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Cardinal Wuerl set to open ‘Season of Healing’ in response to abuse
The proposed observance will begin Sept. 14, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and was described by the cardinal as "a first step in the necessary healing process for our church" in a Sept. 6 letter to priests of the archdiocese.
Another legal fight likely looms over child immigration detention
The Trump administration is seeking to set down new rules that would allow government to detain children in immigration detention facilities -- this time accompanied by their undocumented parents -- for longer periods of time than currently allowed.
Despite hearing’s drama, some say Kavanaugh won’t make major changes
A lot of the passion against the federal judge centered on concern that if Kavanaugh gets a seat on the Supreme Court, he could vote to overturn the court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion.
Fear leads to silence amid suffering of sick, needy, pope says
Instead of being viewed as "an occasion to manifest care and solidarity," the sick and the suffering are often seen as problem, the pope said Sept. 9 during his Sunday Angelus address.
Build church unity, shun clericalism, pope tells new bishops
The Catholic Church needs bishops who promote unity, "not soloists singing their own tune or captains fighting personal battles," Pope Francis told new bishops from the church's mission territories.
Bishops in several European countries urge support for Pope Francis
Bishops in several European countries issued statements urging Catholics to support Pope Francis in response to a former papal nuncio's demand for his resignation.
Pope praises evangelization through prayer, care for creation, welcome
Forming a community of women from different backgrounds and uniting them in prayer, in care for the earth and in hospitality to others is a powerful witness of Gospel values, Pope Francis told a group of Benedictine sisters.
Church did not foresee crimes by bishops, says canon law professor
The 1983 Code of Canon Law did not anticipate crimes being committed by bishops that could result in their laicization, according to Jesuit Father Robert Kaslyn. "It's a mess," he said.
Women’s, men’s letters ask pope for answers on abuse crisis
UPDATED -- A pair of letters to Pope Francis containing more than 45,000 signatures, written by women's and men's groups, ask the pope what he knew and when about Archbishop McCarrick. "We need to know we can trust you," wrote the women.
Letter confirms Vatican officials knew of McCarrick allegations in 2000
A New York priest and retired seminary professor advised a former Vatican representative to the US of complaints he had received regarding the archbishop.