Lawmakers recently agreed to begin the lengthy process of amending the state constitution to allow a two-year window for civil suits otherwise barred by the statute of limitations, but there's no guarantee that effort will bear fruit.

The Washington Post published the 60-page document on Dec. 23 on its website, which describes previously published accounts of alleged abuse and financial misconduct by retired Bishop Michael J. Bransfield, including "troubling incidents" that caused concern by some church workers that he may have targeted minor altar servers for abuse.

The measure, H.R. 4916, which now goes to the Senate for a vote, would improve conditions for immigrant farmworkers and their families

The story sparked outrage in some Canadian Catholic circles.

The opposition Labour Party suffered its worst defeat since 1935.

A federal judge has placed federal executions on hold. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory and Bishop Frank J. Dewane write that we should turn back permanently from the path of death.