Vatican: Without alternatives, current COVID-19 vaccines are morally acceptable December 21, 2020By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Vatican’s doctrinal office said that when alternative vaccines are not available, it is morally acceptable to receive COVID-19 vaccines developed or tested using cell lines originating from aborted fetuses.
New Year’s Eve service at St. Ignatius Parish goes virtual December 21, 2020By Mary K. Tilghman Catholic Review Filed Under: Christmas, Coronavirus, Feature, Local News, News Prayers, blessings and reflections from Baltimore-area religious and civic leaders, filmed in their own houses of worship and offices, have been gathered, for one last look at 2020 before stepping into 2021.
UM St. Joseph Medical Center’s staff among the first in nation to receive COVID-19 vaccine December 16, 2020By Tim Swift Catholic Review Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, Local News, News Working in the Emergency Department at University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, Smialkowski was among the first people in the country this week to receive the new vaccine for COVID-19.
Maryland bishops endorse use of Pfizer, Moderna COVID vaccines December 16, 2020By Tim Swift Catholic Review Filed Under: Archbishop's Ministry, Coronavirus, Feature, Local News, News, Respect Life The Maryland Catholic Conference – which represents bishops serving the archdioceses of Baltimore and Washington as well as the diocese of Wilmington, Del. – is recommending that the faithful receive COVID-19 vaccines developed by U.S. pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna when available.
Washington Archdiocese sues over D.C.’s 50-person cap on church attendance December 15, 2020By Mark Zimmermann Catholic News Service Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News The Archdiocese of Washington has petitioned the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to lift the 50-person cap on indoor religious gatherings in D.C.
Bishops: Getting COVID-19 vaccine is ‘act of charity,’ supports the common good December 14, 2020By Julie Asher Catholic News Service Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Respect Life, World News The “gravity” of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and “the lack of availability of alternative vaccines,” are “sufficiently serious” reasons to accept the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, the chairmen of the U.S. bishops’ doctrine and pro-life committees said Dec. 14.
Cardinal Piacenza upholds ‘probable invalidity’ of confession by phone December 8, 2020By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Coronavirus, Divine Worship, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Even though the world is facing a pandemic that may limit many people’s ability to celebrate the sacraments, particularly those people who are in isolation, quarantining or hospitalized with COVID-19, confession by phone is still most likely invalid, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary.
U.S. gives grant to Catholic groups helping poor cope with pandemic December 3, 2020By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The U.S. government’s foreign aid agency awarded thousands of dollars in assistance to two Rome-based Catholic organizations assisting the poor in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.
Religious women enrich Dundalk pastorate December 2, 2020By Mary K. Tilghman Catholic Review Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Coronavirus, Feature, Local News, News When COVID-19 restrictions meant three newly-arrived religious women couldn’t count on the usual ways of meeting their new Dundalk-area parishioners, they improvised.
An Advent we never expected November 27, 2020By Archbishop William E. Lori Catholic Review Filed Under: Advent, Charity in Truth, Christmas, Commentary, Coronavirus This year we have the chance to spend our time quietly searching our hearts for the Word God wishes to speak to us during this period of peace and silence that has been imposed on us.
Baltimore Archdiocese parishes, agencies adjust outreach to realities of COVID-19 November 27, 2020By Paul McMullen Catholic Review Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Coronavirus, Feature, Local News, News Parishes and satellite agencies are adjusting how they serve those in need while COVID-19 cases surge throughout the region and much of the nation.
Court says N.Y. pandemic limits on houses of worship restrict religious freedom November 27, 2020By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Religious Freedom, Supreme Court, World News In a 5-4 decision issued just before midnight Nov. 25, the Supreme Court lifted the pandemic restrictions on congregation sizes at houses of worship imposed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
