A group marching for nuclear disarmament carries a banner during a protest in mid-April in Berlin. Agencies of the U.S. and European Catholic bishops have called for all nations to develop a plan to eliminate nuclear weapons from their military arsenals. (CNS photo/Clemens Bilan, EPA)

U.S., European bishops call for a plan to eliminate nuclear weapons

by Dennis Sadowski - Catholic News Service July 7, 2017

“The indiscriminate and disproportionate nature of nuclear weapons compel the world to move beyond nuclear deterrence,” the declaration said.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown delivers her inaugural speech to Oregon legislators in the Capitol House chambers in Salem, Ore., on Jan. 9. Insurance companies in Oregon would be required to cover abortions and a variety of other reproductive services at no cost to the patient under a $10 million reproductive health bill approved by the state Legislature. (AP Photo/Don Ryan, File)

News, Politics & Society

Oregon approves measure requiring insurers to cover abortion

by Kristena Hansen - Associated Press July 6, 2017

Oregon already has some of the most liberal abortion laws in the U.S., leaving out otherwise common requirements for waiting periods or spending limits on taxpayer funds.

Faith, Faith in Focus

Should we sing patriotic songs at Mass? Probably not.

by James Martin, S.J. July 3, 2017

At a Fourth of July parade, I’m happy to sing to my country. At the Mass, I’d rather sing to my Savior.

A U.S. Capitol police SWAT team officer escorts members of Congress and congressional staff from the scene after a gunman opened fire on Republican members of Congress during a baseball practice in Alexandria, Va., on June 14. (CNS photo/Joshua Roberts, Reuters)

Dispatches, Politics & Society

After another high profile shooting, a background check on gun rights

by Ellen K. Boegel June 30, 2017

The sale of new fully automatic weapons has been banned since 1986, but there are an estimated 182,600 pre-1986 machine guns in the United States that may be bought and sold legally.

Executive director Kristen Day of the Democrats for Life of America, center, stands with other members of the pro-life organization July 27 during an event the group held in Philadelphia. (CNS photo/Elizabeth Evans)

News, Politics & Society

Democrats for Life meet with Perez on future of pro-life views in party

by Josephine von Dohlen - Catholic News Service June 30, 2017

“When a pro-life Democrat decides to run, the Democratic consultants come in and they tell you, ‘Well, you can’t run as a pro-life Democrat,’ and they urge you to change your position on life, like they did with Heath Mello.”

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Editorials, Politics & Society

Donald Trump should be making more decisions in the military

by The Editors June 29, 2017

No amount of flexibility on the ground can replace an achievable strategy.

Sudanese activist Tayeb Ibrahim, who had worked to expose Sudanese abuses in the volatile South Kordofan province and hopes to see family living in the U.S. state of Iowa, is hugged by his son Mohammed during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on June 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

News, Politics & Society

Travel ban a blow to Sudanese refugees awaiting U.S. resettlement

by Brian Rohan, Associated Press June 29, 2017

“I’m totally depressed. I was approved over a year ago for resettlement, just passed my medical exam last week and was hoping to see family living in Iowa. But instead I’ll be stuck here worried about my physical safety,” said Ibrahim, who like many Sudanese refugees has no travel documents and thus cannot leave Egypt.

Pope Francis greets young refugees during a conference on families and adolescent education at Rome's Basilica of St. John Lateran on June 19. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters)

Dispatches, Politics & Society

Jesuit Refugee Service chief: refugee placements may pass muster under SCOTUS ruling

by Kevin Clarke June 28, 2017

“This is a pretty broad exception to the ban,” David Robinson says, “and it does allow for legitimate entry into the United States for people who can pass the screening process, which is what we want.”