The Supreme Court on April 6 declined to take up a request by West Virginia to allow it to enforce its 2021 law banning transgender girls from playing on girls’ sport teams in public high schools and colleges while a challenge to that law remains in the lower courts.
Author: Carol Zimmermann
Wisconsin Elects Justice Likely to Vote Against State’s Abortion Restrictions
In a high stakes Wisconsin election April 4, voters chose a state Supreme Court justice likely to tip the court’s balance and vote in favor of dismantling the state’s abortion restrictions.
Why Wednesday of Holy Week is also called Spy Wednesday
Wednesday of Holy Week, when Christians commemorate the betrayal of Jesus by the disciple Judas, also has the unusual name of Spy Wednesday.
Oldest Hebrew Bible Expected to be Big Ticket Item at Auction
Famed New York City auction house Sotheby’s — known for selling pricey art, jewelry, furniture, and wine — is about to delve into the spiritual world when it auctions the oldest, most-complete Hebrew Bible in May.
Meatless Fridays Beyond Lent? Some Catholics Have No Beef With It
The Catholic tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent is a common practice that some say should continue all year.
Report on Teen Sadness Is Call to Action for Parents, Communities
A federal study this year showing an uptick in teen sadness, especially in girls, calls for societal response but should also prompt parents, family members, and parishes to know what’s going on with teens, said Catholic Charities representatives.
Football Coach Placed on Leave for Praying with Team Wins Court Settlement
Joseph Kennedy, a high school assistant football coach who was placed on leave eight years ago for praying on the field with players after games, won a nearly $2 million settlement and has been reinstated to his former coaching role at Bremerton High School, outside of Seattle.
Church Needs Creative Ministries to Care for Abuse Survivors, Advocate Says
A ministry for homebound victim-survivors of clergy abuse to receive the Eucharist in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is an example of the creativity needed to help abuse survivors find healing, said the executive director of the Secretariat for Child and Youth Protection for the U.S. bishops.
U.S. Church Leaders Offer Prayers for Pope Francis’ Recovery
Catholic Church leaders around the country offered prayers for Pope Francis following the Vatican’s March 29 announcement that he would be hospitalized in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for a few days to treat a respiratory infection.
Idaho Becomes Fifth State to Allow Execution by Firing Squad
Idaho Republican Gov. Brad Little signed legislation March 24 allowing death row inmates to be executed by firing squad if the state cannot obtain drugs needed for lethal injections amid a nationwide shortage of those drugs imposed by the manufacturers.