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VISTA, Calif., Jan. 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- Pastors across the U.S. and around the globe are affirming The Preacher's Pledge--a declaration of the centrality of the Bible in preaching and sermon preparation. More than 5,000 preachers have now taken The Pledge, with many more affirming it every day.

The Pledge was introduced by SermonCentral.com, the world's most highly trafficked

Washington DC, Jan 30, 2009 / 01:25 pm (CNA).- The Vatican announced today that it is initiating the first-ever visitation of women’s religious communities in the United States. The visitations are being undertaken to help strengthen religious communities in the U.S., which are suffering from a sharp drop in vocations and gentrification of their ranks.

On the heels of issuing a report on the health of U.S. seminaries—which were found to be in relatively good condition—the

ome, Jan 29, 2009 / 11:19 pm (CNA).- At the conclusion of the Wednesday General Audience this week, Pope Benedict XVI offered praise for the plan by a Polish association to raise “an altar to pray for peace in the Holy Land and in the whole world.”

According to the L’Osservatore Romano, the altar was brought to the Pope by the Polish association “Queen of Peace Community.” During his greetings in various languages at the conclusion of the audience, the Pope thanked the Pol

Vatican City, Jan 30, 2009 / 11:51 am (CNA).- Meeting with members of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches today at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI expressed the importance of a united Christian witness in the world today.

The Holy Father began his remarks by praising the group’s commitment to the “search for reconciliation and communion in the Body of Christ.”

"The world needs a visible

Washington DC, Jan 30, 2009 / 07:29 pm (CNA).- The Republican National Committee has chosen Michael Steele, a devout Catholic who is well-known for his charisma and strong work ethic, as its new chairman.

Steele, who previously served as the lieutenant governor of Maryland, is the first black chairman of the Republican Party. He was selected after six rounds of voting with 91 votes out of a possible 168. Steele beat out Ken Blackwell, Ohio's former secretary of state, and