As 2022 comes to a close, Catholic Review Editor talks with Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori about a variety of topics, including the archbishop’s visit to Ukraine, the church’s project to look at the ministry and footprint of the church in Baltimore City and much more.

Nearly 1,000 archdiocesan employees, clergy, parishioners and community members (some unaffiliated with the church) have gone through Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training offered as part of the Mental Wellness Initiative launched by Archbishop William E. Lori about a year ago.

Ordained in 1974 as the first African-American priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Father Donald Sterling has served as pastor of New All Saints in Liberty Heights since 1992.

An archdiocesan statement released said, “We are different – different than we were in the past – yet we must be transparent in acknowledging our past. To that end, the Archdiocese of Baltimore will not oppose the public release of the attorney general’s report.”

Archbishop William E. Lori apologized again to anyone who has been harmed by a representative of the church and said he “will offer this apology as long as it needs to be heard,” in a column published on the Baltimore Sun’s website Dec. 19 and in its print edition the following day.

Father Jeffrey Dauses, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Baynesville and St. Thomas More in Baltimore, shares pastoral wisdom for those going through difficult times this Christmas season, including family and relational issues, life uncertainties, times of transition and grieving the loss of a loved one.

The Maryland Catholic Conference issued a statement Dec. 19 indicating support for legislation that would prospectively eliminate statutes of limitation for civil litigation involving cases of child sexual abuse.

More than 600 people from Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist faith traditions annually pack the city’s Jesuit church, St. Ignatius, to offer prayers for the city and civic leaders.

The Recording Academy and Grammy Museum announced Dec. 19 that Tony Small, the director of music at St. Bernardine in West Baltimore, has been named a finalist for the recording industry’s prestigious Music Educator Award.

The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg began offering digital book clubs during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020, and they continue several times a year under the direction of Anita DiGregory, virtual experience facilitator for the shrine.