“The church is not against deportations per se, but there are several conditions that need to be in place.”

Catholic institutions in Zimbabwe and other African states once could rely on support from retired missionaries. Now the decline in missionary numbers has left African religious communities facing a financial crunch.

The Catholic Church in El Salvador finds its voice in opposition to lifting of prohibition on mining.

Attacks by members of Congress on Catholic ministries that are providing humanitarian assistance to migrants were among the challenges to religious freedom detailed by the U.S. bishops in their annual report.

Top reports from America's “Dispatches” department include looks at conflict, migration and geopolitics through a Catholic filter.

The Irish tradition has long been that on Nollaig na mBan, this final day of the busy Christmas season, women get to put their feet up and enjoy a day of socializing. In some versions of the tradition, men take over the household chores.