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A federal judge has blocked a heartbeat law in Texas, about one month after the law went into effect. The heartbeat law restricts most abortions after detection of a fetal heartbeat. In a ruling Wednesday, a federal judge blocked enforcement of the law, by the state and private citizens. Pro-life advocates have criticized the ruling as unfettered judicial activism.
Catholic bioethicists say conscience protections built into the government’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal employees are insufficient. Federal employees are now required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 22nd. Employees requesting a religious exemption to the mandate, must first establish that their refusal is based upon sincere, religious belief. They must also answer questions about their adult vaccine history and the length of time they have held their religious beliefs that support their objection.
Pope Francis will declare Saint Irenaeus of Lyon a Doctor of the Church. Irenaeus was a second-century bishop and writer. He is remembered for refuting the heresies of Gnosticism, with a defense of Christ’s humanity and divinity. He would be the first martyr to receive the title.
Today is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The feast commemorates a 16th-century naval victory, which protected Europe from Turkish invasion. Pope Saint Pius the Fifth attributed the victory to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The naval victory coincided with a rosary campaign in Europe.