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Pope Francis accepted Scotland Cardinal Keith O'Brien's decision to renounce all "duties and privileges" associated with being a cardinal.The former archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, who resigned in 2013 after admitting to sexual misconduct, will no longer exercise the role

The bishops of Nebraska called for repeal of the state's death penalty and reform of the criminal justice system.Archbishop George J. Lucas of Omaha, Bishop James D. Conley of Lincoln and Bishop William J. Dendinger of Grand Island said in March 17 statement that while Catholic teaching allows c

Ten Senate Democrats voted March 17 to filibuster the Justice for Victims of Sex Trafficking Act over inclusion of Hyde Amendment provisions, which forbids federal funding for most abortions or abortion-related care."I know there are some Democrats who care deeply about the victims of human tra

Organizing for the World Meeting of Families and the visit by Pope Francis to Philadelphia in September has taken a major step forward with the announcement of the 15 committees and leadership charged with spearheading operations in hospitality, liturgy, volunteers and more.Executives for the events

Budgets call for cuts in social services, increases in military spending.

The head of the Melkite Catholic Church rejected outright all calls for an international military intervention in Syria and urged Pope Francis and all Christian churches to "promote a concrete and realistic road map" to peace in the beleaguered nation."It is reckless to think of milit

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the announcement that Pope Francis would visit the United Nations the morning of Sept. 25 to address the U.N. General Assembly.In a statement March 18, the United Nations also said the pope would meet separately with the secretary-general and with the pres

As the Obama administration filed an emergency motion seeking to overturn a judge's order blocking programs to defer deportation for certain immigrants, a policy adviser for the U.S. bishops said there's little chance for comprehensive immigration reform through Congress.The Justice Departme

Teaching is about giving young people, especially troublemakers, values and hope, and it is "an injustice" that today's educators are paid so poorly, Pope Francis said.In a world where it is already difficult for kids to find a decent point of reference, they must find positive guidanc

Condemning deadly terrorist attacks against a Catholic and an Anglican church in Pakistan, Pope Francis said "the world is trying to hide" a wave of anti-Christian persecution in various parts of the globe."With sadness, with much sadness, I learned of the terrorist attacks today agai