National News

Roman Missal calls Easter Vigil ‘mother of all vigils’ for a reason

The Catholic Church pulls out all the stops for the Easter Vigil Mass, celebrated on Holy Saturday. Whether you are attending it or not, learn the rich meaning of the symbols and rituals of this most unique liturgy.

Study shows restrictions on religion around world once again on the rise

Of the 198 countries and self-administered territories in the study, released April 11, 105 experienced widespread government harassment of religious groups in 2015 -- the most recent year for which statistics are available.

Age, ethnicity examined in survey on U.S. Catholics’ views of Muslims

A new update to a 2016 study on Catholic perceptions of Islam finds little difference in answers from a variety of age groups and ethnicities.

Four years after his election, Pope Francis still excites U.S. Jesuit base

It has been four years since Pope Francis was elected to the papacy and Jesuits like Father Patrick J. Conroy still marvel that it happened.

Catholics advocate on issues of importance to church at state Capitol

With blue shirts that matched the wide blue sky above, Catholics by the thousands joined their bishops who lead the state's 15 dioceses at the Texas Capitol as one voice advocating for a number of issues as legislators met April 4.

Prayer cells still a vital part of World Apostolate of Fatima

Deacon Ellis said 140,000 Americans are known to be in prayer cells according to the apostolate's headquarters in Washington, New Jersey, but the names and contact information of people in prayer cells were not maintained until relatively recently.

Bishops back bill to let agencies opt out of adoption for same-sex couples

Three bishops voiced their support of the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act, which would permit social service agencies to refuse on religious grounds to provide adoption or foster services for households headed by same-sex couples.

New Supreme Court justice says he’s humbled by call to serve high court

After he was sworn in for the U.S. Supreme Court in a public ceremony at the White House Rose Garden April 10, Justice Neil Gorsuch said he would be "a faithful servant of the Constitution" and of the laws "of this great nation."

Catholic advocates urge feds to suspend deportation of mother of four

Maribel Trujillo Diaz fled Mexico in 2002 and has been living in the United States since then without legal authorization. Her family has been targeted by Mexican cartels because they have refused to work for them."

Arizona governor lauded for signing bill to expand school choice in state

The Arizona Catholic Conference hailed the expansion of an Arizona school choice program that will allow any kindergarten through 12th-grade student to use state funds to pay for private school or other educational expenses.