Global religious freedom law is ineffective, panel says

Jun 13, 2013 - 05:32 pm .- Speaking before a congressional subcommittee, religious liberty experts warned that a U.S. law passed 15 years ago to promote international religious freedom needs stronger enforcement.  

Colorado fire draws aid efforts, call for prayers

Jun 13, 2013 - 03:48 pm .- A massive forest fire in Colorado Springs has destroyed more homes than any previous fire in the state, prompting the local Catholic Charities head to ask for prayers for the victims and for an end to the blaze.

Pueblo bishop resigns due to poor health

Jun 13, 2013 - 06:33 am .- Pope Francis announced on June 13 that he has accepted the early resignation of Bishop Fernando Isern of Pueblo, Colo., due to poor health and for the good of the local Church.  

Church-turned-abortion clinic now a pro-life haven

Jun 13, 2013 - 04:03 am .- An encounter with a pro-life center that had previously served as both a house of worship and an abortion clinic at different times in its history has left a lasting impression on one pro-life leader.

Lawmaker calls for concrete action to fight modern slave trade

Jun 12, 2013 - 05:04 pm .- A U.S. congressman urged the international community to train transportation employees to identify and fight human trafficking situations, as well as to establish a hotline for trafficking victims.

Opponents charge Calif. abuse bill targets Catholic schools

Jun 12, 2013 - 02:02 am .- Critics say a proposed Calif. bill lifting the statute of limitations on some child sex abuse lawsuits threatens the Catholic Church and its schools, failing to allow suits for similar abuse in public schools.

Bishop laments student's nude protest as intolerant

Jun 12, 2013 - 12:01 am .- Bishop David A. Zubik of Pittsburgh voiced dismay over the lack of respect shown to religious beliefs when a local college student publicly dressed up as a Pope, though nude from the waist-down.

IRS scandals raise doubts over HHS mandate judgment

Jun 11, 2013 - 05:34 pm .- The targeting of conservative, pro-life and religious non-profits by the Internal Revenue Service is drawing concern over the agency’s authority to decide exemptions to the HHS mandate.

Critics decry decision to remove age limits for Plan B

Jun 11, 2013 - 02:07 pm .- Citing the health and wellbeing of young girls, critics slammed the Obama administration’s decision to allow children of any age to purchase “emergency contraception” over-the-counter.

Women's caucus to connect pro-life lawmakers nationwide

Jun 11, 2013 - 12:13 am .- A new nationwide caucus is seeking to organize and recruit pro-life women to run for political office and pass legislation that will defend human life from the moment of conception.

Retired Brooklyn bishop dies from car accident

Jun 10, 2013 - 04:49 pm .- Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan, an auxiliary bishop emeritus of the Brooklyn diocese, died June 7 from injuries received in a May 30 car accident.

Cardinal Dolan praises immigration bill as step forward

Jun 10, 2013 - 02:30 pm .- Stressing that immigration reform is needed to “correct injustices,” Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan said that the proposed bill in the U.S. Senate makes serious progress in efforts to balance humanitarian and security concerns.

New iPad story draws children into the life of Jesus

Jun 9, 2013 - 04:03 pm .- A Christian game developer has released an interactive storybook application to help make the message of the Gospel more accessible for kids.

Ireland's co-patron St. Columba celebrated June 9

Jun 9, 2013 - 06:06 am .- On June 9 the Catholic Church commemorates the sixth-century Irish monk and missionary Saint Columba of Iona, also known as St. Columcille.

Surrogate pregnancy bill in DC draws criticism

Jun 8, 2013 - 06:06 pm .- A lack of information about the dangers of surrogate pregnancy could soon allow the practice to become legal in Washington, D.C., warned the founder of one bioethics organization.

Mom contrasts rush to save baby twins with Gosnell murders

Jun 8, 2013 - 06:03 am .- When her twin girls were born suddenly at only 26 weeks, Anne Ponton said doctors and nurses in her home town of Irving, Texas fought diligently for her babies' survival.

Gosnell case adds urgency to pro-life efforts, say legislators

Jun 7, 2013 - 06:31 pm .- Pro-life lawmakers said at a recent event that legislative efforts to fight criminal activity and fraud in the abortion industry have a renewed importance in light of the recent Gosnell trial.

State lacks authority to redefine marriage, says bishop

Jun 7, 2013 - 05:06 pm .- Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield, Ill., explained that marriage is rooted in nature and exists prior to the state, which has the authority to recognize, but not redefine, the fundamental social institution.

California conference aims to help build Catholic culture

Jun 7, 2013 - 03:35 pm .- Leading Catholics will gather in California's Napa Valley this August for the third annual Napa Institute Conference to discuss the sanctity of work and how to build Catholic culture in a secular society.

Bishop co-authors booklet on blessing of unborn children

Jun 7, 2013 - 12:08 pm .- A new booklet on the vocation of Christian parenthood and its relationship to the parish and broader society is now available online.