National News
Report marks 20th year of U.S. efforts to address trafficking worldwide
Government-sponsored trafficking is "a perversion of any government's reason for existence," which is "to protect rights, not crush them," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Ex-DRE at Tennessee parish indicted for abusing girl
Michael D. Lewis, 41, was indicted on 10 counts of statutory rape and four counts of sexual battery, stemming from incidents in July 2013 and July 2017.
Judge blocks law requiring 24-hour waiting period before getting abortion
An Iowa district court judge has temporarily blocked the enforcement of the state's new law, signed June 29, in a suit brought by Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Indiana priest suspended after derogatory remarks about protesters
The bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette, Indiana, has suspended a priest from public ministry after the pastor referred to Black Lives Matters protesters as "maggots and parasites" in a Sunday bulletin.
Providence College cemetery reconsecrated after vandalism attack
Two days after a vandal defaced gravestones and a cross with swastikas at the Dominican Cemetery at Providence College, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin blessed the sacred grounds.
Understanding can defeat racism, Archbishop Gregory says
While America grapples with bigotry, Washington Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory said people must reach out to one another and learn about others different from themselves.
Trump administration’s ‘third-country asylum rule’ struck down
A federal judge ruled the administration unlawfully implemented its 2019 policy to turn away asylum-seekers if they don't first seek protection in countries along their way to the U.S.
Ruling in Montana case called ‘welcome victory’ for religious freedom
The consensus from religious liberty advocates following the Supreme Court ruling on public funds and sectarian schools is one hated remnant of 19th-century anti-Catholic bigotry is finally gone for good.
Florida bishops hail new law on parental consent before minor has abortion
Pro-life advocates applauded Gov. Ron DeSantis signing the bill June 30. Pro-life legislation has also advanced in Iowa and Tennessee.
Wisconsin bishop denounces activist’s call to destroy statues of Jesus
Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison said it would be "illuminating and healing" for the country "if we had a national education effort to understand our history" instead of destroying statues in anger.