The role of religion in society and its protection from a “deeply intolerant” militant secularism were themes in Rome and at Lambeth Palace in Great Britain last month.

Human rights activists in the Democratic Republic of Congo are denouncing acts of violence by police against Catholic parishes and marchers.

Support for a religious exemption to the contraceptive mandate in the U.S. health reform plan is stronger among Catholics than among the general population.

The bishops now argue that an exemption should include any employer who finds the mandated coverage morally objectionable.

“The economy is still leaving too many people without work,” wrote Bishop Stephen E. Blaire in a letter to Congress.

“We have seen escalating violence, brutal crackdowns and tremendous suffering by the Syrian people,” said U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.