Articles by Matt Hadro
Arkansas executions damage 'our whole society,' Catholic group says
Apr 28, 2017 / 10:33 amAs Arkansas executed its fourth inmate in eight days, Catholics offered prayers for the prisoners, the victims, and their families, saying the executions have diminished the whole society.
Revised health care bill still has 'serious flaws', US bishops maintain
Apr 27, 2017 / 16:01 pmA leading U.S. bishop expressed grave concerns Thursday about a revised health care bill which the House may vote on within days.
We need to 'shatter' the anonymity of sex purchasers, lawmakers say
Apr 27, 2017 / 14:43 pmThe U.S. government needs to be continually equipped to fight the scourge of human trafficking in new and effective ways, said members of Congress introducing an anti-trafficking bill on Thursday.
Never tire of fighting for human rights, religious liberty advocate insists
Apr 26, 2017 / 15:09 pmAmid a rising tide of violence, imprisonment, and harassment on account of people’s religious beliefs, the United States cannot grow weary of defending religious freedom, a leading advocate insisted Wednesday.
What pro-life Democrats have to say after being majorly shunned
Apr 26, 2017 / 02:02 amWhen the leader of the Democratic party pulled an about-face this week, claiming that support for abortion was a non-negotiable part of the platform, pro-life Democrats were utterly dismayed.
Trump administration will continue defending HHS mandate in court
Apr 25, 2017 / 11:21 amWith President Donald Trump’s administration signaling that it is not dropping the HHS mandate cases against religious non-profits, plaintiffs are concerned that the action does not reflect promises made during the presidential campaign.
Catholics speak out against execution of two more Arkansas inmates
Apr 24, 2017 / 15:33 pmAs Arkansas prepares to conduct the first double execution in the U.S. since 2000, Catholics prayed for all involved in the execution and the victims of the capital crimes.
Christians are the most widely targeted religious group in the world
Apr 23, 2017 / 15:29 pmWhen it comes to religious persecution, Christians are the most widely targeted community, said a new report released this week.
Georgetown begins to make amends for 1838 sale of enslaved persons
Apr 19, 2017 / 14:24 pmOne hundred and seventy-nine years ago, two Jesuit priests sold 272 persons at a slave auction. Their families were torn apart: many of them were shipped over a thousand miles to Louisiana, and many more were barred from practicing their Catholic faith by new slave masters.
Supreme Court appears skeptical of state denying benefits to churches
Apr 19, 2017 / 13:42 pmThe Supreme Court on Wednesday heard arguments about whether a state benefit program could exclude churches because of their religious status.
Missouri reverses course, makes churches eligible for some state grants
Apr 17, 2017 / 15:01 pmMissouri has announced that it will start allowing religious groups to be eligible for certain state grants, although the decision may not affect a religious freedom case before the U.S. Supreme Court this week.
Catholics heartened by stay on flurry of planned executions in Arkansas
Apr 17, 2017 / 13:49 pmAs judges halted the planned executions of eight inmates in 10 days in Arkansas, Catholics around the country pointed to messages of mercy and life in the Easter Triduum.
Study finds religious persecution spread to more countries in 2015
Apr 15, 2017 / 02:01 amGlobal religious persecution spiked from 2014 to 2015, the Pew Research Center noted in a new report released this week.
Proposed Texas budget would defund abortion providers
Apr 10, 2017 / 15:42 pmThe Texas House passed a budget on Friday that strips Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers of funding through any state program.
Global bishops unite in prayer following Egypt church bombings
Apr 10, 2017 / 10:38 amFollowing the murder of Christians in Egypt through two bombings during Palm Sunday liturgies, bishops around the world joined Pope Francis in prayer.
What Catholic leaders had to say about US missile strikes in Syria
Apr 7, 2017 / 14:20 pmThe Melkite Archbishop of Aleppo expressed regret and disappointment at Thursday’s U.S. missile strikes in Syria, saying he hoped for “a political solution.”
Pro-life, religious freedom leaders cheer confirmation of Neil Gorsuch
Apr 7, 2017 / 10:08 amPro-life and religious freedom advocates cheered the Senate’s confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch on Friday to the U.S. Supreme Court, filling an almost 14 month-long vacancy.
US leaders tell persecuted believers: 'You are not alone'
Apr 6, 2017 / 15:25 pmReligious freedom advocates at the United States capitol on Thursday sent a message of solidarity to all those imprisoned or tortured for their religious beliefs.
Chemical attack in Syria 'shocks the soul,' says top US bishop
Apr 5, 2017 / 15:52 pmReligious and political leaders have renewed calls for peace as they decried dozens of reported civilian deaths by poison gas this week in the Syrian conflict.
Ex-convict: We need to end the stigma against felons
Apr 3, 2017 / 16:24 pmAs Pope Francis and U.S. bishops insist upon helping ex-convicts re-enter society, advocates are pointing to a litany of obstacles – over 40,000 legal regulations – for such re-entry that need to be addressed.