During Black History Month in February, Catholics are being invited to register to attend this summer’s National Black Catholic Congress, which over the years has made history of its own.
National News
Facing 400 Sex Abuse Lawsuits, San Diego Diocese Considers Bankruptcy
With the Diocese of San Diego facing around 400 lawsuits over alleged sexual abuse of minors by priests, religious, and laity, stimulated by a 2019 California law that opened a three-year window for victims to sue without statute of limitation limits, Cardinal Robert McElroy has informed clergy and faithful that the diocese may have to file for bankruptcy.
New Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine to be Dedicated in Oklahoma City
Stanley Rother (pronounced ROW-ther) was born in 1935, grew up on a farm and attended Holy Trinity Church and School in Okarche. After discerning a call to the priesthood, he flunked out of the seminary because he struggled with Latin. The bishop of Oklahoma at the time, Bishop Victor Reed, gave him another chance and sent him to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He was ordained May 25, 1963.
Online Lenten Retreats, No Substitute for Real Thing, Still Give Spiritual Help
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.
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.