National News

How much time if you do the crime? New bill aims for surgical cuts

With prison populations having exploded over the past four decades, governments have recognized it becomes quite costly to house and feed more than 2 million inmates.

Louisiana pro-life leaders applaud ban on abortions after 15 weeks

The bill would only take effect if a federal court and potentially the U.S. Supreme Court uphold a similar abortion law in Mississippi.

Annual audit of church’s abuse allegations shows cautious improvement

The overall decrease in allegations coupled with the fact that charges of abuse are still being made is something Francesco Cesareo, chairman of the National Review Board, which oversees the audits, finds troubling.

Pope names bishop for Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic eparchy in Ohio

Pope Francis has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Father Milan Lach of Presov, Slovakia, to head the Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic Eparchy of Parma in Ohio.

Minnesota archdiocese’s reboot plan offers $210 million to survivors

A reorganization plan for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has resolved its three-year bankruptcy negotiation with the largest settlement ever reached in a such a case related to clergy sex abuse.

Parish prays with school shooting survivors, mourners at memorial vigil

At least 300 parishioners, friends, family, visitors and survivors of the shooting gathered in the church to remember those who died May 18, including eight high school students, aged 14 to 17, and two beloved Santa Fe school teachers.

Supreme Court still has big decisions to deliver before term ends

As the Supreme Court prepares to wrap up its current term by the end of June, Catholic Church leaders are among those paying attention to how the court will rule on a handful of the nearly 30 decisions it has left to announce.

Study: Many more Puerto Rico disaster deaths than thought

A "household-based survey" points to around 4,600 lives lost, not the official 64, on the island because of Hurricane Maria that hit Puerto Rico in mid-September. Scientists said the toll may be even higher.

Immigrant kids at border present and accounted for — and number growing

Since Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a "zero tolerance" policy for immigrants crossing illegally into the United States, resulting in children being separated from their families, the number of minors in U.S. custody has grown by nearly 2,000.

U.S. Franciscans in six provinces vote to form one organization

UPDATED - Franciscans of the Order of Friars Minor in six of the order's U.S. provinces voted May 30 to form one new organization to reinvigorate Franciscan life in this country.