Coronavirus

WASHINGTON -- The American Rescue Plan is "an extraordinarily practical way to help the American people, New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan said in a statement March 11, the same day President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package into law.

VATICAN CITY -- Revenue shortfalls and a current budget deficit require increased efficiency, transparency and creativity while working to continue to fully carry out the mission of the universal church, said the head of the Vatican's economic office.

Chicago-based Catholic Extension plans to help 1,000 women religious with grants in memory of a group of sisters who died in late December of COVID-19 in Elm Grove, Wisconsin.

CLEVELAND -- Use of the coronavirus vaccines currently being administered nationwide has sparked questions about how the medicines are manufactured and the ongoing testing underway to assure their effectiveness

Father Jiha Lim listens to a penitent’s confession March 7, 2021, at St. Aloysius Church in Great Neck, N.Y., during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Vatican says general absolution still is permissible where infections continue to rise. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

WASHINGTON -- A group of prominent Catholic scholars said they believe it is morally acceptable for anyone to receive any of the COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States.

WASHINGTON -- Many Catholic parishes in Texas will continue to ask parishioners to wear face masks and will limit capacity for Masses even though the state's governor, Greg Abbott, announced March 2 these pandemic restrictions would be lifted the following week.

NEWARK, N.J. -- Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin has invited the faithful of the Archdiocese of Newark to reflect on how the pandemic-induced "Great Eucharistic Fast" has affected their faith life and called on them to spiritually prepare for the eventual return of in-person worship when it can be done safely.

WASHINGTON -- Use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, approved Feb. 27 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, raises moral concerns because it was "was developed, tested and is produced with abortion-derived cell lines," the chairmen of two U.S. bishops' committees said March 2.