Catholic leaders in the state of Washington have expressed concern over a bill advancing in the state legislature that would require priests to report child abuse or neglect even if they heard about it during a person’s confession.
National News
Supreme Court Extends Administrative Stay in Abortion Pill Legal Challenge
The U.S. Supreme Court said it would extend the administrative stay in the abortion pill dispute until April 21, temporarily keeping in place status quo federal regulations regarding the use of an abortion drug, and giving the court additional time to consider a lower court’s ruling to stay the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the drug.
Only In Print: Artists Talk About What’s in Store for the Future of Catholic Art
Some of the most beautiful art in the world can be found in churches, and much of it is created by artists who are Catholic. These artists incorporate their faith into every brushstroke in an effort to bring biblical figures to life.
Relative Reveals Personal Side of Venerable Father Augustus Tolton
Pastor Sabrina Penn can tell you a lot about Venerable Augustus Tolton and the ongoing effort to have him declared a saint. One largely unknown fact she can tell you about is that he loved music and played the concordia.
Big Pharma Settlement Cash Comes to NYC, But Not to S.I.
Staten Island has often been called “ground zero” in New York City’s opioid crisis. Despite the fact that it’s the smallest borough in terms of population, Staten Island sees an outsized number of opioid-related deaths, according to government statistics.
FBI Targeting Catholics Similar to NY’s Post-9/11 Surveillance of Muslims
While it remains unclear if, or how much, the FBI followed through on an internal proposal to investigate traditionalist Catholics’ association with extremists, the proposal itself somewhat mirrors tactics the New York Police Department used to investigate Muslim communities after 9/11.
Supreme Court Looks for Common Ground for Postal Worker Who Didn’t Want to Work Sundays
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments April 18 about a former postal worker who was forced to work Sundays against his religious beliefs.
Colorado Lawmakers Expand Access To Abortion; Kansas Governor Vetoes Born-Alive Bill
Pro-life advocates encountered set-backs as Colorado’s governor signed a trio of bills to expand access to abortion in the Centennial State, and Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a “born-alive” bill that seeks to protect infants who survive failed abortion attempts.
Several U.S. Dioceses Lift Pandemic Restriction, Resume Use of Communion Cup
When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the United States in 2020, U.S. dioceses put liturgical restrictions in place, such as no longer using the Communion cup, to avoid potential germs with a shared vessel.
Leading Catholic Lawmaker Calls On Defense Secretary To Back Military Archbishop In Walter Reed Dispute
A leading Catholic lawmaker and religious freedom advocate has called on the Biden administration to support the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services in a dispute over a long-running Catholic pastoral care contract that a leading U.S. military medical center awarded to a secular defense contractor.