National News
Youths raise money, invest in loan to help poor people start businesses
Earlier in the school year, the students talked about Pope Francis' challenge to help migrants and refugees, and they wondered what they could do in their small town.
Newly named Dallas bishop says he’ll build on predecessor’s ‘great work’
Bishop Edward J. Burns will be installed as the eighth bishop of Dallas Feb. 9 at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Dallas.
Ohio governor signs 20-week abortion ban, vetoes ‘heartbeat’ measure
The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act becomes law in 90 days. It is the 18th anti-abortion measure Gov. John Kasich has signed since 2011. He vetoed a bill that would ban abortion after the baby's heartbeat is detected, at about six weeks.
Justice Breyer calls death penalty arbitrary, urges review
Breyer, who has been critical of the death penalty before, said the time a prisoner waits before an execution had been described as "one of the most horrible feelings to which he can be subjected."
Texas bishops, cemeteries developing burial options for aborted children
Effective Dec. 19, new state regulations from the Department of State Health Services require the interment of the remains of all children who are lost through abortion or miscarriage at a health care facility or abortion clinic.
New report shows disparities in education levels of religious groups
A new study showing the disparity of education levels among religious groups ranks Jews as the faith group with the most formal education and Muslims and Hindus with the least years of formal schooling.
Organizers announce ‘The Power of One’ as theme for 2017 March for Life
Organizers of the March for Life made it clear Dec. 13 that although they're "cautiously optimistic" about eventually overturning the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision with a Donald Trump administration and a Republican-controlled House and Senate, they don't expect to be in lockstep with other aspects of the new president's agenda.
Sweet harmonies of Missouri cloistered nuns are fruit of their faith
Chances are that this new album, "Caroling at Ephesus," will be a hit. Though the sisters live quietly in near obscurity -- their singing is well-known. Four of their previous albums have topped the music charts.
Politics, courts involved in U.S. health care’s 2016 diagnosis
U.S. health care seemed stuck in the waiting room for part of the year, holding out for its future prognosis from courtroom and political decisions.
Pope Francis names Bishop Burns of Juneau to head Dallas Diocese
Pope Francis has named Bishop Edward J. Burns of Juneau, Alaska, to be bishop of Dallas, succeeding now-Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, who headed the Dallas Diocese until he was named in August to be the first prefect of the new Vatican office for laity, family and life.