The announcement at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting in Baltimore that we had to table a vote regarding several action items that would contribute to holding bishops accountable came as a surprise to all of us. I left for Baltimore ready to discuss the plan and to support the proposal that more must be done to demonstrate our commitment to handling properly allegations of abuse of minors. I am disappointed that we cannot move forward this week. . .

A Vatican-requested delay in adopting practices that are expected to boost accountability among U.S. bishops in their response to clergy sex abuse will not be voted on during the bishops' fall general assembly going on now. “I was disappointed, but not surprised,” Bishop McManus said Monday. “The laity are looking for the bishops to be held to the same accountability as the priests."

The Massachusetts Veterans’ Service department has sent out a request that churches and public buildings with bells ring them at 11 a.m., Nov. 11 “to recognize the World War I centennial of the Armistice on this Veterans Day.”

St. Denis Catholic Women’s Council at St. Denis Parish is marking 100 years of existence with a Mass and banquet on Nov. 11, Veterans Day, after months of anniversary activities. Less that two weeks after the end of World War I – on Nov. 24, 1918 – the St. Denis branch of Catholic Women’s War Service Council was formally organized.