Pope Francis’ Sept. 1 announcement that priests worldwide will be able to absolve the sin of abortion will have little effect on pastoral practices in the U.S., where most priests already have such authority in the sacrament of reconciliation.
National News
Bishops on Labor Day
“We are in need of a profound conversion of heart at all levels of our lives. Let us examine our choices,” Archbishop Wenski said in the statement, dated Labor Day Sept. 7.
New Mexico’s Bishops Welcome Reversal of Assisted Suicide Law
Catholic bishops of New Mexico welcomed a ruling by the state’s Court of Appeals that reversed a lower court’s approval of physician-assisted suicide.
There Is No ‘Typical’ Parish in the US
If Pope Francis were to have time on his U.S. visit in September to stop at “typical” parishes, it might take a week or two just to see a representative sample.
Expect Pope Francis to Affirm, Challenge Politicians
Flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner – two high-profile Catholic politicians – the visual of Pope Francis’ Sept. 24 address to Congress will signal an evolving narrative.
Pope Holds ‘Virtual Town Hall’ on ABC
Pope Francis held a “virtual town hall” with Catholics in Chicago, Los Angeles and McAllen, Texas, in advance of his Sept. 22-27 visit to the U.S. The town hall was arranged by ABC News, which will air an hour-long version of its “20/20” newsmagazine called “Pope Francis & the People,” Sept. 4.
Former Seminarian Finds Post-Katrina Silver Lining
New Orleans attorney Brandon Briscoe was a second-year pre-theology student at Notre Dame Seminary in 2005 when he took a photograph of rescuers evacuating him and 20 others from the seminary on the afternoon of Sept. 1 – three days after the landfall of Hurricane Katrina.
Charlotte, NC, Pro-Lifers Rally at Planned Parenthood
An estimated 400 people packed the sidewalk outside Planned Parenthood’s Charlotte Health Center, making it the largest pro-life event in western North Carolina that participants said they have seen in recent memory.
Preparing Way for Papal Visit
Members of the 90-voice Archdiocesan Papal Mass Choir rehearse at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hyattsville, Md.
House Limits Papal Seating
House members voted July 28 to limit the number of people allowed in the House Chamber Sept. 24 when Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress.