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U.S.
Planned Parenthood annual report shows abortions, public funding up after Dobbs
WASHINGTON — Planned Parenthood’s latest annual report shows an increase in abortions from the previous year’s report, while also showing a $100 million increase in government funding amid an overall decrease in cancer screenings and prevention services. The organization’s 2023-2024 annual report detailed its operations from 2022-2023, most of which followed the June 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturned Roe v. Wade and sent the abortion issue back to lawmakers, resulting in a number of states passing restrictions on abortion. However, Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, performed 402,230 abortions in that time, an increase from the previous year’s report at 392,715. Total cancer screening and prevention services — such as pap tests and HPV vaccinations — decreased from the previous report, from 464,021 to 426,268. The report showed Planned Parenthood — with $2 billion in revenue — received about $792.2 million in “Government Health Services Reimbursements &Grants” during that time — up more than $100 million over the previous year’s report ($699.3 million). (OSV News)
Civil rights probe launched over Washington state law’s lack of Catholic confession protections
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department said May 5 it opened a civil rights investigation into the development and passage of legislation in Washington state that will require clergy to report child abuse or neglect without exceptions for clergy-penitent privilege. Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson on May 2 signed into law Senate Bill 5375, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Noel Frame of Seattle, which will make members of the clergy mandatory reporters, or people required by law to report suspected or known instances of child abuse or neglect. The version of the legislation signed into law did not include an exception to the requirement for sacramental confessions. Other mandatory reporters in Washington state include school personnel, nurses, social service counselors and psychologists. While some have argued the bill closes an important omission from the state’s list of mandatory reporters, others have expressed concern that without exceptions for clergy-penitent privilege, the law could place Catholic priests at odds with civil law in order to uphold Church law regarding the seal of the confessional. (OSV News)
WORLD
Ukrainian president speaks with Pope Leo, invites him to Ukraine
VATICAN CITY — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Pope Leo XIV for his support of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and he invited the newly-elected pontiff to visit the war-torn nation. “I spoke with Pope Leo XIV. It was our first conversation, but already a very warm and truly substantive one,” the president said on his X account May 12. The Vatican press office confirmed the call took place but would not specify who initiated the phone call. “I invited His Holiness to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine. Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers and to all our people,” he said on X. The president said he “thanked His Holiness for his support of Ukraine and all our people. We deeply value his words about the need to achieve a just and lasting peace for our country and the release of prisoners. We also discussed the thousands of Ukrainian children deported by Russia. Ukraine counts on the Vatican’s assistance in bringing them home to their families.” Zelenskyy said on X that he also told the pope about the agreement between Ukraine and Western nations calling for “a full and unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days” beginning May 12. (CNS)
Pope Leo prays for vocations, for peace and for mothers on Mother’s Day
VATICAN CITY — With a huge and festive crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV led his first Sunday recitation of the “Regina Coeli” prayer and urged all Catholics to pray for vocations, especially to the priesthood and religious life. Before the pope appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica May 11, the crowd was entertained by dozens of marching bands and folkloristic dance troupes who had marched into the square after attending an outdoor Mass for the Jubilee of Bands and Popular Entertainment. Pope Leo also noted that it was Mother’s Day in Italy, the United States and elsewhere. “I send a special greeting to all mothers with a prayer for them and for those who are already in heaven,” he said. “Happy holiday to all moms!” Italian officials estimated 100,000 people were in St. Peter’s Square or on the surrounding streets to join the new pope for the midday prayer. (CNS)
