National News
Keeping Chesterton’s memory alive seen as ‘tremendous’ gift to church
As a champion of the faith, G.K. Chesterton fought with "passion and panache" in his works, said Los Angeles Bishop Robert Barron, who spoke at a conference in Pennsylvania for the early 20th century British author.
National security, foreign policy worries a factor in 2016 election
Terror incidents in Europe, the Middle East and at home -- paired with perceptions of an increasingly fragile world order -- have created a heightened sense of vulnerability for many voters.
Biden called ‘counter-witness’ to church teaching for presiding at wedding
By officiating at a same-sex wedding, Vice President Joe Biden as a prominent Catholic politician has created confusion over church teaching on marriage and the "moral obligations of Catholics," three U.S. bishops said.
Shrine Mass honors St. Maximilian Kolbe on 75th anniversary of martyrdom
It was 75 years to the day in 1941 when the man -- known as prisoner 16670 at the infamous Auschwitz death camp in Nazi-occupied Poland -- received a lethal injection after he spent two weeks without food while comforting and encouraging his nine fellow prisoners before they died.
Bishops designate Wisconsin site of Marian apparitions as national shrine
Nearly 160 years ago, on Oct. 9, 1859, Mary appeared to a young Belgian immigrant living in Kewaunee County. Today, it is the only approved Marian apparition site in the United States.
Black women faced racism in pursuing religious vocations, says historian
Although they had to face tests of "passing for white" to join a religious congregation and accept subservient roles in those orders, or form their own, religious black women were highly regarded by black Catholics.
Pope names Dallas bishop head of new office for laity, family, life
After establishing the new Vatican office, Pope Francis named Dallas Bishop Kevin Farrell to lead it. He will join his brother, Bishop Brian Farrell, as the only two brother bishops ever to serve in the Vatican at the same time.
Women religious urged to face crisis with contemplation
The president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious told 800 members that they must find "a new way of exercising hope" even as the number of women religious serving the church continues to dwindle.
Violence in Milwaukee unrest ‘a self-inflicted wound,’ says archbishop
Protesters burned down six businesses in the city in response to the police shooting of Sylville K. Smith as he fled a traffic stop earlier that day. Pastors were discussing the causes of "the anger and the hopelessness that lead to violence."
As floods displace 20,000 people, Louisiana bishop comforts evacuees
Catholic churches in the Baton Rouge Diocese called for volunteers to help those driven from their homes by extreme flooding. A tropical storm system dumped nearly 2 feet of rain on southern Louisiana.