The chairmen of the U.S. bishops’ religious liberty and pro-life committees said Aug. 12 that the U.S. Department of Justice “is acting in dereliction of its duty to enforce the plain meaning of federal law” by voluntarily dismissing a civil lawsuit against a hospital that forced nurses to assist in elective abortions against their religious beliefs.
Justice Department drops conscience case; move called ‘dereliction’ of duty
Federal judge sides with Catholic school over guidance counselor’s firing
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana ruled Aug. 11, 2021, that an Indianapolis Catholic school and the Indianapolis Archdiocese were within their constitutional rights in firing a guidance counselor for being in a same-sex marriage.
Cardinal holds officers, their families ‘in prayer,’ decries gun violence
Chicago is experiencing “a season of senselessness, with gun violence rising and mass shootings becoming a regular occurrence” said Chicago Cardinal Blasé Cupich.
Some Catholic hospitals now require employees to get COVID-19 vaccine
Some Catholic health systems are now mandating that their employees be vaccinated for COVID-19, while others have said they are awaiting full approval of the vaccine from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
First Nations, Catholics work at North Vancouver residential school site
Three First Nations are working with the Archdiocese of Vancouver to look for remains of at least 12 students who attended the school.
Coakley: Senate bill covers many needs, but must not allow abortion funding
The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill passed by the Senate makes “historic investments” in transportation, climate change mitigation, job creation, expanded internet access and other areas, but several issues still need attention, said the U.S. bishops’ domestic policy committee chairman.
Ruling blocking HHS ‘transgender mandate’ called ‘victory for conscience’
A U.S. District Court judge’s Aug. 9 ruling to block the Biden administration’s mandate that doctors and hospitals perform gender-transition procedures despite their own moral or medical objections is “a victory for common sense, conscience and sound medicine.”
N.Y. Catholics asked to pray for Cuomo’s successor, women who came forward
In a news conference Aug. 10, the three-term governor, who was planning to run for a fourth term, said his resignation would be effective in 14 days.