Signs Of the Times

A new report says that after growing rapidly between 1990 and 2006, the population of undocumented immigrants has stabilized.

A Vatican spokesman dismissed reports that the Holy See has rejected several candidates because of their support for legal abortion.

“There will be nothing expected of you but your presence and your willingness to pray with me,” said Pittsburgh Bishop David A. Zubik.

The diocese recently announced a new initiative to encourage area Catholics to conserve water and energy.

“The budget choices of Congress have clear moral and human dimensions,” the bishops said.

The Belgian parliament voted overwhelmingly to condemn “the unacceptable stance taken by the pope” on condoms and AIDS.

The arrest of a Chinese 74-year-old bishop was “unfortunately not an isolated case,” the Vatican said.

“These people have no alternative but to entrust themselves to human smugglers who often treat them as meat,” said one human rights worker.

The new regulations are considered one of the toughest sets of limitations on capital punishment in the nation.

The Catholic conference said the proposal unfairly targets the church and other private institutions.