Boston, one year ago: Boston Marathon bombings through one family's eyes by Claire Schaeffer-Duffy
Editorial: The Independent (UK) -- Hints of reform in the Catholic church are welcome
Pope Francis' Challenge to the Evangelical-Catholic Coalition by Robert P. Jones
Rome: How much change can Pope Francis bring to the Catholic Church? (A pretty good analysis of Francis' pontificate, but one very unfortunate mistaken statement about who can/can't "take" Communion.)
Francis encountering curial opposition, cardinal says
Pope Francis inherits John Paul’s notorious failure on sex-abuse front -- Background to this story: Vatican knew for decades about Legion problem
Easter in China: China keeps religious activities under its thumb -- But is its system of total control beginning to creak?
Derry, Ireland -- Bishop uses chrism Mass to issue state of the church address. Church services "on demand" about to change, he says.
Manila, Philippines -- Head of bishops' family life committee pledges vigilance as reproductive health law comes into force
Australia announces $20 million for Syrian refugee children
Court Deportations Drop 43 Percent in Past Five Years
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.