Senate Republicans Dec. 6 blocked an emergency spending bill to provide billions of dollars in wartime aid to Ukraine and Israel while calling for strict new policies at the U.S.-Mexico border opposed by some Catholic immigration advocates.
National News
Bishops Pray for Healing, Consolation After Latest US Mass Shootings
After three people were killed and another critically injured in a shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, on Dec. 6, Archbishop George Leo Thomas of Las Vegas has said his “thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and survivors of this tragedy.”
Wisconsin Judge Affirms: 179-year-old State Law Does Not Ban Abortions
The Wisconsin Catholic Conference expressed “deep sadness and incredulity” over a Wisconsin judge’s decision stating that a state law from 1849 interpreted as banning abortions does not actually do so.
The Immaculate Conception: Mary’s Exemption From Original Sin
Although the Catholic Church has been celebrating the feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8 as a dogma for almost 170 years, and its tradition goes back much further in Church history, it turns out there is still confusion over what the solemnity is about.
Tuberville Ends Hold on Hundreds of Military Promotions Over Pentagon Abortion Policy
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., told reporters on Capitol Hill Dec. 5 that he would end his monthslong blockade on hundreds of military promotions undertaken in protest of a Pentagon abortion policy.
FBI Director Spars With GOP Senators About Memo on ‘Radical Traditionalist Catholics’
FBI Director Christopher Wray sparred with Republicans during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee Dec. 5 about a leaked and withdrawn memo from the bureau’s Richmond, Virginia, field office about political extremism in some Catholic groups.
Holy Cross Priest, Expert on Africa to Take the Helm at Notre Dame
In an era where more and more Catholic universities are turning to lay leadership, the University of Notre Dame will stick with its tradition of appointing a priest-president from the Congregation of the Holy Cross, the religious order to which the university’s founder belonged.
Catholic Leader: Use of Death Penalty in U.S. Is ‘On Its Way Out’
A Catholic advocate against the death penalty was encouraged by an annual report, released Dec. 1, that shows that 29 states either abolished the death penalty or paused executions this past year.
Puerto Rico Prelate Honored for Leadership After Disasters
Archbishop Roberto González Nieves of San Juan, Puerto Rico, has received an award for his leadership in guiding Puerto Rico through rebuilding efforts after the nation was decimated by Hurricane Maria in 2017, and a series of earthquakes in the years since.
Idaho Officials Ask Supreme Court to Let Abortion Ban Stand While Case Is Argued
Idaho officials have asked the Supreme Court to put a temporary hold on a federal judge’s ruling preventing the state from enforcing its near-total abortion ban that would allow the state to prosecute physicians who perform abortions.