Julie Asher

The "gravity" of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and "the lack of availability of alternative vaccines," are "sufficiently serious" reasons to accept the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, the bishops said.

Despite confusion over the morality of using these companies' vaccines, it is not "immoral to be vaccinated with them," the chairmen of the U.S. bishops' doctrine and pro-life committees said Nov. 23.

"Before going on medical leave, I tried to overcome my depression and anxiety on my own," Conley said. "I've learned that this is simply not possible. Mental health problems are real health problems. And as with any illness, you cannot fix it yourself; you need the care of others.

In a tweet just before 1 a.m. Oct. 2, the president announced he and the first lady had tested positive for COVID-19.

The Association of U.S. Catholic Priests and the Catholic Mobilizing Network said they strongly object to an award the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast organizers plan to present to U.S. Attorney General William Barr during the annual breakfast, which is to be livestreamed Sept. 23 from Washington.

About 100 current and former Democratic lawmakers from several states urged the Democratic Party's Platform Committee Aug. 14 "to moderate its official position on abortion," saying many party leaders support abortion policies "radically out of line with public opinion."

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Charities USA said the Trump administration should withdraw its proposed rule to replace the Obama administration's 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing regulation because the new rule "undermines efforts to promote fair housing and human dignity."

The University of Notre Dame's O. Carter Snead said it was "a good thing when the president of the United States —whomever he or she may be — attends an event meant to celebrate and defend the intrinsic equal dignity of all persons, born and unborn."

Pro-life supporters are "deeply honored to welcome" President Donald Trump to the 47th annual March for Life Jan. 24 rally in person, said Jeanne Mancini, March for Life president, in a statement late Jan. 22. Trump announced he will speak at the march on the National Mall, becoming the first sitting president in history to do so.

A final report on the findings of an independent review of clergy abuse cases in Colorado's three Catholic dioceses from 1950 to 2019 shows that 166 children were abused by 43 priests statewide.

Bishop Richard Malone of Buffalo, New York, said late Oct. 3 he welcomes an apostolic visitation by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn, New York.

An overwhelming majority of Americans – 83% – said they support conscience protection rights for health care professionals because they should not be forced to perform procedures against their moral beliefs.

The St. Louis Archdiocese released a list of names of archdiocesan clergy with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor July 26.

News that officials in the Trump administration are considering "zeroing out" the number of refugees accepted by the United States brought an immediate outcry from the chairman of the U.S. bishops' migration committee and leaders of Catholic and other faith-based agencies that resettle refugees.

Many Catholic and other faith leaders criticized the planned ICE raids.

The 16th annual report on diocesan compliance with the U.S. bishops' "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" shows a significant increase in the number of abuse allegations over last year's report because of additional claims received in five New York dioceses after implementation of their Independent Reconciliation and Compensation programs in the last year.

In a joint letter to Congress, the chairmen of three committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said they oppose the Equality Act because it would impose "sweeping regulations to the detriment of society."

Understanding the plague of sexual abuse in this country means going beyond the immediate headlines and understanding what experts are saying about this scourge. It also means looking not only at the Catholic Church but at all institutions and societal structures where abuse can take place.

In a vote on the eve of the annual March for Life, the Senate Jan. 17 failed to pass a measure that would have codified the Hyde Amendment, which forbids federal funding for most abortions or abortion-related care.