Catholic News

• Cardinal DiNardo: US bishops will take 'strongest possible actions' against abuse 'at the earliest possible moment' (USCCB)
  “I am sure that, under the leadership of Pope Francis, the conversation that the global Church will have in February will help us eradicate the evil of sexual abuse from our Church,” the president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops said at the conclusion of the bishops’ fall meeting. “Listening is essential, but listening must inform decisive action ... We leave this place committed to taking the strongest possible actions at the earliest possible moment. We will do so in communion with the Universal Church.”
• 'Open Wide Our Hearts': US bishops issue pastoral letter against racism (USCCB)
  The 32-page pastoral letter (“Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love”) has three major sections: “Do Justice,” “Love Goodness,” and “Walk Humbly with God.” The bishops also issued a pastoral letter on racism in 1979; the current letter follows a 2016 report by a USCCB Special Task Force to Promote Peace In Our Communities.
• Chilean cardinal confirms exit from Pope's advisory council (Crux)
  Cardinal Javier Errazuriz, the retired Archbishop of Santiago, Chile, has confirmed that he is no longer a member of the Council of Cardinals. The Chilean prelate said that his removal was routine, since he had completed a 5-year term. Cardinal Errazuriz has been summoned by a Chilean prosecutor for questioning on charges that he concealed evidence of clerical abuse.
• Denver archdiocese removed seminary's vice-rector after abuse allegations (Denver Post)
  The Philadelphia Inquirer also reported on the removal of Father Kent Drotar from his seminary post; Archbishop Charles Chaput has issued a response.
• FBI: 73 anti-Catholic hate crimes in 2017 (FBI)
  Click here for links to different sections of the FBI’s report.
• Jerusalem bishop praises Jordanian, Egyptian efforts to mediate Gaza crisis (AsiaNews)
  “Whilst problems remain unresolved at present, the two sides [Israel and Hamas] could look at St. John XXIII’s Pacem in terris, Auxiliary Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo said.
• Seattle archdiocese pays $7M in abuse settlement (Seattle Times)
  Six men alleged they were abused by six priests of the archdiocese.
• Italian court orders Archbishop Vigano to pay brother from family estate (Vatican Insider)
  Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano has been ordered by an Italian court to pay his brother a sum of €1,800,000 (about $2 million) to settle. The two brothers have been engaged in a long legal battle over control of their family’s wealthy estate. Archbishop Vigano, a former apostolic nuncio in the US, has been the focus of controversy since his release of testimony showing that Pope Francis had continued to rely on former cardinal Theodore McCarrick despite knowledge of his misconduct.
• In China, 4 underground priests subjected to 'brainwashing' for over a month (AsiaNews)
  The four were taken into custody by police because they refused to join the government-run Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association.
• Intense debate over handling of abuse scandal ensues at USCCB meeting (Catholic World Report)
  Bishop Robert Barron inquired into the status of the Vatican investigation into ex-Cardinal McCarrick, and Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the bishops’ conference, said he did not know. Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone recommended additional studies into the relationship between homosexuality and clerical abuse. “It’s part of our deposit of faith that we believe homosexual activity is immoral,” added Bishop Joseph Strickland. “Do we believe the doctrine of the Church or not?”
• Catholic leaders express 'deep concern' about President Trump's new asylum limits (USCCB)
  The statement’s signatories include the chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on Migration and the leaders of Catholic Charities USA, the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, and Catholic Relief Services.
• Religious leaders call for repeal of new federal 'parking lot tax' on churches, nonprofits (USCCB)
  “A little-noticed provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would tax parking and transit benefits provided by nonprofit organizations and churches,” the US Conference of Catholic Bishops noted. “Unless repealed, this provision will require tens of thousands of houses of worship to file tax returns for the first time in our nation’s history and will impose a new tax burden on houses of worship and nonprofit organizations.”
• US bishops defeat resolution to encourage Vatican candor on McCarrick (CWN)
  The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has defeated a resolution that would have “encouraged” the Vatican to release documents relevant to the case of the disgraced former cardinal Theodore McCarrick. After sometimes confused debate, the resolution was defeated by a vote of 137 to 85.
• Morocco archbishop: Pope's upcoming visit will encourage Christian-Muslim dialogue (Vatican News)
  Click here for the full text of Archbishop Cristóbal López’s French-language letter.
• Catholic colleges spared in Indonesia's mass closing of private colleges (UCANews)
  Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous nation (261 million), has more Muslims than any other country. The nation is 87% Muslim, 7% Protestant, and 3% Catholic.
• Archbishop Lori: many bishops want to vote, despite Vatican directive (WJZ)
  Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore said that many American bishops would prefer to vote on proposed responses to the sex-abuse scandal, despite instructions from the Vatican. Archbishop Lori indicated that he was one of the bishops who would favor a vote.
• Christians investigated for 'forced conversions' in Uttar Pradesh (AsiaNews)
  The northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (map) is 80% Hindu and 19% Muslim; only 0.2% of its population is Christian.
• US bishops elect new committee chairmen (USCCB)
  Among the election results: Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco will lead the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth; Archbishop Leonard Blair of Hartford will lead the Committee on Divine Worship; and Bishop James Checchio of Metuchen will lead the Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations.
• US bishops hear presentation on assisting abuse victims (USCCB)
  Heather Banis, a psychologist who works as the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ victims assistance coordinator, offered this presentation at the US bishops’ fall meeting.
• US bishops endorse opening of sainthood cause for Sister Thea Bowman (Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration)
  A convert to Catholicism, Sister Thea Bowman (1937-1990) was a teacher and popular public speaker.
• More...