The Archdiocese of Baltimore Department of Catholic Schools shared a draft plan with parents July 16 for the reopening of schools for in-person instruction for the 2020-21 school year. It has faculty and staff returning to campuses Aug. 24, and students returning classrooms Aug. 31.
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Vatican releases guide on how leaders must handle abuse allegations
The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released a 17-page document offering a step-by-step guide for how bishops, religious superiors and canon lawyers are supposed to handle accusations of alleged abuse by clerics against minors.
Notre Dame study examines ‘everyday’ Americans’ attitudes toward abortion
Americans participating in a study of attitudes toward abortion said they do not typically discuss it, find the labels “pro-life” and “pro-choice” inadequate, and generally do not consider abortion a “desirable good” for society, according to a University of Notre Dame study.
Padre Kino, declared venerable, known as ‘patron saint of borderlands’
Noting that Padre Kino is considered the “patron saint of the borderlands,” Garcia referred to him as “the voice of the underprivileged.”
Nuclear era that began in 1945 poses moral questions for the 21st century
What alarms people such as Bishop John E. Stowe of Lexington, Kentucky, bishop president of Pax Christi USA, is that the threat nuclear weapons continue to pose to the world is “off the radar screen for so many people.”
Supreme Court allows blocked federal execution to proceed
In a 2 a.m. decision July 14 after numerous last-minute filings, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to overturn a trial court order blocking the execution of federal death-row inmate Daniel Lewis Lee.
Robbers invade convent in Uganda, beat nuns while taking valuables, cash
The attackers raped and beat some of the 50 Bannabikira Sisters, known as the Daughters of Mary, in their convent in Bwanda early July 10.
PPP loans have had direct benefits for church communities, recipients say
Catholic entities that took part in the Paycheck Protection Program said the federal emergency bridge loans translated into rapid assistance for their communities in the early months of the pandemic’s economic impact.
Eyes wide open, Deacon Crowley prepares to serve as Baltimore Archdiocese priest
“You need to be kind to people,” Deacon Crowley said. “A priest has to come off as relatable. The days are gone where people will listen to a priest and view him as someone with authority just because he is a priest. If you come off as cruel, judgmental, harsh, legalistic or unrelatable, people today will just write you off.”
Pope, U.S. bishops ‘saddened’ by Turkish court ruling on Hagia Sophia
Pope Francis said he was saddened after a Turkish court ruled to revert the iconic Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque.
Fire ravages historic California mission, but community vows to rebuild
The fire that ravaged Mission San Gabriel Arcangel church in the predawn hours of July 11 left behind a haunting scene.
Coakley: Loans keep ‘essential ministries’ going during national emergency
The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ domestic policy committee said the federal emergency “bridge loans” that dioceses, parishes and other Catholic entities applied for provided a lifeline, allowing “our essential ministries to continue to function in a time of national emergency.”