Lloyd Austin, a retired four-star Army general, is President Joe Biden’s pick for secretary of defense. On Thursday, both houses of Congress voted to approve a waiver for him to be considered for confirmation since he has been retired for only four years, not the required seven. Now the Senate must vote on the actual confirmation.
Catholic Faith
Bishops Welcome Biden as President, Offering Prayers for the Common Good
Bishops throughout the country welcomed the inauguration of Joe Biden as the nation’s 46th president, saying it was a celebration of democracy and liberty, while praying for unity and reconciliation in the face of deep political divides.
Biden’s Inaugural Address Calls for Americans to Work for Unity
n his inaugural address Jan. 20, President Joe Biden said he is committed with his “whole soul” to bring this country together.
As Administration Change Nears, Experts Urge Bipartisan Approach to Religious Freedom
At a time when the ideological makeup of Capitol Hill is more divided than ever, the nation’s international religious freedom czar is calling on the next administration to maintain religious liberty as a bipartisan issue.
Manhattan #MediaNuns Stay Afloat, Keep Faith Alive
Even during a global pandemic, the Daughters of St. Paul continue to spread God’s word through a newly launched podcast series and brick-and-mortar operations. Here in New York City, one can find a group of nuns prepping for the Advent and Christmas seasons in the Pauline Books and Media storefront.
A Jewish Woman’s Journey Toward the Catholic Faith Amid Livestreamed Mass
For many Catholics, making the transition from in-person to livestreamed Mass during the pandemic has been a sobering experience. It has meant not being able to receive the Eucharist and participate in Mass with the rest of the faithful. That’s not Debbie Starkman-Zdyrko’s experience. She feels closer to her community and the Catholic faith now than she did before quarantine began.
Brunei Cardinal Says He Was ‘Hijacked’ Into Priesthood After Saying, ‘Oh, Hell No!’
A self-described ‘crypto-charismatic,’ Brunei’s new and first-ever recipient of a red hat, Bishop Cornelius Sim, said he never dreamed of being a priest, let alone a cardinal, but welcomes his appointment “with open arms.”
Catholic, Jewish Leaders Mark 55th Anniversary of ‘Nostra Aetate’
The formal structures that sponsor Catholic-Jewish dialogue are important, but their decades of success have relied on strong personal friendships and mutual respect, both of which must continue to spread among all Catholics and Jews, officials involved in the dialogue said.
Only in Print: Johnny Cash’s Songs Along the Gospel Road
Despite his outlaw persona, Johnny Cash was a man of deep faith and conviction who devoted his life to studying the Scriptures.
Pope Francis’ Video Message on 75th Session of U.N. General Assembly
Click to read the full transcript of Pope Francis’ Sept. 25 address to the United Nations General Assembly.