News
Iowa priest reinstated; claims of clergy sex abuse against him not proved
A church trial outside the diocese found that accusations of clergy sexual abuse against Father Stack were not proved. The Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith concurred with the trial judges' finding.
State Senate passes sex-abuse lawsuit bill removing retroactive provision
By a 49-0 vote June 30, the full Senate approved an amended HB 1947. The House version of the bill would allow civil suits on child abuse going back decades, but the Senate version allows suits only going forward.
National campaign awards 11 local social outreach agencies
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development gave grants to four secular groups in Philadelphia and seven Catholic-run agencies totaling $270,000. The annual U.S. bishops' collection will be taken up July 9-10.
Bishops’ long-held goal of preserving net neutrality upheld in court
The U.S. bishops have long held that net neutrality -- the concept of treating all traffic on the internet the same -- was necessary for a well-functioning society.
Relics of Sts. Thomas More, John Fisher draw crowds in Minnesota
Relics of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, whose lives spanned the 15th and 16th centuries, were viewed at the cathedral June 26 as part of a national tour coinciding with the Fortnight for Freedom.
Sainthood cause of Kansas priest who was chaplain takes a step forward
Six historical consultants of the Vatican Congregation for Saints' Causes met in Rome recently and approved the historical documents submitted by the Diocese of Wichita on behalf of Father Kapaun's cause.
Archbishop asks for prayers in wake of Istanbul terrorist attack
Archbishop Charles Chaput issued a statement June 30 in response to the deadly attack in Turkey as the global community confronted "extreme violence committed by those who spread terror through evil."
Where silence should reign: Pope will pray, not speak, at Auschwitz
During his trip to Poland for World Youth Day, Pope Francis will go to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camp. He said he wants to go alone and say nothing. "And may the Lord give me the grace to cry," he said.
Duterte sworn in as Philippine president, vows to listen to the people
Rodrigo Duterte, a controversial town mayor dubbed "Dirty Harry" and "The Punisher" for his tough stance on crime, was sworn in as the 16th president of the Philippines June 30.
Syrian church personnel train to better confront humanitarian crisis
Catholic charities, religious orders and dioceses met to better plan and implement the aid work they are doing to help more than 12 million people in need of help in Syria and at least 8 million people in Iraq.