National News
In the U.S., a sobering mood after news of McCarrick’s laicization
Even though the Vatican stripping McCarrick of his clerical status Feb. 16 was expected, the news cast a somber mood over those faith communities already grappling with what had happened while he was among them in the past.
DiNardo: Action on McCarrick ‘clear signal’ church will not tolerate abuse
"No bishop, no matter how influential, is above the law of the church," said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston Feb. 16 after former Cardinal Theodore had been removed from the priesthood Feb. 16. "For all those McCarrick abused, I pray this judgment will be one small step, among many, toward healing."
Catholic bishops, groups speak against president’s national emergency
Catholic bishops near the U.S.-Mexico border, joined by other U.S. prelates, voiced opposition just after President Donald Trump's Feb. 15 declaration of a national emergency so he can order construction of a barrier along parts of the border between the two countries.
Catholic organizations scrutinize what works best in fighting poverty
Despite the latest federal estimate that the number of Americans in poverty is now below 40 million for the first time in a long time -- the actual figure is 39.7 million -- that still means one of every eight Americans is poor.
Catholic Charities expects healthy housing to ease chronic homelessness
Catholic Charities USA is partnering with five diocesan Catholic Charities agencies, local hospitals, housing developers and funders in a plan aiming to reduce chronic homelessness 20 percent by 2024.
Texas locality orders popular Catholic center for migrants to vacate
A group of city commissioners in the border city of McAllen, Texas, voted in mid-February to remove from a building a popular Catholic-administered center run by Sister Norma Pimentel.
Virginia’s two dioceses release lists of clergy credibly accused of abuse
Virginia's two Catholic bishops, Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and Richmond Bishop Barry C. Knestout, released lists Feb. 13 of the clergy credibly accused of child sex abuse in their respective dioceses.
Society believes victims, spots sex abuse more than in past
American culture has shifted in how we view sexual trauma, said expert Eileen Dombo, and people are "open to the belief that an adult can harm a child in this way." Still, "child sex abuse is a massively big problem."
Catholics, Muslims bond over weekly lunch at Indianapolis deli
The openness to people of other faiths that Pope Francis modeled during his Feb. 3-5 visit to the United Arab Emirates has been embraced for more than 20 years at a weekly lunch shared by Muslims, Catholics and other Christians at Shapiro's Delicatessen in Indianapolis.
Florida Catholic school’s prayer service marks school shooting anniversary
The student-led event featured the school choir and student council members paying special tribute to the 14 students and three staff members killed on the high school campus last Feb. 14.