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The Senate has narrowly approved language against tax-payer funding of abortion. The language was part of a budget resolution, related to a proposed $3.5 trillion spending package for the 2022 fiscal year. The pro-life amendment was included by a vote of 50 to 49. The amendment is non-binding, but pro-life leaders say it is a significant step to prevent Congress from including abortion funding in next year’s budget.
The U.S. bishops have criticized the Biden administration for dropping a conscience rights lawsuit. The lawsuit involved a Vermont hospital, which allegedly coerced a nurse into helping with an abortion in 2017. The hospital reportedly showed a pattern of discrimination against staffers opposed to abortion. The Justice Department quietly dismissed the lawsuit this week.
Catholic Charities has defended its ministry to migrants, amid criticism that one of its member agencies is acting recklessly, considering the pandemic. Officials in Texas have warned of high rates of COVID-19 among undocumented migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. A recent state order restricted volunteer work with migrants. Catholic Charities has said it takes great care to provide COVID tests for migrants, and isolate COVID-positive migrants.
The archbishop of Lima, the capital of Peru, has reportedly asked the Vatican for permission to place lay persons in charge of administration of parishes in his archdiocese. He said he believes lay people could run parishes, while priests study and celebrate Mass. Canon law does allow a bishop to entrust the pastoral care of a parish to a deacon, or another person who is not a priest, if there is a shortage of priests.
Today is the feast of Saint Maximus. Maximus was born in Constantinople around the year 580. He is considered one of the chief theological writers of the Greek Church.