Congo's bishops said a young Catholic was killed at point-blank range and another was shot dead while trying to return home from anti-government protests.

"Assisted suicide stands in stark contrast" to the care that hospices offer, and none should be compelled to provide it.

The afternoon shooting spree Feb. 14 at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County left at 17 people dead and at least 14 injured.

The bishops condemned the "bloody violence" used by government security forces to suppress marches by mostly Catholic protesters on Dec. 31 and Jan. 21

"The Catholic Church clearly teaches that contraception is an immoral action that contradicts the truth of marital love."

Since China's new regulations for religious affairs took effect Feb. 1, minors have been banned from entering places of worship in several regions.

Catholic Extension and Loyola Marymount University have teamed up to strengthen Catholic schools in some of the nation's poorest communities.

Nominated to the post in July by President Donald Trump, Brownback was confirmed Jan. 24. The Senate vote was 49-49 and Vice President Mike Pence cast the tiebreaking vote.

Cardinal DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said Christians experience the pain of the family and friends of the victims "as if it were our own."

"A child born alive following an abortion should receive the same degree of care to preserve her life and health as would be given to any other child born alive at the same gestational age," said Cardinal Dolan of New York.