National News
Face masks make comeback at Mass as COVID variant surges
The rising spread of the delta variant of the coronavirus is leading U.S. church leaders to strongly encourage or even require Massgoers to use facial coverings. Dioceses are also reporting a rise in Mass attendance.
Arlington Diocese explains teaching on human person, transgenderism
In offering a new catechetical document, Bishop Michael Burbidge said it was the church's "sacred duty" to teach on gender ideology in response to a rise in families reporting gender dysphoria.
Faith leaders raise concerns over online censorship
YouTube's blocking of a theologian's talk on the Christian view of sex as a "content violation" raises concerns that "religious speech is being censored online," said San Francisco's archbishop and Focus on the Family's president.
Indiana Catholic hospitals set timelines for worker-required vaccinations
As the delta variant of COVID-19 has led to a dramatic surge in infections across the country, more Catholic health care providers across the nation are requiring vaccinations.
St. Bernadette statue vandalized outside N.Y. Catholic church
The newly installed statue at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Flushing in the Brooklyn Diocese was damaged Aug. 17. It is the latest is a series of at least five vandalism incidents in the New York City area since May.
Bishops say U.S. government must urgently aid fleeing Afghans
The flow of 30,000 refugees to the U.S. comes after the rapid takeover of the Afghan government in August by Taliban forces as the U.S. withdrew its military, which has been in the troubled country for nearly 20 years.
Washington Archdiocese offers practical steps to care for creation
After the Vatican published seven ways to care for our common home, the archdiocese developed steps for its parishes and schools to carry out what "Laudato Si'," Pope Francis' letter on the environment, teaches.
Judge rules to reinstate ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy
A district court judge ruled the Biden administration had violated a law that dictates what procedures agencies must go through to implement certain policies, including an immigration policy of the Trump administration.
U.S. bishops support immigration provisions in $3.5 trillion spending bill
The U.S. bishops' migration chair said Aug. 12 that Catholic leaders were pleased the federal budget spending plan passed by the Senate a day earlier would provide "lawful permanent status to qualified immigrants."
Gangs, economy in crisis complicate Haiti disaster efforts
Saturday's earthquake, which left many people living outside, came on the heels of July's presidential assassination, an economic and ongoing political crisis, the coronavirus pandemic and an active storm season -- a tropical depression was bearing down this week.