National News
Catholics called to be active in the public square, live faith fearlessly
Followers of Christ "do not walk into the voting booth by themselves, but "do it in him and with him," Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted told those at a Mass celebrated before a legislative seminar on "Catholics in the Public Square."
Entire parish, not just a committee, must offer hospitality, says speaker
There's no doubt Catholic parishes have a lot to learn from their Protestant neighbors about how to throw out the welcome mat for people who perhaps have not darkened the door of a Catholic church in many years, if ever.
Catholic Charities to make affordable housing a priority through 2022
Affordable housing is one of four areas Catholic Charities USA is pledging to work on to identify innovative solutions during the next five years.
Catholics urged to be ‘stewards of mercy’ amid growing polarization
The polarization that exists in our secular culture, so visible in the acerbic campaign for the White House, has crept into the church and compels Catholics of goodwill to be "stewards of mercy" and civility, Greg Erlandson, the director and editor-in-chief of CNS said.
As his film debuts, Wahlberg finds time to praise priesthood in video
Actor Mark Wahlberg, a native of Boston, where the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors held its annual conference Sept. 30–Oct.7, made the homemade video shown to those who attended, and later posted on Diocese of Providence vocations office Facebook page.
New York cardinal announces new compensation program for abuse survivors
At a news conference, Cardinal Dolan said that while the Catholic Church "has made great strides" in addressing abuse, "we continue to hear from victim-survivors that more needs to be done to reach out to those who have been hurt in the past."
Advocates celebrate that climate change agreement will take effect soon
Approval of the agreement negotiated in Paris last December reached the threshold of 55 countries accounting for at least 55 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions Oct. 5 when European nations, Canada, Bolivia and Nepal backed the accord.
Special Mass draws members of U.S. military sea services to Seton shrine
Members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and Public Health Services were recognized at the annual Pilgrimage for the Sea Services Mass Oct. 2 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Bishops elevate popular Alaskan retreat to national shrine
The National Shrine of St. Therese, located about 23 miles north of Juneau along Glacier Highway, has served as a place of spiritual refuge since its dedication in 1941.
Supreme Court examines if racial bias played role in death sentence
The case, Buck v. Stephens, hinges on the "claim of ineffective assistance" given to a convicted Texas murderer, Duane Buck, who was sentenced to die after an expert witness for the defense testified that Buck was more likely to commit violent crimes in the future because he is black.