News Briefs

A Wisconsin law that requires women to obtain an ultrasound examination before an abortion and abortionists to obtain admitting privileges at nearby hospitals was stayed on July 8 by a federal judge. • Pope Francis will be forming a new committee to consider transparency and accountability following the conclusion of an external audit of the budgets of Curial offices. • Young people from around the world, including hundreds from Jesuit universities participating in the Magis 2013 missionary initiative, are expected to attend the World Youth Day celebration in Brazil, July 23 to 28. • After serving just under eight years in prison for the killing of Dorothy Stang, S.N.D., Rayfran das Neves Sales was released on July 4 in Brazil to serve the rest of his 27-year sentence under house arrest. • In a letter to Congress on July 3, the U.S. bishops said that the Supreme Court’s decision striking down key components of the Voting Rights Act “necessitates legislative action to assure that no one is denied their right or obligation to participate in public life by voting or speaking out.” • Irish lawmakers on July 12 overwhelmingly approved abortion in limited cases where the mother’s life is at risk. • The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awarded Catholic Charities of Syracuse, N.Y., a grant of $589,000 on July 11 to help homeless and at-risk veterans and their families.