Two weeks after protesters in Murrieta, Calif., made national news by attempting to prevent busloads of mostly unaccompanied children from reaching an emergency detention facility, the bishops of California have issued a statement calling on Catholics to support these refugees. “These children
Signs Of the Times
Mercy Attained
On July 17 the convicted murderer David Paul Hammer succeeded in an appeal against his death penalty sentence. A federal judge in Pennsylvania agreed to commute his sentence to life without parole. In April 1996 at a penitentiary in Allenwood, Pa., Hammer strangled his cellmate, 27-year-old Andrew H
Francis in South Korea
When Pope Francis visits South Korea on Aug. 14 to 18, he will find a Catholic Church that exemplifies much of what he hopes for the church around the world, including a highly active laity, extensive efforts to help the needy and strong relations with non-Christian communities. [America will provid
News Brief
The fate of the 1,700-year-old Christian community of Mosul in Iraq seems to have been sealed as the city’s remaining Christians, heeding a warning from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, fled the city on July 17. • The Knights of Columbus pledged $1.4 million on July 14 to help cover c
Pope Francis Inspires Local Synods
Bridgeport’s new bishop holds listening sessions to learn the concerns of parishioners.
Religious Exemption Sought
Religious and civic leaders urged President Obama to include a religious exemption in the planned White House executive order banning federal contractors from discriminating based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In a letter on July 1, the group of 14 faith leaders, including the Rev. Larr
U.S. Bishops: Protect Border Kids
Bishop says influx of young migrants is a humanitarian crisis, not an immigration problem.
News Briefs
Sudanese government authorities demolished the Church of Christ in Thiba Al Hamyida in North Khartoum on June 30 after giving the church’s leaders just 24 hours notice, evidence of increasing pressure in Sudan against minority Christians. · Six years after reaching a $10 million settlem
U.S. Bishops Say Fight Continues After Hobby Lobby Ruling
‘Justice has prevailed,” said two U.S. archbishops, commenting on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Hobby Lobby case on June 30. The court determined that certain “closely held” private businesses can be exempted from a government requirement to include contraceptives in t
Pope Urges End to Land Mines
Landmines wound innocent civilians, “prolong war and nurture fear” long after conflicts have ended.
