News/International
Organizations combat trend toward moral acceptance of pornography
By Colleen Dulle, Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON – A recent Gallup poll found that most Americans deem pornography largely unacceptable, but that majority is shrinking.
Black Catholic Congress urges prayer for peace in U.S.
By Catholic News ServiceBALTIMORE – The National Black Catholic Congress July 13 issued a prayer and call to action following a week of violence across the United States that saw police in Louisiana and Minnesota shoot two suspects and a sniper in Dallas kill police officers.
Poll: Evangelicals differ from most Americans on transgender morality
By Emily McFarlan Miller, Religion News ServiceA survey of 1,000 Americans by Nashville-based evangelical research firm LifeWay Research finds 6 in 10 Americans don’t believe it is morally wrong for people to identify with a gender different from the sex they were assigned at birth.
How Pokemon is luring millennials to the church (parking lot)
By Aysha Khan, Religion News ServiceIf your church is suddenly overtaken by millennials with their heads stuck in their phones, you can thank Pokemon.
Christian town along Lebanese-Syrian border vows to defy fear of ISIS
By Brooke Anderson, Catholic News ServiceAL-QAA, Lebanon – Boulos al-Ahmar had just driven the ambulance to the scene of the explosion when more bombs detonated, killing him. When Majed Wehbe heard the first explosions near his home, he ran to the scene to help, only to arrive in time for the next set of explosions.
Pope calls attack on Nice act of 'blind violence'
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – Pope Francis condemned the attack on Bastille Day celebrations in France, calling it an act of "blind violence.”
University of Notre Dame to start centre at Catholic church in Dublin
By Nicolette Paglioni, Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON – Officials at the University of Notre Dame say a centre the Indiana university will establish at a Catholic church in Ireland will offer a haven for those seeking to reignite their faith, a debating ground for those who have questions and a magnet for non-Catholics who want to learn about the faith.
Injunction placed on Indiana abortion law; Planned Parenthood closes site
By Natalie Hoefer, Catholic News ServiceINDIANAPOLIS – A federal judge has put on hold an Indiana law that makes it illegal for women in the state to have an abortion solely based on the race, gender or disability of a fetus.
Zimbabwe's church leaders warn of unrest if citizens' protests not heard
By Bronwen Dachs, Catholic News ServiceHARARE, Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe's church leaders called on the government to listen to the cries of its suffering citizens, warning that their grievances could "soon explode into civil unrest if not addressed."
U.S. House members in bipartisan vote pass Conscience Protection Act
By Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON – In a bipartisan 245-182 vote, House members July 13 passed the Conscience Protection Act, which would provide legal protection to doctors, nurses, hospitals and all health care providers who choose not to provide abortions as part of their health care practice.
Mobile medical unit from Vatican hits Rome's peripheries to help poor
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – A mobile medical unit donated by the Vatican tours Rome's peripheries, offering free health care to those in need.