One pastor called the assessments "an act of solidarity with survivors and a recognition that, as members of this Body, we share responsibility for repairing, as best we can, grievous harm done by the Church."
Many men enter seminaries and religious communities well after the age traditionally associated with priestly formation. Some spent years building careers, dating, or living independently before pursuing the priesthood.
Lech Walesa, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership of the Polish anti-communist resistance as the head of the Solidarity trade union, and was later Polish president, had a front row seat during the ceremony.
The U.S. Supreme Court set Nov. 3 for hearing oral arguments in a case over a clash between Catholic preschools and the state of Colorado over whether those schools can participate in the state's universal preschool program. (OSV News/Reuters/Elizabeth Frantz)
"Mr. Silvia's crimes were heinous and merit severe punishment by the state," the executive director of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote. "Nevertheless, we ask that you spare Mr. Silvia's life."
The small operation at Flyer Farm provides a learning lab for students and demonstrates how urban agriculture can be done "just about anywhere you can find space."
Messages of solidarity from bishops' conferences across Latin America poured in as rescue workers race against time to save victims still trapped beneath the rubble in multiple cities across Colombia.
An Illinois Catholic bishop, four Catholic doctors and a Lutheran nursing home have sued the state of Illinois over a new physician-assisted suicide law before it takes effect in September.
