National News
U.S. Senate again fails to pass Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
In a Feb. 4 vote on the 2021 Budget Resolution, all Senate Republicans and Democratic Sens. Manchin of West Virginia and Casey of Pennsylvania voted in favor of the amendment, but 48 Senate Democrats blocked it, which required 60 votes to pass.
Social ministers essential to common good of society, archbishop tells gathering
"You witness to our society," Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles said to hundreds of the church's social ministers gathered online for a Feb. 6 virtual Mass as part of the annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering. They shared stories of hardship due to the pandemic.
Catholic school enrollment, hit by pandemic, is at its lowest in 50 years
While enrollment in Catholic secondary schools dropped only 2.5% from the previous year, Catholic elementary school students declined by 8.1%, which could impact secondary school numbers within the next five to 10 years. Overall enrollment was down 6.4%, 111,000 students.
Kelly to succeed Anderson as Knights of Columbus CEO
Patrick Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy captain, is the new leader of the Knights of Columbus, succeeding Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson, who has headed the international fraternal organization as its CEO for more than two decades.
Chicago archdiocesan schools see ‘virtually no’ COVID-19 transmission
Chicago archdiocesan school officials are finding that in-person learning, done safely and in compliance with federal guidelines, has not resulted in high rates of person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 among students and staff.
Biden repeats call for unity, says faith can show way forward in dark times
For many in the nation, this is a dark time because of job loss, hunger, evictions, sickness and death because of COVID-19, "so where do we turn? Faith" President Joe Biden said, addressing the National Prayer Breakfast in a virtual event Feb. 4.
Virginia General Assembly votes to ban death penalty; governor supports move
Both the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate have now passed bills that, along with the governor's signature expected this spring, Virginia would become the first Southern state to outlaw capital punishment.
Dioceses dispute AP report on pandemic federal funding
U.S. dioceses are crying foul over an investigative report on coronavirus relief funding they say grossly mischaracterized the Catholic Church's finances, leaving the crass impression the church used the 2020 CARES Act to hoard cash.
School’s parent guide aims to help with transition to distance learning
Before parents realized they might benefit from help with the transition to distance learning, one Minnesota school did so first, and developed a 17-page PDF, "K-6 Parent Resource Guide."
Institute in San Francisco launches ‘Year for the Homeless’
The Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Worship is calling people to prayer, commissioning a special requiem Mass and holding fundraisers via Zoom to help the homeless.