National News
Cardinal recalled as a churchman ‘truly present to core of his being’
Cardinal William J. Levada, 83, who served as archbishop of Portland, Oregon, and of San Francisco before Pope Benedict XVI named him to head the Vatican's doctrinal office in 2005, died unexpectedly in Rome on Sept. 26.
Appeals court rules against Little Sisters of the Poor over HHS mandate
In their majority decision in the State of California v. Little Sisters of the Poor, Judges J. Clifford Wallace and Susan P. Graber said allowing an exemption for religious groups such as the Little Sisters flies in the face of the Affordable Care Act.
Federal court grants Florida death-row inmate temporary stay
James Dailey, a prisoner who has been on Florida's death row for more than three decades and who has maintained his innocence, was granted a temporary stay of execution Oct. 23.
Religious freedom panel examines ways to protect holy sites worldwide
In light of continued attacks on houses of worship and holy sites around the world, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom held an Oct. 23 hearing at the Capitol to learn ways to deter such attacks.
Baltimore Archdiocese breaks ground for school named for Oblates founder
A group of students wearing white shirts emblazoned with "Mother Mary Lange Catholic School Class of 2022" formed two receiving lines as several hundred guests gathered Oct. 23 for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site.
Common climate crisis: Regional church networks tackle shared problems
Deforestation, land grabbing and climate change -- life-and-death issues raised at the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon -- also are wreaking havoc in Central America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific islands.
Judge rejects requiring doctors to perform transition surgery, abortions
In an Oct. 15 ruling, Judge Reed O'Connor of U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in Wichita Falls affirmed his previous decision that "the rule imposes a substantial burden on private plaintiffs' religious exercise."
Indiana Catholics share experiences of racism at listening session
INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) — It wasn’t easy for Daryl Whitley to stand before a diverse audience of listeners as he prepared to share his experiences of racism. But he knew that doing so could promote justice and racial healing. So, crediting the Holy Spirit, Whitley told about 100 people at an Indianapolis archdiocesan listening session how […]
Conference hears how women’s voices can help strengthen Catholic Church
The church needs the voices of women wherever important decisions are made -- and it needs their voices now more than ever, speakers said during the three-day Women of the Church Conference.
Groups call for end to use of aborted fetal tissue in animal research
Although the Trump administration banned the practice in June for federal research at the National Institutes of Health, research continues in 31 different states with research dates not expiring until 2023 or even later.