IMAGE: CNS/Nancy Wiechec By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — The threat of being pulled over by police and arrested for something that even “hinted of going beyond the status quo,” was very real to retired Bishop John H. Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Florida, when he was growing up in segregated Baton …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Carlo Allegri, Reuters By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — Father Bryan Massingale, a priest of the Milwaukee Archdiocese and well-known theologian, knows what it’s like to be watched by police. He said that as a black man there have been times he has been followed by police officers …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Eric Gaillard, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Remembering the victims of the tragic terrorist attack in Nice, France, Pope Francis prayed that God may give comfort to grieving families and foil the plans of those who wish to harm others. “May God, the good …

IMAGE: CNS/Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis condemned the attack on Bastille Day celebrations in France, calling it an act of “blind violence.” The pope expressed his “deep sorrow” and “spiritual closeness” with the French people in a message to Bishop Andre Marceau of Nice. …

IMAGE: By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — The week had been emotionally draining at the predominantly black parish in Oakland, California. Along with the rest of the country, they had felt the weight of two more fatal shootings of black men by police. Then things got worse July 7 when …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Kevin Lamarque, Reuters By WASHINGTON (CNS) — In a bipartisan 245-182 vote, House members July 13 passed the Conscience Protection Act, which would provide legal protection to doctors, nurses, hospitals and all health care providers who choose not to provide abortions as part of their health care practice. …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A mobile medical unit donated by the Vatican tours Rome’s peripheries, offering free health care to those in need. A local volunteer association of doctors, health care professionals and medical students use the white and blue-striped RV-style vehicle, which carries …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Rick Musacchio,Tennessee Register By Andy Telli NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) -– Throughout his life, Msgr. Owen Campion has had a fascination with words. That fascination led him into the Catholic media as a reporter, writer and editor, a mentor to Catholic journalists, and as a liaison between the Vatican …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Will Oliver, EPA By LONDON (CNS) — An English cardinal said he was delighted by the appointment of Theresa May as Britain’s new prime minister because of the commitment she has shown in the fight against human trafficking. Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, president of the Bishops’ Conference …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Dale Gavlak By Dale Gavlak NAOUR, Jordan (CNS) — Exuberant Syrian refugee children sang, danced and played with colorful clowns as they celebrated graduation at their Caritas-sponsored school in this sleepy suburb of the Jordanian capital, Amman. Some 170 Muslim children, ages 5-17, proudly strode up on the …