National News
Priests sees progress on abuse, but also resistance in some ‘quarters’
A growing understanding of the issue among church leadership and commitment to concrete measures that include lay participation will help dispel anger and eventually restore trust, Jesuit Father Hans Zollner said.
Theologians examine role of power, clericalism in the sex abuse crisis
While offering differing perspectives, Richard Gaillardetz of Boston College and Chad Pecknold of The Catholic University of America agreed March 26 that clericalism needed to be addressed if the church is to begin recovering from the scandal.
Pompeo says Trump administration tightening pro-life Mexico City Policy
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared that under the Trump administration, the policy would be supplemented with new restrictions to prevent backdoor funding of abortions.
Phila. priest among two bishops ordained for U.S. military archdiocese
Auxiliary Bishop Joseph L. Coffey, a Philadelphia native and U.S. Navy chaplain since 2001, and Auxiliary Bishop William J. Muhm of New York will serve the global Catholic ministry to the armed services.
Mississippi governor signs ‘heartbeat’ bill; opponents pledge legal battle
On March 21, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, a Republican, signed into law S.B. 2116, a "heartbeat bill" which will prohibit abortions in the state after the point a fetal heartbeat is detected.
Co-creators of pro-life film say God planned film ‘for such a time as now’
The making of the film "Unplanned," about the former director of an abortion clinic becoming a pro-life advocate, was in itself miraculous, say its Catholic producers who grew up together in New Jersey.
Women in Amazon take more prominent role in environmental protection
Women have increasingly participated as leaders at the national and international level in the Amazon's environmental activist circles in part because women experience firsthand environmental degradation and its impact on the family.
Speakers on child sex abuse look at ‘path forward’
A "Dialogue on Clerical Sexual Abuse" March 24 at Georgetown University offered recommendations for clerical conduct by a victim, while experts discussed best practices for parishes.
Bishops say EPA plan to roll back pollution rule would harm the unborn
"The proposed change to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule is troubling since it is well-documented that pregnant mothers and their unborn children are the most sensitive to mercury pollution and its adverse health effects."
Catholic school students pray for mosque shooting victims, peace
A week after the mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, and almost 9,000 miles away from this tragedy, Catholic school students in Maryland gathered to pray for the victims and to recommit themselves to ending hate.