Pope Francis, after two days off, back in the saddle. At general audience today he calls traffickers in people and weapons 'death merchants'
Nashville, Tenn. -- Southern Baptists, United Methodists navigate same-sex marriage debates
Over at Commonweal, Michael Peppard asks: Are conservatives underrepresented in the theology and religion departments of our nation’s colleges and universities?
El Paso, Texas -- Immigration officials call on churches, nonprofits to help detained families
British Bishops Write Positively on Gender Transition and Civil Unions
Philippines: Three prominent senators charged with graft and plunder. Bishops urge a charitable view on political scandals
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops open their summer meeting in New Orleans today. Get up to speed by reading these three pieces:
- Will the bishops follow Pope Francis in New Orleans? by Fr. Tom Reese
- Next Week's USCCB Mtg & The Ad Hoc Cmte on Religious Liberty by Michael Sean Winters
- Next Week's USCCB Mtg & the Future of "Faithful Citizenship" by Michael Sean Winters
Sr. Maureen Fiedler has some ideas, too: Revising the U.S. bishops' agenda for their upcoming meeting
NCR has s new website, 
Global Sisters Report, devoted to covering the mission and ministry of Catholic women religious. It offers news, commentary and reflections on spirituality and theology. Here's a great example of the work of GSR: Beyond despair over Earth’s destruction: How living in a contemplative setting changed me by Sr. Marya Grathwohl
Phoenix, Ariz. -- Roman Catholic diocese warns Catholics to stay away from church founded by former Roman Catholic priest "I am no pirate priest," Rev. Julio Alberto Higuera said in a recent interview.
Bend, Ore. -- Turnout for Oregon breakaway church's opening weekend exceeds expectations
Australian author Kieran Tapsell talks about his new book Potiphar’s Wife: the Vatican’s Secret and Child Sexual Abuse. Sex abuse and international secrecy imposed by the Vatican (Audio and text)
Philadelphia, Pa. -- Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish, scheduled for closure, appeals to Archbishop Chaput
Johannesburg - A German Catholic priest who fled to South Africa after being charged with child sex in his home country, is set to be extradited.
Looking for a little inspiration to begin your day? NCR's sister publication, Celebration, gives you two options, both based on the Scripture readings of the day:
Daily Bread is a series of short reflections written by four authors who meet regularly to share the readings. Daily Bread is intended to help daily preachers and others who pray from the assigned Scriptures each day to orient themselves to the Living Word addressed to the church in the world. It's a great way to begin the day.
Pencil Preaching is blog in which Celebration editor Pat Marrin combines Scripture and sketching to reflect on the Word.
