The launch of a mental health initiative by the U.S. bishops last year has “received a lot of traction,” according to one of its leaders.
Health Care
Judge strikes down Florida ban on some transgender surgeries, hormonal treatments for minors
A federal judge June 11 struck down key portions of a Florida law banning certain types of medical or surgical gender reassignment procedures for minors who identify as transgender.
Gudziak: US still ‘in the thick of things’ regarding mental health, but church can foster healing
In the wake of Mental Health Awareness Month, the U.S. is still “in the thick of things” and “will be for a long time” in addressing mental well-being, a leader of the U.S. bishops’ mental health initiative told OSV News.
Bill making contraception a federal right fails to advance in Senate
Legislation to protect access to contraception nationwide failed to advance in the U.S. Senate on June 5 in an expected outcome.
Catholic group amends HHS lawsuit after final rule issued on health care and gender identity
The release of a final rule for a federal regulation governing health care and gender identity has prompted the Catholic Benefits Association to amend its ongoing lawsuit against the Biden administration challenging the policy.
Lawmakers spar over women’s health care in Senate hearing on state abortion laws
The Senate June 4 held a hearing on the impact of post-Dobbs abortion restrictions, with lawmakers alternately criticizing or defending them with respect to women’s health care concerns.
Question Corner: What is church teaching on yoga and reiki?
Catholics should not practice or receive reiki, because it would be inappropriate, if not spiritually dangerous, for a Catholic to seek out purely supernatural healing apart from Christian prayer or the sacraments.
Dr. Robert Redfield warns against ‘scientific arrogance,’ calls for increased biosecurity
The coronavirus pandemic was just a dress rehearsal. Something bigger is coming, according to the former head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “It’s not a question of if; it’s a question of when,” said Dr. Robert Redfield, a parishioner of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland who led the CDC from 2018 to 2021 and now is a disease and internal medicine physician at Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Towson.
Christ offers ‘future with hope’ amid mental illness, writes bishop after bout with depression
Now, after experiencing “the depths of darkness,” Bishop Conley said he has emerged with “joy and an even deeper love for our Lord” — and he has written a new pastoral letter to help others struggling with mental illness do the same.
U.S. bishops sue EEOC over regulation adding abortion to pregnant worker protections
The U.S. Catholic bishops’ conference, alongside other Catholic groups, filed suit May 22 against a federal agency for including abortion in regulations implementing a law meant to add workplace protections for pregnant workers.
New York upholds abortion coverage mandate; Albany Diocese to appeal to U.S. Supreme Court
The Diocese of Albany, N.Y., said May 21 it planned to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court after New York’s highest court ruled the Empire State can continue to require companies with health insurance plans to cover what it called medically necessary abortions.
Those with mental illness, their families should not suffer alone, bishop says at special Mass
The Mass at the center’s St. Francis Deaf Catholic Church was celebrated in conjunction with May as Mental Health Awareness Month. It also came ahead of the May 15 feast day of St. Dymphna, a 17th-century Irish teen saint who is the patron saint of people experiencing mental health challenges and nervous or emotional distress.