Chicago, Ill., Feb 3, 2015 / 05:43 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Despite the uncertainty that comes with cancer, Cardinal Francis George, the retired Archbishop of Chicago, says his days are filled with gratitude and efforts to build physical strength. “I’m in the hands of God, as we all are,” the cardinal reflected at a Jan. 30 press conference. The cardinal spoke to members of the media at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago shortly after receiving the Gaudium et Spes Award, the highest honor granted by the Knights of Columbus. Cardinal George led the Archdiocese of Chicago for more than 15 years. He in retired in 2014 amid a battle with cancer, and was succeeded by Archbishop Blase Cupich. The 78-year-old cardinal took part in a clinical trial conducted by University of Chicago Medicine, but ended the trial when it proved ineffective. Cardinal George said that the transition into retirement has gone well. He is still informed about things going on in the archdiocese and able to pray for the people, even though he is no longer in a decision-making role. In addition, he still regularly hears confessions at the cathedral. The cardinal voiced gratitude for his life and ability to generally maintain a schedule, although it often revolves around doctor appointments. “Much of my life is now determined by my state of health,” he said, adding that when he does have to cancel an event, people are understanding. Still, there is much uncertainty about his future, particularly regarding the progression of his cancer. With treatments proving ineffective and no known cure, “they’ve run out of tricks in the bag,” he said with a small laugh. Asked about his current use of crutches to walk, he explained that his legs have been weak for all  his adult life, because he contracted polio as a young teenager and never fully recovered. His recent rounds of chemo prevented him from exercising, and his muscles atrophied as a result. However, he does physical therapy daily and is working to regain strength in his legs. The cardinal also revealed that he has written several letters to Pope Francis, the most recent being about two weeks ago. These letters usually contain a general update, he said, noting that the Pope wrote him a note on Oct. 4, the feast day of St. Francis, whose name they share. Regarding the upcoming consistory – a gathering of cardinals in Rome being held in mid-February – Cardinal George said his attendance will be determined by his health. “I intend to go. I want to go,” he said. However, he acknowledged that “Rome is a difficult city for those who are disabled.” Ultimately, the decision will be based on his physical stamina and strength. “If I feel that I will be too sick to contribute, I won’t go.” Cardinal George is the 11th person to receive the Knights of Columbus’ Gaudium et Spes Award, named after the Second Vatican Council’s pastoral constitution on the Church in the modern world. The cardinal thanked the Knights for all the work that they do in his archdiocese and across the world. As part of the honor, he was given a $100,000 award, which he plans to give to Catholic Charities in the archdiocese, as well as local Catholic schools. Former recipients of the award include Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Cardinal John O'Connor of New York. With 1.8 million members around the globe, the Knights of Columbus is world's largest Catholic fraternal organization. Founded in 1882 by the Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney, the Knights donated more than $170 million and 70 million hours of service to charitable causes last year. Both Cardinal George and Archbishop Cupich have been members of the Knights of Columbus for decades. Archbishop Cupich gave the invocation at the award ceremony, and Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, read the award’s citation. Supreme Knight Carl Anderson reflected on the awarding of the Knights' highest honor to Cardinal George. “The Cities of Yakima, Portland and Chicago were blessed to have Cardinal George as their bishop and spiritual leader," he said. "And his leadership has benefited not only those cities in which he served, but the Knights of Columbus and Catholics across the United States." “Both in his brilliant speeches, homilies, letters and books, and in the brave witness to the faith that he has shown to the world – in sickness and in health – Cardinal George has proven over and over again one of the leading voices in the Catholic Church in the United States, and the Knights of Columbus is pleased to be able to honor him in this way for the great work he has done for so long,” Anderson stated.   Read more

Denver, Colo., Feb 3, 2015 / 05:35 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In many ways, Kari Ann Lucas is living the American Dream. She runs a law practice, has four kids, and is involved in her community. Lucas also has a progressive neuro-muscular disease and reli... Read more

Atlanta, Ga., Feb 3, 2015 / 01:20 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- On Wednesday, Feb. 4, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta will hear oral arguments in a case brought by EWTN Global Catholic Network against the federal contraception mandate. &ldqu... Read more

New York City, N.Y., Feb 3, 2015 / 04:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Holy See’s delegation to the United Nations has warned that Christians face “extinction” in some regions of armed conflict, with Christian women and girls particularly vulnerable. Monsignor Janusz Urbanczyk, the Chargé d'Affaires of the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations, voiced concern about the “continued lack of attention” given to protecting women and girls who are “targeted and attacked purely because of the faith they profess.” “The lack of focus and priority for protecting them is troubling when Christians face extinction in some regions of the world and in other regions Christian schools for girls are targeted and attacked,” he told the U.N. Security Council Jan. 30. “This is a shared reality of members of all faiths and therefore requires the shared commitment of members of all faiths and governments strongly to condemn and confront such violence.” The U.N.’s top decision-making body was holding an open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict and post-conflict situations, with a special focus on protecting women and girls. While Msgr. Urbanczy did not name specific areas where Christians are vulnerable, many thousands of Christians have been targeted for violence in Iraq by the Islamic State group and other forces. In Nigeria, the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram kidnapped several hundred girls from a Christian school last year, drawing attention to another violent conflict. The monsignor voiced the Vatican’s opposition to using armed conflict “as a mean of solving disputes.” He stressed that armed conflict affects the family, forcing families to flee and causing stable communities to disintegrate. “Ripped from their land and rich history families and entire communities are vulnerable and exploited as outsiders in foreign lands,” Msgr. Urbanczy said. War also means that men primarily are called to fight, leaving their wives and daughters particularly vulnerable to exploitation and “gross human rights violations.” The monsignor lamented increases in “brutal and horrific” crimes against women including sexual slavery, rape and trafficking. Sexual violence against women “tears at the very fabric of society,” he said. Kidnapping and trafficking is “an abominable trade that must come to an end,” Msgr. Urbanczy continued. He echoed Pope Francis’ call to reject the “culture of enslavement,” saying this must be replaced with “a culture of life and peace in which governments and the international community fulfill their fundamental responsibility to protect all people.” Msgr. Urbanczy stressed the help that the Catholic Church is providing to women and girls victimized by war and conflict. “The Catholic Church through her institutions and agencies around the world is providing assistance, care and support  to  thousands  of  survivors  of  sexual  violence  in  situations  of  armed  conflict,” he said. “These institutions and their courageous individuals sacrifice themselves on a daily basis and many of these have paid dearly for their endeavors.” Read more

Washington D.C., Feb 3, 2015 / 12:16 am (CNA/EWTN News).- An unlikely combination of political progressives and Evangelicals came together last week to demand more clarity in IRS regulations of political speech for churches and non-profits. “T... Read more