The U.S. bishops Nov. 14 elected Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City as secretary-elect of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at their meeting in Baltimore.
‘Truly compassionate society protects its most vulnerable,’ U.K. bishops say after baby’s death
British bishops expressed their condolences to Dean and Claire Gregory, parents of 8-month-old Indi, who died Nov. 13 after neither a court battle nor Italian citizenship granted to the infant prevented the British courts from halting her life support.
U.S. bishops open fall assembly in Baltimore with prayer, reflection and a Mass for peace
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, who is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, led his brother bishops in prayer for wisdom as they began their fall plenary assembly in Baltimore Nov. 13 with a Mass for peace.
Indi Gregory, British girl whose life support was halted by court, dies
Indi Gregory, a British girl whose parents battled the British courts to have her life support extended, died at 1:45 a.m. U.K. time Nov. 13.
Bishop Strickland removed from diocese after accusing pope of backing ‘attack on the sacred’
Pope Francis has removed Bishop Joseph E. Strickland from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, the Holy See Press Office announced Nov. 11. Simultaneously, Francis has appointed Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin as apostolic administrator to oversee the diocese until a new bishop is appointed.
Seven new books to help feed your mind and your faith
In this year’s annual fall book review, we offer seven selections to support you in your faith journey:
Italian consul fights to save UK girl’s life after judge orders removal of life support
An appeal has been filed challenging a Nov. 8 ruling by a British judge that Indi Gregory’s life support must be removed at the Queen’s Medical Center in Nottingham or a hospice and not at home, contrary to the wishes of her parents and despite the Italian government granting her citizenship and offering to further care for her at the country’s own cost.
Vatican foreign minister calls religious freedom ‘indispensable’ to conflict resolution
During on an official visit to Australia, one of the Vatican’s top diplomats affirmed the importance of religious freedom in promoting peace and resolving global conflicts.
U.S. Catholics urged to promote, encourage, pray for vocations Nov. 5-11
Every year the U.S. Catholic Church dedicates a week in November to pray for and promote vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education.
‘Without faith, I couldn’t continue,’ says Palestinian Christian
The absence of pilgrims has left the local economy in ruins, affecting all sectors that rely on religious tourism, from hotels and restaurants to olive wood craftsmanship and souvenir sales.
25 years after International Religious Freedom Act, limits on religion rise worldwide
In the 25 years since the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act became law, “restrictions on religious freedom have been steadily increasing for several years” around the globe, said the chairmen of the U.S. bishops’ religious liberty and international policy committees.
Rep. Steve Scalise withdraws from House Speaker race after failure to secure votes
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., withdrew his name from consideration for Speaker of the House Oct. 12, a day after he received his party’s nomination.