Archive for March 12, 2020

Second-graders at St. Mary School in Bellevue watch a live ultrasound presentation Feb. 28 showing the 21-week-old baby inside Kelly Miller. ?w=200&h=150

By Jonah McKeown

Why this group performs ultrasounds in Nebraska schools

Pregnancy ultrasounds are often intimate moments, performed in the privacy of a doctor’s office. But pregnant volunteers, and one Nebraska... Read more

Pope Francis offers Mass in Casa Santa Marta on March 12, 2020. ?w=200&h=150

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis: Do not forget the poor during the coronavirus pandemic

The suffering of the poor cannot be ignored during the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said Thursday in his televised morning... Read more

Vatican offices on an empty Papa Pio XII Square. ?w=200&h=150

By Hannah Brockhaus

Vatican offices to remain open amid coronavirus lockdown

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Vatican City State offices and dicasteries of the Holy See will remain open and working, with... Read more

Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Old City of Jerusalem. ?w=200&h=150

By Christine Rousselle

Pilgrimages canceled as new Israeli quarantine comes into effect

New Israeli quarantine measures, in effect from Thursday, have led to cancelled trips to the Holy Land, with some pilgrims... Read more

Burned car in the center of city after unrest in Odesa, Ukraine. ?w=200&h=150

By Matt Hadro

'Somebody is killed every day': Bishop pleads for Christians to remember Ukraine

With global attention focused on the coronavirus outbreak, Ukrainian Catholic bishop has urged Christians not to forget their suffering brethren in... Read more

National Guard members hand out food to residents near a one-mile radius "containment area" set up to halt coronavirus March 12, 2020 in New Rochelle, New York. ?w=200&h=150

By Jonah McKeown

Places of worship caught in New Rochelle coronavirus 'containment area'

Places of worship in a New York City suburb are facing unprecedented measures to fend off the spread of coronavirus... Read more

An empty St. Peter's Square amid coronavirus precautions, March 12, 2020. ?w=200&h=150

By Hannah Brockhaus

Rome's church buildings closed through April 3

The vicar general of Rome, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, announced Thursday the closure of all churches in the diocese through... Read more

Saint James Cathedral, Seattle, Wa. ?w=200&h=150

In Seattle, public Masses suspended, but prayer and ministry continue

The Archdiocese of Seattle has suspended public Masses and closed some Catholic schools, but priests in the archdiocese have been... Read more

Factory in Jiangxi province, China. ?w=200&h=150

By Matt Hadro

Chinese forced labor is in US supply chain, Congressional report finds

Political, ethnic and religious prisoners are being used as forced labor in China, making goods that end up in U.S.... Read more

US Secretary of State Michael Mike Pompeo. ?w=200&h=150

State Department releases annual human rights report

The State Department released its annual human rights report on Wednesday, offering the administration’s summary of the situation in nearly... Read more

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Full US appeals court considers Ohio Down syndrome abortion ban

The full Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on March 11 heard arguments over an Ohio law that prohibits abortions... Read more

Archbishop Alexander Sample. ?w=200&h=150

Portland archdiocese will not cancel public Masses, after Oregon gov bans large gatherings

The Archdiocese of Portland will not cancel public Sunday Masses, after Oregon’s governor responded to the coronavirus pandemic by announcing... Read more

Refugee children at a refugee camp in Duhok, Iraq, March 28, 2015. ?w=200&h=150

By Perry West

Nonprofit seeks to provide computers to Iraqi Christian schools

While Christian schools in Iraq continue to suffer, a non-profit that promotes positive engagement in the Middle East is aiming... Read more