Thomas J. Quigley, who worked for 45 years in service to the U.S. bishops, mostly in the realm of foreign policy, died Dec. 11 at age 91.

Protestants account for most of the decline — down 4 percentage points from five years ago and 10 percentage points since a decade ago. Catholics held relatively steady at 21 percent.

Catholic Charities USA is accepting donations at https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org. The site has a button where users can donate money for tornado relief.

The Vatican Dec. 13 published the list of Pope Francis’ liturgies for the Christmas season.

Catholic men and women formally installed in the new ministry of catechists are not simply religious education teachers but are engaged in “the proclamation and transmission of the faith.”

The apology drew immediate praise Monday from New Ways Ministry as a “historic” move to repair the painful rift between the Catholic hierarchy and the gay community.