National News
Joy, a sign of God’s presence, is what church needs, Cardinal Dolan says
Catholic leaders attending the opening Mass of the "Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of The Gospel in America" were urged to reflect joy -- a sign of God's presence -- and not exclusively focus on the world's problems.
Avoiding deportation: Shifting policies leave many on tenterhooks
Immigrants facing deportation have won the occasional judicial victory, but getting a judge to hear their case poses the bigger problem in immigrants' desperate attempt to stay in the United States.
Faith ‘compels us’ to fight scourge of opioid crisis, says bishop
Bishop Edward C. Malesic of Greensburg in a pastoral letter called the opioid crisis in this country a scourge and urged the people of his diocese to take action against it.
Democrats for Life meet with Perez on future of pro-life views in party
Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats for Life of America, along with other Democrats for Life board members and pro-life Democrat political figures, met with Perez and DNC staff June 27 to discuss the state of the Democratic Party and the pro-life cause.
Illinois sued over law targeting conscientious objectors to abortion
Pro-life physicians and crisis pregnancy centers have filed suit in state and federal court against an Illinois law that specifically requires those with a conscientious objection to abortion to give their patients information about abortion providers and what the state calls the "benefits" of an abortion.
Bishop prohibits Catholics in same-sex unions from receiving Communion
Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield decree that people in same-sex marriages may not receive the sacrament of anointing of the sick or have a Catholic funeral unless they "have given some signs of repentance."
State courts pick up cases after religious freedom ruling
Following its decision in Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a series of petitions to be sent back to state courts June 27.
Taking ‘vital coverage’ from those in need ‘unacceptable,’ says bishop
After the Congressional Budget Office's analysis showed the U.S. Senate's health care reform bill would leave 22 million more people without insurance, Bishop Frank Dewane said those families "need and deserve health care."
In Washington, Salvadoran diaspora in awe of first Salvadoran cardinal
As El Salvador's first cardinal receives his red hat June 28 at the Vatican, 260,000 Salvadorans -- one of the largest communities of Salvadorans outside of the country -- will be watching.
New bishop of Davenport, Iowa, promises love, fidelity for his people
No one who attended the ordination of Bishop Thomas R. Zinkula was alive the last time a bishop was ordained in and for the Diocese of Davenport more than 100 years ago.