The United States should provide tireless leadership to ensure a two-state solution in the Middle East, said two leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in a letter to President Obama on Jan. 9. “We affirm your support of the two-state solution, promise our support for strong U.S. l

An ecumenical campaign to halt gun violence issued a call for background checks.

“People are hiding in their homes, unable to venture out.”

Msgr. Francis D. Kelly, a priest of the Diocese of Worcester, Mass., was installed on Jan. 20 as a canon of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, becoming the first U.S.-born canon in almost 50 years. • Anti-abortion groups from 20 different countries launched a petition in January to

Catholic students at two secular universities soon will have a dormitory all their own.

Though imperfect, the deal will help prevent major economic damage.