News Briefs

The new secretary general of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Hermenegild Makoro, of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood, said on Dec. 12, 2011, “I see my appointment as recognition from the bishops of the work that women are doing in this part of the world.” • Catholic medical professionals are challenging the reliability of a British medical review released in December that concludes that women who have abortions have no increased risk of developing mental health problems. • Pope Benedict XVI recognized the many years of Christian charity practiced by Aid to the Church in Need, giving the organization the status of a pontifical foundation in early December. • U.S. Cardinal John P. Foley, longtime Catholic journalist and advocate for Catholic communications, was fondly remembered after his death on Dec. 11 as a friend to the Catholic press around the world. • Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly,O.P., who led the Archdiocese of Louisville from 1982 until his retirement in 2007, passed away on Dec. 14 at his home on the campus of Holy Trinity Church. From 1977 to 1982 he served as general secretary of the N.C.C.B./U.S.C.C.