In visit to Baghdad, Pope Francis urges Iraq to embrace its Christians
Pope Francis has urged Iraqis to treat their Christian brothers as a precious resource to protect, not an “obstacle” to eliminate as he opens the first-ever papal visit to Iraq.
Abortion concerns prompt Catholic archdiocese warning on vaccine
Roman Catholic leaders in St. Louis and New Orleans are advising Catholics that the COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, newly approved for use in the U.S., is “morally compromised” because it is produced using a cell line derived from an aborted fetus.
SF priest dies of COVID-19, church remains closed on Ash Wednesday
The San Francisco North Beach landmark, Saints Peter & Paul Church remains closed this Ash Wednesday.
Ashes to be sprinkled over parishioners' heads during pandemic Ash Wednesday
The coronavirus pandemic will change the way ashes are distributed to Christians worldwide on Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season.
Court reverses decision to allow indoor worship services in Santa Clara County
On Wednesday night, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California temporarily suspended its Monday order that required the county to allow indoor worship services after they were banned to curb the spread of COVID.
Services halted after 3 priests test positive for COVID at San Francisco church
St. Peter and Paul Church said it will not hold public Mass this weekend after three priests and two caregivers tested positive for COVID-19.
Santa Clara County says indoor worship can resume at 20% capacity
Santa Clara County says indoor worship services can resume at 20% capacity. The change comes after a federal district court's decision Monday evening.
San Jose church fined $2M; other California churches open doors following new ruling
The justices said for now California can’t continue with a ban on indoor church services, but it can limit attendance to 25% of a building’s capacity and restrict singing and chanting inside.
Supreme Court lifts California's ban on indoor worship services, Santa Clara County to continue ban
The Supreme Court ruled that California can no longer ban indoor worship services because of the coronavirus pandemic. Santa Clara County says it will continue to ban all indoor gatherings.
Newsom to revise California's indoor church guidelines after ruling
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said Saturday it will issue revised guidelines for indoor church services after the Supreme Court lifted the state's ban on indoor worship during the coronavirus pandemic.
Sitting on billions, Catholic dioceses cash in on coronavirus aid
When the coronavirus forced churches to close their doors and give up Sunday collections, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte turned to the federal government’s signature small business relief program.
Biden calls out 'political extremism' at National Prayer Breakfast
President Joe Biden called for a confrontation of the “political extremism” that inspired the U.S. Capitol riot in remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast.
Dolly Parton says faith compelled her COVID-19 research donation, and she won't jump line to get vaccine
The '9 to 5' singer's hefty contribution directly led to the creation of the Moderna vaccine.
'God is on your side': Group of US Catholic bishops call for support, defend LGBT youth against bullying
Declaring “God is on your side,” a Roman Catholic cardinal, an archbishop and six other U.S. bishops are declaring their support for LGBT youth and denouncing the bullying often directed at them.
Biden attends mass at same DC church he worshipped at as VP
President Joe Biden attended Mass for the first time since taking office, worshipping Sunday at the church he frequented when he was vice president.
Calvary Chapel pastors appear in contempt of court case
A South Bay church that’s repeatedly defied a county health order barring indoor gatherings was back in court on Thursday.
Pope Francis says women can read at Mass, but still can't be priests
Pope Francis has changed church law to explicitly allow women to do more things during Mass, while reaffirming they cannot be priests.
Pope prays for dead in Capitol rioting, appeals for calm
Pope Francis said Sunday that he is praying for those who died in the U.S. Capitol rioting and has appealed for calm to prevail in the United States to help safeguard that nation's democratic values.
Bay Area Jewish leaders respond to anti-Semitic symbolism displayed at Capitol
In the hours that followed Wednesday's siege at the Capitol, rabbis around the Bay Area offered immediate support to Jewish congregants. Many were alarmed by anti-Semitic symbolism and references to the Holocaust they'd seen on the news.
California widow of drowned family establishes scholarship fund at Jewish school in childrens' name
Sarah Wyman created the fund to honor her children, ages 4 and 7, who are presumed dead from a Jan. 3 drowning accident. A sneaker wave at Blind Beach in Jenner snatched up the children from the beach, and her husband, Michael Wyman, 40, raced in to save them. He drowned, and the children have not been found.