The U.S. bishops argue that the act closes loopholes that are allowing states to mandate abortions be performed or covered by Catholic and other faith-based health care providers.

The National Black Catholic Congress issued a prayer and call to action on July 13 following a week of violence across the United States.

Video shot by terrified civilians shows crowds fleeing in panic, leaping off the elevated pavement onto the beach below, and police finally surrounding the stationary truck and fatally shooting its driver.

Croats see Stepinac as a symbol of the church's resistance to communist oppression.

Garvey said that requiring commitment by faculty to a Catholic intellectual tradition is not in opposition to academic freedom.

"I have never seen such wonderful program like theirs," a student's mother said.