National News
Archbishop: Rulings to allow same-sex marriage ‘imposed wrong decision’
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As 2013 was drawing to a close, same-sex marriage became legal in two more states with rulings in New Mexico and Utah, which San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone strongly criticized.
Rulings in HHS lawsuits deliver mixed results for Catholic employers
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A U.S. District Court judge Dec. 20 changed a preliminary injunction to a permanent one barring enforcement of the federal health care law's contraceptive mandate against the Pittsburgh and Erie dioceses.
Fracking debate examines America’s quest for energy
The stances of two Pennsylvania Catholics sharing one faith illustrate the divide over how to develop vast natural gas deposits in shale formations across the United States. A three-part series explores the industrial process for extracting the gas, known as slick water hydraulic fracturing, the human dimensions of the debate and the insights of Catholic social teaching.
Advances in drilling technology led to fracking’s rapid expansion
The use of hydraulic fracturing in the U.S. to extract natural gas goes back more than 60 years. These days the Marcellus Shale under Pennsylvania is among the most active natural gas plays in the country. Along with the rapid development comes questions about safety and environmental protection.
Catholic voices raise moral concerns over fracking
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In ongoing national discussions about the mining of natural gas, Catholic voices are not necessarily taking sides while decidedly upholding the church's social teaching on the importance of protecting creation and promoting the common good.
N.J. Catholic Conference applauds passage of in-state tuition bill
TRENTON, N.J. (CNS) -- The New Jersey Catholic Conference praised state officials for adopting a law that allows undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition at the state's public colleges and universities.
New Mexico court, federal judge in Utah recognize same-sex marriage
UPDATED -- WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A federal judge Dec. 20 struck down Utah's ban on same-sex marriage, arguing it violated the U.S. Constitution's guarantees of equal protection and due process. A day earlier the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that barring same-sex couples from marrying violates the equal protection clause of that state's constitution.
Push for measures to limit gun violence continues despite roadblocks
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Senate's inability last spring to pass a bipartisan plan to expand gun background checks despite strong nationwide sentiment in favor of it is motivating a broad coalition of advocates to promote gun violence prevention laws.
Catholic leaders repeated call to Congress to help poor throughout 2013
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Fallout from the partial government shutdown in October and another looming round of automatic spending cuts in January kept congressional leaders busy at year's end to finalize a budget deal Republicans and Democrats could live with.
Rape of elderly nun shocks Pittsburgh area; teen arrested, charged
PITTSBURGH (CNS) -- An 18-year-old Pennsylvania man has been charged in the Dec. 13 rape of an 85-year-old retired member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden. The sister was attacked in the parking lot of St. Titus Church in Aliquippa, about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.