National News
Homeless people who died on streets remembered in prayer
The longest night of the year, Dec. 21, can feel even longer for men and women living on the streets, so for 25 years the day has also marked the nationwide Homeless Persons' Memorial Day. One service in Green Bay featured Catholics and Buddhists joined in remembrance of the dead.
Parishioners of closed Massachusetts parish plan appeal to U.S. Supreme Court
St. Francis Cabrini Parish was one of 65 closed by the Boston Archdiocese in 2004. After 11 years of 24-hour prayer vigils and legal appeals of the closure denied by the Vatican and every state court, the nation's highest court may hear a last appeal.
Mass. Catholic school discriminated against man in same-sex marriage, judge says
A Massachusetts judge ruled against an all-girls Catholic school that rescinded a job offer to a man hired for food services, who listed his same-sex spouse as an emergency contact on a new hire form. One expert said the case has no legal precedent.
Minn. archdiocese settles abuse case with child-protection plan
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis agreed to oversight of its child protection measures for three years by local law enforcement. The archdiocese is doing more than it is required "because we want to -- because it's the right thing to do," said one bishop.
Congress OKs continued funding of adult stem-cell research, treatment
The legislation for the effective treatments, which the Catholic Church favors over the destruction of human embryos, passed with bipartisan support including from New Jersey Republican Rep. Chris Smith and Philadelphia Democratic Rep. Chaka Fattah.
Leaders denounce limiting Muslim immigration to U.S.
In spite of the biggest refugee crisis since the end of World War II, calls have risen to shut America's doors "in the faces of those looking for a safe haven," said Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski. "We cannot give in to our fear and retreat into the mindset of a 'fortress America.'"
Immigration opposition: My country, ’tis of me, but no room for thee
Germans, Italians, Poles, Catholics, Jews -- who, it should be noted, have been shunned by numerous nations over the course of centuries -- and Mexicans, now lambasted as "illegal." Name the group, and they have likely been the subject of hatred, fear and harassment at some point in the development of the nation.
Diocesan investigators conclude bacteria caused host to appear to bleed
An ad hoc committee appointed to investigate the matter "unanimously concludes that the observed change in the host was not miraculous but resulted from the growth of red bread mold," the diocese said.
Satellite built by students at Catholic school heads to space station
On the fourth attempt, a CubeSat built by students at St. Thomas More Cathedral School in the Diocese of Arlington, was finally launched into space Dec. 6, headed to the International Space Station.
Biden makes surprise appearance at Georgetown interfaith forum on peace
Vice President Joe Biden spoke at an interfaith gathering at Georgetown University although he was not one of the scheduled presenters at the program.