National News
Religious freedom worldwide has ‘spiraled downward,’ expert says
Robert George, chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, said religious liberty declined in the past year. In Europe, Muslims have been targeted in the backlash from terrorist attacks.
Holder calls for slavery reparations in Georgetown talk
The former attorney general, spurred by a conversation in Philadelphia, said reparations policies -- not necessarily cash -- increase "opportunities for everyone and (are) better for the nation as a whole."
Interfaith prayer service calls for change on anniversary of Baltimore riots
The prayer service included more than three dozen clergy members from the Baltimore area. Faiths represented included Catholic and other Christian churches, as well as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.
All Catholics have role in renewing marriage, family life, cardinal says
"For the Holy Father, the pastoral mission of the church, focused on the lived expression of mercy and love, is expressed in these four principal activities: listening, accompanying, discerning and evangelizing."
New ordinations give reason for hope, but need for priests still great
In recent years, the numbers of priestly ordinations have given Catholic Church observers reason to believe there is not a global vocations crisis, but they acknowledge there is still a need for more.
Ryan says he was ‘wrong’ about views on poor in latest talk at Georgetown
House Speaker Paul Ryan apologized for his earlier criticism of recipients of government benefits as "takers and makers," and said Republicans strive for a country that is "open, diverse, dynamic."
Catholic vote not as monolithic as it once was, but still important
Voting patterns show Catholics vote much like the rest of America, with minor swings one way or the other, depending on the candidate and the state.
Iowa bishop supports medical marijuana bill in letter to lawmakers
Bishop Pates said a comprehensive bill was needed to "give Iowans the ability to produce a safe and consistent treatment as well as provide a legal avenue for physicians to recommend it to those who are in need."
Associate director retires after 36 years of highs, lows in pro-life work
Many paths led Richard Doerflinger into pro-life work. And now his path is taking him into retirement as associate director of the U.S. bishops' Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities and eventually across the country to Washington state.
At-home progesterone test could be game-changer for NFP users
Ovulation Double Check is an at-home urine test that will detect the presence of progesterone, a hormone that indicates ovulation has taken place.