U.S. & World News
No dispensation for this year’s Christmas Mass on Monday
Although Christmas this year is the day after the fourth Sunday of Advent, Catholics looking to count a Sunday evening Mass Dec. 24 for both that Sunday obligation and Monday’s Christmas Mass obligation will have to think again.
Pope concerned by U.S. move to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital
Following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump planned to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Pope Francis expressed his concern that such a move would further destabilize the Middle East.
Prelates ask prayers for families, firefighters facing devastating blaze
Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez on Dec. 5 called for prayers for the well-being of families, firefighters and rescue workers “facing devastating fires and high winds” in Ventura and Los Angeles counties in Southern California.
Pope expresses satisfaction with meetings on Rohingya crisis
Well aware he was disappointing some people by not using the word “Rohingya” publicly in Myanmar, Pope Francis said his chief concern had been to get a point across, and he did.
Court seems divided in cake case examining religious rights, expression
The U.S. Supreme Court seemed equally divided in the long-anticipated oral arguments Dec. 5 about the baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple because of his religious beliefs.
In Nova Scotia, cemeteries tell story of 1917 ship collision, explosion
The tall, gray and weathered headstone in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery is carved with 11 names, all from the same family, and with a simple statement at the bottom: “They died Dec. 6, 1917, at 66 Veith St.”
Court allows travel ban to be implemented as legal challenges continue
The U.S. Supreme Court said Dec. 4 that President Donald Trump’s travel ban restricting entry into the United States by nationals from some countries can be fully implemented while legal challenges to the ban work their way through the lower courts.
Newtown and gun violence: One place where the political became personal
The numbers are inescapable: Dec. 14, 26 dead, five years.
Croatian archbishop deplores ‘unjust verdicts’ after general’s suicide
The president of Croatia’s bishops’ conference condemned “unjust verdicts” at a United Nations war crimes trial, after a jailed general publicly committed suicide when his appeal was rejected.
Innu women testify that Oblate missionary inappropriately touched them
Oblate Father Alexis Joveneau was said to have inappropriately touched women and girls in the Innu community in Quebec where he ministered from 1953 until his death in 1992.
SNAP apologizes to St. Louis Archdiocese, priests over false abuse claims
The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests issued an apology to the Archdiocese of St. Louis and two of its priests, Father Joseph Jiang and the late Msgr. Joseph Pins.
In Myanmar and Bangladesh, pope calls for dialogue and respect for all
As on every papal trip, Pope Francis’ visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh included a mix of meetings with government officials and events focused firmly on the nations’ Catholic communities.
Social Networks