National News
Life lost, church and other buildings damaged in natural gas explosion
The blast, which killed one utility worker and injured 11, occurred just before 6 p.m. as workers with the local power company attempted repairs after a third-party contractor had ruptured a gas line behind the city's historic Opera House.
HHS contraceptive mandate in limbo awaiting action by new administration
Even though nothing has been announced yet, Mark Rienzi, lead attorney for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty seems confident Donald Trump's campaign promises to repeal some or all of the Affordable Care Act would very likely put the contraceptive issue off the table.
At Thanksgiving, Americans ‘united in debt we owe to God,’ say prelates
"It is a grateful tradition people of many faiths have honored since even before our country's founding," said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president, and Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, vice president.
Tennessee bishop offers prayers, pastoral outreach after tragic bus crash
News accounts said 35 students in kindergarten through fifth-grade from Woodmore Elementary School were on the bus when it slammed into a tree and came apart. Six children were killed and several others were injured.
Detroit synod aims to create ‘joyful band of missionary disciples’
The synod members gathered to begin their task of discussing, debating and deliberating on the synod's 46 themes over the weekend, broken into four sessions on individuals, families, parishes and Archdiocesan Central Services.
Pope, archbishop express condolences over Fidel Castro’s death
Both reviled and revered over the decades since he took power in Cuba in 1959, Castro's death "provokes many emotions -- both in and outside the island," said Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski, who prayed for the Cuban people.
Washington bishops rally Catholics, government to tackle poverty
The bishops spent a year listening to people who live in poverty before issuing a new pastoral letter emphasizing Catholics' personal outreach and government policy. The biggest factor, they found, was lack of housing.
USCCB president appoints Maronite Catholic bishop as CRS chairman
"Bishop Mansour's long-standing service in every area of the work of CRS is completed by his pastoral concern for the humanitarian efforts of CRS in the Middle East and on behalf of persecuted Christians," Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, USCCB president, said.
Social entrepreneur wins Opus Prize for anti-trafficking initiative
The organization offers "opportunity and hope" to women who have been impacted by Kolkata's sex trade, or who are vulnerable to trafficking, said an announcement on the award.
Faith must be ‘integrated into every aspect’ of life, says archbishop
Celebrating our faith and receiving the sacraments are meant to renew and recharge us for carrying that faith and Jesus Christ into the world."