National News
Bishops consider new resolution on diocesan financial reporting
The resolution encourages each U.S. bishop to adopt a voluntary reporting mechanism for him to affirm annually "that his diocesan finance council is functioning in accord with the expectations of canon law."
Bishops consider socially responsible investments
A draft document of guidelines governing the Catholic Conference's financial investments includes wider limits on where money would be invested and advances a policy on corporate practices that impact human dignity.
Catholic groups criticize Archbishop Gomez for speech on ‘woke’ movements
Five Catholic and Christian groups and about 9,000 grassroots Catholics and ecumenical religious advocates called for the archbishop to apologize for his criticism of new secular movements that promote social justice.
Church’s evangelizing mission can heal division, archbishop tells assembly
Describing a time of spiritual awakening among Americans rising from the pandemic, Archbishop Jose Gomez told fellow U.S. bishops at their meeting that the challenge is "to understand how the church should carry out her mission."
Synod on synodality should not avoid problems, archbishop says in homily
Baltimore Archbishop Lori pointed to past synods held in the city where bishops dealt with immigration, liturgical and catechetical matters, relations between bishops and priests, and "the relationship of faith and culture in America."
Maryland couple donates spruce as Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree
A family has grown up under the 79-foot-tall tree that will be enjoyed by thousands in New York City through the Christmas holidays. Lumber from the tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity after the holiday season.
Laudato Si’ Action Platform set to integrate encyclical into church life
A seven-year plan implementing Pope Francis' document on the environment is a "spiritual and moral" initiative that a coordinator at one of 17 participating U.S. dioceses called "a church-based model for community organizing."
Employers, courts examine religious exemptions to vaccines
Religion usually stays out of the workplace, but now with expanding COVID-19 vaccine requirements, employees' personal faith is at issue as many of them across the country say they have religious reasons not to get vaccinated.
More than 4,200 allegations of clergy abuse reported, annual audit shows
The 4,228 allegations by 3,924 child sexual abuse survivors were down from 4,434 allegations in the previous year, new data show. While only 22 allegations involve current cases of abuse, most point to the past, due to changes in statutes of limitation.
Cleveland priest sent to prison for life for sexually exploiting children
U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi handed down the sentence Nov. 9, saying the public needed to be protected from Father Robert McWilliams, 41, because he had preyed upon youths who turned to him for help.