News
U.S. bishops cancel general assembly planned for June
For the first time in its history, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has cancelled a general meeting. Even if the pandemic restrictions are lifted by June, bishops said they needed to be in their dioceses with their people.
Supreme Court won’t hear case of Washington Archdiocese ad
While the high court declined to hear the case in which the archdiocese's Christmas ad was rejected for city buses, Justice Neil Gorsuch called the appeals court ruling "a violation of the First Amendment."
Pope sets up new panel to study women deacons
Pope Francis established the 12-member international commission as a follow-up to a previous group that studied the history of women deacons in the New Testament and the early Christian Church.
Solemn liturgies of Holy Week, Easter to be streamed from cathedral
Join Archbishop Nelson Perez as he celebrates and preaches for the liturgies of the Triduum and Easter, livestreamed this year from the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.
Catholics urged to enter ‘very heart’ of faith while at home
The Ukrainian bishops of America, including Philadelphia's Metropolitan Archbishop Gudziak, encourage the faithful "to turn to the church’s treasury of prayer," individually or as a family, at home this Holy Week and Easter.
Pandemic is prime time for conversion of people, governments, pope says
The present uncertainty is also a time for change of heart, and for a future of creativity, Pope Francis said. Once the pandemic is past, people must not "file it away and go back to where we were."
Largest city in Ecuador overwhelmed by COVID-19
As people die at home and bodies are wrapped lovingly on the streets of Guayaquil, observers are linking travel to Europe and inadequate preparation for the rising number of coronavirus cases and deaths.
Cardinal Pell released from prison after court overturns conviction
Australian Cardinal George Pell has been released from prison after 405 days behind bars after the Australia's high court unanimously overturned his 2018 verdict that found him guilty of molesting two 13-year-old boys in 1996.
SBA allows loans for church entities keeping workers employed
Catholic organizations can access some of the $2 trillion federal CARES Act by obtaining Small Business Administration loans that, if workers are retained, become grants that don't need to be repaid.
Archbishop celebrates Chrism Mass in empty cathedral; 36K watch online
While disappointed he could not celebrate the commemoration of the priesthood with priests in person, Archbishop Nelson Perez blessed the holy oils and celebrated Mass at the cathedral as 36,880 people viewed at home -- including priests.