National News
Catholics join scientists in asking Biden to end threat of nuclear weapons
A group of advocates urged President Joe Biden to seek a new agreement with Russia to continue reducing nuclear weapon stockpiles and work worldwide to achieve their abolition.
After son’s death, couple tackles stigma surrounding suicide
Jackson Roeder died by suicide at age 25. His parents keep his memory alive and urge people "to be more accepting and talk more openly" about suicide, mental health issues and grief.
Don’t weaponize the Eucharist for political ends, bishop warns
A "national policy" of excluding pro-choice Catholic politicians from receiving holy Communion would "constitute an assault" on the Eucharist's sign of unity and charity, said San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy.
Children separated under Trump policy to be reunited with families
The Biden administration is seeking to reunite more than 1,000 families and at least 2,342 children affected by the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" family separation policy.
Biden raises cap on refugee admissions to U.S., but with caveat
The president will raise the historically low refugee cap of 15,000 left by the Trump administration. But the new number of refugees, 62,500, might not be resettled in what remains of the fiscal year. Biden cited undoing "the damage of the last four years."
Agency launches appeal to help India’s response to COVID-19
Catholic Near East Welfare Association, based in New York, has begun an emergency campaign to help India's local churches respond to the escalating COVID-19 crisis. India has 20 million reported cases, second only to the U.S.
First Communion recipient overcomes obstacle, gives hope to others
Carson Crosby has a genetic disease that prevents him from consuming food and drink orally. Since the Eucharist may not be received through a feeding tube, his family worked with their pastor and bishop to find a solution he could tolerate.
Catholic doctor weighs in on COVID-19 vaccines for children
One Oregon doctor said the risk of one's child having severe side effects from the vaccine "is remote but the chance that they could get the virus and transmit it to other vulnerable people is likely to be greater."
San Francisco archbishop examines abortion, Communion in pastoral letter
Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone's letter emphasizes that people who reject "the sanctity of human life and those who do not seek to live in accordance with that teaching should not receive the Eucharist."
Cardinal Turkson urges graduates to impact troubled world
The head of the Vatican's justice, peace and human development efforts urged graduates of a Catholic university in Indiana to build a "new economic and social order" that serves people, "not people reduced to serving money."