National News
Chicago Archdiocese to benchmark all of its buildings for energy efficiency
"While it is a considerable undertaking, we have to set an example that it can be done and must be done if we are to fulfill our sustainability goals," Archbishop Cupich said of the benchmarking goal.
Cardinal Baum, longest serving U.S. cardinal, witnessed and made history
Cardinal William W. Baum, the archbishop of Washington from 1973 to 1980, died July 23 at the age of 88 after a long illness. He was a cardinal for 39 years -- the longest such tenure in U.S. church history.
Tide may be turning against harsh prison sentences
Readers of the Bible may recall the passage in Chapter 4 of Luke that presages the start of Jesus' public ministry, in which Jesus said, in part: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives."
Lafayette bishop offers prayers in wake of theater shooting
"On behalf of the Catholic faithful in the Diocese of Lafayette, we offer our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims of the shooting at the Grand Theater in Lafayette," Bishop Jarrell said in a July 23 statement.
‘Walk with Francis’ service pledge drive launched in honor of visit
In anticipation of Pope Francis' September visit to Washington, the Archdiocese of Washington and its Catholic Charities arm have launched an effort that challenges members of the local community to reach out to those in need.
‘Good Is Winning’ social media effort gears up for Pope Francis’ visit
A broad digital media project to coincide with Pope Francis' visit this fall to the United States aims to recruit and interact with young people, particularly those who do not think of themselves as religious.
Archbishop reflects on religious liberty challenges after Obergefell
"Marriage, as understood between one man and one woman, is embedded throughout the law," he said, "so to upend that is to produce a sea change in our legal system."
Wisconsin’s new law outlaws non-emergency abortions at or beyond 20 weeks
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker July 20 signed a bill into law that would prohibit all Wisconsin abortions at or beyond the 20-week gestation mark, making an exception only for medical emergencies.
New video released with Planned Parenthood official discussing abortion
Lawmakers and pro-life leaders said the videos document the organization's illicit activities in selling organs and tissue procured in abortions.
Nuns ask court for protection from complying with HHS mandate, fines
The sisters are being asked to choose between adhering to their Catholic faith -- which prohibits them from providing contraceptives -- and continuing to pursue their religious mission of serving the elderly poor, according to Sister Loraine Marie Maguire, mother provincial of the order.