Pope Francis’s personal envoy for the Ukraine-Russia war, Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, is in Washington this week in a bid to advance talks on humanitarian relief and peace efforts, the Vatican announced Monday.
National News
Legislation Introduced in Congress to Abolish Federal Death Penalty
Democratic lawmakers announced a bill July 13, supported by dozens of Catholic groups, to end the federal death penalty.
FDA Approves First Over-The-Counter Birth Control Pill; Set To Hit Market In Early 2024
WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill July 13, giving the go-ahead for the sale of Opill, by the drug manufacturer Perrigo, without a doctor’s prescription. The FDA’s decision is only for this pill, not other birth control pills. Opill will be available for sale early next […]
Vermont Gov. Scott Calls Flash Flooding ‘Historic and Catastrophic’
Heavy rains July 9 and 10 caused significant flooding primarily in Vermont but also in other parts of New England and New York killing at least one person and damaging property. Thousands of Vermonters lost homes and businesses in the floods, and rising waters washed-out roadways and bridges, stranding many in the region.
Debate Over Clean Slate Act Hasn’t Finished With the Bill’s Passage
Depending on who you ask, the Clean Slate Act is either a good way to give formerly incarcerated people a fresh start in life — or a bad idea that protects criminals at the expense of law-abiding citizens.
In Fairbanks, Being Bishop Means Duffel Bags, Snowmobiles, and Sleeping on Floors
When The Tablet asked Bishop Chad Zielinski some months ago what it takes to lead the Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska, he explained that it takes a missionary zeal to embrace a different culture, along with the stamina to travel 65% of the time, live out of duffel bags, sleep on church floors, and travel between villages via snowmobiles, boats, and four-wheelers.
Biden Declares State of Emergency in Vermont; Floods Close Highways, Ruins Homes, Businesses
Torrential rains brought up to 9 inches of rain to the Green Mountain State July 10, leaving Vermont highways closed, roads eroded, homes and businesses flooded and emergencies declared.
Awards to Honor Nuns as ‘Unsung Heroes’ in Fight Against Human Trafficking
This fall, several organizations are banding together to recognize what they’re calling the “unsung heroes” in the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking, by offering an award to three women religious engaged in anti-trafficking efforts.
Bishop Seitz Applauds Family Reunification Move, but Urges Full Immigration Reform
El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz, the U.S. bishops’ conference migration committee chair, applauded the federal government for its new migrant family reunification program, but simultaneously cautioned that comprehensive immigration reform from Congress remains the only sustainable path forward.
Father James Martin Chosen by Pope to Participate in Synod at Vatican
Jesuit Father James Martin, editor at large of America magazine and founder of an outreach ministry to LGBTQ+ Catholics, has been chosen by Pope Francis to take part in the upcoming Synod of Bishops on Synodality at the Vatican this October.