National News
Lay people, bishops must work closely on abuse, review board chair says
Francesco Cesareo said lay people want transparency and openness from the bishops, and the sooner prelates put aside their guardedness about welcoming laity as partners, the sooner the U.S. church will heal.
Rhode Island bishop issues statement after tweet
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin said he regretted comments on Twitter when he said Catholics should not support or "attend LGBTQ 'Pride Month' events" because "they promote a culture and encourage activities that are contrary to the Catholic faith and morals. They are especially harmful for children."
‘No healing will come’ from Alabama execution, Catholic group says
In response to the Supreme Court's May 30 decision to allow the execution of an Alabama death-row inmate, a Catholic group seeking to end the death penalty said in a tweet: "Our work to build a more restorative criminal justice system continues."
‘Conquer bitterness with sacrificial love,’ bishop tells Virginians
Bishop Barry C. Knestout of Richmond celebrated Masses at St. Gregory the Great and St. John the Apostle churches in Virginia Beach June 2, two days after 12 people were killed in the city’s Municipal Center.
Illinois Senate passage of abortion bill called ‘sad day in history of state’
In a 34-20 vote, the Senate passed the "misnamed 'Reproductive Health Act,'" as the state's Catholic bishops referred to it. The state House OK'd it May 28 in a 64-50 vote. The measure has now headed to the desk of Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Bishop Dewane calls for action to address gun violence after mass shooting
In the wake of a mass shooting that left 12 people dead in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development called for American society to examine why such violent incidents continue to occur.
Abuse audit report released, shows big jump in allegations
UPDATED - While most of the new allegations of sexual abuse in the church nationwide occurred before 1999, 26 involved current minors, which the head of the lay review board called "concerning."
As immigration deterrent, Trump threatens Mexico with tariffs
President Donald Trump said May 30 that he would impose a 5 percent tariff on all imported goods from Mexico beginning June 10 to push that country to help stem the flow of immigrants coming across the border and entering the U.S. illegally.
New evidence in Supreme Court’s census case may impact outcome
Material discovered on the hard drive files of deceased Republican strategist Thomas Hofeller shows that he played a key role in the decision to add the citizenship question as a means to create an advantage for whites and Republicans in future elections.
New Hampshire Catholic officials laud state’s death penalty ban
On May 30, New Hampshire lawmakers garnered enough votes to abolish the death penalty in the state, overriding a veto from Gov. Chris Sununu and becoming the 21st state to ban capital punishment.