National News
United Methodist delegates maintain ban on same-sex marriage, LGBT pastors
Delegates voted 438-384 to approve the Traditional Plan Feb. 26. It says homosexuality "is not compatible with the teachings of Christianity" and institutes penalties for Methodist churches that allow same-sex marriage or the ordination of LGBT clergy.
Faith community joins Florida congressman in opposing offshore drilling
Rep. Francis Rooney, a former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, cautioned that offshore drilling for oil in Florida's coastal waters would endanger the state's tourism-based economy should a major spill occur.
Supreme Court offers possible ground for historic memorial cross to stay
The U.S. Supreme Court seemed to lean toward preserving a historic cross-shaped memorial in Maryland Feb. 27 without making overall clarifications about the constitutionality of religious symbols on public property.
Border bishops say real emergency is how to take care of migrants
All the rhetoric that has been building up about how bad the 'other' people are has built up to this national emergency, which is a lie," Archbishop Garcia-Siller said.
Rule requiring ‘clear separation’ of Title X funds from abortion applauded
The U.S. bishops' pro-life committee chairman Feb. 27 praised the Trump administration for finalizing its "Protect Life Rule" to prevent funds appropriated under the Title X Family Planning Program from being used in services that include abortion as a method of family planning or that make abortion referrals.
Renew introduces small-group series to deal with clergy abuse crisis
Titled "Healing Our Church," it offers reflections, Scripture passages, questions to participants to ponder and statements from abuse victims.
‘The desert speaks’: Faith communities gather at U.S.-Mexico border
Bishop Seitz said, "The desert speaks, because on this land has fallen the blood of many who are trying to pass to find a dignified life, and we can hear the shouts of land telling us that our policies have consequences."
Smith, others in House condemn Senate block of born-alive bill, vow action
The vote, which took place late Feb. 25, would have brought the Senate closer to a floor vote on the bill if it had garnered 60 "yeas."
Bishop issues list on abuse ‘with heavy heart,’ says transparency is key
Bishop R. Walker Nickless of Sioux City admitted it was "with a heavy and sad heart" he was reporting that some priests and bishops have abused the grace and beauty of the priesthood, "sexually abusing innocent children among us."
Woman claims abuse, sues Franciscans, Buffalo Diocese for $300 million
A New York woman sued the Diocese of Buffalo, New York, a diocesan-run high school and a Maryland-based order of Franciscan priests for $300 million, saying she was sexually abused by a priest of the order for three years at the school.