FACE Act

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Mark and Ryan-Marie Houck of Kintnersville in rural Bucks County, Pennsylvania, are the parents to seven young children.

Through her eyes: Mark Houck’s wife prepared ‘for the worst,’ surrendered to God’s will

Feb 11, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

“They could have taken him to jail right away and my kids would not have seen him again” directly after... Read more

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Nicole Parker (left) testifies during the first hearing of the Weaponization of the Federal Government Subcommittee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on Feb. 9, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

GOP-created panel’s first hearing on ‘weaponization’ of government draws fire from Democrats

Feb 9, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

A former FBI agent told members of a new House panel that she left the agency after she believes it... Read more

Mark Houck talks to reporters outside the U.S. District courthouse in Philadelphia with his lawyers, Peter Breen (left), Brian McMonagle (right), and Andrew Bath (background) following his acquittal on two charges of violating the FACE Act, Jan. 30, 2023.

Guess who’s coming to the State of the Union? Pro-life hero and target of Biden Justice Department Mark Houck

Feb 7, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Scott Perry invited pro-life advocate and recently exonerated Catholic father of seven Mark Houck to be his... Read more

An FBI agent stands outside the Houck residence in Kintnersville, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 23, 2022. Mark Houck was arrested that day and charged with assaulting a Planned Parenthood escort outside an Philadelphia abortion clinic on Oct. 13, 2021.

Investigation into FBI, fed agencies’ targeting of Christians and pro-lifers to begin next week

Feb 4, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

A primary focus of the investigation will be the Biden administration’s targeting of pro-lifers through the Freedom of Access to... Read more

Mark Houck talks to reporters outside the U.S. District courthouse in Philadelphia with his lawyers, Peter Breen (left), Brian McMonagle (right), and Andrew Bath (background) following his acquittal on two charges of violating the FACE Act, Jan. 30, 2023.

Pro-life advocates and lawmakers react to news of Mark Houck’s acquittal

Jan 30, 2023

By Tyler Arnold, Jonah McKeown

Mark Houck’s pro-life supporters hailed Monday’s verdict while also chastising the Department of Justice for filing charges against the Catholic... Read more

After being acquitted of federal charges by a jury in Philadelphia on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, Mark Houck embraces and kisses his wife, Ryan-Marie Houck. Also with Houck are his son Mark Houck Jr., 14, and his daughter, Ava Houck, 12.

UPDATE: Mark Houck cleared of FACE Act charges in rebuke to Justice Department’s aggressive prosecution

Jan 30, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Pro-life activist Mark Houck was found not guilty Monday on federal assault charges stemming from a shoving incident outside a... Read more

Mark Houck and his wife, Ryan-Marie Houck, prior to entering the federal court house in Philadelphia on Jan. 25, 2023.

Mark Houck trial update: Alternate chosen to replace juror

Jan 30, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

The alternate took the place of the original juror at approximately 1:30 p.m. Monday, when deliberations began again. Read more

CNA

Mark Houck trial: Jury deadlocked, will resume deliberations Jan. 30

Jan 27, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

The jury deciding the fate of pro-life activist Mark Houck could not come to a decision Friday on whether the... Read more

The Houck family

Prosecution rests case in Mark Houck trial, defense motions to dismiss the case

Jan 26, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

In the trial of Mark Houck, charged with violating Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, defense lawyers argued that... Read more

Mark Houck and his wife, Ryan-Marie Houck, prior to entering the federal court house in Philadelphia on Jan. 25, 2023.

Pro-life leader and Catholic father of 7 Mark Houck goes to trial: an emotional first day

Jan 25, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

The allegations relate to an incident that occurred at a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Philadelphia on Oct. 13, 2021. Read more

Father Fidelis Moscinski (lower left, standing behind the cross), a well-known pro-life activist and priest of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR) is seen during a tense standoff between pro-life and pro-abortion demonstrators in Lower Manhattan on July 2, 2022. The pro-life marchers were trying to reach a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic where they planned to hold a prayer vigil, and the pro-abortion demonstrators were trying to block their path.

Priest found guilty of blocking entrance to abortion clinic, faces prison time

Jan 24, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

“The defendant attempted to prevent women from accessing their legal right to vital reproductive and pregnancy services,” United States Attorney... Read more

A woman attends a rally for Mark Houck outside the James A. Byrne United States Courthouse in Philadelphia on Jan. 24, 2023, while holding a sign that says “Justice for Mark Houck!”

Trial of Mark Houck, pro-life advocate, begins with night of prayer

Jan 24, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

A crowd of about 50 supporters gathered in front of the federal courthouse in Philadelphia on Tuesday, one day before... Read more

Mark Houck with his children

Pro-life advocate Mark Houck, who was arrested in FBI raid, to stand trial next week

Jan 17, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Houck was arrested at home in front of his terrified wife and kids, sparking national outrage and concern over the... Read more

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, will chair the new subcommittee investigating the "weaponization" of the FBI and IRS.

GOP-led ‘weaponization’ committee to investigate arrests of pro-lifers

Jan 13, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The subcommittee is expected to investigate the FBI’s use of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act to... Read more

Mark Houck with his children

Arrested pro-life activist Mark Houck victim of religious discrimination, lawyers say

Dec 8, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

Lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the case, contending that “the Biden administration, has engaged in an overt pattern of... Read more

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FBI releases video of attack on firebombed Buffalo pregnancy center, says FACE Act charges possible

Nov 14, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

The FBI also announced a reward of up to $25,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the arsonists. Read more

An FBI agent stands outside the Houck residence in Kintnersville, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 23, 2022. Mark Houck was arrested that day and charged with assaulting a Planned Parenthood escort outside an Philadelphia abortion clinic on Oct. 13, 2021.

Lawmakers request information from FBI about pro-life arrests, indictments

Oct 12, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

In a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, more than three dozen Republican lawmakers asked why the bureau appears to... Read more

Mark Houck with his children

Mark Houck calls men to fight ‘noble battles.’ A controversial indictment is his biggest one yet

Oct 7, 2022

By Shannon Mullen, Joe Bukuras

A look at the Catholic father of seven at the center of a growing debate over the FBI's actions toward... Read more

Father Fidelis Moscinski (far left, in gray robe), a well-known pro-life activist and priest of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR), is seen during a tense standoff between pro-life and pro-abortion demonstrators in Lower Manhattan on July 2, 2022.

Abortion-protesting priest faces possible prison time after charges under FACE Act

Oct 3, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Father Fidelis Moscinski, 52, a priest of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, was charged last week under the Freedom... Read more

Mark and Ryan-Marie Houck with their seven children, ages 2 to 13.

Legislators raise concerns about FBI raid at pro-life family’s home

Sep 27, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

Twenty-two members of Congress are demanding an explanation from the Department of Justice after the arrest of a Catholic pro-life... Read more

Latest news

The oldest known stone tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments, dating from 300 to 800 A.D. was sold at Sotheby's auction house on Dec. 18, 2024, in New York City. Expected to sell for $1-2 million, it went for $5.04 million. Inscribed with the commandments in Paleo-Hebrew script, the tablet was discovered during railroad excavations along the southern coast of Israel in 1913.

Ten Commandments tablet surpasses estimates at Sotheby’s despite authenticity questions

Pope Francis speaks to pilgrims gathered in the Paul VI Audience Hall for his general audience on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis prays for Cyclone Chido victims in France’s poorest overseas territory    

Blessed Martyrs of Compiègne were guillotined for their faith on July 17, 1794.

Pope Francis declares French Martyrs of Compiègne saints via equipollent canonization

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the Vatican’s current doctrinal chief and principal drafter of ‘Fiducia Supplicans,’ is shown during the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican, Oct. 9, 2023.

One year later, Vatican document on same-sex blessings not causing much of a stir

Pope Francis speaks with young men during a general audience.

Pope Francis calls on young people to protect their authenticity and dignity at work

St. Nicholas, by Jaroslav Čermák (1831-1878).

Santa’s tomb? Coffin of St. Nicholas may have been found — but there’s a catch

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Today is an ember day. What’s that?

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Michigan attorney general releases fourth report on alleged abuse in state dioceses

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims at his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Oct. 9, 2024.

As he turns 88, 8 + 8 interesting things about Pope Francis

An Ontario judge has acquitted Linda Gibbons, a 76-year-old Christian grandmother and pro-life activist who was charged with protesting within an “buffer zone” outside an abortion clinic.

Judge acquits 76-year-old Canadian pro-life activist 

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