Catholic News Service

U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada, former head of the Vatican's doctrinal congregation and retired archbishop of San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, died Sept. 26 in Rome. He was 83.

Pope Francis called on more religious orders of men and women, as well as foundations and benefactors, to get involved and help an international network of women religious in the fight against human trafficking.

While his responsibilities are greater and his prayer list longer, Pope Francis said he's basically the same person he was before he was elected in 2013, so he still goes to confession every two weeks.

The Field Hospital: Based in Glenside, Pennsylvania, the Calix Society "started over an alcoholic priest back in 1947." Five concerned laymen, all from the Minneapolis area, petitioned to have a 5 a.m. daily Mass celebrated to pray for an addicted priest's recovery.

The act of bearing false witness to destroy someone is an attack against the body of the church, Pope Francis said.

At a time of increasing urbanization, the "irreplaceable importance" of forests is being "taken for granted and underestimated," the Vatican's secretary of state said Sept. 23 at a high-level meeting at the United Nations.

The Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education temporarily lifted a decree that had taken away the Catholic status of Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis.

You could feel the hurt that remains in this border city by the tension and occasional tremble in the voices.

Retired Archbishop Harry Flynn of St. Paul and Minneapolis died Sept. 22 in St. Paul. He was 86.

The University of Notre Dame Sept. 21 released a groundbreaking report that looked at sexual harassment in U.S. Catholic seminaries, revealing that just 6% of seminarians reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment or misconduct, while 90% reported none.

The story of 2,246 aborted fetal remains found at the Illinois home of late abortion doctor Ulrich Klopfer continues to unfold, with the new focal point being on neighboring Indiana.

The international community must ramp up its efforts if it expects to mitigate the negative effects of climate change, Pope Francis said.

The Sept. 13 disclosure that the preserved remains of over 2,200 aborted babies had been found at the rural Illinois home of the recently deceased Indiana abortionist Ulrich "George" Klopfer has sparked outrage and demands for immediate investigations by authorities.

A new Pew Research Center report examines public confidence in groups of people who hold positions of power and responsibility in America, including religious leaders.

With so many changes and huge technological advancements in the field of medicine, health care must always be at the service of the whole individual, including a supportive relationship between patient and medical professionals, Pope Francis said.

The upcoming Supreme Court term — which starts Oct. 7 — will offer plenty of cases that Catholics will be paying close attention to including: the status of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a number of religious liberty cases including a school-choice program in Montana and workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender.

As expenses of clergy sex abuse cases have prompted dioceses to lay off staff and sell property, there is growing evidence that more Catholics are not contributing to diocesan appeals because of the scandals.

The search for Christian unity must involve all aspects of the churches' lives, including their different church laws, Pope Francis said.

An overwhelming majority of Americans – 83% – said they support conscience protection rights for health care professionals because they should not be forced to perform procedures against their moral beliefs.

Four Massachusetts Catholic bishops warned of environmental red flags documented by scientists and urged a change in behaviors in a Sept. 16 statement calling for substantial changes to safeguard creation.