News

Santa Fe archdiocesan justice office urges no honor for Barr at breakfast

The office called on National Catholic Prayer Breakfast officials to withdraw a planned Sept. 23 award for U.S. Attorney General William Barr, a Catholic who supports the death penalty.

Archbishop calls ‘unrealistic’ limits on public worship ‘willful discrimination’

San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone said that city's COVID restrictions put Catholics "at the end of the line," as hundreds of faithful demonstrated Sept. 20 to "Free the Mass."

Pope: Coronavirus vaccine must be for all, not just the wealthy

In a Sept. 19 address to the Italian Pharmaceutical Bank, Pope Francis said the COVID-19 pandemic had revealed global economic inequalities and "pharmaceutical poverty."

Two Catholic women judges top short list as possible Supreme Court nominees

Amy Coney Barrett and Barbara Lagoa, both of whom have publicly spoken about the importance of their faith, are among the potential replacements for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Sept. 18.

Cardinal likens fading Christian presence in Middle East to a sinking ship

Lebanese Cardinal Bechara Rai warned Sept. 18 that conflict, crisis and COVID -- topped by a deadly Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut -- all threaten the church in one of its ancient homelands.

House passage of Pregnant Workers Fairness Act called ‘huge win for women’

The Sept. 17 vote advances a bill that ensures expectant employees have reasonable accommodation, opportunities and protection from on-the-job retaliation.

Global biotech company ends use of aborted fetal cell lines for vaccines

Sanofi Pasteur will now use animals cell lines to produce its polio vaccines, a move applauded by the U.S. bishops as researchers fast-track COVID immunization.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is remembered as ‘jurist of historic stature’

The second woman named to the U.S. Supreme Court, who died Sept. 18 at 87, was "a tireless and resolute champion of justice," said Chief Justice John Roberts.

Jewish New Year a call for community amid COVID, says local scholar

In a Sept. 18 message published by the Vatican, Rabbi Abraham Skorka called for dialogue that respects diversity, as Rosh Hashanah begins amid the ongoing pandemic.

Religious voters’ support for 2020 nominees mirrors past elections

A Pew poll shows support for Trump and Biden consistent with earlier patterns. Abortion trailed the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign policy, immigration and climate change as top election issues.