Pope Francis offered his condolences after at least 55 people died in wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui. The pope sent a condolence telegram on Friday expressing his sadness and solidarity with all who are suffering due to the destruction caused by the wildfires, which have destroyed hundreds of buildings and left scores missing […]
WASHINGTON — In reaction to the news that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the oral contraceptive, Opill, to be dispensed over the counter, Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth, commented: “This action by a government entity […]
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new plan approved in the Archdiocese of St. Louis will reduce the number of parishes from 178 to 134 amid concerns about a lack of priests and shrinking Mass attendance, Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski announced over the weekend. The plan, called “All Things New,” closes 35 churches, merges their parishes into neighboring […]
WASHINGTON — Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso issued an open letter to Congress on May 5 strongly condemning the Secure the Border Act of 2023 as “extreme” and expressing the U.S. bishops’ position that the bill’s passage “is beyond justification.” As chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, Bishop […]
A suspect has been arrested and now publicly identified in the murder case of Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell, who was shot and killed in his home on Saturday, Feb. 18. In a press conference Monday, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Sheriff Robert Luna announced that charges would be brought against a Hispanic male, 65-year-old […]
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Francis has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Richard G. Henning of Rockville Centre, as coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island. The pope also accepted the resignation of Auxiliary Bishop Robert C. Evans of Providence, who has served the diocese as an auxiliary since 2009. On Sept. 2, he turned 75, […]
ALBANY (CNS) — Retired Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany has asked the Vatican that he be “returned to the lay state.” The 84-year-old bishop announced in a Nov. 18 statement that he made the request, citing his age and that he is retired from active ministry. He also repeated his denial that he abused […]
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Catholics across the country continue to feel wounded by the clergy abuse crisis, seek a more welcoming Church in which their “lived reality” is prioritized over rules and regulations, and desire lifelong spiritual, pastoral and catechetical formation as disciples, according to a report synthesizing the 10-month synodal process in dioceses. Participants in […]
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The chairmen of four U.S. bishops committees said July 27 that proposed regulations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on abortion, transgender services and other procedures threaten the Catholic Church’s ability “to carry out our healing ministries” and others’ ability “to practice medicine.” They called the proposed regulations – […]
WASHINGTON (CNS) — A swirling image and the sounds of a whirlpool let exhibit visitors know that through the magic of technology, they will soon be transported to a different time and place. Then, they can gaze at the ceiling or peer into the depths of the famed Parisian Notre Dame Cathedral. Or with a […]
