Judge blocks expansion of religious exemptions to contraceptive mandate

WASHINGTON — A federal judge temporarily blocked the government from putting into effect new rules that would expand the exemption to the federal contraceptive mandate to the Little Sisters of the Poor and other religious employers.
Cardinal Wuerl wrote papal nuncio of abuse claims against predecessor in 2004

WASHINGTON — Church officials confirmed that Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl, retired archbishop of Washington, had forwarded an allegation of sexual misconduct against his predecessor, former Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, to the papal nuncio in Washington in 2004.
Despite high turnover, number of Catholics little changed in Congress

WASHINGTON — In most election cycles, there may be 30 to 50 new members of Congress. For 2019, there are 89 -- and a 90th may yet be headed for Capitol Hill based on how a disputed House election in North Carolina plays out.
Opus Dei settles sexual misconduct claim against prominent U.S. priest

WASHINGTON — Opus Dei, a well-known international Catholic organization, paid $977,000 to settle a sexual misconduct claim in 2005 against a one-time high-profile priest in the nation's capital.
Trump visits Texas migrant center at invitation of nun on front lines

MCALLEN, Texas — President Donald Trump got a brief look at the work of a well-known Catholic Charities-run refugee center in South Texas during a daylong trip to the border.
Young adults embrace opportunity to deepen their faith

INDIANAPOLIS — Tears filled Missy Brassie's eyes as she talked about the most emotional part of the five-day SEEK2019 conference involving more than 17,000 young adult Catholics from around the world.
Christians concerned about religious freedom if Turkey enters Syria

AMMAN, Jordan — Growing numbers of Christians in North America and Europe are joining Christians in Syria's northeast in expressing concern for the future of religious minorities and Kurds in that region should the U.S. give Turkey the "green light" to take over the fight against Islamic State.
Irish bishops urge Catholics to 'resist' country's new abortion law

DUBLIN — The primate of All-Ireland insisted that the country's new abortion law that took effect Jan. 1 has "no moral force" and it "must be resisted" by Catholics.
Chicago lay movements gather to pray for U.S. bishops on retreat

CHICAGO — To show support for the U.S. bishops as they gathered at the Mundelein Seminary at the University of St. Mary of the Lake near Chicago for a weeklong retreat in early January, members of lay ecclesial movements met at St. Mother Theodore Guerin Parish in Elmwood Park Jan. 3 to pray.
Details published on Vatican delaying of USCCB vote on abuse provisions

VATICAN CITY — The surprising news in November that the Vatican had asked U.S. bishops not to vote on several proposals for responding to the sexual abuse crisis was motivated by a lack of time given the Vatican to study the proposals and potential conflicts with church law, according to a letter obtained by the Associated Press.
Vatican begins investigation of Archbishop McCarrick

WASHINGTON — James Grein, a Virginia man who said Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, former archbishop of Washington, sexually abused him for years beginning when he was 11, gave his testimony Dec. 27 before a judicial vicar for the New York Archdiocese.
At the border, communities vent anger toward Washington

WASHINGTON — Trash was not picked up around some of the most famous of monuments in Washington, and the White House Visitor Center and other tourist spots in the nation's capital closed as the president and lawmakers refused to find common ground to end a partial government shutdown.
Congolese church leaders warn against further election delays

KINSHASA, Congo — The new archbishop of Kinshasa warned peace will be endangered if elections -- repeatedly delayed -- are not held Dec. 30.
Churches damaged in Sicily quake, but no lives lost

ROME — Italy's Mount Etna volcano began a new eruption the morning of Christmas Eve, triggering hundreds of small earthquakes and one, early Dec. 26, that damaged homes and churches nearby.
Bishop says First Step Act brings needed criminal justice reform

WASHINGTON — The nation's criminal justice system "is in need of reform" and the First Step Act "is a worthy 'first step' in the right direction," said Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development.
Supreme Court turns down Trump administration request on asylum rules

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 vote Dec. 21 rejected the Trump administration's request that the court let it implement a rule that those who enter the United States without documents will not be eligible for asylum.
CATHOLIC — Down to the toes

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Some people wear their faith on their sleeve, others on their feet, which is hardly sacrilegious. It is in fact, Sock Religious.
U.S. bishops, others mourn death of Guatemalan girl near border

WASHINGTON — Three U.S. Catholic bishops Dec. 18 joined their voices in mourning the death of a 7-year-old Guatemalan girl shortly after she crossed the U.S.-Mexico border with her father and they turned themselves in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection seeking asylum.
Pope accepts resignation of Los Angeles auxiliary accused of abuse

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of 69-year-old Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar of Los Angeles after the archdiocese's independent Clergy Misconduct Oversight Board recommended he not be allowed to minister because of an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor in the 1990s.
Catechism revision adds impetus in death penalty abolition fight

WASHINGTON — Changes in law and public opinion have had their role to play in the quest to end capital punishment in the United States, but Catholic teaching also has played a part, according to Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center.
Faith advocates see victories in new farm bill

WASHINGTON — The farm bill that passed both houses of Congress by wide margins doesn't have money in it to protect endangered species, but it did preserve one that had been on the threatened list: bipartisanship.
Strasbourg bishop speaks of 'lucid madness' after terror attack

STRASBOURG, France — At noon Dec. 12, the bells of every Catholic church in Strasbourg rang for 10 minutes to honor the victims of a terror attack at a Christmas market the previous day.
Shooting in Brazilian cathedral leaves five dead, four injured

SAO PAULO — A gunman opened fire inside a Brazilian church, killing four people and injuring four others before turning the gun on himself, police said.
Algerian martyrs bear witness to dialogue, peace, pope says

VATICAN CITY — The lives of 19 religious men and women martyred during the Algerian civil war are a testament to God's plan of love and peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims, Pope Francis said.
San Francisco Archdiocese celebrates newly written Mass of the Americas

SAN FRANCISCO — San Franciscans will celebrate the recently commissioned "Mass of the Americas" Dec. 8 for the feasts of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe at the archdiocese's Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption.
Pope expresses condolences for death of former President Bush

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis expressed his condolences for the death of the 41st president of the United States, George H.W. Bush.
Nation mourns death of 41st president, recalls his life of public service

WASHINGTON — When he was running for re-election in 1992, President George H.W. Bush told Catholic News Service that he believed that a strong religious faith could provide "an extra shot of strength when you need it." "I don't believe you can be president without having faith. I really strongly feel that,'' Bush said in a telephone interview that October.
Charity head: Ultranationalism threatens religious freedom

WASHINGTON — Ultranationalism is the chief reason behind the growing number of countries ranked worse than before on guaranteeing citizens their religious freedom, according to Thomas Heine-Geldern, executive president of Aid to the Church in Need.
'A Night of Witness' service commemorates life, faith of today's martyrs

WASHINGTON — Catholic churches throughout the world were bathed in soft red light to honor martyrs and mark the "Courage in Red -- Stand Up for Faith and Religious Freedom" campaign sponsored by Aid to the Church in Need.
Texas archdiocese 'fully cooperating' with search of offices

HOUSTON — The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston said Nov. 28 it "continues to cooperate, as we have since the outset," with the Office of the District Attorney of Montgomery County in its ongoing investigation into a Catholic priest accused of abusing minors.
CDC report shows continued decline in U.S. abortion rate

WASHINGTON — The archbishop who chairs the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities cheered news that the abortion rate in the United States continues to shrink, as does the number of abortions overall.
Catholic migrant advocates have mixed reaction to Tijuana border events

MEXICO CITY — The chaotic scene in Tijuana Nov. 25 — when migrants, including women and children, were repelled from the U.S. border with tear gas — prompted the closure of one of the world's busiest border crossings. It also showed the increasing impatience and despair of thousands of caravan participants, who could spend months in an uncomfortable camp as they wait to present asylum claims to U.S. officials.
Catholic, other faith groups pledge solidarity with asylum seekers

WASHINGTON — More than 3,000 Catholics and other people of faith signed a pledge Nov. 19 to express solidarity with all those seeking asylum in the United States and "promising to be good neighbors to those seeking refuge in our community and to build a community where all are welcome."