With changes in U.S.-Mexico border policies on the horizon, Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso acknowledged on April 24 that uncertainty remains around what will happen, but a “significant” migration surge is likely, and help is welcome.
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Progress Made Protecting Minors, but Adults Remain Vulnerable to Clergy Abuse, Say Experts
The Catholic Church in the U.S. has made progress over the past two decades in confronting sexual abuse against minors within the church, but has only begun to address the vulnerability of adults to sexual abuse by clergy, religious and lay leaders, experts told OSV News.
Supreme Court Extends Administrative Stay in Abortion Pill Legal Challenge
The U.S. Supreme Court said it would extend the administrative stay in the abortion pill dispute until April 21, temporarily keeping in place status quo federal regulations regarding the use of an abortion drug, and giving the court additional time to consider a lower court’s ruling to stay the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the drug.
Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks Lower Court Rulings Restricting Abortion Pills Amid Legal Challenge
The U.S. Supreme Court said April 14 it would temporarily keep in place status quo federal regulations regarding the use of an abortion drug, giving the court additional time to consider a lower court’s ruling to stay the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the drug.
U.S. Bishops Call on Catholics to Support Measure in Congress Over Transgender Athletes in Female Sports
The U.S. bishops are calling on Catholics to contact their representatives and senators in Congress and urge them to vote for a bill that would protect women and girls’ opportunities in sports by requiring federally funded female sports programs “to be reserved for biological females.”
Mass Shootings Bring Renewed Calls For Catholics To Prioritize Common Good Over Guns
At least four people were killed and eight injured in a shooting at Old National Bank in downtown Louisville, Ky., on April 10, local police said. The gunman was also killed. That incident followed another mass shooting where six people, including three children, were killed at a Nashville school two weeks earlier on March 27.
Passover, Easter Offer ‘Shared Message Of Hope’: Bishops Send Holiday Greetings To Jewish Community
Several U.S. bishops are extending greetings to the Jewish community as its members celebrate Passover (Pesach), which commemorates the divine liberation of the ancient Israelites from enslavement in Egypt as recounted in the book of Exodus.
Meatless Fridays Beyond Lent? Some Catholics Have No Beef With It
The Catholic tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent is a common practice that some say should continue all year.
New Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, La., Urges Faithful to ‘Walk Together to Answer God’s Call’ to Build Up Church
Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, a former auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington, was installed March 29 as the fifth bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana.
U.S. Church Leaders Offer Prayers for Pope Francis’ Recovery
Catholic Church leaders around the country offered prayers for Pope Francis following the Vatican’s March 29 announcement that he would be hospitalized in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for a few days to treat a respiratory infection.