What would happen in a Roe v. Wade reversal is far from certain, Balch added. "Theres a lot of scholarly writing in the event of what would happen," she said, like how to enforce a law outlawing abortion that is still on the books but that has been dormant for close to four decades. "Even if there a

A Vatican spokesman dismissed reports that the Holy See has rejected several candidates because of their support for legal abortion.

Pope Benedict XVI called for all nations to end the production, stockpiling and use of land mines and cluster bombs.

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Birmingham, England (left), as archbishop of Westminster.

The church teaches that "every life has value and dignity. That is a given," said Andy Rivas, executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference during a Feb. 24 program at the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington. Rivas helped devise a program of events in Texas in November that sought

The bishop cited a principle often credited to St. Augustine: "In essential things unity, in doubtful things liberty, but in all things love.