Iowa bishops celebrate as ‘heartbeat’ law goes into effect
The Iowa Supreme Court, however, ruled that the law is likely not unconstitutional. “We have previously held that abortion is not a fundamental right under the Iowa Constitution,” state Justice…
Russian forces release two Ukrainian Catholic priests captured in 2022
The priests had been arrested on Nov. 16, 2022, in Berdyansk, a city on the north shore of the Sea of Azov, an area occupied by the Russians. Despite the…
Texas Supreme Court upholds ban on transgender procedures for minors
In its Friday ruling allowing the law to be enforced, the court pointed to “the relative nascency of both gender dysphoria and its various modes of treatment,” as well as…
No tattoos or piercings: new rules for Vatican employees
The Holy Father thus determined that “visible tattoos on the skin and piercings are prohibited.” Likewise, employees must “wear decent clothing appropriate to the activity they are going to perform.”…
Michigan parents press case to end discrimination in school funding
What is dubbed Michigan’s “Blaine amendment,” passed by the state’s voters in 1970, prevents any public dollars from being used for any nonpublic school expenses, including funds from education savings…
Cardinals approve canonization of Carlo Acutis, date to be decided
The pope decreed that the 14 other blesseds, which includes the 11 “Martyrs of Damascus,” will be declared saints on Sunday, Oct. 20. Acutis, who died in 2006 at the…
St. Junípero Serra statue targeted by protests in 2020 is now settled in a new home
The missions were a communal venture between the friars and Native leaders, though the Natives who joined the mission were not often permitted to leave freely, were sometimes subjected to…
Cardinal Becciu’s actions key question in ex-auditor’s wrongful termination appeal
In 2022, the ex-Vatican auditor and his deputy sought 9.3 million euros (about $10 million) in compensation from the Vatican’s Secretariat of State and office of auditor general, now led…
Pope Francis asks Sacred Heart of Jesus to convert hearts who want war
“In many parts of the world, many of our brothers and sisters suffer from discrimination and persecution because of their faith, thus fertilizing the Church. Others face a ‘martyrdom with…
‘Open the doors’ of the Church, Pope Francis implores on solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul
Pope Francis presides over Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, June 29, 2024. Credit: Vatican Media A special Angelus In spite of the…
Ohio hospital system offers clarification on ‘medically necessary abortions’ report
“A direct abortion is one that intends to end the life of the unborn baby and is not medically necessary as defined by . We do not and will not perform…
Churches in Holy Land denounce ‘coordinated attack’ against Christians by Israeli authorities
However, the leaders pointed out that “for centuries” church properties have had exemptions from municipal taxes according to the established status quo and that the churches have used this exemption…