WASHINGTON – Going on a retreat evokes images of praying in a monastery, reflecting in nature, or even or even having discussions on metal folding chairs in a parish cafeteria.
National News
NYC Woman’s Mid-19th Century Letter Asks Pope for ‘Salvation of Blacks’
On Oct. 29, 1853, Harriet Thompson took pen to paper, wrote a letter to the pope, and started a fight for equality for blacks in the Catholic Church. Thompson was unhappy with the treatment she and her fellow African Americans were receiving not only from society but from the Church as well.
President Biden Reiterates Call to Codify Roe v. Wade During State of The Union Address
President Joe Biden called the state of the union “strong,” in his second such address Feb. 7, calling for national unity even as he argued for some Democratic priorities including reiterating his call to codify Roe v. Wade.
Two U.S. Catholic Churches Receive Grant Money to Help Preserve Their History
Two Catholic Churches are among 35 black religious sites around the country receiving grant money to help with renovations and building preservation.
Cardinal Gregory: World Needs African Americans’ ‘Strength of Character’
Celebrating a Feb. 5 Mass in honor of Black History Month, Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory urged “ordinary people of color” to “vastly improve our world with an understanding of the strength of character that resides within the souls of our people.”
Cardinal Dolan Calls Proposed Change to Contraceptive Mandate ‘Disheartening’
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York has criticized a proposal by the Biden administration saying employers would no longer be able to refuse contraceptive coverage in their health plans based on moral grounds.
School Choice Gaining Momentum Nationwide but Not in New York
School choice measures, long-supported by Catholic education leaders, are gaining quick momentum at the start of the new year, with governors in Iowa and Utah signing universal school choice bills into law in late January and legislatures in other states considering similar actions.
New York Comes in Last in State Ranking of Religious Liberty
In a ranking of how the 50 states protect religious liberties, New York came in last, and Mississippi came in first.
Colorado Baker Loses Appeal Over Baking Gender Transition Cake
Colorado baker Jack Phillips — whose refusal to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple led to a Supreme Court case — lost his case before a state appeals court over his refusal to make a birthday cake celebrating a gender transition.
Bishop of Steubenville Says All Options ‘On the Table’ for Future of Diocese
Months after Bishop Jeffrey Monforton announced his desire for the Diocese of Steubenville in Ohio to merge with the Diocese of Columbus, causing a stir that resulted in the canceling of a U.S. bishops’ vote on the idea, he says every option is still on the table but by no means is a merger inevitable.