Michelle La Rosa

Michelle La Rosa

Michelle La Rosa is deputy editor-in-chief of Catholic News Agency. She has worked for CNA since 2011. She studied political philosophy and journalism at the University of Dallas.

Articles by Michelle La Rosa

Religious leaders urged to fight global persecution

Jan 11, 2013 / 02:03 am

Religious leaders in America are being called upon by a U.S. congressman to advocate for those across the globe who are oppressed for their faith.

One Iranian pastor freed, another remains imprisoned

Jan 9, 2013 / 14:03 pm

Reports in Iran indicate that a Christian pastor who was arrested on Christmas Day has been released, while a second pastor remains in prison for his religious beliefs.

New York auxiliary bishop picked to shepherd Camden

Jan 8, 2013 / 10:58 am

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan of New York to lead the Diocese of Camden, N.J., accepting the resignation of his predecessor.

Legal reform emphasized during National Migration Week

Jan 8, 2013 / 00:03 am

The U.S. bishops' migration committee is calling for prayer and action during National Migration Week to ease the struggles of immigrants coming to America.

Tens of thousands pledge support for Hobby Lobby

Jan 5, 2013 / 16:03 pm

More than 64,000 people throughout the U.S. have signed up to support Hobby Lobby on Jan. 5 for risking millions of dollars in profit to follow its Christian principles.

Notre Dame mandate lawsuit dismissed as premature

Jan 4, 2013 / 17:02 pm

A lawsuit filed by the University of Notre Dame to challenge the federal contraception mandate has been rejected as premature due to the government's promise to amend the regulation.

White House petitioned to label Catholic Church a 'hate group'

Jan 4, 2013 / 04:09 am

An online petition asking the White House to designate the Catholic Church as a “hate group” for its views on marriage is drawing criticism for generating unjust animosity.

Contraception mandate kicks in for wave of employers

Jan 3, 2013 / 18:01 pm

The battle over religious freedom is intensifying as the controversial federal contraception mandate goes into effect for many for-profit employers at the start of the New Year.

Bishops call for cultural changes after Newtown shooting

Jan 3, 2013 / 02:05 am

Disturbing trends of violence in society should prompt both policy examinations and cultural changes, said committee leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Iranian pastor's Christmas arrest worries religious liberty advocates

Jan 2, 2013 / 18:15 pm

A Christian pastor who spent nearly three years in an Iranian prison for his religious conversion was reportedly arrested again on Christmas Day, contrary to a previous agreement.

Hobby Lobby braces for millions in mandate fines

Jan 2, 2013 / 13:55 pm

Arts and crafts retailer Hobby Lobby says it is willing to pay fines of $1.3 million per day to follow its owners’ religious beliefs, which conflict with the federal mandate that requires coverage of abortion-inducing drugs.

Needs of the poor emphasized as fiscal cliff looms

Dec 29, 2012 / 16:02 pm

With just days left in 2012, advocates for the poor are asking elected officials to avert the fiscal cliff and its potentially devastating effects on the economy.

Les Misérables offers compelling message of hope

Dec 24, 2012 / 00:00 am

When it opens in theaters on Christmas Day, Les Misérables will evoke laughter, tears and applause from audiences while presenting a message of forgiveness and love that is desperately needed in our world.

Hobby Lobby turns to Supreme Court for mandate relief

Dec 20, 2012 / 17:53 pm

Arts and crafts giant Hobby Lobby will appeal to the nation’s highest court after an appeals court ruled the federal contraception mandate does not impose a “substantial burden” on the owners’ religious freedom.

DC appeals court rules new contraception rule must be issued

Dec 19, 2012 / 16:30 pm

Religious freedom advocates applauded a federal appeals court’s decision to hold the government accountable for revising its controversial contraception mandate.

Filipino bishops will not concede to 'reproductive health' bill

Dec 19, 2012 / 12:40 pm

Catholic leaders in the Philippines vowed to continue fighting for life, marriage and family as a controversial “reproductive health” bill passed both houses of Congress in the country.

Study finds 84 percent of world has religious affiliation

Dec 19, 2012 / 02:23 am

More than 80 percent of people around the world – about 5.8 billion individuals – identify with a religious group, according to a new study by the Pew Research Center.

Religious women support teenagers grieving after shooting

Dec 18, 2012 / 12:04 pm

Consecrated women from a religious community in Connecticut are offering prayers, counseling and support to high school students following a mass shooting in their town.

Domino's founder sues over contraception mandate

Dec 17, 2012 / 18:08 pm

Tom Monaghan, the founder and former owner of Domino's Pizza, is suing the federal government over a controversial mandate that requires him to violate his Catholic faith in his business decisions.

Contraception mandate challenge reaches appeals court

Dec 15, 2012 / 16:06 pm

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has become the first federal appellate court to hear arguments surrounding the federal contraception mandate, as two religious colleges argue that their religious freedom is threatened by the rule.