Facing more than 250 lawsuits alleging the sexual abuse of minors by clergy and other employees since the 1950’s, the Diocese of Sacramento, California, has filed for bankruptcy as a means to provide compensation to victim-survivors of the abuse.
Author: John Lavenburg
Bishop Calls Easter Observance of Transgender Day ‘Offensive and Unnecessary’
Commenting on the Biden Administration and local officials in Fairfax County, Virginia, promoting March 31, which this year was Easter Sunday, as Transgender Day of Visibility, Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington called it “offensive to many people and unnecessary.”
Legal Representative ‘Very Hopeful’ on Oklahoma Catholic School Court Case
After presenting an oral argument to the Oklahoma Supreme Court, a legal representative for the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board is “very hopeful” that they will prevail in the lawsuit brought against them by the state attorney general, which would allow St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School to open in August.
Cardinal Dolan to Travel to Holy Land, Will Meet Local Religious Leaders
Amid the ongoing war in Gaza, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York will soon travel to the Holy Land to meet with local religious leaders and visit various humanitarian agencies at work.
Home Run Champion Hank Aaron Conquered Racism to Become An MLB Legend
When Hank Aaron stepped into the batter’s box in the bottom of the 4th inning in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 8, 1974, the capacity crowd in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium rose to their feet, anticipating he would break Babe Ruth’s career home run record. Sure enough, on the second pitch of the at-bat Aaron drove a fastball over the fence in left-center field. The stadium erupted. A couple of fans ran onto the field to congratulate Aaron while he rounded the bases. His Atlanta Braves teammates mobbed him at home plate. Soon after, he embraced his parents on the field, as adulation from the fans continued.
U.S. Bishops Write in Support of Senate Religious Freedom Resolution
In a letter to multiple U.S. senators, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace chairman expressed his support for a resolution that recognizes religious freedom as a fundamental right and supports it as a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy.
Amid Lawsuits, Nation’s First State-Funded Catholic School Opens Applications
Even with multiple lawsuits pending that create an uncertain future, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School in Oklahoma — the nation’s first state-funded religious school — has begun accepting applications for K-12 education set to begin this August.
Brooklyn Priest, Home From Mission, Wants Faithful to ‘Give Hope’ to Haitian Migrants
On the last day of Father Juan Luxama’s recent mission trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, he witnessed the arrival of a boat of 45 Haitian migrants, who then piled into a local Catholic shelter. Witnessing their new reality, he said, moved him.
Catholic Agencies Are a ‘Bulwark Against Human Trafficking’ at Border, Bishop Seitz Says
In Bishop Mark Seitz’s initial response to an attempt by the state of Texas to shut down a Catholic migrant shelter in El Paso, he noted how the situation highlights the challenge such organizations face balancing federal and state responses with their own mission to serve.
Haiti Bishops Condemn Homicides, Witch-Hunts, Other Acts of Violence
Amid a period of turmoil and uncertainty, the Catholic bishops of Haiti are calling for an end to “all acts aimed at reducing Haiti to rubble and ashes,” and for renewed support from the international community to help foster peace and reconciliation.