National News

Byzantine Catholic dedicates life to spreading Fatima message

Natalie Martha Loya, a Byzantine Catholic who lives in the Eparchy of Parma, Ohio, crisscrossed the country during her 35-year apostolate of spreading the Fatima message.

U.S. Catholics urged to use Passion as motivation to ‘change the world’

In cities across the country, the Good Friday Way of the Cross has become a modern-day portrayal of the 14 Stations of the Cross in the passion of Jesus and a way of drawing attention to social justice issues of the day.

New film on Armenian genocide took two years to make, longer to realize

Kirk Kerkorian, the Armenian-American who owned the MGM studio 1969-86, had wanted to make a film about the genocide, but could not. "It was a controversial topic, even when he owned the company."

Cardinal prays for abuse survivors, urges solidarity with bombing victims

Noting that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Cardinal Wuerl said that the Archdiocese of Washington takes seriously its obligation "to make sure young people are always in a safe environment."

Lutheran playground case before court zeros in on religious liberty

At issue in Trinity Lutheran v. Comer is if the state of Missouri can exclude houses of worship in a playground refurbishment grant program using tire scraps.

Benedictine sister helps repeal state law on religious garb in schools

When Sister Madeleine Miller tried to substitute teach two years ago at Norfolk Public Schools, she was told they'd love to have her -- but she couldn't wear her habit.

Kansas teen organizes concert for Syrians who fled war-torn Aleppo

Christopher Rziha said he hoped it would "cause people to think about their life and what they have in relation to others who may not be able to enjoy all the comforts of home or may not even have a home."

Churches around world urged to say Mass on Archbishop Sheen’s birthday

A grass-roots effort calling on Catholic churches around the world to celebrate a special Mass on the May 8 birthday of the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen could see its goal of 1,000 Masses soon reached.

Trump signs bill to let states redirect funds away from abortion clinics

Reversing an order late in the Obama administration, the new law allows states to steer federal funds from Planned Parenthood and toward community health centers.

Iowa House passes measure to ban almost all abortions after 20 weeks

By a vote of 55-41, the ban passed the House April 5. The legislation also enacted a 72-hour waiting period before an abortion could be performed.