U.S. bishops view Supreme Court’s rulings as ‘tragic day for marriage’
U.S. Catholic bishops said the U.S. Supreme Court's June 26 rulings on same-sex marriage were a "tragic day for marriage and our nation." The court, in separate 5-4 rulings struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, defining marriage as between one man and one woman and also refused to rule on the merits of a challenge to California's Proposition 8, the voter-approved initiative barring same-sex marriage.
Pope Francis says ‘All of us’ are equally important in the Church
The stability of the church requires that it be built on Jesus, but its beauty and strength also rely on the contributions of each and every Christian, Pope Francis said.
Supreme Court overturns DOMA, sends Prop 8 back to lower court
The federal Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, defining marriage as between one man and one woman is unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause, the Supreme Court ruled June 26 in a 5-4 opinion.
Syrian priest killed during rebel attack on Franciscan convent
A 49-year-old Syrian priest and hermit was killed June 23, apparently when a group of rebels attacked the Franciscan Convent of St. Anthony in Ghassanieh, a village in the north near the Turkish border.
Indian church groups join rescue, relief efforts in flooded northeast
Church charity groups in India joined security personnel in rescue and relief work for hundreds of thousands of people affected by flash floods and massive landslides in northeastern India's Uttarakhand state
‘Roe’ raised more questions about abortion than it resolved, says speaker
In 1973, many people thought the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision would resolve the abortion debate, but "in fact, it was no resolution at all," said the associate director of the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities.
Environment advocates consider Obama climate plan a good step forward
Catholics working for environmental justice welcomed President Barack Obama's plan to address climate change, saying it is an ambitious proposal that deserves watching to ensure that it is carried out.
U.S. Supreme Court overturns key provision of Voting Rights Act
The Supreme Court June 25 overturned the part of the Voting Rights Act used to determine that 15 states have had to comply with the law's protections for minority voters.
Knights sponsor vigil for religious freedom on feast of English martyrs
A religious liberty prayer vigil held the evening of June 22 on the east lawn of the U.S. Capitol drew about 100 supporters including Mary Ellen Barringer, a volunteer with the D.C. Knights of Columbus State Council and a member of St. Bernadette Parish in Silver Spring, Md.
Lori: Faith serves public life, witnesses moral values democracy needs
Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore held up statesman Sargent Shriver and other Catholics like him as "a living example of how faith enriches public life" June 21 at a standing-room-only Mass opening the second Fortnight for Freedom.
