National News
‘Mountaintop Mass’ celebrated to honor Father McGivney draws 1,000
More than 1,000 people gathered on top of Holy Land USA as Archbishop Leonard P. Blair celebrated Mass to honor Father Michael McGivney, a candidate for sainthood, founder of the Knights of Columbus and a native of Waterbury.
Discalced Carmelites use time-honored skills to construct new monastery
The Carmelites are building a community in Fairfield to accommodate their growing numbers that have maximized their monastery in Elysburg. Pa.
Catholic bishops urge Florida governor to spare death-row inmate
In a letter to the governor on behalf of the Catholic bishops of Florida, Michael Sheedy, executive director of the state's Catholic conference, appealed to Scott to commute the death sentence for Jose Antonio Jimenez to a life sentence without parole.
Cardinal O’Malley calls for investigation at Boston seminary
Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley said that he has asked the rector of St. John Seminary to go on sabbatical leave and is asking for an investigation of allegations made on social media.
Bishops, faith leaders condemn Tennessee’s first execution in nine years
Two Tennessee Catholic bishops called the execution of Billy Ray Irick Aug. 9 "unnecessary."
How can human dignity be preserved and enhanced through public policy?
Human dignity: It hasn't quite become a campaign issue, but it's coming close.
‘Take clear action,’ young Catholics urge U.S. bishops in open letter
An open letter from 43 writers, academics and Catholic leaders said to be "children in the decades leading up to the sexual abuse crisis of 2002" called for an end to silence on the issue.
Judge blocks deportation underway for asylum seekers
A federal judge Aug. 9 ordered the immediate return to the U.S. of two Salvadoran asylum seekers, a mother and her daughter, who were unexpectedly deported from Texas to their native country.
Metuchen bishop ‘saddened and ashamed’ by Archbishop McCarrick case
He was referring to allegations of abuse and sexual misconduct lodged at Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick, a former cardinal and retired archbishop of Washington, who was named the first bishop of the newly created Metuchen Diocese in 1981.
Peace activists’ prayer service marks Nagasaki, Hiroshima anniversary
At the rally, which lasted about an hour, they called for the United States to apologize and repent of its use of nuclear weapons in the Second World War and for total nuclear disarmament.