NEW YORK (CNS) – A front-page New York Times article published July 16 detailed the alleged abuse of two seminarians in the Diocese of Metuchen, N.J., by then-Bishop Theodore E. McCarrick in the 1980s that resulted in settlements to each man.
National News
Judge: Catholic Agency Must Consider Same-Sex Foster Couples
A federal judge has swept away claims of religious discrimination by plaintiffs including Catholic Social Services of the Philadelphia Archdiocese and ruled the church agency must provide home assessments for same-sex couples wishing to provide foster care for at-risk children in Philadelphia.
Dioceses Restate Policy on Politics After Criticism of Priests at Rally
Montana’s two Catholic dioceses have reiterated their respective policies on political involvement, saying that support for or opposition to a particular candidate by any representative of the diocese is not permitted.
Brett Kavanaugh Nominated to Supreme Court
Despite the fact that a new member of the Supreme Court could shape judicial precedent for decades to come, a number of Catholic legal experts say that with Monday’s pick of Circuit Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh, expectations of sweeping and immediate legal change on neuralgic issues such as abortion and gay marriage are premature.
Philly Nun Battles Sex Trafficking on the Streets of America
When most passers-by see young women on a street corner working as prostitutes, the standard reaction is one of judgment or scorn. But when Sister Kathleen Coll passes by, her reaction is one of pity and concern – and a recognition that in most cases, the women aren’t there of their own accord, but very often out of coercion.
USCCB Migration Chair Signs Petition for ‘American Approach to Immigration’
Bishop Joe Vásquez, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, has joined over 50 leading law enforcement officers, faith leaders, national security officials, and business professionals in an Independence Day statement calling for greater treatment and welcome of immigrants and refugees to America.
Bishops Close Border Visit Calling for Family Unity, Compassion
“We are a nation of laws, and we are also a nation of compassion.” That was the mantra of an early July visit by a delegation of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to the epicenter of the immigration crisis, the Brownsville-McAllen area in Texas, right on the Mexico border.
Diocese of Orange Declares Holy Year Ahead of Christ Cathedral Dedication
In advance of the highly anticipated unveiling of major renovations to Orange County’s Christ Cathedral, Bishop Kevin Vann has declared a “Holy Year of Preparation” ahead of next summer’s Cathedral dedication.
Maryland Priest Under Fire After Kicking out Funeral Goers Before Mass
A Maryland priest has come under fire after kicking a family out of his parish just minutes before a funeral Mass last week after he became enraged when one attendee knocked over and damaged a chalice.
At the US Border, Parishioners Fear Immigration Realities
While the separation of families is the issue on the front cover of the newspapers, there is another drama taking place in theses towns near the border. For many years, people on both sides of the border formed a large interconnected community. Close to 85 percent of the McAllen population is Hispanic and there are many families that have lived here for decades without proper documents.