National News
People think Little Sisters getting bad deal from feds, poll shows
According to a Marist Poll survey, 53% of Americans say it is "unfair" how the federal government is treating the Little Sisters of the Poor in the dispute over compliance with the contraceptive mandate.
Mississippi becomes fourth state to ban dismemberment abortions
"This law has the power to change how the public views the gruesome reality of abortion in the United States," Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said in a statement.
Sanders says his invitation to Vatican wasn’t political
The Democratic candidate was among economists, church leaders and politicians invited to attend a conference April 15-16 studying St. John Paul II's encyclical "Centesimus Annus," sponsored by a Vatican office.
Virginia bishops ‘dismayed’ by vetoes of ‘life and liberty’ measures
Amid his vetoes of several bills passed by the Virginia Legislature, Gov. Terry McAuliffe "made three decisions that contradict life and liberty at their core," said the state's Catholic bishops.
Panelists at Georgetown discuss today’s ‘throwaway culture’
Protests are planned at Georgetown University ahead of next week's scheduled talk by the head of Planned Parenthood Federation. The looming events prompted a broader discussion at the university this week.
Video looks at meaning of religious freedom, court fight on mandate
Religious freedom "is foundational to our church and American society," said Archbishop William Lori in announcing a new video on religious liberty and the contraceptive mandate case now before the Supreme Court.
$1.5 million grant boosts study of science, faith in seminaries
The courses are not just limited to clergy, but also have seminarians, lay ministers and anyone interested in the intersection of Catholicism and the sciences in mind, Doris Donnelly told Catholic News Service.
Religious groups OK workaround on contraceptive coverage
Lawyers for Catholic dioceses and the Little Sisters of the Poor said they could live with the government providing free birth control for women if the coverage is independent from religious employers' plans.
Nebraska bishops ‘deeply regret’ school group’s vote on transgender issue
Even though four of the six districts in the state approved a "sex at birth" proposal, including a majority of public schools, board members voted to allow sports participation for transgender students.
Pew survey tracks effect of faith on Americans’ everyday lives
The upshot: People who are "highly religious" are more engaged with their families, volunteer more and generally are happier with life. They also lose their temper and tell lies as much as anyone else.