News Briefs

The University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education on Oct. 5 launched a bus tour called Fighting for Our Children’s Future, a cross-country effort to raise awareness of the impact of primary school education and the unique contribution of Catholic schools. • Responding to persistent persecution of Christian and other religious minorities, the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences and the Appeal of Conscience Foundation issued a joint declaration on Oct. 23 urging the United Nations to adopt a resolution for the protection of religious minorities. • Terrence Toland, S.J., who as president of St. Joseph’s College in Philadelphia, welcomed the admission of women, died of heart failure on Oct. 18 in Philadelphia. • The world is closer than ever to eradicating polio, the World Health Organization reported on World Polio Day, Oct. 24, warning of suspected cases in Syria and that children continue to be at risk, particularly in the Horn of Africa. • Assumption College in Worcester, Mass., planned a prayer service on Oct. 25 to remember Colleen Ritzer, a 2011 graduate allegedly murdered on Oct. 23 by a 14-year-old student at the Boston-area high school where Ritzer taught mathematics.