Father Clements, who was just the second African American priest ordained in the Archdiocese of Chicago, was long involved in social justice issues affecting his hometown. But it was the adoption of four boys—one at a time, starting in 1980—that led to his high profile on a national level. The saga—Father Clements was the first U.S. Catholic priest to adopt a child—eventually found its way to Hollywood as a made-for-TV movie.

The poll showed 60% prefer that convicted murders receive a sentence of life imprisonment, while 36% said capital punishment would be better.

The bishops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey discussed sexual abuse with Pope Francis in a Thanksgiving Day meeting as part of their ad limina visit.

The report contained 31 recommendations and responses and named Vancouver priests who have been criminally convicted.

A nine-point "plan of amends" developed by Bishop Brennan was announced in a Nov. 26 letter he sent to the faithful of the diocese.

Following the bloodshed, the country's Catholic bishops attempted to dialogue with the government.