National News
Persecuted Christians at risk of being forgotten, bishop says
The plight of minority Christians will be the focus of "A Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians" to be observed Nov. 26.
Catholic Charities resets focus to disaster relief after huge storms
This fall's onslaught of destructive hurricanes -– Harvey in Texas, Irma in Florida and Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands –- has caused the agency to shift its priorities in the short-term toward aiding people who have lost homes and livelihoods, Dominican Sister Donna Markham said.
Bishops voice support of migrants, worries over ‘poisoning rhetoric’
The longest and most passionate discussion on the first day of the fall assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Nov. 13 focused on immigrants, on how to help them but also how to drive home the point that they, too, are our brothers and sisters and should not be demonized.
Five bishops with Philadelphia ties elected to U.S. Bishops’ leadership
Bishops Joseph Cistone, Michael Burbidge, Nelson Perez and Kevin Rhoades, and Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, all graduates of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, were elected by their peers as chairmen of conference committees.
Catholic Church sometimes has been part of racism problem, says bishop
Bishop Murry, who became the head of the bishops' Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism earlier this year, said the church must recognize "and frankly acknowledge" its failings.
Young people want to be heard, be part of leadership, report says
They are often at transition points in their lives, yet they don't know where to go for mentorship, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, USCCB president, said Nov. 13.
Abortion, assisted suicide focus of pro-life activities, says cardinal
In his remarks Nov. 13, the first day of the USCCB meeting, Cardinal Dolan lauded the bishops' longtime collaboration with the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment.
Vasquez: ‘Share the Journey’ migration campaign a call to prayer, action
The two-year campaign "calls on Catholics and others of goodwill to encounter migrants and refugees, breaking down barriers of fear and suspicion, building bridges of understanding and hospitality," Bishop Vasquez said.
Protesters at bishops’ gathering ask for sanctuary, anti-war stance
As the U.S. bishops were beginning their fall assembly in Baltimore, also marking their 100th anniversary as a conference, a couple of nonviolent protesters gathered nearby.
Civility must guide debate on social challenges, USCCB president says
Acknowledging wide divisions in the country over issues such as health care, immigration reform, taxes and abortion, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called for civility to return to the public debate.