Catholic Charities USA laments food assistance cuts

May 18, 2013 - 04:03 pm .- Catholic Charities USA and other agencies across the country harshly criticized a $21 billion cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program included in the Farm Bill introduced recently to Congress.

Study shows undocumented immigrants largely Christian

May 18, 2013 - 01:01 pm .- A new study says that undocumented immigrants to the U.S. tend to be more Christian than the general population, while new legal permanent residents tend to be less Christian.

Donohue says IRS probe triggered by Catholics United

May 18, 2013 - 06:02 am .- Bill Donohue of the Catholic League said he was “stunned” that the IRS investigated his organization in 2008, charging that the Democrat-leaning group Catholics United filed the complaint and used it to argue that CNN should drop him as a commentator.

Marriage advocates plan to sue IRS over leaks

May 17, 2013 - 05:03 pm .- The National Organization for Marriage is filing a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, after its confidential tax return was leaked from the agency to the group's chief political opposition.

Pro-life groups claim to be among IRS targets

May 17, 2013 - 04:02 am .- Along with its targeting of conservative political groups for extra scrutiny, Internal Revenue Service employees also reportedly singled out pro-life leaders for intimidation.

Gay adoption bill could downsize Catholic agencies

May 17, 2013 - 02:04 am .- As a new bill aims to bar federal funding of adoption services that do not place children with gay couples, an Illinois Catholic leader warned a similar law there downsized faith-based agencies.

Vatican representative at UN pleads for end to Syria 'bloodbath'

May 17, 2013 - 12:06 am .- The apostolic nuncio to the United Nations urged those with influence over the warring parties in Syria to encourage them to end the violence and seek peace.

Catholic professor says IRS audit deterred her criticisms of Obama

May 16, 2013 - 05:18 pm .- A Catholic professor says that an IRS audit that may have been politically motivated made her much less likely to criticize President Barack Obama in her writings.

Judge drops charge against Bishop Finn, forcing settlement

May 16, 2013 - 04:38 pm .- A Missouri judge has dropped a charge that Bishop Robert Finn and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph aided and abetted a priest who possessed child pornography, though another charge remains and the diocese has settled a $600,000 lawsuit in the case.

Alabama charity restructures to better serve community

May 16, 2013 - 04:02 am .- Catholic Social Services of Mobile is undergoing a fund raising effort so that it can more effectively provide assistance to those in need in southern Alabama through a centralized office.

Britain urged to investigate murder of Irish human rights champion

May 16, 2013 - 02:13 am .- Witnesses and congressmen at a U.S. hearing renewed a call to the British government to launch a public inquiry into the 1989 murder of Northern Irish human rights leader Patrick Finucane.

Assisted suicide corrupts medicine, Vermont diocese warns

May 16, 2013 - 12:02 am .- The Vermont legislature passed a bill allowing physicians to approve lethal drugs for terminally ill patients to kill themselves, a move the local Catholic diocese said will have major consequences.

State Department asked to aid Chen Guangcheng's nephew

May 15, 2013 - 05:04 pm .- A bipartisan coalition of Congress members has sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, calling for government action to protect the family members of Chinese pro-life leader Chen Guangcheng.

Cardinal 'deeply' troubled by human cloning development

May 15, 2013 - 02:02 pm .- Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley called the successful production of embryonic stem cells by cloning human embryos an “abuse” which ignores the dignity and value of the human person.

Catholic aid organization seeks to transform lives

May 15, 2013 - 02:04 am .- A Catholic foreign aid organization aims to advance the “integral development” of people it helps around the world by serving both their physical and spiritual needs.

Vatican II helped the world 'see Jesus,' says cardinal

May 15, 2013 - 12:11 am .- Cardinal Justin F. Rigali, archbishop emeritus of Philadelphia, said that the five Popes involved in the Second Vatican Council shared a common vision of protecting and spreading the Catholic faith. 

Minn. redefines marriage despite religious freedom warnings

May 14, 2013 - 05:04 pm .- The state of Minnesota has redefined marriage to include same-sex couples despite concerns over social wellbeing and religious liberty raised by Catholics and other faith leaders. 

Abortionist Gosnell sentenced to life in prison

May 14, 2013 - 03:41 pm .- Following his conviction for the murder of three babies born alive, abortionist Kermit Gosnell was sentenced Tuesday to two life sentences without parole for two of those murder charges.

Legion priest seeks to leave ministry to care for child

May 14, 2013 - 01:56 pm .- Prominent U.S. priest Father Thomas Williams has asked Pope Francis to dispense him from his priestly obligations in order to care for the child he fathered and the child's mother.

Second Fortnight for Freedom to highlight marriage, mandate

May 14, 2013 - 04:10 am .- The U.S. bishops' conference has announced a second Fortnight for Freedom, scheduled for the two weeks leading up to Interdependence Day, to raise awareness and support for the right to religious liberty.