National News
Court says church has right to hire employees who ‘advance faith’
A court ruling that the New York Archdiocese did not discriminate against a school principal when it did not renew her contract affirms "the freedom of a church to decide who will serve as its religious leaders," said the Alliance Defending Freedom.
Man’s ‘Ministry of the Walking Stick’ shares insight into God’s love
An old stick in the woods might not conjure much emotion for someone on a woodland hike, but for Les Johnson a stick is the start of a prayerful journey.
Women religious urge Senate to reject bill repealing Affordable Care Act
Sister Simone Campbell personally delivered a letter to U.S. senators July 24 urging them to reject the Better Care Reconciliation Act and any proposals that would repeal the Affordable Care Act or cut Medicaid.
Welcoming new auxiliary a ‘wonderfully happy day,’ says archbishop
Bernard E. "Ned" Shlesinger III, the 56-year-old new bishop, most recently the director of spiritual formation at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, will soon be Atlanta's only auxiliary.
Suit aims to block law making pregnancy centers ‘advertise’ abortion
The law compels Hawaii's six pregnancy care centers to post or distribute information referring clients to state-provided prenatal services that would include contraception and abortion.
Access to Medicaid called ‘vital’ for West Virginians
Cuts to Medicaid, which serves a third of West Virginia's population, in any overhaul of the federal health care law would be detrimental to the state's residents, said Bishop Michael Bransfield and hospital officials.
Bishops oppose Texas official’s push to end youth migrant policy
After a Texas attorney general gave the Trump administration an ultimatum to end the DACA policy or face a lawsuit, the Catholic bishops of Texas blamed Congress for migrants' uncertain future.
Catholics mourn for victims killed, injured in Texas trafficking tragedy
The "senseless deaths" of 10 people who died of heat exhaustion and suffocation while being held in a tractor-trailer along with 29 others was a "monstrous form of modern slavery," said the bishop of San Antonio.
Doing well and doing good: Charities wary of Trump tax plan
President Donald Trump's proposed tax plan would place a cap on total itemized deductions, including those for charitable giving. By raising the standard deduction and eliminating the estate tax, experts say that this plan would reduce incentives that often prompt donations to charities.
Learning from natural family planning instructor said better than app
"Women ought to be careful and do some research on any app claiming to help track the biomarkers for use in natural family planning," advised Theresa Notare, assistant director of natural family planning in the Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth.