National News
California bill targets abortion-alternative clinics
California's 71 alternative pregnancy clinics may be forced to inform pregnant women that abortion is available to them if a fast-moving bill becomes law.
LCWR goes on ‘with our normal life’ after mandate ends, official says
Sister Sharon Holland told Catholic News Service that the leaders of the organization and Vatican officials reached agreement on several key issues under a mandate for reform issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in an atmosphere that promoted understanding and respect.
Number of Americans with no religion is rising, survey says
A new Pew Research Center survey found 8 percent fewer Americans identify themselves as Christian, since 2007. Of the one-third raised Catholic, 41 percent no longer identify with Catholicism.
Scathing report calls for end to immigrant detentions
The expansion of immigrant detention centers -- up to 250 nationwide, costing $1.7 billion to maintain -- amounts to corporations profiting from "the misery of other human beings," said a bishop.
‘Inequality of opportunity’ termed a root cause of societal decline
Robert Putnam, who has been charting the relative strength of the American social fabric since his 1995 book "Bowling Alone," said May 11 the "inequality of opportunity" in the United States is what is leading to a sense of despair and isolation among the nation's poor.
Benedictine nuns make their home on the range
Sister Maria Walburga Schortemeyer is at home wading through the mud and manure of a barnyard in boots, work pants, a fleece jacket, and her white veil.
N.Y. Catholic teachers seek wage increase, take part in rolling strike
The Federation of Catholic Teachers, which represents more than 2,600 teachers, said they were striking to protest what the group calls unfair labor practices charges it has raised against the archdiocese's Association of Catholic Schools.
Sister Prejean tells Boston jury Tsarnaev told her of regret for victims
Sister Prejean, the Sister of Saint Joseph of Medaille and author of, "Dead Man Walking," said during the defense's portion of the sentencing phase of Tsarnaev's trial that she had met with him five times since March.
Married former Anglican priest ordained for special ministry
A Minnesota husband and grandfather was ordained to the Catholic diaconate and priesthood in early May with the approval of Pope Francis. He will lead a Catholic community of former Anglicans.
Texas governor: Response to prayer after accident made him stronger
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Catholic, noted at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, held May 7 in Washington, there are times when "our prayers are answered differently than the way we expect."