National News
Agencies ‘appalled’ by reports U.S. could end refugee admissions
News that the Trump administration is considering "zeroing out" the number of refugees accepted by the United States brought a swift outcry from Christian agencies urging the government to reconsider such a move.
Pope disciplines former West Virginia Bishop Bransfield
The retired bishop and Philadelphia native may not celebrate Mass publicly, may not reside in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and must "make amends" for harm stemming from allegations of sexual and financial misconduct.
Backing Catholic action day, bishops call out ‘cruelty’ in policies
Though they weren't present, seven U.S. bishops including Philadelphia Auxiliary Bishop Edward Deliman spoke in support of the July 18 "Catholic Day of Action for Immigrant Children" near the U.S. Capitol.
Moon landing inspired a country and a career in space flight
Retired Maj. Gen. Mike Wiedemer was an aerospace engineering student in 1969. After a long career in the field and now preparing to be a deacon, Wiedemer remains "a big proponent of space exploration for the benefit of mankind."
Bishop urges lawmakers to end ‘stranglehold’ on immigration to U.S.
Bishop Edward C. Malesic of Greensburg has called on U.S. lawmakers "to please work as hard as you can" on legislation that "releases the unnecessary stranglehold on immigration to the United States that has caused tragic and inhumane consequences."
Catholics focus on immigrant children with rally, civil disobedience
A few hundred Catholics, including dozens of women religious, gathered outside the U.S. Capitol July 18 urging politicians to stop the "inhumane treatment" of immigrant children at the border.
‘We need a habitat on the moon,’ says former NASA flight director
Upcoming space travel plans need to include living on the moon, similar to scientific habitats in the Arctic and Antarctica, said Gene Kranz, now 85, a Catholic parishioner in Texas.
Crookston Diocese reaches $5 million settlement with abuse survivors
The settlement resolves 15 lawsuits for sexual abuse claims filed between April 2016 and May 2017 because of the Minnesota Child Victims Act that lifted the statute of limitations on abuse cases in Minnesota.
Actor joins with those struggling for religious freedom in Middle East
Mahershala Ali addressed an evening reception of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Congressional Caucus, co-sponsored at the U.S. Capitol with the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. His words could apply equally to Christian sects who face discrimination, violence and marginalizing.
Mercy sisters honored for efforts to help New Hampshire end death penalty
A group of Mercy sisters has been honored by the New Hampshire Coalition Against the Death Penalty for the key role they played in making New Hampshire the 21st state in the country to abolish the death penalty.