The bishops’ conciliatory statements are being overshadowed by the specter of punitive cruelty toward women confronting crisis pregnancies. They must speak out again.

The pope joined the Sri Lanakan Catholic bishops in an “appeal for peace” and to the country’s political leaders “not to ignore the cry of the poor and the needs of the people.”

“This rush to execute would be reckless in any state, but Oklahoma in particular has a horrendous track record for problematic executions.”

Sister Simone Campbell, a longtime advocate for economic justice and health care policy, and late labor leader Richard Trumka received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in a White House ceremony.

Dante’s great insight in “Inferno” is that ultimately the only way out of hell is going through it, by confronting what we see there and what we feel.

The crisis should inspire the U.K. to reflect upon the values upheld by figures in public life, said Bishop Egan.