In the opening lecture for Georgetown University’s Sacred Lecture Series, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington defended Pope Francis’s efforts to decentralize Church governance, his approach to synodality, and ‘Amoris Laetitia.’
National News
Faith Inspired ‘Mattress Mack’ To Aid Harvey Relief Efforts
Local Houston legend Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale became a worldwide icon of generosity by opening his furniture stores to shelter Hurricane Harvey victims. He said he was inspired by his Catholic faith.
Court Says NYS Cannot Assist Someone’s Suicide
New York’s highest appeals court has unanimously ruled that the state’s ban on physician-assisted suicide is constitutional, granting a major victory to opponents of the practice.
Fears of Anti-Catholic Bias Rise On Both Left and Right
In a judicial nominee hearing last week, Senator Diane Feinstein questioned whether the nominee’s adherence to Catholic teaching should prevent her from a federal appointment. Less than twenty-four hours later, former White House strategist Steve Bannon lambasted the Catholic bishops for their support for DACA. Some have wondered if the two incidents indicate an uptick in anti-Catholic bias in the United States.
UN Ambassadors Encouraged to Follow Example of Archbishop Romero
At the annual prayer service for the opening of the United Nations General Assembly, participants were encouraged to follow the example of Archbishop Óscar Romero who was martyred for standing up to government abuse and promoting human dignity.
Bannon Says on DACA, Bishops Are “just another guy with an opinion”
In a recent CBS interview, former White House strategist Steve Bannon lambasted the Church’s support for immigrants and claimed the U.S. Bishops are only interested in their plight in order to fill the pews. Bannon said the bishops are “just another guy with an opinion.”
FEMA Sued For Discrimination Against Churches Devastated By Harvey
FEMA is being sued by three churches damaged by Hurricane Harvey that are being denied relief funding because of their status as religious institutions. Since the 1990s, FEMA has banned houses of worship from receiving federal aid — a policy that the religious liberty law firm Becket is now challenging.
Maryknoller Earns Matteo Ricci Award for Ministry with China
Maryknoll Sister Janet Carroll, founding executive director of the U.S. Catholic China Bureau, was the recipient of the organization’s 2017 Matteo Ricci Award, an honor bestowed upon people who best exemplify the bureau’s mission to build a bridge of friendship and service between the Catholic Church in the U.S. and China.
Sandy Survivors Step Up To Help with Harvey Relief
The parish hall at St. Mary of the Isle Church on the South Shore of Long Island was a beehive of activity Sept. 2 as an army of volunteers packed canned food, flashlights, baby formula, cleaning products and an assortment of other relief supplies into corrugated boxes for the victims of Hurricane Harvey.
Cardinal Dolan Says U.S. Bishops United On Immigration and Will Defend DACA
Just hours after Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the Trump administration would move to end DACA program which protects qualified immigrants from deportation, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York joined forces with a diverse coalition of New York City leaders and activists with a simple message: We will protect you.