WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The last government shutdown -- well, threatened shutdown, anyway -- seems so long ago. The nine-hour "funding lapse" of Feb. 9, like the three-day shutdown that began Jan. 20, hinged on how Congress was going to address the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that President Donald Trump said he would end March 5. He also called on Congress to pass a measure to save the program, created in 2012 by President Barack Obama via executive order. In the January shutdown, Democrati

Update: Immigrants, advocates navigating post-DACA-deadline landscape

by Mark Pattison - Catholic News Service March 5, 2018

In the January shutdown, Democratic lawmakers backed down on their threat to keep the government closed until a DACA deal was reached. ment funded through March 23 was overshadowed by the $1 trillion spending package of which it was a part.

Dispatches, Politics & Society

Texas bishops cut ties with Texas Right to Life

by Paul Stinson March 2, 2018

The divergence in Texas might be viewed as a microcosm of the national debate over what it means to be pro-life.

Betty Shadrick, of Albany, N.Y., center, with the United University Professions union, rallies in support of unions outside of the Supreme Court on Feb. 26 in Washington. The court is considering a challenge to an Illinois law that allows unions representing government employees to collect fees from workers who choose not to join. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Dispatches, Politics & Society

Union fees: where the U.S. bishops and the Becket Fund disagree

by Ellen K. Boegel February 28, 2018

U.S. bishops are defending an Illinois law that permits government employees to join together in bargaining units and, by majority vote, designate a union to collectively represent them in contract negotiations and employment disputes.

Dispatches, Politics & Society

Chicago’s Cardinal Cupich: Listen to young people about guns

by Michael J. O’Loughlin February 28, 2018

“The youth of our nation are shaming the adult world into action.”

Faith, Podcasts

The world needs the Black Madonna

by America This Week February 28, 2018

Our Feb. 28th guest is Br. Mickey McGrath, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, an award-winning artist and author of 18 art and faith books. We discuss his recent article, We need images of the Black Madonna now more than ever. We also discuss these articles: Catholic colleges say peaceful gun control protests won’t […]

Sisters of Mercy and others pray inside the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington Feb. 27 during a "Catholic Day of Action for Dreamers" protest (CNS photo/Bob Roller).

News, Politics & Society

Dozens of Catholics arrested as they call on Congress to help ‘Dreamers’

by Rhina Guidos - Catholic News Service February 27, 2018

Though about 30 to 40 were arrested, hundreds showed up to take part in the “Catholic Day of Action with Dreamers.”

Activists and recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA program, march up Broadway in New York City on Feb. 15 during the start of their "Walk to Stay Home," a five-day 250-mile walk from New York to Washington to demand that Congress pass a clean DREAM Act to save the program. (CNS photo/Shannon Stapleton, Reuters)

Dispatches, Politics & Society

‘Lives in the balance’: U.S. bishops’ call-in urges action for Dreamers

by J.D. Long García February 26, 2018

“Now is the time to pass legislation that enables the Dreamers to become citizens and full contributing members of our society,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles.

Messages hang on a fence as hundreds of students and parents arrive for campus orientation on Feb. 25 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Attendance at the orientation was voluntary, but it was being held in anticipation of the school officially reopening on Feb. 28. (CNS photo/Angel Valentin, Reuters)

Dispatches, Politics & Society

Inaction and opportunity on gun laws around the country

by Ellen K. Boegel February 26, 2018

Gun control advocates focus on “A.B.C.” initiatives: “A” for assault weapon and ammunition bans; “B” for background check enhancement; and “C” for closing the gun show and private sale loopholes that permit buyers to avoid existing federal checks.