SCOTUS formally declines to block Texas abortion law (CNN) The Supreme Court formally denied a request from Texas abortion providers to freeze a state law that bars abortions after six weeks. Chief Justice John Roberts joined the three liberal justices in dissent. by letting the law take effect, the conservative majority may already have tipped its hand on whether it is poised to reverse or at least undercut Roe v. Wade, the ruling that declared women’s constitutional right to end a pregnancy…
Vatican exonerates Brooklyn bishop accused of abuse (AP) The Vatican has concluded that allegations of sexual abuse dating back a half century against the Roman Catholic Bishop of Brooklyn do not “have the semblance of truth,” but an attorney for the accusers said they would press forward with their civil cases…
Tabernacle, Eucharist robbed from Denver church (CNA) A historically African-American parish in Denver was robbed Monday night of a number of valuables, most notably the tabernacle and several consecrated hosts. Thieves plundered Curé d’Ars Catholic Church and made off with all the church’s vessels used for Mass from the vestry, which they accessed by kicking in a wooden door. They also took a laptop used for livestreaming Masses, and a sound board used to connect to the church’s microphones…
Catholic aid agencies seek to aid Afghan refugees (Crux) With potentially thousands still stuck in Afghanistan hoping to be evacuated after most western troops have withdrawn, Catholic aid agencies are stepping in with the hope of expanding access to safe passage for those who still wish to get out. The Coordinator of Humanitarian Corridors in Greece for the Community of Sant’Egidio, Monica Attias, has been assisting with evacuation of Afghan refugees since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in mid-August…
Former Baptist pastor talks about his conversion to Catholicism (National Catholic Register) John Thompson is a good-humored, energetic Catholic most anxious to share his faith in Christ with others. He speaks with a deep conviction and unwavering certainty as he declares the Catholic Church to be “the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church founded by Christ,” and invites others to examine the Church’s history and teachings. However, John has not always held this view. In 1990, the then 41-year-old resigned as senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Orange, California, a 125-member congregation not far from Holy Family Cathedral, which was previously the cathedral church of the Diocese of Orange (before the purchase of Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove)…
