National News
Despite hearing’s drama, some say Kavanaugh won’t make major changes
A lot of the passion against the federal judge centered on concern that if Kavanaugh gets a seat on the Supreme Court, he could vote to overturn the court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion.
Church did not foresee crimes by bishops, says canon law professor
The 1983 Code of Canon Law did not anticipate crimes being committed by bishops that could result in their laicization, according to Jesuit Father Robert Kaslyn. "It's a mess," he said.
Women’s, men’s letters ask pope for answers on abuse crisis
UPDATED -- A pair of letters to Pope Francis containing more than 45,000 signatures, written by women's and men's groups, ask the pope what he knew and when about Archbishop McCarrick. "We need to know we can trust you," wrote the women.
Modern economy must serve common good, speakers say
Greed is central to the American economic system but the church has advocated for a moral economy to respect people, especially the marginalized, agreed economist Jeffrey Sachs and Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark.
New Jersey launches probe into dioceses’ handling of sex abuse
State Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced Sept. 6 the formation of a task force to investigate “allegations of sexual abuse by members of the clergy” and “any efforts to cover up such abuse.”
New York latest to launch probe of church sex abuse records
Two of the state's eight dioceses confirmed receiving subpoenas from the state attorney general seeking access to church records. A hotline was set up specifically for those who may have been abused by clergy.
Church probe of Archbishop Nienstedt ‘doomed to fail,’ auxiliary bishop says
Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Cozzens of St. Paul and Minneapolis said the Catholic Church "desperately needs an independent structure" to review allegations against bishops. He should know -- he led a failed inquiry against his own archbishop.
Nebraska Attorney General asks dioceses for sex abuse records
The Archdiocese of Omaha will comply with a request from from state law enforcement to review its "investigative records" on sex abuse. The dioceses of Lincoln and Grand Island have received similar requests.
Jesuit priest and school president offers prayers at McCain memorials
Jesuit Father Edward Reese, the president of St. Ignatius Prep School in San Francisco, offered prayers in both Phoenix and Washington, including a homily at the National Cathedral in Washington, after the death of John McCain.
Cardinal Wuerl addresses church’s ‘pain, confusion and disillusionment’
Addressing the clergy abuse crisis in the church will require "wider lay engagement, more realized accountability and evident transparency," said Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl