National News
Cardinal DiNardo calls bishops to be trustworthy like Barnabas
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo focused on the feast of St. Barnabas in his homily June 11 during a Mass at the end of the first day of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' spring meeting.
AMA applauded for reaffirming its opposition to doctor-assisted suicide
The chairman of the U.S. bishops' pro-life committee praised a June 10 decision by the American Medical Association to reaffirm its long-standing policy against physician-assisted suicide.
Church must use social media to bring ‘nones’ back, bishop says
UPDATED - Bishop Robert Barron noted 50% of Catholics age 30 and younger have left the church, mostly because they no longer believe the church's teachings. Using social media is required now because "people aren't going to come to our institutions."
Response to church abuse crisis looms large at bishops’ spring meeting
UPDATED - The bishops examined their plans to vote on procedures and policies in response to the abuse crisis, including some they had put aside during their fall general assembly in November at the Vatican's request.
Group protests outside Baltimore hotel, objects to proposals on abuse
A group of no more than 10 protesters stood in largely silent protest June 11, demanding more from the bishops -- specifically, by having them report abuse claims first to law enforcement.
USCCB’s election year document to be supplemented by letter, videos
The U.S. bishops' quadrennial document that provides guidance to voters on Catholic social teaching during a presidential election year won't change for 2020 but will be supplemented by a brief letter and four 90-second videos that reflect the teaching of Pope Francis.
U.S., English bishops welcome Vatican document on gender ideology
Catholic bishops in the U.S., England and Wales welcomed the Vatican's statement that gender ideology is opposed to faith and reason, and that Catholic schools and parents must help teach children that gender is fixed from birth.
Bishops may revise U.S. catechism to update capital punishment stance
On the first day of the bishops' spring assembly in Baltimore, Bishop Robert Barron said June 11 that the draft emphasizes the dignity of all people and the misapplication of capital punishment.
Leader repeats call for greater lay role as church tackles abuse
The head of the National Review Board called for a greater role for laity in investigating allegations of abuse, among other recommendations that he said were meant to strengthen the church's response to the ongoing clergy sexual abuse crisis.
Bishops consider update of texts of rites for clergy ordinations
Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington described the evolution of the ordination translations and a proposal to fix a dilemma: approved books are out of print, and used books must be found for ordinations.