Equality is necessary for lasting peace between Israel and Palestine. Every innocent death, Israeli or Palestinian, is one too many. The world has gotten inured to Israeli tactics of disproportionate response to acts of violence.
Scores dead Sunday in first major ground battle in Gaza. It killed 65 Palestinians and 13 Israeli soldiers and forced thousands of terrified Palestinian civilians to flee their neighborhood.
Amid the violence, one priest is staying with his parish in the Gaza Strip. “Crime is on the rise. Little children are getting sick from fear, stress, shockwaves and the continuous noise,” he said.
Pope calls for prayers as militants chase Christians out of Mosul, Iraq. "Violence isn't overcome with violence. Violence is conquered with peace," he said.
Iraq Catholic leader says Islamic State is worse than Genghis Khan.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is to deliver what his aids have described as "a major policy address" today at 1 p.m.. at The Catholic University of America. The talk is titled “Strong Values for a Strong America,” and is part of the Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies National Policy Forum. Watch NCR for a report on the address.
Analysis -- Did Obama finally thread the needle on gay rights and religious freedom? The president may have finally found a small patch of middle ground in balancing competing claims of gay rights with the traditional prerogatives of religious freedom.
Catholics respond to migrants’ humanitarian crisis by Dan Stockman on Global Sisters Report, a website devoted to covering the mission and ministry of Catholic women religious. It offers news, commentary and reflections on spirituality and theology.
Dallas, Texas -- Governor sending 1,000 National Guard troops to the Texas-Mexico border to combat criminals exploiting the surge of children and families entering the U.S. illegally.
Rochester, N.Y. -- The diocese has ended the practice of lay-led homilies. Bishop Salvatore Matano said he has been confronting the issue on a case-by-case basis since his installation in January and is now drafting guidelines to clarify that homilies are reserved for ordained priests and deacons, as prescribed by canon law.
More millennials are saying no to marriage. Today's young adults are on track have the lowest rates of marriage by age 40 compared to any previous generation.
Concord, N.C. -- Former pastor accused of child sexual abuse commits suicide.
Australia -- Teachers from over 200 Catholic schools are going on strike over a new employment agreement.
Also from Australia -- The country's oldest weekly newspaper, a Catholic paper called The Record, is shutting down. The publication has been reporting since 1874.
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:
Pencil Preaching is a blog in which Celebration editor Pat Marrin combines Scripture and sketching to reflect on the Word.
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.
