BOB ABERNETHY, anchor: In the aftermath of 9/11, the daily headlines talked of bombers in Afghanistan and the search for Osama bin Laden. Away from the headlines, in thousands of homes across the U.S., families were dealing with their very … More →

September 6, 2002

“Christ needs your youth and your generous enthusiasm to make his proclamation of joy resound in the new millennium,” said Pope John Paul II to the more than 250,000 young Catholics assembled in Toronto for World Youth Day. More →

July 26, 2002

This past week, Voice of the Faithful — a lay group which came out of the Catholic Church sexual abuse crisis — held its first national convention. Organizers say Catholics came from 36 states and 7 countries for a day of prayer and support for victims of sexual abuse. More →

July 26, 2002

Twelve U.S. cardinals and two bishops joined Pope John Paul II and other Vatican officials for two days of discussions about the sexual abuse crisis in the American Catholic church and possible solutions. John Paul told the group there is no place in the priesthood for those who harm the young. More →

April 26, 2002

In COMMONWEAL Magazine, an independent Catholic journal, writer and scholar Peter Steinfels, a Catholic, takes a thoughtful look at the crisis in the Church and calls for changes to overcome it. Steinfels also writes the “Belief” column for THE NEW YORK TIMES. Watch his interview with Bob Abernethy on the scandal and how the Church can move forward. More →

April 12, 2002

BOB ABERNETHY, anchor: The scandals in the Catholic church have prompted wide-ranging questions about sexual orientation and practice, among them issues of homosexuality. Experts insist that pedophilia — sexual attraction to children — has no connection to homosexuality. Still, the … More →

April 5, 2002

Mattie Stepanek is the brilliant, wheelchair-bound Maryland boy with muscular dystrophy who has become a best-selling inspirational poet. Both he and his mother, Jeni Stepanek, suffer from rare but different forms of the disease. Exactly one year ago, Mattie almost died. But — strongly supported by his mother, who is also in a wheelchair — Mattie outlived all expectations and, not yet a teenager, he has become an amazingly mature public speaker and authority on life at the edge of death. More →

March 29, 2002

BOB ABERNETHY, anchor (March 18, 2005): Now, Belief and Practice. This Holy Week, Western Christians remember Jesus’ crucifixion, and the days leading up to it. One of the most moving observances, especially for Catholics, is walking the 14 Stations of … More →

March 22, 2002

BOB ABERNETHY, anchor: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is generating controversy on another issue before the court on the death penalty. Last week, Scalia criticized the Roman Catholic Church’s stand against capital punishment. Kim Lawton has the story. KIM … More →

February 1, 2002

One of the most difficult of all religious teachings is the importance of forgiving. Forgiveness is taught as something a person should do for God or for others. But, more and more, both religious and secular counselors are encouraging forgiveness … More →

May 18, 2001