The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has been unable to confirm the number of its members abducted in Syria, as well as where they are being held."We're waiting for news," Helene Afriat, communications officer for the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in P

The Catholic Church firmly opposes the death penalty and urges all states to move toward its abolition, said the Vatican's permanent observer to United Nations agencies in Geneva."My delegation contends that bloodless means of defending the common good and upholding justice are possible and

Four nationally circulated Catholic publications called for abolishing the death penalty in the United States in a jointly published editorial.America, National Catholic Register, National Catholic Reporter and Our Sunday Visitor urged their readers, the U.S. Catholic community and people of faith t

San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone is forming a committee of theology teachers from the archdiocesan high schools to expand and adjust the language of proposed statements on Catholic teaching on sexual morality and religious practice to be included in the faculty and staff handbooks of

Pope Francis' planned visit to Bangui will be a "sign of divine goodness"

Dozens of Assyrian Christians were abducted by Islamic State forces during a new offensive against a string of villages in northeastern Syria, aid and civil rights organizations reported.The exact number of people being held was unknown, but Father Emanuel Youkhana, who heads the Christian Aid Progr

Governor puts off executions, says system 'riddled with flaws'

Pope Francis once again urged solidarity with migrants who risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea for Europe, and assured prayers for the victims of a deadly crossing in early February.During his general audience Feb. 11, the pope called for a spirit of solidarity with migrants "so tha

Highlighting the life, suffering and enduring hope of St. Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese slave, Washington Auxiliary Bishop Martin D. Holley called for reflection and action to combat modern-day slavery during his homily on the first International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking

Two new laws passed by the District of Columbia Council violate freedom of religion, speech and association, said members of several national and local groups, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, in a Feb. 5 letter to Congress.The letter urged Congress to protect religious freedom and