Catholic News Service

The Maine House of Representatives and Senate have passed a measure that would legalize assisted suicide in the state and the bill reached the desk of Democratic Gov. Janet Mills June 4.

Cardinal George Pell was taken back to prison June 6 at the end of a two-day hearing on his appeal of his conviction on five counts of child sexual abuse.

The former head of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Cardinal Elio Sgreccia, died June 5, just one day shy of his 91st birthday.

Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore released additional details June 5 about the investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and financial improprieties against Bishop Michael Bransfield, former bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia.

Texas Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, denies a characterization of how he handled an accusation by a woman who said she was manipulated into a sexual relationship with his former deputy, a priest.

Iowa's attorney general has asked the state's Catholic dioceses for documents and any other records pertaining to clergy sex abuse in their localities and to comply with the request by Aug. 1.

The chairman of the U.S. bishops' migration committee June 4 praised the U.S. House for passing a measure that gives permanent legal protection to "Dreamers" and those covered by the Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure programs in the United States.

China's ruling Communist Party continues to persecute at least half of China's more than 12 million Catholics despite last September's agreement with the Vatican on the appointment of bishops.

The brothers of the ecumenical Taize community said they have received five reports of sexual assaults on minors committed by three of their members in a period from the 1950s to the 1980s

People need to walk together in harmony to build a more fraternal world, Pope Francis said, reflecting upon his recent trip to Romania

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Robert Cunningham of Syracuse, New York, and has named as his successor Fr. Douglas Lucia, a priest of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, New York, who is a pastor and diocesan director of vocations and seminarians.

Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin issued a statement June 2 saying he regretted comments that "turned out to be so controversial" on Twitter when he said Catholics should not support or "attend LGBTQ 'Pride Month' events" because "they promote a culture and encourage activities that are contrary to the Catholic faith and morals. They are especially harmful for children."

In response to the Supreme Court's May 30 decision to allow the execution of an Alabama death-row inmate, a Catholic group seeking to end the death penalty said in a tweet: "Our work to build a more restorative criminal justice system continues."

The Australian Catholic Church has released its National Catholic Safeguarding Standards, more than 18 months after they were recommended by the country's landmark Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, in the latest chapter in the overhaul of how the church responds to clergy sexual abuse.

The Italian ministry for culture has revoked a license it granted to the Dignitatis Humanae Institute to manage a state-owned historic monument south of Rome, citing irregularities in the bidding process and a breach of contract.

The 16th annual report on diocesan compliance with the U.S. bishops' "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" shows a significant increase in the number of abuse allegations over last year's report because of additional claims received in five New York dioceses after implementation of their Independent Reconciliation and Compensation programs in the last year.

Philippine authorities are doing their best to win the hearts and minds of people amid allegations that police officers have been behind many of the thousands of drug-related killings that have stained the country's image in recent years.

Two top cardinals praised a U.S. professor from Villanova University in Pennsylvania for her work fostering dialogue between the fields of economics and theology.

President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Mexico, whom his administration blames lately for an increasing number of immigrants at the southern U.S. border. 

An expected vote from the U.S. Supreme Court on the added U.S. citizenship question in the 2020 census just hit a potential twist with newly submitted evidence that could influence the court's decision.