News
High court to hear challenge to Texas law regulating abortion clinics
The 2013 state law requires the clinics to meet the same standards as ambulatory surgical centers when performing abortions and also requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a hospital near an abortion clinic.
Pray to lead with understanding hearts, credible voices, bishops told
At the opening Mass for the annual fall assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the USCCB president urged his brother bishops to pray for virtues that would help them be better spiritual leaders.
Diocesan-based healing ministry brings church’s mercy after abortion
The Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis is a particularly appropriate time to raise awareness about Project Rachel, the Catholic program that helps people heal in the aftermath of an abortion, three cardinals told their fellow bishops Nov. 16.
Philippine church leaders: Don’t let poor get forgotten at APEC summit
As world leaders started arriving in Manila Nov. 17 for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit, church leaders voiced concern that the poor might be forgotten once again in the high-level meeting.
Accepting invite from Rome’s Jewish community, pope to visit synagogue
Invited by Rome's Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni, Pope Francis will be the third pope to visit the synagogue; St. John Paul II made his landmark visit in 1986 and Pope Benedict XVI visited in 2010.
Bishops introduce statement on pornography at fall meeting
In introducing the pornography document. "Create a Clean Heart in Me," to the bishops, Bishop Richard J. Malone, of Buffalo, New York, chair of the bishops' Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, described pornography as a "dark shadow in our world today."
High court’s ruling prompts bishops’ pastoral plan for family, marriage
The pastoral plan, according to Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo, New York, chairman of the bishops' Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, will seek the input of the nation's Catholic bishops.
Archbishop appeals for more priests to serve as military chaplains
The head of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services said there were only 217 Catholic priests serving the 1.8 million Catholics in the U.S. armed forces around the world, and the numbers would soon decline because of retirements and medical leaves.
Chinese priest dies under mysterious circumstances
On Nov. 11, police informed the family of Father Pedro Yu Heping, also known as Wei Heping, that the priest's body had been found in the Fen River, a tributary of the Yellow River that flows through Shanxi province, reported ucanews.com.
Bishops hear details on 2017 Orlando convocation for Catholic leaders
A 2017 convocation for Catholic leaders represents "a new way of reaching and teaching our people," Bishop Richard W. Malone of Buffalo, New York, told the fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Nov. 16 in Baltimore.