The U.S. bishops’ conference was among the groups that urged President Joe Biden on Dec. 9 to commute existing federal death sentences before President-elect Donald Trump, who has sought to expand the use of capital punishment, returns to the White House.
Respect Life
Catholic theology professor examines the roots and impact of gender ideology
As the church attempts to address gender ideology with compassion and clarity, studies continue to emerge about its impact on children, families and society.
Catholic bishops decry British end of life vote: ‘May God help us’
Catholic bishops in England have decried a vote for assisted suicide, with one saying it represented a “dark day” in the history of the country.
Pro-life sidewalk counseling highlighted in potential high court cases, federal pardons
The Supreme Court is expected to decide soon whether to hear a pair of First Amendment cases seeking to strike down so-called “bubble zones” for pro-life demonstrators outside abortion clinics.
U.S. bishops announce Prayer Vigil for Life to take place Jan. 23-24
The annual Prayer Vigil for Life will take place Jan. 23-24, 2025, the U.S. bishops’ conference announced Nov. 22.
Churches, faith groups join forces in Britain against ‘deceptive’ assisted suicide bill
Churches and faith groups across the United Kingdom have condemned a bill to allow physician-assisted suicide and stepped up efforts to block its Nov. 29 approval by parliamentarians.
Biden awards former Planned Parenthood president the Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Joe Biden awarded Cecile Richards, former Planned Parenthood president, the Presidential Medal of Freedom Nov. 20 in a private ceremony, the White House said.
Judge strikes down Wyoming abortion laws, including abortion pill ban
A Wyoming judge ruled Nov. 18 that two state laws restricting abortion — including one banning chemical or medication abortions — violated the state’s constitution and could not be enforced.
Report examines ‘persistent racial disparities’ in federal death penalty use
As activists push President Joe Biden to commute existing federal death sentences during his final months in office, a new report by the Death Penalty Information Center examined what it called persistent racial disparities in federal death penalty prosecutions.
Catholic groups merge events for giant pro-life youth rally before March for Life
Pro-life organizers are hoping to augment that sense of togetherness with the merger of two pre-march youth events, announced Nov. 14. The Diocese of Arlington, Va., and host of Life is VERY Good since 2009, and the Knights of Columbus and the Sisters of Life, co-hosts of Life Fest since 2022, are joining forces to create one big pro-life rally called Life Fest ahead of the 2025 March for Life Jan. 24.
Experts: Church must better educate Catholics about IVF moral objections, alternatives
In vitro fertilization is a topic that received significant national attention during the past election season as candidates made it a policy issue. A costly, but widely accepted option in society for conceiving children through artificial means, IVF also involves significant moral and ethical concerns.
Texas high court rejects execution delay for man convicted of ‘shaken baby’ murder
The Texas Supreme Court Nov. 15 denied a state House committee’s attempt to delay the execution of a man convicted of murder in the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter, after lawmakers questioned the evidence behind his conviction.