In One Town, Survivors Cherish Life As Best Christmas Present

On Saturday, Dec. 18, Elko was out in front of his house loading a U-Haul truck with whatever he could save from his home, which was crushed by a fallen tree. His neighborhood was in the direct path of the tornado, only about a mile from the candle factory where eight people died.

Prosecution of Ex-Cardinal McCarrick Takes Next Step in Massachusetts

A Dec. 21 motion for transcript, audio, and video recordings of depositions related to the criminal charges against ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick was an important step for the prosecution, according to one of his alleged victims present in the courtroom.

ABORTION SUPREME COURT

Supreme Court Sends Texas Abortion Case to Federal Appeals Court

Less than a week after the Supreme Court ruled that the Texas abortion law could stay in place, the court sent back a lawsuit against the state’s abortion law to a federal appeals court, not to the District Court judge who had tried to block the law.

Mass Goes On in Makeshift Quarters in Hard-Hit Kentucky Town

At the 10 o’clock Mass for Resurrection Parish on Sunday, Dec. 19, musician Karen Wallace couldn’t hold back tears as she sang and played her 12-string guitar. It was her first Mass since a tornado destroyed her home, and much of the city, on Dec. 10.

FILE NEW YORK LATIN MASS

Vatican Answers Questions on Limits Regarding Pre-Vatican II Mass

Responding to 11 questions it said had been raised about Pope Francis’ document restricting celebrations of the pre-Vatican II Mass, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments offered a few concessions to bishops but insisted the entire Latin-rite Catholic Church must move toward celebrating only one form of the Mass and sacraments.

FDA Decision Allows Abortion Drugs to be Prescribed Online and Sent in Mail

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision to lift restrictions on the abortion pill mifepristone — paving the way for women to obtain the pill by mail and self-perform abortions as early as 10 weeks of gestation without an in-person clinic visit — has drawn new criticism from pro-life advocates.