National News
Federal executions in Indiana said to ‘add violence on top of violence’
News that federal executions would start at a federal prison drew words of remorse and prayers from Catholic leaders for the crime victims and for the inmates slated to die.
Catholic leaders denounce rejection of federal death penalty appeal
Sister Helen Prejean and others decried the likely execution this summer of four men "using an untested lethal injection protocol during a global pandemic."
Pro-life advocates say ruling puts clinic profits over women’s health
Pro-lifers said the U.S. Supreme Court's June 29 ruling striking down a Louisiana abortion law puts women's health in danger, allows subpar care and gives abortion clinics a pass on regulations for "the sake of profit."
Court says tax credit program can’t exclude religious schools
The Supreme Court said June 30 that Montana's state scholarship program violated the federal Constitution by excluding religious schools. The court ruled that if a state offers financial aid to private schools, it must allow religious schools also to take part.
Amid pandemic, upheaval, world’s poor seen needing help more than ever
A "perfect storm" of circumstances has posed a challenge to raising awareness and funds to help the poor, said Eustace W. Mita, the Philadelphian and first lay leader of the U.S.-based Papal Foundation.
Federal judge blocks N.Y. limits on religious gatherings
A federal judge June 26 blocked enforcement of New York restrictions on outdoor and indoor religious gatherings that are stricter than those for ongoing protests over racial injustice.
Supreme Court strikes down Louisiana abortion law
In a 5-4 decision June 29, the Supreme Court ruled that the requiring that doctors who perform abortions have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals could not stand.
Racism needs ‘honest discussion,’ not destruction, says archbishop
San Francisco's archbishop said June 20 the defacing of a statue of St. Junipero Serra is the latest example of some people using the current movement against racial injustice as a reason for violence.
Supreme Court says asylum-seekers can’t challenge deportations
In a 7-2 decision June 25, the Supreme Court said the Trump administration can deport some asylum-seekers without granting them a federal court hearing.
U.S. suspends some visas, extends immigration restrictions
Catholic groups have joined others in protesting new immigration restrictions of the Trump administration, including a popular visa program for skilled workers.