US Capitol Archives

Capitol Hill riots addressed in homilies at some U.S. Catholic churches

Jan 13, 2021

Just days after the siege on the U.S. Capitol, several bishops, priests and deacons across the country used their pulpits during Jan. 9-10 weekend Masses in cathedrals, parishes and converted outdoor worship spaces, due to the pandemic, to address what happened in Washington and how people of faith should respond.

By Carol Zimmermann

Two Catholic members of Congress reflect on Capitol attack, work ahead

Jan 12, 2021

Seeing the U.S. Capitol building being stormed by a rioting mob Jan. 6 brought a visceral reaction from Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, a Republican from Nebraska. Fortenberry, who is Catholic and often attends daily Mass at St. Peter’s Church on Capitol Hill, called the attack a “desecration.”

By Mark Zimmermann, CNS

Fallout over Capitol siege extends to job losses for those who were there
- Jan 11, 2021
Just as the political and criminal fallout has continued over the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol by people seeking to halt the Electoral College certification of President-Elect Joe Biden’s win in the November election, the fallout has extended to job losses for those who have been identified as taking part in the siege.

By Mark Pattison
Washington pastors reflect on Capitol attack that hit close to home
- Jan 11, 2021
Like many across the country, Father William Gurnee and Father Gary Studniewski watched in horror as a rioting mob stormed and ransacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, attempting to disrupt Congress at it certified the Electoral College vote of President-elect Joe Biden.

By Mark Zimmermann, CNS
Cardinal Dolan accuses Trump of ‘stoking the flames’ in Capitol violence
- Jan 11, 2021
In his first comments since President Donald Trump supporters stormed the Capitol Building in protest of the 2020 election this past Wednesday, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, condemned the president for instigating the behavior.

By John Lavenburg
Pope prays for dead at US capitol, tells leaders to take responsibility
- Jan 10, 2021
Pope Francis in his Sunday Angelus address prayed for the five people who lost their lives in the breach of the United States Capitol by pro-Trump protesters last week and encouraged the country’s leaders to work toward national reconciliation.

By Elise Ann Allen