SAN FRANCISCO – With a one-sentence order, the California Supreme Court March 1 denied a request to speed up consideration of a key question in the appeal over the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage.Read More

VATICAN CITY – Two Italian nuns, both in their 60s, were kidnapped Nov. 10 in northeastern Kenya near the border with Somalia, the Vatican newspaper reported.Read More

PHILADELPHIA – “Cry out full-throated and unsparingly,” says the first reading from Isaiah (58:1) for March 11 –- the date set for a Lenten prayer service at Philadelphia’s Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.Read More

When College of Notre Dame of Maryland dean of education Sister Sharon Slear arrived at the school 18 years ago, there was only traditional undergraduate course-work offered for potential teachers. The School Sister of Notre Dame saw possibilities for vast amounts of growth.Read More

SEVERNA PARK – Warren Tanghe, ordained a transitional deacon by Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien Feb. 26, will become a priest in the Catholic Church June 25.Read More

Anyone growing up in the Catholic Church through the 1960s might remember the term “pagan baby,” based on a parish/school program through which parishioners and students spiritually adopted babies from foreign countries to pray for them.Read More

PHOENIX – Arizona’s Legislature will debate bills that question birthright citizenship, make hospitals check legal status of patients and require schools to keep tabs on students who are in the United States illegally.Read More

New York socialite, mother of five children, 29-year-old widow, ostracized Catholic convert, teacher and founder of a school and an order of nuns.Read More