In the wake of recent mass shootings that have devastated local communities and the nation at large, several U.S. bishops, women’s religious orders and Catholic organizations have called for stricter federal gun control measures, while state Catholic conferences have rallied behind local measures attempting to curb the spate of gun violence.
U.S. Congress
Archbishop Lori among bishops telling Congress to protect women and children, ‘stop pushing abortion’
After the U.S. Senate failed May 11 to advance a “radical” abortion bill, the chairmen of two U.S. bishops’ committees urged Congress “to stop pushing abortion as the solution to needs of women and young girls” and “embrace” public policy initiatives that protect “both mother and child.”
Faith leaders urge senators to confirm Judge Jackson to Supreme Court
Under gray skies March 30, a group of faith leaders assembled on the Supreme Court’s steps to show their support for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court and urge the Senate to quickly vote to confirm her.
Senate passes omnibus spending bill with Hyde, other pro-life provisions
The chairmen of several U.S. bishops’ committees and the head of March for Life March 11 praised the U.S. senators who voted to pass the government’s omnibus bill with the Hyde Amendment and other pro-life provisions included in it.
Hearing focuses on holding Putin accountable for ‘war crimes, aggression’
Just a day after a U.S. House commission’s hearing on holding Russian President Vladimir Putin accountable for “war crimes and aggression against Ukraine,” his military forces carried out an airstrike on a maternity hospital in Mariupol in the East European country.
CHA explains support for bill expanding health care access, affordability
Catholic Health Association officials said the organization supports provisions in the President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Act that would expand health care access and affordability as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Archbishop Lori speaks out for conscience rights
Archbishop William E. Lori, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop’s Committee on Pro-life Activities, is urging the U.S. Congress to pass a conscience protection act that would protect health care workers who refuse to assist with abortion.
Nearly 12,200 praying for Pelosi to have ‘change of heart’ on abortion
Close to 12,200 people in the Archdiocese of San Francisco have joined the “Rose and Rosary for Nancy” campaign launched by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone to urge prayers for a “change of heart” for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on abortion.
Archbishop Cordileone asks Catholics to fast, pray for Pelosi over abortion issue
Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco is asking “all Catholics and others of goodwill” to join a prayer and fasting campaign for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Catholic Democrat who supports legal abortion.
Coakley: Senate bill covers many needs, but must not allow abortion funding
The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill passed by the Senate makes “historic investments” in transportation, climate change mitigation, job creation, expanded internet access and other areas, but several issues still need attention, said the U.S. bishops’ domestic policy committee chairman.
House GOP leaders, attorneys general urge Congress to make Hyde permanent
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and several other Republican leaders in the House asked their Democratic counterparts June 22 to take up a measure introduced by Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., that would make the long-standing Hyde Amendment permanent.
Ending limit on culturing human embryos called ‘affront’ to value of life
Lifting a long-standing prohibition on the ability of scientists to culture human embryos in the lab past 14 days shows “an utter disregard” for the value of human life and is “an affront to the sanctity of human life,” said two Catholic members of Congress, Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., and Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind.