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Three sex abuse lawsuits were filed this week against the Diocese of Metuchen in New Jersey. One lawsuit names disgraced former cardinal Theodore McCarrick. McCarrick was bishop of the diocese from 1981 to 1986. The lawsuit dates back to his time as bishop. The plaintiff was between the ages of 19 and 22 during that time.
Catholics are the religious group most vaccinated against COVID-19 in the United States, according to a new national survey by the Pew Research Center. The survey found that 82% of self-identified Catholics had received at least one does of a COVID-19 vaccine. Hispanic Catholics were slightly more likely than White Catholics to have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Of the major religious groups in the United States, White evangelical Protestants had the lowest vaccination rate, with only 57% saying they had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
The cardinal archbishop of Manila in the Philippines has tested positive for COVID-19. The archdiocese said the archbishop has only a slight fever, but he is in quarantine, and doctors are monitoring his condition. The news comes just two days after a religious congregation in Manila announced that 62 of its nuns, and at least 50 of its staff - also tested positive for COVID. The nuns were still waiting to be vaccinated, but all staff members were fully vaccinated.
The pope spoke today about his hopes for the new ministry of catechist, which he established in May. Francis said he hopes the new ministry will help awaken the vocation of every Christian to proclaim the Gospel. The pope established the new ministry in May, through an apostolic letter. Catechists have served the Church since New Testament times, but this is a type of formal, vocational service within the Church. The ministry is for lay people who have a particular call to serve the Church, as a teacher of the faith.
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Italian cardinal and theologian Saint Robert Bellarmine. Robert is one of the great saints of the Jesuit order. He is also a Doctor of the Church, and the patron of catechists.