National News
Disrespect for life, lack of moral center seen as factors in gun violence
In this American age of violence, where 165 shootings happened this year alone, religious leaders, scholars and TV personalities alike notice a more insidious problem with American culture. The problem behind the problem, they suggest, is a pervasive disregard for the sanctity of life.
Ground broken for new St. Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine in New Mexico diocese
The rosary walk at a new shrine to be built in the Gallup Diocese to honor St. Kateri Tekakwitha "will imitate" the life and example of the Native American saint, popularly known as the "Lily of the Mohawks," said Gallup Bishop James S. Wall.
Minnesota Catholics join Archbishop Hebda for CRS trip to Laos, Cambodia
They learned during the Catholic Relief Services-sponsored trip that the food the agency and its partners provide is critical to keeping the students nourished and in school.
Independent firm reviewing Charlotte Diocese’s priest files
U.S. Investigative Security Services Agency of Charlotte is conducting a comprehensive review of all priest files since the diocese was established in 1972, searching for any indication of sexual abuse of a minor.
As Calif. novena ends, Christians urged to be society’s ‘moral conscience’
Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco called for Christians to be the "moral conscience" of society during a Mass marking the end of a novena against an upcoming abortion bill.
Catholic peace advocates commemorate Hiroshima, Nagasaki anniversaries
About 40 peace advocates representing about a dozen religious communities held a special Hiroshima and Nagasaki Commemoration Prayer Service of Repentance midday Aug. 9 outside the White House in Washington.
Marian apparition claims in Texas not endorsed by diocese, local bishop
A statement from the Diocese of Fort Worth said claims that Bishop Olson has authenticated alleged apparitions of Mary in Texas are not true. It said the bishop "does not encourage anyone to offer credence or support for these claimed apparitions."
Final public Mass, tears mark closing of Poor Clare monastery in Memphis
Monastery of St. Clare in Memphis, the last contemplative monastery in Tennessee, will close. The number of Poor Clares has dwindled to four, and these sisters will go to other communities.
Religion, state of the church among topics at annual Napa conference
Archbishop Chaput was among the clergy, women religious and some 500 lay Catholics who gathered in California to network, enjoy fellowship and, with the energy and ideas of young people, seek solutions to current issues.
Opinion on abortion’s legality unchanged; some shifting within groups
While a survey of more than 54,000 Americans showed little change in their attitudes between 2014 and 2018 on the legality of abortion, researchers detected movement in many demographic groups, Catholics included.