Administrative Committee of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) issued a statement expressing "profound gratitude to our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, for his act of 'purification of memory' celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica on March 12."
Reducing Demand for Illegal Drugs Will Boost Colombian Peace Process (00-055)
March 16, 2000
Reducing domestic demand for illegal drugs produced in Colombia could be the United States' greatest contribution to that country's peace process, according to the Chairman of the Bishops' International Policy Committee.
Progress Has Been Made, Crucial Steps Remain in Northern Ireland Peace Process (00-057)
March 16, 2000
The current impasse in the implementation of the Northern Ireland peace accord is creating a "dangerous void," and now is the time for all parties to act responsibly, according to the chairman of the Bishops' International Policy Committee.
Encuentro 2000 Update (00-056) March 16, 2000
St. Patrick's Day Movie Line Recommends Secret of Roan Inish (00-058)
March 17, 2000
On St. Patrick's Day the Catholic Communications Campaign (CCC) movie review line (1-800-311-4CCC) recommends for family viewing The Secret of Roan Inish, a fable set in Ireland. And, dare we say "Erin go bragh," to Erin Brokovich?
Cardinal Keeler Urges House Support for Legislation to Ban Partial-birth Abortion (00-059)
March 21, 2000
The Cardinal is Chairman of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities. A vote on the legislation, H.R. 3660, is expected in early April.
Catholic Bishops Express Appreciation for Statements by United Methodist, Pentecostal Leaders (00-063)
March 22, 2000
Two Catholic Bishops closely involved in ecumenical relations expressed gratitude for statements made by officials of the United Methodist Church and by a Pentecostal scholar in response to Pope John Paul's recent "Purification of Memory" liturgy at the Vatican.
Msgr. Jaime Soto Named Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Orange (00-062)
March 22, 2000
Pope John Paul II has named Monsignor Jaime Soto, Episcopal Vicar for the Hispanic Community of Orange, California, as Titular Bishop of Segia and Auxiliary Bishop of Orange.
April 2000 (00-061)
March 23, 2000
Bishops' Membership Photo Directory Now Available (00-064)
March 23, 2000
A useful tool for identifying and locating members of the Catholic hierarchy in the United States is now available from the U.S. Catholic Conference's Department of Communications.
Around The Corner -- Media Alert (00-060)
March 24, 2000
Beyond The Mat: Wrestling With Reality (00-065)
March 24, 2000
The 1-800-311-4CCC movie line gives high marks this week to Beyond the Mat, a gritty but artful documentary about wrestlers and the wrestling industry. Those with a more escapist approach may prefer the sentimental Here on Earth.
F.C.C. Must Apply 'Public Interest Obligations' to Digital Television Broadcasters (00-067)
March 27, 2000
Citing numerous examples of television stations choosing to broadcast revenue generating programs over local religious and educational programs, the U.S. Catholic Conference today urged the Federal Communications Commission to re-impose "public interest obligations" on broadcasters as they make the transition to digital transmissions.
Encuentro 2000 Registration Books Sent Nationwide (00-066)
March 28, 2000
More than 50,000 registration books for Encuentro 2000: Many Faces in God's House have been distributed across the nation.
Mid-Atlantic Dialogue of Muslims and Catholics Commits to Preparing Materials on Marriage and Family Life (00-068)
March 28, 2000
At the third meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Dialogue of Muslims and Catholics, held at Immaculate Conception Center in Queens, New York, February 23-24, participants agreed to begin preparing a text together that covers their views of marriage and family life.
National Migration Week Small Grant Winners Announced (00-069)
March 29, 2000
Eleven dioceses have been awarded grants ranging from $250 to $1,000 in this year's National Migration Week Small Grants Program, the U.S. Catholic Conference/Migration and Refugee Services announced today.
Extension, CCHD, Youth Foundation Donate to Encuentro 2000 (00-070)
March 29, 2000
The Catholic Church Extension Society of the United States of America, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) and the National Foundation for Catholic Youth have donated up to $105,000 to Encuentro 2000: Many Faces in God's House.
Committee Chairman Opposes Low Power Radio Legislation (00-072)
March 29, 2000
The Chairman of the U.S. Catholic Conference Communications Committee today urged a House committee to oppose legislation that would block low power FM, saying the new non-commercial stations will provide an important alternative to for-profit broadcast conglomerates.
Raleigh, North Carolina Bishop Urges Support for Encuentro 2000 After Anti-Immigrant Vandalism, Rally (00-071)
March 30, 2000
An anti-immigration rally led by former Ku Klux Klansman David Duke in Siler City, North Carolina, has become the catalyst for renewed support for Encuentro 2000: Many Faces in God's House by Bishop F. Joseph Gossman of Raleigh, North Carolina.
High Fidelity = Low Comedy, According to 1-800 Movie Line (00-073)
March 31, 2000
High Fidelity is low on comedy, according to the Catholic Communications Campaign's movie line reviewers this week. A safer bet is to stay home and watch The Winslow Boy, this week's family video of the week.