News Briefs

A new Kansas law banning an abortion procedure that results in dismemberment of an unborn child “has the power to transform the landscape of abortion policy in the United States,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, on April 8. • Two notable passings in Catholic journalism: Robert McClory, Chicago author and educator, died on April 3 at age 82 in Illinois; Robert Blair Kaiser, whose coverage of the Second Vatican Council for Time magazine informed a generation of Americans, died on April 2 in Phoenix at 84. • On March 31 the Vatican defended its decision to install Juan de La Cruz Barros as bishop of Osorno, Chile, arguing that its candidature review did not produce “objective reasons to preclude the appointment,” despite allegations that Barros had been involved in a cover-up of a priest’s abuse of children. • Pope Francis expressed his hope on April 6 that the international community will not look on, “silent and inactive,” in the face of the “unacceptable crime” of persecution of Christians around the world. • Bread for the World, the World Bank and leaders of 30 faith groups and organizations issued a call on April 9 to end hunger and extreme poverty by 2030.