National News
Notre Dame to honor Biden and Boehner with 2016 Laetare Medal
With public confidence in government "at historic lows" and cynicism "high," the University of Notre Dame will present its 2016 Laetare Medal to two public servants known for "their leadership, civility and dedication to our nation," the university's president announced.
Massachusetts group seeks Supreme Court review of church property case
Parishioners occupying a Massachusetts Catholic church for more than a decade are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review and reverse a lower court decision calling for their removal from church property.
Divided court examines ‘undue burden’ test in abortion case
The U.S. Supreme Court stepped into some contentious waters March 2 when it heard oral arguments on abortion for the first time in nearly a decade and almost 25 years since it issued a major ruling on abortion.
‘Pray It Forward’ social media campaign focuses on sisters’ many ministries
As they tend to the spiritual and physical needs of people, including the most vulnerable, women religious rely on the amazing power of prayer. A new social media campaign developed by Sisters United News is designed to help remind people of that fact.
Congress agrees on something: Bill calls Mid-East violence ‘genocide’
A U.S. House committee unanimously passed a bipartisan measure condemning as genocide the killing of Christians and other minorities by Islamic State militants in the Middle East.
Court hears oral arguments in challenge to Texas abortion restrictions
The almost 90 minutes of oral arguments March 2 were before a court left with eight members following the Feb. 13 death of Justice Antonin Scalia, who regularly voted to uphold abortion limitations and was expected to have provided the fifth vote in this case to uphold the requirements.
Burns: Church must ‘remain vigilant’ to protect children from ‘scourge of abuse’
"We must never lose sight of the fact that every victim/survivor has personally experienced profound injury, suffering and betrayal," Bishop Burns said.
Ability to ‘see’ can dissolve racism, Cardinal Turkson says
To describe how racism can be dissolved, Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, referred to Zulu greetings in his March 3 message to an Alabama conference.
U.S. architect recalls events that led him to design chapel at Vatican
Since he was elected in 2013 and decided to live in the Domus Sanctae Marthae instead of the apostolic apartments, Pope Francis has said daily Mass in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit located just next to the modest hotel.
Pennsylvania bishop pledges transparency in dealing with abuse reports
Bishop Mark Bartchak of Altoona-Johnstown apologized to abuse victims and people of the diocese two days after a grand jury reported on the sexual abuse of hundreds of children and a pattern of concealment.