National News
Catholics to open climate march with Mass, prayer, Capitol Hill visits
March organizers are expecting hundreds of thousands of people to travel to Washington April 29 in a broad showing of grass-roots support for federal government action in addressing climate change.
Church will do all it can ‘to end scourge of violence,’ Chicago cardinal says
The Archdiocese of Chicago will create a new fund that will support new and existing neighborhood-based anti-violence programs. As of April 5, 773 people were shot in Chicago this year, with 151 homicides.
Diocese continues to receive refugees as courts battle travel ban
UPDATED - Since the Trump administration's initial travel ban was announced Jan. 27, Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte has resettled a total of 45 people, said Susan Jassan, interim director of its Refugee Resettlement Office.
Georgetown sets date to rename buildings honoring a slave, black teacher
Georgetown University has chosen April 18 as the date to rename two buildings on campus previously named for priests who sold 272 women, children and men into slavery for financial gain in 1838.
Committee in vote along party lines sends Gorsuch nomination to Senate
Just before the 11-9 committee vote, which was cast along party lines, Democrats in the Senate determined they have enough votes to block confirmation by the full body.
As evangelization tool, Alpha course lays foundation for discipleship
Deacon Mitchell described Alpha as a course "to explore life's biggest questions through the lens of the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal atmosphere through 10 interactive questions. No pressure, no follow-up, no charge."
Syrian religious sister among women honored by U.S. State Department
First lady Melania Trump presented the awards, which recognize women around the globe "who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for women's rights, empowerment and justice, often at great personal risk."
Bill passes to allow states to redirect funds away from abortion clinics
The Senate voted late March 30 to override a rule change made by in the last days of the Obama administration that prevented states from redirecting Title X family planning funding away from clinics that performed abortions.
Catholic Charities leaders push priorities with Congress on ‘Hill Day’
Catholic Charities leaders spent the second day of their two-day meeting pressing support for federally funded social services -- in many cases their lifeblood -- that touch the lives of the millions of people they serve.
Bishops urge Congress to take bipartisan approach on health care reform
UPDATED - Now that lawmakers have withdrawn the bill, Congress must "seize this moment to create a new spirit of bipartisanship" and make "necessary reforms" in existing health care law to address access, affordability, life and conscience, said three U.S. bishops' committee chairmen.