The Catholic bishops are backing a suit by Apache Stronghold, a coalition of Native Americans and their supporters, in its lawsuit against the federal government. The lawsuit argues that the coalition’s freedom of religion was violated when the federal government announced its intention to sell formerly protected land in Arizona to a mining company. /…

Pope Francis and King Philippe listen to a speech by Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo during the pope’s trip to Belgium in late September 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media Brussels, Belgium, Oct 17, 2024 / 14:05 pm (CNA). More than 500 Belgians have demanded to be removed from the baptismal registry (“débaptisation”) in reaction…

Marijuana leaves. / Credit: Armando Olivo Martín del Campo CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 17, 2024 / 15:00 pm (CNA). Florida’s Catholic bishops are urging residents to vote no on a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in the Sunshine State as activists on both sides continue to funnel millions of dollars…

Abuse victims and their supporters hold quilts bearing portraits of abused children while gathered outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2013, one day after the release of personnel files of priests accused of sexual misconduct. / Credit: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images CNA Staff, Oct…

Investigators are looking into what caused a second blaze at Incarnation Catholic Church in Orlando, Florida. A suspicious fire previously caused significant damage to the church on June 24, 2023. / Credit: Photo courtesy of Mike Millis CNA Staff, Oct 17, 2024 / 13:35 pm (CNA). A Catholic church in Florida has suffered multiple fires…