In response to the violent death of a local imam, Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark has said he is “deeply distressed by the loss of a “revered faith and community leader.”
National News
US Bishops Asked to Hold New Rounds of Synod on Synodality Listening Sessions
Dioceses across the U.S. are asked to hold additional listening sessions in the next few months, following a request from the Vatican’s Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops which is preparing for the second session of the global Synod on Synodality in October.
Texas Bishops Welcome Ruling Blocking Requirement for Emergency Abortions
After a federal appeals court ruled Jan. 2 that emergency room doctors in Texas are not required to perform abortions, effectively blocking regulatory guidance previously issued by the federal government, the state’s Catholic bishops said they welcome the ruling.
Miami Prelate: Nicaragua’s Dictatorship Has Gone ‘Off the Rails’
Following the latest round of arrests of Catholic leaders in Nicaragua and the continued imprisonment of Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami has said the dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega has gone “off the rails.”
Fed Appeals Court: ER Doctors Are Not Required to Perform Abortions
A federal appeals court ruled Jan. 2 that emergency room doctors are not required to perform abortions, going against guidance issued by the Biden administration that said these doctors could perform abortions, even in states where the procedure is banned, to stabilize the health of the mother.
Catholic Leaders Say Church Must Vocally Advocate for Migrants Amid Increasing Hostility
Amid increasing anti-immigrant rhetoric and sentiment, the Catholic Church must remain vocal in its ministry to and advocacy for migrants, Catholic leaders said at a Dec. 21 panel.
Influencers in Christ: Catholic Content Creators Use Social Media to Educate and Evangelize
Matthew Chicoine joined Instagram eight years ago in response to a tragedy. The death of an unborn child, compounded with the demands of his job as a Catholic school teacher, compelled him to turn to writing on his website (www.thesimplecatholic.blog) and Instagram (@thesimplecatholic) to “grapple with the stress and grief” of that year.
Safe at Home! MLB Umpire Grounded by Catholic Faith
In life, we all make mistakes. As Catholics, we believe that since we are human, our mistakes are forgiven through the acts of confession and reconciliation. However, imagine being an MLB umpire — where your mistakes are broadcast live to hundreds of thousands of passionate baseball fans every single night. It sure sounds like a humbling experience!
New Texas Law Criminalizing Unauthorized Migrants’ Entry Into State Called ‘Inhumane’
Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, signed an immigration bill into law Dec. 18 that makes it a state crime for unauthorized migrants to cross into Texas from Mexico. Catholic organizations including the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops have opposed the legislation.
Vatican Note on Blessing Same-Sex Couples Draws Mixed US Reaction
In the hours that followed release of a Vatican note outlining the pastoral grounds for same-sex blessings, reactions among American Catholics seemed to run the gamut from styling it as a major step forward to insisting on hitting the brakes, on the grounds that not much has really changed.