In this May 31, 2014 file photo, Mass is celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Greenwood, Mississippi, the older of two Catholic parishes in the small Mississippi Delta city that share a pastor and some functions. (CNS photo/Patricia Zapor)

Bishops oppose Mississippi bill to outlaw sanctuary cities

by Maureen Smith - Catholic News Service February 17, 2017

The bill would prohibit cities and institutions of higher learning from declaring themselves sanctuary cities. There are currently no sanctuary cities in the state, although the city of Jackson proposed such a declaration last year.

In this Jan. 6, 2017 file photo, Cardinal Joseph Tobin gives the homily during a Mass ceremony installing him as the new archbishop of Newark, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

News, Politics & Society

Newark’s Cardinal Tobin joins lobbying effort against Trump’s immigration ban

by Michael Catalini - Associated Press February 17, 2017

Newark Cardinal Joseph Tobin was one of the nearly 1,000 lobbyists, business people and politicians who rode the rails from Newark to Washington to press New Jersey interests in the capital.

Pope Francis speaks during a visit at the Roma Tre University in Rome, on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. Pope Francis says the phenomenon of migration doesn't pose a danger to Europe's culture but rather a challenge for societies to grow. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

News, Politics & Society

Pope Francis: Migrants not a danger, but offer Europe a chance to grow

by Nicole Winfield - Associated Press February 17, 2017

Pope Francis said that European countries must not only welcome migrants but integrate them into society.

In this Feb. 24, 2015, file photo, members of the National Guard patrol along the Rio Grande at the Texas-Mexico border in Rio Grande City, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

News, Politics & Society

Trump considers using National Guard troops in immigration roundups

by Garance Burke - Associated Press February 17, 2017

Trump is proposing an unprecedented militarization of immigration enforcement as far north as Portland, Oregon, and as far east as New Orleans, Louisiana.

News, Politics & Society

Pope Francis: Native people have rights over their lands

by Nicole Winfield - Associated Press February 16, 2017

“For governments, this means recognizing that indigenous communities are a part of the population to be appreciated and consulted, and whose full participation should be promoted at the local and national level.”

20170214T1236-7947-CNS-PLANNED-PARENTHOOD-RALLIES

News, Politics & Society

Rallies held nationwide call on Congress to defund Planned Parenthood

by Catholic News Service February 16, 2017

More than 15,000 people attended 229 rallies held in 45 states.

Faith, News

Why my priesthood calls me to resist immigration injustice

by Sean Carroll, S.J. February 15, 2017

For me, the teachings of the Catholic Church are as clear as God’s commands to the people of Israel in Hebrew Scriptures: We are called to welcome widows, orphans, the poor and migrants.

Migrants stand in front of a barrier at the border with Hungary near the village of Horgos, Serbia, on Sept. 16, 2015. (Photo courtesy of Reuters/Marko Djurica)

News, Politics & Society

Do Europeans want a Muslim immigration ban?

by Tom Heneghan - Religion News Service February 15, 2017

Even as Europeans vastly overestimate the actual Muslim populations of their countries, majorities across Europe are deeply concerned about Muslim immigration and support an immediate end to it.