National News
Healing racial divides starts with dialogue, black bishops say
A wave of shootings has many people asking: "Where do we go from here?" Bishop John Ricard said black Catholic leaders are seeking ways to address the violence, racism and mistrust that were on full display this month.
Sisters of St. Joseph celebrate 50 years of human rights advocacy
The theme for this year's conference was, "Our Emerging Story of Being ONE … God's Love Unfolding," reflecting the sisters' charism: to love God and to love their "dear neighbor."
California Catholic bishops back initiative to abolish death penalty
SAN FRANCISCO (CNS) — The California Catholic bishops announced their support July 14 for Proposition 62, a voter initiative on the November ballot that would repeal the death penalty. The bishops timed their statement to coincide with the launch of the “Yes on 62” campaign that took place at a Los Angeles news conference. Speakers […]
Commercials with inviting message about Catholic Church hit movie screens
As of July 15, the Archdiocese of New Orleans is sponsoring a 15-second, pre-movie commercial that invites people to think positively about the "fellowship, purpose and service" offered by the local Catholic Church.
At Mass and memorials, Dallas says goodbye to fallen police officers
At a Mass and at memorials in megachurches, family, friends and police officers from around the country thanked and said goodbye to five Dallas police officers killed by a gunman targeting police officers.
Castile funeral at St. Paul cathedral sign of mercy for family, mourners
The Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul was filled with mourners July 14 for the funeral of Philando Castile, a 32-year-old black man who was fatally shot by a police officer during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights July 6.
U.S. church urged to turn attention to racism before fractures widen
Racism takes many forms: unequal access to housing, economic segregation, differences in the quality of schools between poor and well-to-do communities, and how police approach someone at a traffic stop or a street-side altercation.
Catholics, ‘all people of goodwill’ urged to pray for peace in U.S.
The National Black Catholic Congress called for four weeks of prayer beginning July 18 using the Roman Missal's formula that "every division may be removed, and equity and justice may be established in human society."
Injunction placed on Indiana abortion law; Planned Parenthood closes site
A federal judge has put on hold an Indiana law that makes it illegal for women in the state to have an abortion solely based on the race, gender or disability of a fetus.
New campaign invites millennials to ‘come home’ to Catholic faith
Evangomercials is a name Catholics Come Home trademarked to describe its TV commercials on Catholic evangelism, which the organization says "change hearts."