Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan Dec. 14 released the results of an investigation into allegations of abuse and murder at the former St. Joseph’s Orphanage in Burlington.
National News
U.S. Bishops Urge Vaccination, but Avoid Morally Compromised Vaccines if Possible
The U.S. bishops’ conference is encouraging Catholics to get a coronavirus vaccination because it’s a “moral responsibility for the common good,” even if some vaccines are connected to abortion-derived cell lines.
Sister Prejean Decries Federal Execution on Human Rights Day
Calling the Dec. 10 federal execution of Brandon Bernard an injustice carried out by the country’s criminal justice system, Sister Helen Prejean urged Americans to speak up to stop a series of upcoming executions in the final weeks of the Trump administration.
Church Pandemic Financial Forecast: Mostly Cloudy, Some Rays of Sunshine
The signals were clear at the start of the pandemic. No Masses, no offertory income. No offertory income, nothing to assess by the diocese. Nothing in the diocese to assess, reduced revenue to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Biden’s HHS Pick Praised for Backing ACA, Criticized for Abortion Views
As projected winner of the 2020 election Joe Biden systematically announces his Cabinet nominees, one selection has already become a culture war flashpoint.
As Administration Change Nears, Experts Urge Bipartisan Approach to Religious Freedom
At a time when the ideological makeup of Capitol Hill is more divided than ever, the nation’s international religious freedom czar is calling on the next administration to maintain religious liberty as a bipartisan issue.
Only in Print: Christmas Traditions Altered by COVID-19 Locally and Abroad
Pope John XXIII once said, “Mankind is a great, an immense family … This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas.” The Christmas spirit will still be alive — albeit in modified ways, due to the pandemic — thanks to how Catholic parishes and dioceses will continue their annual programming.
Michigan Project to Replicate Padre Pio’s Famed Hospital in Italy Is Underway
On a 40-acre plot of land in Howell, in the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan, stands the humble foundation for the establishment of a worldwide network of health care facilities that St. Pio of Pietrelcina set in motion nearly 70 years ago. Padre Pio once said this was the most important thing he did. His dream was the project would one day expand to other parts of the world. That day has now come.
Colorado Grandma Pens 40,000 Christmas Cards for Troops Overseas
The past eight months of the pandemic have given many people the opportunity to try new hobbies and catch up on reading or binging on television. For Marlys Halbeisen, a 78-year-old grandmother from Wheat Ridge, Colo., she spent the time writing Christmas cards for U.S. military members overseas – 40,000 cards to be exact.
Federal Judge Orders Full Restoration of DACA Program
A federal judge Dec. 4 said the Trump administration must fully restore the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, after the program that protects qualifying young adult immigrants from deportation was suspended this summer by Chad Wolf, acting Homeland Security secretary.