National News
Abuse victims say they felt hurt by ordinary Catholics’ lack of compassion
Sexual assault victims say they were hurt not only by individual priests, but by church officials and ordinary Catholics who treated them with intolerance and indifference.
Rage among ‘righteous’ reactions to abuse, leading bishops say
Archbishop Charles Chaput and Chicago Cardinal Blaise Cupich were among many American Catholic bishops reacting to the latest abuse scandal in the Catholic Church. See links to the statements.
Pennsylvania prelate says bishops who hid abuse should resign
Bishop Lawrence T. Persico said the only way to regain the trust of the laity after decades-long claims of sexual abuse by priests and others at six Pennsylvania dioceses is by deeds and one of those deeds may mean getting rid of bishops who hid abusers.
Indiana bishop announces he’ll release list of accused abusers in diocese
Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades said that in response to the release of the grand jury report on abuse claims in six Pennsylvania dioceses, he will collect and release a list of the names of priests in the diocese he currently heads who committed similar offenses.
Priests’ group says it’s ‘sad, angry, frustrated’ by abuse scandals
The Association of U.S. Catholic Priests said its members are "sad ... angry ... frustrated" over continued reports involving fellow priests and a lack of accountability by bishops.
Citizenship question for 2020 census prompts strong criticism, lawsuits
The critics say such questions might make people less likely to participate in the census, especially members of immigrant communities.
A.W. Richard Sipe, researcher, expert on clergy sex abuse, dies at 85
Sipe's research into celibacy and priestly sexual behavior helped guide the work of church leaders and others studying, investigating and responding to the clergy sexual abuse crisis that emerged in 2002.
Americans surveyed on views on ethics of genetically engineering animals
A Pew Research Center report released Aug. 16 found that Americans' view of genetically engineering animals varies widely based on the intended purpose of the modifications.
Lori: ‘More than prayers, promises’ needed to address anger over abuse
'The simple, painful truth is that the church did not go far enough to protect children from sexual abuse,' Archbishop William E. Lori wrote.
U.S. church’s response to sex abuse shows progress, but questions remain
Here are some key events in the U.S. church's response to allegations of abuse during the past 35 years.