National News
N.Y. detective remembered at funeral for courage, selflessness, heroism
Luis Alvarez, 53, was one of many New York police detectives and first responders on the scene after the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center on 9/11.
HHS delays implementation of conscience protection rule for health workers
Under the rule, which was to have taken effect July 22, medical workers or institutions would not have to provide, participate in or pay for procedures they object to on moral or religious grounds, such as abortion and sterilization.
At Capitol, faith-based organizations shine light on human trafficking
The National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, the USCCB and the District of Columbia Baptist Convention hosted the daylong conference. Participants later lobbied lawmakers for tougher laws against human trafficking.
Judge blocks Ohio’s ban on abortions after fetal heartbeat detected
Judge Michael Barrett of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio said in 12-page order the court conclude that the law, signed by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in April, "places an 'undue burden' on a woman's right to choose a pre-viability abortion.
Trump spotlights religious sister, Catholic flight director of Apollo 11
In his "Salute to America" speech July 4 at the Lincoln Memorial, President Donald Trump praised the work and dedication of a woman religious and the Catholic man who was the flight director of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing.
Trump administration continues push for citizenship question
UPDATED - Although the Justice Department announced July 2 it would no longer argue to have the citizenship question added to the 2020 census, the Trump administration continues to look at all possible options to get the question included.
Religious freedom is basis of all other freedoms in U.S., cardinal says
The nation's Bill of Rights guaranteed freedom of religion, not freedom from religion, New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan told a crowd of more than 3,000 gathered in Orem for a patriotic event held each year around the Fourth of July.
Government must account for families separated at border by October
President Trump and a federal judge ended the family separation policy in June 2018, but it continues to be used by officials "when they feel like it," said a migration advocate. The flow of asylum-seekers hit a seven-year high in May.
Chicago woman’s healing is miracle in Cardinal Newman’s sainthood cause
A few prayers to Blessed John Henry Newman became a "constant dialogue" and then a desperate response to an emergency for Melissa Villalobos of Chicago. Her healing was accepted as the miracle needed for the 19th-century British cardinal's canonization.
Washington state bishops call for ‘comprehensive immigration reform’
In a June 28 statement, the bishops called the current stalemate on immigration reform a "disappointing reality (that) continues to complicate efforts of law enforcement, sow discord in our communities and harm vulnerable people."