Morning Briefing

Pope Paul VI's encyclical Humanae Vitae, "On Human Life," was publicly released on Monday, July 29, 1968. NCR has marked the anniversary with a series of articles that we called 'Humanae Vitae': The maturing of church teaching. I think we have a couple more stories coming in this series. Our latest is Eastern Europe's church still rallies to call of 'Humanae Vitae'.

Here's a shocker for Catholics following the issue of immigration and family seperation: A Single Trump Appointee Was Responsible For Keeping Hundreds Of Kids Locked Up Longer. So the guy who is slowing down family reunification is a former policy analyst for the Knights of Columbus.

Global Sisters Report is continuing its series chronicling the refugee experience. The full series is Seeking Refuge . The latest installment is As resettlement agency in Kansas closes, other doors open.

The Adorers of the Blood of Christ have been trying to stop a natural gas pipeline from crossing their land. A federal appeals court on Wednesday may have ended their resistance: Appeals court upholds decision against sisters in gas pipeline suit.

From The Economist: Catholic bishops’ opposition to Donald Trump emboldens church liberals. The Economist's take: "They may be disappointed."

Thomas Tobin, the bishop of Providence, R.I., joined the social media platform in February and accumulated about 6,100 followers. Bishop leaves Twitter, calling the platform an "occasion of sin." He wrote in a final tweet that it had become a "distraction" to him as well as an "obstacle" to his spiritual life.

Trócaire, the Irish church's overseas development agency, reports that its income increased last year by €12 million (about $13 million), a 19 percent increase, the second-highest level achieved in its 45-year history. Funds enabled agency to help almost three million people in developing world.

Here are two of the most interesting stories I have seen this week. I can't help but think these two stories -- which never mention Pope Francis -- gave me insight into the formation of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio .

• Dozens of women march in silence through a rainy cityscape. Heads bowed, dressed in red cloaks and white bonnets, it looks like a scene from Gilead, the theocratic patriarchy Margaret Atwood created in dystopian 1985 novel The Handmaid's Tale. But this is Buenos Aires. How the handmaid became an international protest symbol.
• An Argentinian daytime talk show, known for stoking fights among scantily clad cabaret dancers, broke format and suddenly invited nuanced conversations about feminism, sexual harassment and abortion. Feminism Gets A New Platform In Argentina.

Vatican correspondent Joshua McElwee is in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina with 500 theologians gathered at the Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church conference. Here's his last dispatch: Francis tells 500 theologians world needs "renewed leadership." He'll file another story later today. Fr. Charles Curran is the keynote speaker tomorrow, so check the website for news of his address.

In a growing number of communities around the country, especially in rural areas, patients and physicians have access to just one hospital. And in more and more places, that hospital is Catholic. That sounds innocuous — a hospital is a hospital, after all. But Catholic hospitals are bound by a range of restrictions on care that are determined by religious authorities, with very little input from medical staff. Increasingly, where a patient lives can determine whether Catholic doctrine, and how the local bishop interprets that doctrine, will decide what kind of care she can get. How Catholic Bishops Are Shaping Health Care In Rural America.

Pope Francis' exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate ("Rejoice and Be Glad") has inspired many. NCR and Celebration have the resources to help you on your journey of 'small holiness'.

• Start your day inspired with daily Scripture reflections. Join NCR's sister publication, Celebration, for Daily Bread, a series of short reflections written by four authors who meet regularly to share the readings.
• Or reflect on Pencil Preaching by Pat Marrin. Every morning Pat Marrin breaks open the Word with a pencil sketch and a short meditation.