National News
Annual poll shows consistent desire for restrictions on abortion
Since the Knights of Columbus began commissioning polls on American attitudes toward abortion in 2008, the results have consistently shown that about 80 percent of Americans favor some kind of restriction on access to abortion.
With new initiative, Knights aim to work more closely with parishes
"We will use our resources of time, talent and money to strengthen parish-based and parish-sponsored programs," he wrote.
Supreme Court agrees to review Obama’s actions on deferred deportation
The U.S. Supreme Court Jan. 19 agreed to review President Barack Obama's executive actions to protect from deportation both those who came to the U.S. as children and the immigrant parents of children who are U.S. citizens or legal residents of this country.
Nebraska’s bishops urge reversal of policy on student gender identity
The board had voted 6-2 just hours earlier to create a pathway for male students who identify as females to compete on girls' teams -- and females who identify as males to compete on boys' teams.
Push for legalizing assisted suicide stalls out in New Jersey Senate
At least for the foreseeable future, assisted suicide will remain illegal in New Jersey. The state Senate's legislative session expired at noon Jan. 12, ensuring that a bill that would have legalized the practice would not come to a vote.
Puerto Rico archbishop’s political opinion finds its way to Supreme Court
The gist of a Catholic archbishop's opinion, rendered in a guest commentary in a national magazine back in July, is today the basis of a U.S. Supreme Court case that has drawn local and international attention.
Abortion number, rate both down, says ‘State of Abortion’ report
The number of abortions, which had peaked at about 1.6 million in 1989, is now down to 1 million, according to federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics quoted in the report, which was issued Jan. 14.
Three Catholic newspapers fold in Michigan
The weekly Catholic papers in Saginaw, Lansing and Gaylord had been losing money in nine of the last 10 years. After exhausting financial reserves, they ceased publication Jan. 1.
Pro-lifers in U.S. shift approach in current social climate
Advocates are trying to change how pregnancy centers operate today, as smartphones have created new ways women seek information and obtain abortions. "This is about supporting motherhood," said one woman.
State of Union address quickly highlights key Catholic issues
Although President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address Jan. 12 hit a fair amount of key Catholic issues, it did not go into detail on them.