A controversial proposal from the U.S. bishops’ doctrinal committee that seeks approval to begin a process of drafting a document about the Eucharist seems on track to come up for a vote.
Michael J. O’Loughlin
Michael J. O’Loughlin is national correspondent at America and author of Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Biden and abortion could change the bishops’ culture of consensus at next week’s USCCB meeting
When U.S. bishops meet virtually next week, most eyes will be focused on a controversial vote related to the Eucharist that some fear politicizes Communion by taking aim at the nation’s second Catholic president.
Posted inArts & Culture, Dispatches
Is cursive dead? Not for this Catholic school 5th grader
Caitlyn Ngo, a student at St. Edmund’s Catholic Academy in Brooklyn, N.Y., was recently crowned the Fifth Grade Grand National Champion in the 2021 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Video
A year after the murder of George Floyd, what has changed?
A year later, what has changed? As we begin to move on from pandemic and re-enter the real world, are we leaving this issue too fast?
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Mass without masks? It’s waiting for you—when you’re ready.
Many dioceses are dropping mask requirements and social distancing rules for fully vaccinated worshippers, relying on an honor system as pandemic restrictions ease further.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
‘The crisis will become huge.’ Gaza’s Catholic Relief Services on what comes next
The humanitarian needs were already huge without Covid and without the aggression,” Bassam Nasser, who leads the Gaza office for Catholic Relief Services, told America on May 20. “You can imagine, when you add those two challenges, the crisis will become huge.”
Posted inDispatches, Faith
‘I’m angry about homophobia in my church’: Why this German Jesuit is going against a Vatican decree against blessing gay unions
On Sunday, Father Jan Korditschke will hold a ceremony at a Jesuit parish in Berlin for any couple, gay or straight, who seeks a blessing from the church.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Catholics grade the second Catholic president 100 days in
As President Biden marks 100 days in office on Thursday, leaders of Catholic organizations say that they are grateful for signs of progress but caution that more is needed to fulfill campaign promises.
Posted inArts & Culture, Dispatches
Documentary about Father James Martin’s LGBT ministry selected for Tribeca Film Festival
The documentary, produced by Martin Scorsese, follows Father James Martin and his ministry to L.G.B.T. Catholics.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Biden wants to go big on infrastructure. Catholic leaders are hopeful it will help the poor
At first glance, a White House proposal aimed at improving infrastructure and creating jobs might not seem like a natural topic of discussion for Catholic leaders. But the American Jobs Plan has some theologians and activists hopeful.