Abdullah Antepli outside the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. RNS photo by Yonat Shimron

North Carolina imam urges Congress to ‘celebrate’ difference

by Yonat Shimron - Religion News Service October 6, 2017

Imam Abdullah Antepli gave the opening prayer in the House of Representatives and delivered a plea for celebrating differences.

President Donald Trump signs his Executive Order on Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty during a National Day of Prayer event at the White House in Washington on May 4. (CNS photo/Jim Lo Scalzo, EPA)

News, Politics & Society

Trump administration expands exemptions on contraceptive mandate

by Carol Zimmermann - Catholic News Service October 6, 2017

Religious groups that had opposed the mandate were pleased with the administration’s action.

A combination photo shows members of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons in Geneva on Oct. 6. The group won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. Pictured from left to right are Beatrice Fihn, executive director; Daniel Hogsta, coordinator; and Grethe Ostern, a member of the organization's steering committee. (CNS photo/Denis Balibouse, Reuters)

News, Politics & Society

Anti-nuclear coalition wins 2017 Nobel Peace Prize

by Junno Arocho Esteves - Catholic News Service October 6, 2017

The Nobel committee honored ICAN for its efforts to achieve a prohibition of nuclear weapons under international law through the U.N.

A young woman holding a statue of Mary is comforted by family members of a person trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building on Sept. 26 in Mexico City. Five days after the deadly magnitude 7.1 earthquake, the collapsed seven-story office building is one of the last hopes searchers believe they may still find someone trapped alive. (CNS photo/Jose Luis Gonzalez, Reuters)

News, Politics & Society

After Mexico’s earthquakes, ‘faith opens doors to psychological care’

by Melissa Vida - Catholic News Service October 6, 2017

“Most survivors suffer from severe anxiety or guilt.”

Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., speaks during a hearing on genocide in Iraq and Syria held on Oct. 3 on Capitol Hill in Washington. Smith, who is senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired the hearing. (CNS photo/Erin Granzow, House Office of Photography)

News, Politics & Society

Congressman urges action to aid Christians in Iraq

by Kurt Jensen - Catholic News Service October 6, 2017

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith said that IS militants began committing genocide against Yezidis and Christians in Iraq in 2014, and “three years later, they are still not receiving the assistance they need from the United States and so their survival in their ancient homelands is in jeopardy.”

Cardinal George Pell meets the media, at the Vatican. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)

Faith, News

Cardinal Pell faces charges of sex abuse—and angry protesters—at court in Australia

by Trevor Marshallsea — Associated Press October 6, 2017

SYDNEY (AP) — Cardinal George Pell, the most senior Catholic official to face sex offense charges, was jeered by protesters as he made a court appearance in his native Australia on Friday in a case that has rocked the Vatican and placed scrutiny on the pope’s stance against abusive clergy. Australia’s highest-ranking Catholic and Pope […]