National News
Nancy Reagan recalled as ‘kind, gracious’ during 1987 papal encounter
"We were very privileged to have the pope in Los Angeles for 48 hours," Cardinal Roger Mahony, retired archbishop of Los Angeles, told Catholic News Service. "And we were blessed to have Mrs. Reagan, representing her husband."
Catholic schools not doing enough for Latino Catholics, report shows
A new study finds some Catholic schools exhibit a "chilly climate" when hosting Hispanic families. It also found diocesan offices for Catholic schools and Hispanic ministry interact rarely or infrequently.
Catholics should dump Trump, magazine writers urge
Republican candidate Donald Trump's run for the White House is putting the Republican Party "in grave danger," said George Weigel and Robert George in a letter to Catholics published in the National Review.
Backers of Oregon’s new historic minimum wage say it’s matter of justice
"A just wage should help ensure that full-time workers and their families do not live in poverty," the Archdiocese of Portland said in a statement before the state's minimum wage law was signed.
Maryland physician-assisted suicide bill withdrawn from Senate committee
"I think it's a reaction of relief that, for this year, this very dangerous legislation is not moving forward," said Mary Ellen Russell, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the Maryland's Catholic bishops, who opposed the bill.
Bishop reminds Pennsylvania Catholics that God’s mercy trumps sin
Reminding people that God's everlasting mercy "will always be greater than any sin," Bishop Mark L. Bartchak of Altoona-Johnstown called upon parishioners to find peace in God as the diocese deals with the fallout of a grand jury report detailing hundreds of incidents of clergy sexual abuse.
Catholic Extension features ‘nuns who rock’ on website, in social media
"Two of the most inspirational things I've learned at Catholic Extension are: First, you cannot go to the poorest places in the United States and not find the presence of the Catholic Church," said Father Jack Wall, the organization's president. "And second, the face of ministry in the poorest communities of America is most often a woman religious."
Alabama conference examines depth of black-white divide in U.S.
The conference, initiated by Birmingham's Catholic bishop with the mayor and a Protestant pastor, addressed the need for racial reconciliation in the United States and the path to that reconciliation.
Metuchen bishop retires; pope appoints Camden priest as successor
UPDATED -- Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski of Metuchen, New Jersey, and named as his successor Msgr. James Checchio, a priest of the Diocese of Camden.
Former first lady Nancy Reagan dies; made anti-drug effort her cause
UPDATED - Nancy Reagan, who became first lady of the United States in January 1981 following husband Ronald Reagan's victory in the 1980 presidential election, died March 6 in Los Angeles at age 94.