Throughout the Arab world, long-simmering resentments and aspirations for a different political order appear to have ignited almost overnight.

Catholics' representation in Congress exceeds their representation in the U.S. population.

“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."

A wide array of Catholics played a major role in getting the new START agreement with Russia ratified. 

"The truth about violations of international human rights and humanitarian law ... must be publicly acknowledged," the Sri Lankan bishop of Mannar told a special government commission.

Christians in the Holy Land face "two extremisms," said one observer: "the Muslim one.. and the Israeli right wing."