Saying Nebraska is “a pro-life state,” Gov. Pete Ricketts Aug. 15 signed into law a ban on dismemberment abortions, which he said stops a “horrific procedure” and is “an important step to strengthen our culture of life.”
CDC head sees need for schools to reopen but with strict health protocols
Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, thinks it is a good idea for schools to reopen for in-person classes but with restrictions in place to protect teachers, staff and students against the coronavirus, including “wearing a mask, washing your hands, maintaining social distancing.”
COVID forces Knock shrine to close Aug. 15 to discourage crowds
The Marian shrine at Knock announced Aug. 10 that in addition to postponing the popular Knock Novena and pilgrimage because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the shrine and its church would be closed for the Aug. 15 feast of the Assumption of Mary to ensure pilgrims do not arrive anyway.
Knights of Columbus called to redouble efforts to fight racism, violence
Every day Knights of Columbus live out the principles of charity, unity and fraternity, and through this daily witness in society, they must redouble their efforts to combat racism, violence and hatred, the top Knight told his confreres.
Knights pilgrimage center will focus on founder’s spirituality, charity
A new Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center planned by the Knights of Columbus will focus on “the spirituality and charitable vision of our founder and his legacy,” said Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson in announcing the new center Aug. 4.
Catholic prayer, meditation app Hallow sees huge increase in popularity
When the developers of the Catholic meditation app Hallow launched it in 2018, they hoped to attract young Catholics, but what is now the country’s No. 1 Catholic app has a bigger reach than that.
Jesuit superior warns of pandemic’s threat to democracy
Human lives and jobs are not the only things threatened by the coronavirus pandemic: In many countries, democracy and efforts to build a more just world also are under attack, said Father Arturo Sosa, superior general of the Jesuits.
U.S. data group: China hacked computers of Vatican, other church entities
China has been accused of hacking Vatican computers as well as those in the Diocese of Hong Kong and other Catholic organizations in May.
Notre Dame won’t host Sept. 29 presidential debate; venue moves to Ohio
The University of Notre Dame has withdrawn as the host site for the first presidential debate, with its president saying the health precautions required because of COVID-19 “would have greatly diminished the educational value” of having the debate on campus.
Beatification of Father McGivney to take place Oct. 31 in Hartford, Conn.
Father Michael McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus, will be beatified during a special Mass Oct. 31 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford.
French police arrest cathedral volunteer who confesses to Nantes fire
A Rwandan is facing up to 10 years in prison after he confessed to deliberately setting fire to the city’s Gothic cathedral.
Fauci calls COVID-19 a ‘pandemic of historic proportion,’ like 1918’s flu
There is no denying the fact “this is a pandemic of historic proportion,” Dr. Anthony Fauci told students at Jesuit-run Georgetown University in a recent online webinar focused on young people’s risks and responsibilities in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.