National News
Catechism revision adds impetus in death penalty abolition fight
The revision to section 2267 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church calls capital punishment "an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person," and commits the church to work "with determination" for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty.
U.S. monastery transmits Christmas Holy Land experience to Washington
In a season full of wonky Washington cocktail parties, the Franciscans aim instead for a more modest and spiritually meaningful way to mark the birth of Jesus.
Reader’s Digest calls Ukrainian Catholic church a ‘real-life’ miracle
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, built in 1911, sits on a hilltop above the famous but mostly abandoned town of Centralia, where underneath a fire has been burning in a network of mines since 1962.
Significant wins seen in the battle against pornography
Media giants, hotel chains and retailers are removing or restricting risque content in response to a new view of pornography as a public health crisis.
Pa. bishop thanks people for prayers, ‘kind words’ during illness
Bishop Edward C. Malesic, 58, of Greensburg has posted a video thank-you for people of his western Pennsylvania diocese after his procedure following a heart attack on Thanksgiving weekend.
Maryknoll missioners sent out to ‘create more just, compassionate world’
Twelve Maryknoll lay missioners -- including individuals, couples, a family and one Maryknoll sister -- ages 23 to 69, will begin their three-and-a-half years' service to five countries in Latin American and Africa.
Late Trappist monk still has impact on people of all faiths, says priest
Fifty years after his death, Father Thomas Merton is still helping to draw others nearer to Christ through his writings and the communities they tend to create.
Christmas season brings joy, stress for survivors of natural disasters
Catholic Charities licensed mental health counselors from around South Florida spent the first week of December offering therapy and faculty training to hard-hit areas of Northwest Florida following this year's unusually strong storm there.
Panel: Aim of ‘seamless garment’ to unite Catholics on all life issues
Since Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin introduced the "seamless garment" approach to life issues 35 years ago, the notion has been both divisive and formative for the church, according to speakers at a Dec. 11 panel in New York.
Big decisions, bench changes for U.S. Supreme Court this year
The Supreme Court's past year will probably be remembered more for the shakeup at the bench than for specific rulings.