The Catholic Church’s example for development holds valuable lessons, said one prominent economist.

The federal budget crunch should not be eased by cutting programs that help the poor, refugees and the unemployed, warned church leaders.

John Sweeney, former president of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., was honored along with a Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony on Feb. 15.

Representatives of Catholic organizations said that massive foreign investment in Africa is pushing small farmers off their land.

Will young Egyptian Catholics turn away from the church because it did not back protests that led to the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak?

A 2009 joint statement by Catholic hospitals and labor unions concerning the right of workers to organize is still waiting for its first application.