America's 77 million Catholics generally gave Pope Benedict XVI high marks, but his surprise decision to step down after just eight years comes as the U.S. church confronts a string of unanswered questions, on issues ranging from divisions with the Obama administration on birth control and gay marriage to political activism by U.S. nuns and the continuing fallout from the sexual-abuse scandals in dioceses across the country.
The outcome in a handful of Senate races could alter the political direction of the country, and abortion is a pivotal issue. America's newest cardinal is urging Catholic voters to take their faith seriously and select only candidates committed to protecting innocent life.
Those of us who live outside the "logic-free zone" of Washington know who is largely to blame for the country's economic problems ("OPEC strangling American economy," Op-Ed, Friday). It is Congress.
Catholics eager for the arrival next month of Pope Benedict XVI helped create overflow crowds at Easter Sunday services across the region.
World Bank contracting
