Last Friday, as part of their spring meeting, the U.S. bishops approved a document regarding embryonic stem cell research. The document points out the grave moral problems that exist with the use embryonic stem cells, and then it points to another way which offers concrete help without raising moral concerns.

Nature in fact provides ample resources for pursuing medical progress without raising these grave moral concerns. Stem cells from adult tissues and umbilical cord blood are now known to be much more versatile than once thought. These cells are now in widespread use to treat many kinds of cancer and other illnesses, and in clinical trials they have already benefited patients suffering from heart disease, corneal damage, sickle-cell anemia, multiple sclerosis, and many other devastating conditions.1 Researchers have even developed new non-destructive methods for producing cells with the properties of embryonic stem cells—for example, by "reprogramming" adult cells. There is no moral objection to research and therapy of this kind, when it involves no harm to human beings at any stage of development and is conducted with appropriate informed consent. Catholic foundations and medical centers have been, and will continue to be, among the leading supporters of ethically responsible advances in the medical use of adult stem cells.

Click here to read the full document on the Virginia Catholic Conference Web site.

Today the Holy Father arrives in the U.S. for his first pastoral visit to our country. Here are a listing of the many links that you can access to get more information and follow along with the coverage of his visit.

• The Official USCCB Web Site for the Holy Father's Visit


• EWTN's Web Site for the Holy Father's Visit (including streaming video)


• The Vatican's Web site for the Holy Father's Visit


• Pope 2008 (Blog from the National Catholic Register)


• Benedict in America Blog


• Vatican Radio


• Liturgical Texts for the Holy Father's Visit (PDF)


• Zenit News Service


• Catholic News Service Coverage of the Papal Visit


• Catholic University's Official Web Site for the Holy Father's Visit

Although Labor Day may have come and gone, many of the important issues that surround the day that honors work and workers remain with us. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has published a Labor Day Statement written by the Bishop of Brooklyn, the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio. In his statement entitled "Labor Day 2007: A Time to Remember, A Time to Commit", the bishop discusses Catholic Social teaching and the recent national debate on immigration reform. He urges a renewal of the debate based on "reality, civility, morality, and consistency" in order to find a solution that "achieves realistic, practical, and principled steps toward reform". To read the statement click here.