German bishops have marked the centenary of the start of the First World War by calling for a ban on arms exports from their country for use in conflict.
Islamic Militants Seize Christian Towns In Northern Iraq -- Eyewitnesses in Qaraqosh said Islamic State militants were taking down crosses in churches and burning religious manuscripts.
Israel-Gaza: Hamas leader at Gaza rally: War not over yet
Israel-Gaza: Israelis Unhappy to See World-Class Military ‘Surprised’ Again
State abortion restrictions fuel fight for Senate -- The fight centers on a dozen states that have banned abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, as well as on the renewed push in a few states for personhood legislation, which confers full legal rights to an embryo from the moment of conception.
I believe green shoots of the future are already visible. A new face of religious life among active congregations of American sisters seems to be appearing. Why I am optimistic by Winifred Morgan. 
Global Sisters Report , devoted to covering the mission and ministry of Catholic women religious. It offers news, commentary and reflections on spirituality and theology.
NCR Book Club: LCWR speeches mirror sisters' post-Vatican II journey
Detroit Catholic teacher explains why she choose to be arrested in act of civil disobedience: An open letter to my students after my arrest for disorderly conduct
North Korea rejects offer to attend mass given by Pope Francis in Seoul -- North Korea's Korean Catholics Association cites Seoul’s refusal to cancel a joint military drill with U.S. forces for its decision.
My Tho, Vietnam -- Vietnamese Catholic bishop joyful to lead, evangelize new flock
Lafayette, La. -- Bishop: No new accusations of priest abuse since 1984 -- Refuses to release names of 15 priests accused earlier.
Member of El Paso, Texas, Catholic diocese school board arrested on child porn charge
St. Petersburg, Fla. -- Bishop Robert Lynch appealed to his flock to help shelter the child migrants pouring across the Mexican border from Central America
La Crosse, Wis. -- Lots of fundraising still needed for new warming center
Amid Criticism, a Changing Brooklyn Gets a Second Cathedral
In Case You Missed It -- Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The court’s five-justice conservative majority, all men, did not understand the challenges women face in achieving authentic equality.
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.
