News
Laypeople join religious order in ‘ministry of presence’ for terminally ill
For over 100 years in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the Sisters Servants of Mary have kept overnight vigil with the terminally ill in their homes. Now five laypeople have joined the ministry in accord with the Gospel of Matthew: "I was ill and you cared for me."
Court ruling upholding Texas abortion law called ‘long-awaited victory’
The 2017 law effectively bans a common second-trimester abortion procedure called a D&E for "dilation and evacuation" by physicians. Texas uses the terminology "dismemberment abortion." The case is expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court.
High court orders Biden administration to restore ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy
The U.S. Supreme Court late Aug. 24 said a Trump-era immigration policy requiring asylum-seekers to be returned to Mexico and await adjudication of their cases -- despite dangerous and inhumane conditions there -- must be restored.
Masks to be mandated in all archdiocesan schools
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is requiring that face masks be worn by students, faculty, staff and visitors in all archdiocesan schools starting Monday, Aug. 30 before the start of in-person instruction Sept. 8 as a precaution against the spread of COVID -- especially by the unvaccinated.
Ministry to youth is a call to the whole church, leader says
Accompanying teens on their journey of faith is a task for all ages, even if it means "being OK with the mess" at times, said Marisally Santiago, director of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Office for Ministry with Youth.
Data needed to ‘find the core’ of rising violence in Phila., says counselor
As the city's homicide rate soars, Bette Kennedy of archdiocesan Catholic Social Services is studying troubled teens' anger, which runs "deeper than we think."
After brutal attack on husband, archdiocesan social worker calls for end to violence
"All I want is for this to stop," said Christine Torrisi-Lean following an Aug. 17 ambush by youth that has left her spouse Zach fighting for his life.
Archbishop says SNAP increase helps people meet ‘essential human needs’
The U.S. bishops hailed a recalculation of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Biden administration's 25% increase in the benefit for those in need -- the largest single increase in the program's history.
Pope invites people to rediscover importance of Sunday liturgy
Pope Francis is encouraging new courses of action for parishes to help people understand the importance of Sunday Mass, a top Vatican official wrote, adding that in Italy the pandemic's restrictions on Masses were "an alarming indication of the advanced stage of an epochal change."
Pope accepts resignation of outspoken Spanish bishop
Bishop Xavier Novell Gomà, 52 and one of Spain's youngest bishops, offered his resignation and Pope Francis accepted. The bishop had backed independence for Spain's Catalan region, in opposition to a key Spanish cardinal.