National News
National Shrine hosts organ concert to benefit Notre Dame Cathedral
More than 2,000 people attended an April 26 organ concert at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington to benefit restoration and rebuilding efforts of Notre Dame de Paris.
Hackers infiltrate Ohio parish’s email system, steal $1.75 million
The theft was discovered April 17 when a construction company working on church renovations inquired why it had not received the two most recent monthly payments for the project.
Pope names Archbishop Etienne coadjutor archbishop of Seattle
Pope Francis has named Archbishop Paul D. Etienne of Anchorage to be coadjutor archbishop of the Archdiocese of Seattle, meaning he will assist and could succeed Archbishop J. Peter Sartain in leading the archdiocese.
Catholic bishops condemn Poway synagogue shooting
Catholic bishops from around the U.S. were quick to condemn the April 27 attack on a Jewish community gathered at a synagogue near San Diego, which left one person dead and three others injured.
Magistrate denies motion to dismiss charges against plowshares activists
Magistrate Judge Benjamin Cheesbro of the Southern District of Georgia said in an April 26 ruling that the defendants, all Catholics, failed to show that the government violated their rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Speakers address role of laity as church moves forward from abuse scandal
In introductory remarks during a conference examining the laity's role in helping the church move forward from the clergy abuse crisis, a speaker pointed out that what has happened impacts, and continues to affect, the whole church.
Chaput: Testing of Christianity today not a defeat but a new awakening
For the past three centuries, Western societies have worked hard to "to construct a harmonious moral life through human reason alone, without God," but "it doesn't work," Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput told a New York audience April 27.
Court upholds rule that House open each day it is in session with prayer
The decision from Judges David Tatel, Douglas Ginsburg and Harry Edwards also confirmed that the U.S. House chaplain, Jesuit Father Patrick Conroy, can reject a secular invocation to open the sessions.
As refugee child, she knew no English; now as teen, she’s poetry champ
At the end of April, Belise Nishimwe will share her vocal and inner power at a national poetry competition in Washington.
Baltimore releases names of 23 priests accused of abuse after they died
Released April 24, the 23 additional names join 103 other clergy and religious brothers whose names had already been published by the archdiocese.