In an end-of-the year decision, the Supreme Court Dec. 27 ruled that a federal public health rule that allows immigration officials at the border to quickly turn away migrants seeking asylum could stay in place while legal challenges to the policy played out.
Pandemic-era border policy allowed to stay in place for now
Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily stopped the Biden administration from ending a pandemic-related border restriction with a one-page order Dec. 19.
Advocates displeased with U.S. vote against global death penalty ban
When the U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution Dec. 15 to establish a worldwide “moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty,” the United States continued its practice of voting against it.
Dobbs decision dominates Supreme Court’s year
Although they were pleased with the Dobbs outcome, Catholic leaders acknowledged then and months later that the decision didn’t lessen the urgency for the church in its pro-life advocacy efforts.
Supreme Court appears ready to support web designer in free speech case
Colorado designer Lorie Smith, who runs a web design company called 303 Creative, has said she should not be required to create wedding websites for same-sex couples based on her Christian beliefs about marriage.
Supreme Court examines Biden’s immigration enforcement policy
Supreme Court justices Nov. 29 examined a Biden administration policy that placed the arrest and deportation of some unauthorized immigrants over others.
Some U.S. dioceses are lifting restrictions on Communion cup
As many restrictions put in place at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic have been lifted, some Catholic dioceses around the country are returning, or already have returned, to offering consecrated wine in the chalice for Communion while others are waiting to do so.
Catholic leaders respond to shooting at Colorado nightclub
Catholic leaders have condemned the Nov. 19 attack on an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, that killed at least five people and injured at least 25.
U.S. Catholic leaders speak out against three November executions
In the third week of November, three executions by lethal injection took place in the U.S. in just two days and a fourth execution was called off after failed attempts happened close to the expiration of the prisoner’s death warrant.
Eucharistic revival has ‘incredible momentum,’ bishop says
The U.S. bishops’ three-year eucharistic revival, which will culminate in a National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in 2024, is in full swing, according to Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minn.
Bishops look at ways to expand how they pass on Catholic faith
U.S. Bishops
Church has ‘work to do’ in promoting pro-life message, bishops told by Archbishop Lori
In a year when abortion has been front and center in U.S. politics — from the Supreme Court decision to recent state referendums — the Catholic Church faces a challenge of promoting its pro-life message to its own members and society at large, said Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori.