News
Third Option Program offers hope to couples in troubled marriages
The Third Option Program was founded in the mid-1980s in Syracuse, N.Y., to save troubled marriages by supporting and mentoring Catholic and other couples to help them address their difficulties. It is now an international program.
California Catholics urged to pray for defeat of medication abortion bill
If it becomes law, the state's public colleges and universities would have to provide RU-486, a chemical compound that, taken in pill form, can induce abortion in women up to 10 weeks pregnant by blocking the hormone progesterone needed to sustain a pregnancy.
Old school fun rules at annual kids’ picnic
More than 600 area children dove into a day filled with hula hoops, horseshoes and (of course) pool activities at a July 19 outing hosted by Catholic Social Services' Out of School Time program. Now in its ninth year, the gathering highlights the afterschool outreach's profound impact.
Fire destroys ‘treasured’ historic Catholic church in Texas
The Church of the Visitation in Westphalia, a nearly 125-year-old wooden church with bell towers on each side, burned to the ground July 29.
County board OKs Tucson Diocese’s use of facility for asylum-seekers
The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted July 22 to approve an agreement with Catholic Community Services and the Diocese of Tucson for use of vacant sections of the county's Juvenile Detention Center on the city's south side.
Polish church leader condemns ‘worsening attacks’ on clergy, churches
The president of the Polish bishops' conference condemned attacks on clergy and places of worship in the traditionally Catholic country as the church countered media accusations of inciting violence against LGBTQ groups.
Abortion rate falling in South Carolina; pro-life advocates welcome trend
The number of abortions occurring annually in South Carolina continues to fall, a trend welcomed by advocates who credit pro-life legislation and increased public awareness for the decline.
Far from home, Vietnamese nuns make friends in Philly
Sister Linh Tran and Sister Luyen Pham have been in residence at Holy Innocents Parish as part of a summer mission with archdiocesan Catholic Social Services. While helping area kids, they've honed their English, as well as their kickball and card-playing skills.
Piracy, mental health among issues for sailors, Canadian chaplain finds
International Maritime Bureau statistics show that 57 ships were boarded, three were hijacked and nine were fired upon by armed pirates between January and June this year. In five separate incidents, 21 crew members were kidnapped.
New Pax Christi leaders believe nonviolence education can change world
Pax Christi International has two new co-presidents and while they hail from different continents, they share the view that rampant violence is posing ever-growing danger to the world.