National News
Medieval traditions used by Luther to form his stance on justification
In theological terms, justification is God's act of removing the guilt and penalty of sin while at the same time declaring a sinner righteous through Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
Maryland priest hopes summer convocation sparks missionary renewal
Father Mark Bialek will attend the "Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of the Gospel in America," a national gathering in Orlando, Florida, from July 1-4, to learn about evangelization and share ideas with other Catholic leaders.
Bishops urge Trump to honor Paris climate pact to protect the planet
The United States has an obligation to honor the Paris climate agreement to protect "our people and our planet" and "mitigate the worst impacts of climate change," said the chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace.
Church leaders keep asking for compassion toward immigrants
At the national and local level, church leaders have been trying to comfort immigrant Catholic communities, while at the same time responding to criticism from other Catholics about their outreach to immigrants.
Ecumenical leaders call for context, nuance in Catholic-Lutheran dialogue
Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch, renowned for his ecumenical efforts, addressed a Washington gathering of Catholic and Lutheran leaders striving for unity.
Theologians ask if Luther split needed to be a ‘church-dividing’ event
That is the question some theologians and historians are asking in 2017, the 500th anniversary of Luther's posting of his 95 theses on a church door in Wittenberg, Germany.
Historic Arizona chapel built by artist DeGrazia damaged in fire
The chapel was built by Ted DeGrazia in 1952 in honor of Jesuit missionary Father Eusebio Kino and dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Federal appeals court upholds injunction against Trump’s travel ban
"Congress granted the president broad power to deny entry to aliens, but that power is not absolute. It cannot go unchecked when, as here, the president wields it through an executive edict that stands to cause irreparable harm to individuals across this nation."
Oregon Catholic father of four killed trying to protect fellow passengers
Rick Best defended two women being accosted by a passenger yelling hate speech about Muslims and other groups. Best, a 53-year-old member of Christ the King Parish in Milwaukie, Oregon, would die for his noble deed.
College presidents appeal to homeland security for meeting on ‘dreamers’
Worried about the fate of some of their students, more than 65 college presidents representing U.S. Catholic institutions asked for a meeting with the Secretary of Homeland Security to talk about immigration policy.