Biden readies sweeping rollback of Trump-era abortion restrictions (NBC News) President-elect Joe Biden is poised to roll back several of the Trump administration’s most restrictive sexual and reproductive health policies, including limits on abortion. Reproductive rights advocates expect Biden to quickly overturn Trump-era rules, like banning federal funds for foreign and national health organizations that promote and provide abortion and giving employers more freedom to deny free contraceptive coverage for their workers…
Cathedral vandalism suspect, police officer both die amid gunfire (CNS) The suspect sought in connection with vandalism and a small fire at Toledo’s cathedral early Jan. 18 and a 24-year-old police officer both died in a hail of gunfire later that same day. Toledo Police Officer Brandon Stalker was shot when the suspect came out of a home blocks from Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral with two weapons and began firing, Police Chief George Kral said during a news conference…
Joe Scheidler, pro-life icon, dies (CNS) Joe Scheidler, founder of the Pro-Life Action League in Chicago and one of the towering figures of the pro-life movement for decades, died of pneumonia Jan. 18 surrounded by his family at his home on Chicago’s Northwest Side. He was 93. Funeral arrangements were pending. Widely known as the “godfather of pro-life activism,” Scheidler began his life’s work fighting abortion in 1973, shortly after the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing it. He founded the league in 1980 to recruit and equip pro-life Americans to be a voice for unborn children in their own communities.
Pope: Christian unity achieved only through God’s grace (Vatican News) As Christians around the world observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Pope Francis reflects on Jesus’ invitation to overcome discord and sow reconciliation. Speaking in the catechesis portion of his weekly General Audience, the Pope reminded everyone that Jesus did not command His disciples to be united, but rather prayed that they might be. This, said the Pope, “means that we are not able to achieve unity with our own strength. Unity is above all a gift, a grace to be requested through prayer…”
Who is Father Leo O’Donovan? (America) Father O’Donovan is not the first president of Georgetown to perform the invocation at a presidential inauguration. Timothy S. Healy, S.J., his immediate predecessor, performed the invocation at Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration…
