via Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin,  Archbishop of Newark: I am deeply concerned that the proposed federal budget would eliminate the Hyde Amendment, which, for 45 years, has prohibited the use of federal funds for abortion. The Hyde Amendment is credited with saving the lives of millions of children. Now, the powerful pro-abortion lobby and members… Read More Pope Francis Ally Cardinal Tobin on the Importance of the Hyde Amendment

via Philip Pullella: Pope Francis…put 20th century statesman Robert Schuman, one of the founders of modern Europe, on the path to sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church…. Schuman, who served as French prime minister and foreign minister in the immediate post-World War II period, also played a role in the founding of NATO. In 1950… Read More Robert Schuman, a Father of Europe, Declared Venerable

Franciscan Action Network hosted the second in a series of four panel discussions on Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis’ latest encyclical, with panelists Olga Segura of NCR and Ralph McCloud of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. They discussed the encyclical and offered their thoughts on systemic racism and anti-racist efforts.

MSW writes: One year ago, we knew that then-President Donald Trump had no compunction about desecrating the cultural norms that had come to surround our democracy: He insulted the press, he lied to the public (and more, way more, than most politicians lie), he tried to get the Department of Justice to function as his… Read More Reflections on the Fourth of July

At Acting Franciscan, Stephen Schneck writes: Prophetic or prudential action? As an advocate and activist for faith-based social justice, I struggle more about means rather than ends. My formation in the religious, moral, and social teachings of our faith offers much clarity about ideals. What’s uncertain is the path for progress toward those ideals. Sometimes… Read More Prophetic or Prudential Action?

via the AP: Louisiana women and families won’t have to pay sales taxes on diapers, tampons and other feminine hygiene products, under a bill signed into law by Gov. John Bel Edwards…. The measure will exempt diapers for children and adults and all types of feminine hygiene products from the 4.45% state sales tax and… Read More Pro-Life Democratic Governor Signs Law Ending Sales Tax on Diapers and Feminine Hygiene Products