A new law in Utah will require fathers to pay for half of the mother’s cost of pregnancy, making Utah the first state to mandate prenatal child support from the father. HB 113, sponsored by Rep. Brady Brammer, stipulates that the baby’s biological father must
For Catholics who welcomed the Vatican’s recent statement barring blessings of same-sex unions, the flurry of objections that followed has seemed eerily reminiscent of the outcry against the 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae. Just as St. Paul VI’s letter articulating the Church’s stance against artificial contraception was met with
A Catholic diocese in Italy has described a priest’s refusal to bless palms on Sunday because of the Vatican’s rejection of blessings for same-sex unions as “reprehensible.” The Diocese of Spezia-Sarzana-Brugnato said that the matter was being addressed according to Church norms. Fr. Giulio Mignani,
Recently, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith — the Vatican agency responsible for resolving doctrinal disputes — declined a request from German bishops asking if it was permissible to bless what are popularly referred to as “gay marriages.” The response has been widely characterized in
Couples in New Zealand who have a miscarriage or stillbirth will be eligible for paid bereavement leave under a new law approved by parliament. MP Ginny Andersen, who put forward the bill, said it would allow mothers and their partners to “come to terms with
Following a Vatican clarification that the Church cannot bless same-sex unions, some media outlets have speculated about Pope Francis’ involvement – or lack thereof – in releasing the document. However, the pope’s consent is a necessary part of any responsum, and Pope Francis himself has multiple
A Colorado baker who won a case before the Supreme Court in 2018 over his refusal to make a custom wedding cake for a same-sex couple is facing a new lawsuit after declining to make a birthday cake that celebrated a transgender woman’s transition. Autumn Scardina tried
On March 21 we mark International Down Syndrome Day, a time to celebrate all those individuals who have overcome the many obstacles placed before them. In order to honor these more vulnerable members of society, we wanted to share some of the most inspiring stories that
In his book Society and Sanity, Catholic theologian Frank Sheed makes a bold claim: “The typical modern man practically never thinks about sex.” I know what you’re thinking: “How can you say modern man doesn’t think about sex? Just watch the commercials—from shampoo to yogurt to cleaning
Jack Phillips is America’s most famous baker. People have taken him all the way to the Supreme Court in hopes of getting it to force him to bake them one of his custom cakes. This week he’s back in the dock, again defending his refusal
