As many as 17 American missionaries were reportedly kidnapped by gang members in Haiti on Saturday, Oct. 16, including 14 adults and three children, according to an Ohio-based humanitarian aid group.
National News
U.S. Bishops Say 100 Acts of Anti-Catholic Vandalism Since May 2020
An Oct. 10 vandalism of the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Colorado, was the 100th incident of destruction to Catholic sites in the U.S. since the U.S. Bishops Conference began tracking the phenomenon in May 2020.
Appeals Court Again Reinstates Texas Abortion Law
A U.S. court of appeals again reinstated the Texas abortion law Oct. 14, refusing a request from the U.S. Department of Justice to allow a lower court ruling blocking enforcement of the Texas law to stand.
U.S. Church Strengthening Support for Marriage Amid Declines
This climate includes an ever-changing perception of the importance of marriage in society. The 2021 American Family Survey by Desert News and Brigham Young University’s Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, released Oct. 12, found “the numbers continue to see slight corrosion in the public’s evaluation of marriage as an institution.”
Rocket Mission is Dream Come True for Maryland Catholic High School Grad
When Audrey Powers went boldly into space Oct. 13 with the actor who played the original Captain Kirk on “Star Trek,” the thoughts, prayers and cheers of Mount de Sales Academy, her alma mater, went with her.
Supreme Court Likely to Reinstate Death Penalty for Boston Marathon Bomber
Just two days after this year’s Boston Marathon, the Supreme Court revisited the bombing at the 2013 race that killed three people and injured hundreds.
Head of U.S. Bishops Says Hierarchy Not Divided, Even if They ‘Have Opinions’
Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, believes that the two-year synodal process launched by Pope Francis last weekend is a “good opportunity” for the universal Church.
Online Baseball Exhibit Pays Homage to Blessed McGivney’s Love of the Game
The Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center in New Haven has opened an online exhibition centering on the Knights of Columbus connection with baseball, which spans almost a century and a half.
Columbus Day Parade Returns to Streets of New York City
An estimated 35,000 participants marched past St. Patrick’s Cathedral where many stopped to be greeted and have their pictures taken with Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, including actor Chazz Palminteri, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Appeals Court Temporarily Reinstates Texas Abortion Law
A U.S. court of appeals temporarily stayed the recent injunction on the Texas abortion law while it reviews the state’s request to reinstate the ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.