National News
Florida races to stem Zika spread, offer pregnant women testing
New York and Florida have the most cases of travel-related Zika infections nationally -- many reportedly associated with travel to the Dominican Republic -- but the mosquito-borne transmissions in Florida are a first.
5,600-plus sisters call for civility by candidates in presidential race
"We simply ask that all who seek to lead refrain from language that disrespects, dehumanizes or demonizes another," the letter said.
Catholics surveyed say election issues, not candidates, mentioned at Mass
They reported they have heard about religious liberty, abortion, immigration and the environment as among the topics coming from the pulpit, according to a survey released Aug. 8 by the Pew Research Center in Washington.
Devil’s in the details: Satan clubs seek OK for school groups
The Satanic Temple wants its after-school clubs in public schools just as Christian groups do, mostly to prove a point, observers say. School districts are grappling with religious freedom and free speech.
Training prepares dioceses for terrorism, mass shootings, disasters
To help before tragedy occurs, a priest psychologist is conducting a free webinar to prepare parish leaders to deal with the trauma that follows any catastrophe. Every diocese, he believes, needs a pastoral disaster plan.
Body found in river identified as missing Kansas seminarian
A fisherman saw a life vest floating in the water with a rosary attached to it. That discovery led to finding the body of Wichita Diocese seminarian Brain Bergkamp. He saved a woman who fell into the river July 9.
Poll: Majority of Americans approve of restrictions on abortion
A new Marist Poll found that 8 of 10 Americans would favor limiting abortion to -- at most -- the first trimester. Support for restrictions exists even among those who self-identify as "pro-choice."
Maryland Catholic church becomes place of refuge in catastrophic flood
Set on a hill, St. Paul Church saw a deluge from the 1-in-1,000-year storm but not to the extent of a parallel street where most of the damage and two deaths in historic Ellicott City occurred.
Iraqi, Syrian minorities want security before they return home
Christians routed from lands overrun by the Islamic State and other extremist groups since 2003 discussed their needs with a panel of 20 countries planning a post-Islamic State scenario in Iraq and Syria.
Slain French priest was attack on ‘all of us,’ English imam says
Father Jacques Hamel's gruesome murder in northern France July 26 -- by men allied with the Islamic State -- prompted sorrow and outrage from Muslim leaders and signs of solidarity with Catholics.