National News
U.S. bishops take part in weeklong retreat about clergy sex abuse crisis
UPDATED - The U.S. Catholic bishops are taking part in a closed-door retreat Jan. 2-8 at Mundelein Seminary at the University of St. Mary of the Lake near Chicago to prayerfully consider ways to rebuild trust over the clergy sex abuse crisis.
Salvadoran missions chief: Honor St. Romero by fighting injustice
After the canonization of St. Oscar Romero finally came to fruition, Salvadorans and the saint's admirers must give him new life by learning about him, pondering how his teachings apply to the present and helping others around the world.
Alaska church hit hardest by quake faces steep repair costs
St. Andrew Parish in Eagle River, 10 miles from the epicenter of the magnitude-7.0 earthquake that shook the region Nov. 30, is facing steep repair bills as it suffered the greatest damage of any church in the Archdiocese of Anchorage.
Vatican begins investigation of Archbishop McCarrick
James Grein, a Virginia man who said Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick, former archbishop of Washington, sexually abused him for years beginning when he was 11, gave his testimony about what occurred Dec. 27 before a judicial vicar for the New York Archdiocese.
Ohio legislature looks ahead after one vote short on abortion bill
The legislation, called the "heartbeat bill," would have prohibited abortions at the first detectable heartbeat, or as early as six weeks of pregnancy.
At the border, communities vent anger toward Washington
Catholics working in border communities have been responding to what they say are chaotic scenes of migrants being randomly dropped off in their cities and towns by federal immigration officials. Typically, the community groups that work with migrants are given advance notice about the drop-offs.
Catholic groups denounce child’s death near U.S. border on Christmas Eve
Immigration officials announced new health checks for immigrant children under detention after a second child, an 8-year-old boy, died Christmas Eve while under the agency's care.
Supreme Court turns down Trump administration request on asylum rules
The U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 vote Dec. 21 rejected the Trump administration's request that the court let it implement a rule that those who enter the United States without documents will not be eligible for asylum.
Bishop says First Step Act brings needed criminal justice reform
The nation's criminal justice system "is in need of reform" and the First Step Act "is a worthy 'first step' in the right direction," said Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development.
Priest apologizes for funeral homily that focused on suicide
Father Don LaCuesta criticized for emphasizing suicide in his homily during a recent funeral for an 18-year-old who took his own life has since apologized.