National News
Roe said to turn ‘beautiful truth’ about human dignity ‘inside out’
Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez Jan. 17 led about 15,000 people from throughout Southern California in celebrating "the beauty of every human life" from conception to natural death at OneLife LA.
Court OKs prisoner’s beard, declines case about confessional seal
The Supreme Court Jan. 20 ruled unanimously that the Arkansas prison system may not prohibit an inmate from growing a half-inch beard as a part of what he considers his religious obligation as a Muslim.
U.S. ambassador who fought for truth about churchwomen’s murders dies
Former U.S. ambassador Robert E. White, who put his diplomatic career on the line to get answers to the 1980 murders of four U.S. churchwomen in El Salvador, died of cancer at a hospice in Arlington Jan. 13. He was 88 years old.
Supreme Court will take up same-sex marriage cases
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- UPDATED -- The high court will tackle questions of whether the 14th Amendment requires states to allow such marriages and whether it requires them to recognize same-sex marriages licensed in other states.
KKK-linked billboard puts Arkansas city and parishioners on defensive
HARRISON, Ark. (CNS) -- A racially charged billboard lists a "White Pride Radio" website, which leads to information on the Ku Klux Klan. The white supremacist group has targeted blacks, immigrants, Catholics and Jews.
Catholic lawmakers urged to back immigration reform as pro-life issue
Catholic leaders urged fellow Catholics in Congress to set aside partisan bickering and support the U.S. bishops' efforts on comprehensive immigration reform, calling it an important step in building a culture of life.
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis files for bankruptcy protection
The decision to file for Chapter 11 reorganization will help settle clergy sexual abuse lawsuits in the Minnesota archdiocese, which has 21 pending such cases and potentially faces more than 100 additional suits.
Pope’s canonization announcement surprises even Serra’s promoters
Surprising even the people who have been promoting the sainthood cause of Blessed Junipero Serra, Pope Francis announced Jan. 15 that in September, he hopes to canonize the 18th-century Spanish Franciscan who founded a string of missions across Mexico and California.
Catholic press raises questions about role of satire aimed at religion
In the days since the terrorist attack in Paris that killed 12 satirical cartoonists, the discussion about the role of satire and just how far freedom of speech should go has become a hot topic.
Catholic university joins in plan to open New Jersey medical school
New Jersey's first private medical school will open in two years under a joint agreement announced Jan. 15 by Seton Hall University and Hackensack University Health Network.