National News
Nebraska bishop asks for prayers for burglar who stole his pectoral cross
The cross was stolen from his home, when the bishop was not there, at 1:30 p.m. A tripped alarm alerted diocesan officials and the Lincoln Police Department to the break-in.
Archbishop Cupich urges Illinois, nation to back gun control measures
Archbishop Blase J. Cupich of Chicago, saying it is time to "take meaningful and swift action to address violence in our society," called for stricter gun control laws in Illinois.
In 50 years since ‘Nostra Aetate,’ church has built strong interreligious ties
The scene in Foundation Hall of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum during Pope Francis' visit spoke volumes about the Catholic Church and interreligious relations. On the platform with Pope Francis Sept. 25 were representatives of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jewish, Muslim religions as well as Christian religions.
NCCW provides resource on domestic violence awareness
We are hopeful this new resource will give courage to victims to leave their abuser as well as educate others on the signs exhibited by persons experiencing domestic violence
Nuncio asks Arkansas governor to commute death sentences for eight men
The nuncio released the letter Oct. 7 in light of the execution dates set by the governor. Pope Francis and Little Rock Bishop Anthony B. Taylor have recently spoken about the Catholic Church's teaching against capital punishment.
Sentencing reforms working their way through Congress, but slowly
In the past 20 years under harsh federal sentencing guidelines meant to combat the war on drugs, gripes about the military-industrial complex gave way to concerns about a prison-industrial complex.
South Carolina bishop asks for prayers, support for families affected by floods
Authorities said at least 14 people died and media reported that rescuers have had to pluck hundreds from swamped cars and flooded houses. Some residents remained in danger Oct. 6 from residual effects of saturated grounds that can unearth weakened trees and collapse roads.
Catholic, Lutheran leaders shaken by reports of harvesting of body parts from abortions
"Like millions of Americans, including those in the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, we have been shaken to the core by what we have witnessed: intact babies, at times still alive, having their body parts harvested as a commodity," the statement said.
California bishops disappointed by Catholic governor’s OK of suicide law
California’s bishops expressed disappointment with Gov. Jerry Brown’s Oct. 5 signing of a measure legalizing physician-assisted suicide in the state, saying the law “stands in direct contradiction to providing compassionate, quality care for those facing a terminal illness.”
Oregon archbishop calls for prayers for the grieving, others push for gun control
St. Joseph Parish in Roseburg hosted an emotional Mass the evening of Oct. 1 for 10 people who died in a shooting that morning at Umpqua Community College. Auxiliary Bishop Peter Smith traveled from Portland for the liturgy.