National News
Man with local roots will lead national office for family, laity
Dominic Lombardi, formerly an official working in the church's evangelization efforts in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, has been named director of the U.S. Catholic conference's Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth.
Volcano’s lava flow displaces members of one Hawaii parish
In addition to offering prayers, the Catholic Church is stepping into action on behalf of hundreds of residents displaced from a fierce and unpredictable volcanic eruption.
Pope ‘most fearless man I ever met,’ says filmmaker Wenders
Pope Francis, the subject of a new documentary by German filmmaker Wim Wenders, is "the most fearless man I ever met," the director said in a segment of the CBS newsmagazine "60 Minutes" that aired May 13.
States bordering Gulf of Mexico rank at, near bottom of new index
Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas ranked poorly in poverty, racial disparity and immigrant exclusion, seen as important to Catholic social teaching. The states have a legacy of racial discrimination and lower paying nonunion jobs.
Catholic groups highlight plight of immigrant mothers on Mother’s Day
Days before the U.S. celebrated Mother's Day May 13, the national group Faith in Action urged others to think about immigrant mothers who have been separated from their children or run the risk of never seeing them again.
Speaker: U.S. should recognize past flaws on religious freedom
Panelists urged that religious freedom be included in America's foreign policy decisions, even if the U.S. failed to do so in the past. "We've had a history of backing bad guys -- some very bad guys" said a speaker.
Catholic leaders see growing concern among investors about gun violence
A Catholic-led shareholder proposal calling on gun manufacturer Sturm Ruger to report its efforts to improve gun safety received majority support at the company's annual stockholder meeting May 9 in Prescott.
Catholics get chance to celebrate, think about Mary with new feast day
The Catholic Church doesn't often add new celebrations to its pretty full liturgical calendar, but this year's new feast day, Mary, Mother of the Church on May 21, has Catholics gearing up to mark the day or at least think a little more about Mary.
Oregon midwife feels called to support mothers, welcome babies
Midwifery, the art or act of assisting with childbirth, has captivated Carissa St. Onge Carneiro since she was a teenager after the lifelong Catholic met her first midwife, her then-boyfriend's mom, at 16.
Regional encuentro helps delegates value importance of knowing Christ
Looking to Jesus' rapport with the Apostles as an example, hundreds of faithful came together as missionary disciples in an effort to grow Hispanic ministry in the U.S. church.