National News
HHS urged to reissue rules to enforce required notice on abortion coverage
"Obamacare's abortion surcharge is practically invisible to consumers," said Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, who signed the Aug. 6 letter. "Consumers have a right to know."
Momentum builds for proposed lay-run sex abuse panel
U.S. Catholic bishops are calling for an internal investigation into the handling of allegations of sexual misconduct against Archbishop McCarrick and urging such an inquiry be spearheaded by laypeople.
Franciscan sisters run emergency lifeline for needy in West Virginia
For nearly 25 years, the center has provided free clothing as well as a food from its pantry, furniture and household items, and, when possible, financial assistance to help with utilities, rent, medication, gasoline, propane and kerosene.
U.S. men and women religious superiors favor women deacons, study says
The survey was taken in response to a papal commission organized by Pope Francis to study the question of ordaining women to the permanent diaconate.
Federal judge in Washington orders Trump administration to restore DACA
A federal judge in Washington Aug. 3 ordered the Trump administration to restore a program that helped young adults brought into the country illegally as minors, saying reasons calling for its demise were not justified.
Bishop says no cover-up in priest’s case but admits lack of transparency
Lincoln Bishop James D. Conley apologized for failing to be more transparent about a pastor removed from ministry because the priest had developed "an emotionally inappropriate, non-sexual relationship with a 19-year-old male which involved alcohol."
Pittsburgh bishop says report will be ‘sad, tragic description’ of events
Bishop David Zubik also announced that the day the grand jury report is released, the diocese will release to the public the names of its clergy who have been accused of abuse.
Greensburg Diocese stands ready help to abuse survivors ‘in their healing’
The Diocese of Greensburg is one of six dioceses that have been the subject of a months-long investigation by the state's attorney general into sexual abuse claims, many of which go back decades.
Cardinal Cupich: Death penalty can’t ‘rebalance the scales of justice’
Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich described how Catholic teaching on the death penalty has developed and stressed that putting people to death makes it seem that the God-given right to life is conditional.
Massgoers pray for shrine rector, all other passengers who survived crash
Hundreds of worshippers gathered outdoors at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines the evening of Aug. 1 to give thanks for the survival of all 103 people aboard Aeromexico Flight 2431.