National News
Church likely to undergo a transformation in the post-pandemic era
Fewer people attending church will require a radical restructuring of parish life, said a Villanova University researcher. Leaders suggest the pandemic has invited more lay-led evangelization.
Virginia bishops say allowing unlimited abortion is ‘deplorable policy’
By signing a measure that inserts abortion without limits into Virginia's health benefits exchange, Gov. Ralph Northam "has crossed yet another tragic threshold," said the heads of the state's two Catholic dioceses.
Bill aims to protect faith-based foster care, adoption providers
New legislation would support faith-based child welfare providers, including the Philadelphia Archdiocese, to place children in homes according to church teaching on marriage and family.
Top Knight says group is ‘force for good,’ bolsters men’s faith, families
Patrick Kelly, new global head of the Knights of Columbus, said he was drawn by its "strength of friendship. It was the opportunity to be friends with men who took their faith seriously."
American Rescue Plan praised for helping ‘the most vulnerable among us’
While expressing "somber concern" over possible federal funding for abortion, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan called the new $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief law "an extraordinarily practical way to help the American people."
Young Catholic leaders discuss public policy, social justice principles
While praising the expanded child tax credit and other provisions while expressing dismay over lack of Hyde language on abortion funding, leaders called the COVID relief act "a great opportunity to think through the preferential option for the poor."
Businesswoman who is gospel singer, author to receive Laetare Medal
Carla Harris, a top executive at the investment bank Morgan Stanley, a celebrated gospel singer, speaker and author, and Catholic parishioner in Harlem, will be awarded the University of Notre Dame's prestigious annual honor.
Kansas Catholics recall priest’s wartime ministry, heroism in POW camp
Father Emil Kapaun's last words to his fellow POWs in Korea in 1951: "Hey guys, don't worry about me. I'm going to where I always wanted to go. And when I get there, I'll say a prayer for you."
COVID relief welcomed, but lack of Hyde protections called ‘unconscionable’
The $1.9 trillion bill signed March 11 by President Biden, which the U.S. bishops say "will likely save lives," does not include language outlawing federal money from funding abortion.
Detroit-area Chaldean Catholics call pope’s Iraq trip ‘beautiful to see’
Home of the largest Chaldean community in the world outside of Iraq, locals see Pope Francis' trip as a way for the world to acknowledge the pain endured and resilience shown by the Iraqi Christian population rebuilding after decades of oppression.