Samuel Ruiz García, right, known as the champion of the poor and indigenous in southern Mexico, died on Jan. 24

The U.N. estimates that 810,000 people are still living in 1,150 camps in Haiti, just over half the peak of 1.5 million in July 2010.

A federal court has ruled that a cross on a San Diego hillside conveys a message of government endorsement of religion.

The bishops plan to focus on "correcting serious moral problems in the current law."

Pope Benedict deplored recent attacks on Christians in Iraq, Egypt and Nigeria.

“We commend to God those who have died,” said Archbishop Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S.C.C.B., “and we pray for the families who lost loved ones."