National News
U.S. House urged to pass Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
Cardinal Timothy Dolan urged Congress to pass a ban on abortions starting at 20 weeks after fertilization, about the time doctors have determined that an unborn child can feel pain.
Florida Keys faces cleanup, long-term housing challenge after Irma
From Key Largo to Key West, the area is littered with storm-related wreckage of varying degrees, raising concerns about housing prospects especially for the many local employees and retirees who call this region home.
Maryland sets up task force to address racism
A statewide task force made up of Catholic and other officials has been formed to improve race relations and "to address the sin of racism that continues to be a divisive force in our country," the Archdiocese of Baltimore said.
Bishops, pope call for prayers after ‘unspeakable terror’ of mass shooting
The only response to shooting that left 50 dead in Las Vegas, said Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, "is to do good -- for no matter what the darkness, it will never overcome the light. May the Lord of all gentleness surround all those who are suffering from this evil."
Congressman Scalise credits power of prayer for his shooting recovery
"I'm definitely a living example that miracles really do happen," he told his colleagues after acknowledging: "You have no idea how good it feels to be back here at work at the people's house."
Congress urged to let houses of worship seek FEMA aid after disasters
Lawmakers in Washington were urged to approve a bill introduced in Congress to ensure the fair and equal treatment for houses of worship damaged in natural disasters "by enabling them to seek aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency."
Faith groups ask government to reconsider historically low refugee cap
Leaders are objecting to reports that the Trump administration will limit the number of refugees the United States accepts to 45,000, the lowest admission level for persons fleeing persecution since 1980.
Supreme Court’s busy docket includes religious liberty, not travel ban
With the Supreme Court's new term starting Oct. 2, one person equipped to comment on it -- Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg -- hesitated to say too much but hinted that it would be interesting.
High court stays Georgia inmate’s execution amid claims of racial bias
Keith Tharpe had argued that one juror in his murder trial used a racial slur to describe some black people and had said Tharpe "wasn't in the 'good' black folks category in my book, should get the electric chair for what he did."
Catholic parish builds warm community ties with local police officers
The Adopt-A-Cop ministry of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Brookhaven, launched in late February, is helping parishioners forge relationships with local law enforcement.