National News
Catholic groups urge Illinois governor to sign stopgap bill to help poor
As of midday May 27, S.B. 2038 remained unsigned and the fate of programs contracted through agencies such as Catholic Charities hung in the balance.
Lawmakers blast president’s deal with Vietnam as ‘epic failure’
Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey said President Barack Obama's decision to lift the arms embargo in Vietnam "failed to advance long-term U.S. interests" and ignored the country's human rights abuses.
Ecumenical officers hope to enrich the work of Christian collaboration
Ecumenism is meant to be a two-way street and one organization wants to continue serving as a bridge between both.
Archbishop, immigrant advocates decry plans for stepped-up raids
The planned increase in federal immigration raids is a sign of "the failed state of American immigration policy," said Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez. Others said the raids would spark fear in Catholic parishes.
Woodworker builds caskets out of reclaimed lumber from Shenandoah Valley
The ministry was born about six years ago amid sawdust and tears, when Schmiedicke and two of his younger brothers made a casket for their grandmother.
Cincinnati parishioners learn to ‘Civilize It’ during election season
Amid the anger, the attacks and the sometimes boisterous nature of this year's presidential campaign, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is encouraging parishioners to remember that civility in politics is a virtue.
New department in archdiocese will make ministries more parish-focused
When the Archdiocese of Chicago's new Department of Parish Vitality and Mission debuts this summer, parishes should notice a new dedication to helping them fulfill the church's mission.
Supreme Court: Race played role in death penalty case jury selection
The 7-1 decision sent the case of Timothy Foster, an African-American facing the death penalty for killing an elderly white woman in 1986 when he was 18, back to Georgia for a new trial.
Court remands two HHS challenges to lower courts ‘in light of Zubik’
With its order, the court vacated the early rulings against the two Catholic plaintiffs by, respectively, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and 6th U.S. Court of Appeals.
Zika’s spread spurs contradictory congressional action
Republicans in charge of the House believe money should be pulled from research in Ebola, the previous disease to throw a scare into the public.