News & Commentary

A woman holds a sign during "A Rally for SNAP" on the steps of the Massachusetts Statehouse in Boston Oct. 28, 2025, ahead of the expected Nov. 1 suspension of SNAP food assistance benefits because of the ongoing U.S. government shutdown.

After judge’s order, Trump administration to issue partial SNAP payments

The Trump administration has indicated that it will not appeal court orders directing it to pay SNAP benefits, but that it will only issue partial payments in November.
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Rev. King relied on faith, prayer to fight racism, Virginia bishop says

The Rev. Martin Luther King, the slain civil rights leader who is honored with a federal holiday the third Monday of January, "relied upon faith and prayer" to combat the racism and prejudice he and other U.S. Blacks suffered, said ...
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Rome university reverses decision to honor priest's pro-life work

For a variety of reasons, "especially in relation to the political situation" in the United States, the Legionaries of Christ university in Rome will not honor Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, said the head of the ...
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Irish sister, archbishop apologize for historical treatment of unwed moms

At least one order of Irish nuns and the primate of all Ireland welcomed a report from a judicial inquiry into mother-and-baby homes and acknowledged the church failed to live up to its own values.
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For Ash Wednesday, Vatican asks priests to 'sprinkle' ashes on heads

The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments asked priests to take special anti-COVID-19 precautions this year when distributing ashes on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, including sprinkling ashes on the top of people's heads rather than using them to ...
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CHA letter to Biden reveals extensive list of health care priorities

The Catholic Health Association issued an extensive list of priorities it would like President-elect Joe Biden's administration to pursue.
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Pope amends canon law so women can be installed as lectors, acolytes

Recognizing "the gifts of each baptized person" -- women and men -- Pope Francis ordered a change to canon law and liturgical norms so that women could be formally installed as lectors and acolytes.
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