National News
Theology of the Body conference speakers to discuss spiritual journeys
This year's online conference with 80 speakers will personalize St. John Paul II's lectures on sexuality that are "not easily translatable" for young people today.
Big legislative initiatives may be crowding out passage of Equality Act
Passage of the bill, which has been described as a faceoff between religious exemptions and LGBTQ rights, was uncertain before Congress began debating the president's huge infrastructure and families bills.
Wilmington bishop retires; pope names N.Y. priest to succeed him
Two years after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Bishop William Malooly is stepping down. Succeeding him in the Delaware diocese is a priest of Rockville Centre, New York.
CDC director OKs indoor worship services for masked, vaccinated
The announcement this week likely did not surprise many Catholics because most parishes in the U.S. have been having in-person indoor Masses since last summer, although with limited attendance.
Deaf Catholics applaud Vatican’s sign language service on YouTube channel
The Vatican's new "No One Excluded" project offers interpreters in American Sign Language on a channel dedicated to accessibility for people with communication challenges. Deaf Catholics now have the same access to the pope as a hearing person.
Report shows higher COVID-19 spread among immigrant detainees
Last year Catholic leaders warned that the close quarters of detention and lack of health care put the detainees and personnel at risk, and now a report shows COVID infections at 20 times the general population.
Oklahoma archbishop praises state leaders for laws restricting abortion
The new laws require physician certification in obstetrics and gynecology, list abortion as unprofessional conduct by doctors, and prohibit abortions if a fetal heartbeat can be detected.
Wisconsin opens investigation of sexual abuse in the state’s five dioceses
The probe of each diocese and a religious order will look at historical cases rather than new allegations of sexual abuse. A Milwaukee Archdiocese spokesman questioned why only the Catholic Church is being singled out for review in the state.
Minneapolis Catholics continue prayers, reflection after Chauvin verdict
Black Catholics and others in Minnesota called for listening to the voices of people of color and working toward racial justice wherever people gather. "It's up to us to commit and to opt in and to dig in."
At 108, Dominican sister says God ‘just wants me to hang around’
Sister Francis Dominici Piscatella, who has seen nine popes and 18 U.S. presidents, is defying the aging process while living independently in an apartment she shares with another sister on Long Island.