As the Hawaii island of Maui struggles to recover from horrific wildfires that destroyed historic Lahaina, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden toured the fire-ravaged town Aug. 21.
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Pope: Dorothy Day’s life shows evangelizing power of charity, witness, love
Dorothy Day was “a great witness to faith, hope and charity in the 20th century,” a woman who loved the Catholic Church despite the flaws of its members and who knew that serving God meant serving the poor and working for justice, Pope Francis wrote.
Seton Shrine young interpreters bring history to life for visitors
Starting in September, people will be able to visit a new $4 million museum and visitors center dedicated to telling the story of Mother Seton in new and engaging ways.
Three years after disputed election, Belarus church is urged to speak up for the persecuted
A Christian campaigner has urged Catholic church leaders and the Vatican to condemn worsening human rights abuses in Belarus, after another Catholic priest was arrested in front of his parishioners for spreading “extremist material.”
Circuit judge will allow release of most names in abuse report
A Baltimore City Circuit Court judge released an order Aug. 22 that will allow the Maryland Attorney General to reveal some of the 46 names that were redacted in the original release of its November 2022 report on clergy sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
‘We are willing to die for the name of Jesus,’ persecuted Christians say as world marks day of awareness for religion-based violence
On the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief, observed on the United Nations’ calendar Aug. 22, Pakistan and India are among places of particular concern for Christian rights advocates.
Pope, top U.S. military officer discuss war in Ukraine
The top-ranking U.S. military officer told reporters he and Pope Francis discussed the war in Ukraine, especially the war’s impact on the people there.
Texas lawsuit demands Planned Parenthood pay back millions in Medicaid funding
A Texas lawsuit is seeking for Planned Parenthood to pay back millions of funds it received through Medicaid, which the abortion provider says could shutter its operations in the state.
Judge blocks portion of Georgia law, allowing some transgender hormone treatments for minors
A federal judge in Georgia Aug. 20 temporarily blocked part of a state law banning certain types of medical or surgical gender reassignment procedures for minors who identify as transgender while a challenge to that law plays out in court.
General who headed Notre Dame Cathedral rebuilding dies at 74 while hiking in mountains
The French army general appointed by President Emmanuel Macron to oversee the reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral will not see the reopening of the pearl of France Dec. 8, 2024. Army Gen. Jean-Louis Georgelin died Aug. 18 while hiking in the Pyrénées mountains.
Pope tells lawyers he’s writing a new document on the environment
Thanking a group of European lawyers for their attention to environmental protection laws, Pope Francis said he was preparing another document on the subject.
Papal honors call from Archbishop Lori leaves award winners ‘surprised’ and ‘in awe’
Archbishop Lori will confer the papal honors at a celebration of solemn lauds (morning prayer) Sept. 23 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.