A Vatican conference represents the beginning of a coordination of Catholic universities, institutions and bishops's conferences on this issue.

When disaster strikes, houses of worship are often on the front lines, feeding and sheltering victims. Yet churches, synagogues and mosques are routinely denied FEMA aid.

Cutting the corporate tax and limiting the home mortgage deduction are welcome reforms, but not in service of a windfall for the wealthiest households.

There are signs that at least among some U.S. Catholic bishops, statements of grief and sorrow are being backed up with pledges to push for legislative action on guns.

In its tax overhaul, GOP includes a repeal of a rule that limits the political speech of churches in exchange for tax-exemption.