USCCB - (Office of Media Relations) - February 1998 Press Release Archives

February 1998 Press Release Archives

Christian Brother Named Associate Director of National Religious Retirement Office (98-019)
February 2, 1998
Christian Brother John T. Patzwall has been named Associate Director of the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO), effective April 20.
Catholics Join Their Bishops in Planting Seeds of Hope (98-025)
February 2, 1998
The bishops of the United States have a long tradition of reaching out to the needy around the world. They are proud of Catholics who have made generous contributions to support these efforts. This year's collection for the American Bishops' Overseas Appeal is scheduled for March 22nd in most dioceses. The bishops are hoping to surpass the $12.6 million received last year from Catholics around the country.
Papal Visit to Cuba Should Spur Re-Examination of U.S. Policy, Bishops Advise (98-026)
February 2, 1998
Positive steps taken by the Cuban government in anticipation of Pope John Paul II's recent visit there should be met with a re-examination of U.S. policy toward the island nation, according to a statement released today by the U.S. Catholic Conference.
Archbishop Welcomes New Inquiry Into Northern Ireland's 'Bloody Sunday' (98-027)
February 2, 1998
British Prime Minister Tony Blair's decision last week to reopen the investigation into Northern Ireland's "Bloody Sunday" is important to the "process of healing and reconciliation" in Northern Ireland, according to the chairman of the Bishops' International Policy Committee.
USCC Official Tells Summit: Bishops Hope 'To Move a Nation' on Religious Persecution (98-029)
February 4, 1998
Raising public awareness to the issue of religious persecution abroad must be a priority for the United States Government, one U.S. Catholic Conference official told the Religious Leaders' Summit on Religious Persecution meeting today in Washington.
Musical Numbers Save Blues Brothers 2000 (98-030)
February 6, 1998
The 1-800-311-4CCC movie line reviews Blues Brothers 2000 for the week of February 6-12. Also included on the toll-free line is a review of Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, this week's suggested home video for family viewing.
Letter to Secretary Albright Urges Means Other than War to Contain Iraq (98-031)
February 10, 1998
In a four-page letter to Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, the chairman of the International Policy Committee, United States Catholic Conference (USCC) said "Means short of war must be found to contain and overcome the Iraqi regime's threat to its own people and to the world."
Continental Youth Gathering Planned for October in Chile (98-032)
February 11, 1998
A continental youth gathering for young people from North and South America is slated for Santiago, Chile, October 6-11.
Bishops Launch New Strategic Plan For Communications; Catholic Communication Campaign Reorganized (98-033)
February 12, 1998
The U.S. Bishops launched their new strategic plan for communications with a reorganization of the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC).
Cardinal Keeler Speaks to Congress on Aspects of Human Cloning (98-034)
February 12, 1998
In Congressional testimony, Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore said "Cloning is not wrong because cloned human beings lack human dignity--it is wrong because they have human dignity, and deserve to come into the world in ways that respect this dignity."
'Open Eyes to Poverty,' Urges the Pope in His 1998 Lenten Message (98-035)
February 12, 1998
In his Lenten message for 1998, Pope John Paul II called on Christians "to open our eyes to the poverty of many."
Abe Lincoln in Illinois Gives Personal Perspective (98-038)
February 13, 1998
The 1-800-311-4CCC movie line reviews Blues Brothers 2000 for the week of February 13-19. Also included on the toll-free line is a review of Abe Lincoln in Illinois, this week's suggested home video for family viewing.
Archbishop Hails Release of Cuban Prisoners, Asks Reciprocal Action (98-040)
February 13, 1998
The Chairman of the United States Catholic Conference Committee on International Policy expressed satisfaction that the Cuban government has granted the Pope's request to release a certain number of detainees from the list presented to the Cuban authorities by the Holy See.
In Letter to President Clinton, Cardinals and Bishops' Head Express "Grave Concern" about Readiness to Attack Iraq; They Urge Diplomacy to Ensure Iraqi Compliance (98-036)
February 13, 1998
In a letter to President Clinton, seven American Cardinals and the President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops said they view "with grave concern" the administration's readiness to use military force to compel Iraq to comply with U.N. sanctions.
March Events (98-037x)
February 17, 1998
The USCC Department of Education will sponsor Congressional Advocacy Days in Washington, March 1-3. The conference will address the main education issues proposed by President Clinton - school construction/renovation, technology grants, teacher training and recruitment, safe and drug free schools, after school programs, preparation for college, improving reading and child care.
March Pitches (98-039)
March 17, 1998
Sink the TITANIC and Push FULL MONTY. The movie Titanic swept the Oscar nominations, but there's more to be learned from The Full Monty, a comic look at the foibles of jobless steelworkers."For sure, The Full Monty tells more about the human spirit and aspirations than all the lush romance and hollow spectacle of Titanic," notes movie reviewer Henry Herx, head of the U.S. Bishops' Office for Film and Broadcasting.
U.S. Bishops' Conference and Celam Held Catechetical Meeting (98-041)
February 17, 1998
Representatives of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and United States Catholic Conference (NCCB/USCC) met recently with representatives of the Latin American Bishops' Council (CELAM) to discuss catechesis in America.
Mark Franken Named Executive Director of Migration and Refugee Services (98-042)
February 18, 1998
Mark Franken was today named Executive Director of the U.S. Catholic Conference's Migration and Refugee Services, permanently filling the post in which he had served as Interim Executive Director since September.
Ecumenical Study for Parishes Studied by Methodist-Catholic Group (98-043)
February 19, 1998
A congregational study to assist parishes and congregations in ecumenical efforts was the focus of a recent meeting here of the United Methodist-Roman Catholic Dialogue.
The Apostle Tells Compelling Story (98-045)
February 20, 1998
The Apostle tells a compelling story according to a review on the U.S. Bishops' movie review line, 1-800-311-4CCC, for the week of February 20-February 26. Also included on the toll-free line is a review of The Sun Came Up, this week's suggested home video for family viewing.
Campaign for Human Development Honors Grassroots Leader Who Works to Improve Living Conditions on Texas-Mexico Border (98-046)
February 23, 1998
Rocio Escobedo of Del Rio, Texas, a grassroots leader for improved living conditions in communities on the Texas-Mexico border, has been named recipient of the "Sister Margaret Cafferty Development of People" award, presented annually by the Campaign for Human Development (CHD), the U.S. Catholic bishops' domestic anti-poverty program.
Florida, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Texas Church Groups Awarded Regional Environmental Grants (98-047)
February 24, 1998
Four Catholic church groups in Florida, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico and Texas have won grants of $6,000 each to address environmental issues in their area.
Environmental Justice Grants Awarded in Nineteen Dioceses (98-044)
February 24, 1998
Environmental justice grants ranging from $750 to $1,530 have been awarded to groups in 19 dioceses.
The Borrowers Hailed as Charming Whimsical Fantasy (98-048)
February 27, 1998
The 1-800-311-4CCC movie line hails The Borrowers as a charming, whimsical fantasy for the week of February 27-March 5. Also included on the toll-free line is a review of Pollyanna, this week's suggested home video for family viewing.