Leaders in the United States “must engage in a real debate about needed measures to save lives and make our communities safer,” said the chairman of the US bishops’ domestic policy committee, CNS reports. (Click on title for whole article.)

Pope Francis has requested a debate over allowing married men in the Amazon region of Brazil to become priests, in a controversial move that is likely to outrage conservatives in the Church, Vatican sources say. (Click on title for entire story.)

The official Catholic-Lutheran dialogue will begin a deeper exploration of common beliefs and differences on “church, Eucharist and ministry,” the Vatican and the Lutheran World Federation announced yesterday, CNS reports. (Click on Title for whole story.)

One perk that comes with floating aboard the International Space Station is NASA arranges for occasional calls with celebrities to keep the astronauts’ spirits high during their monthslong flights, CNS reports. (Click on Title for entire article.)

We have experienced "yet another night filled with unspeakable terror", Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, said following Sunday night's deadly shooting attack in Las Vegas, CNS reports.

A child’s baptism turned into tragedy when the roof of a church collapsed as a powerful earthquake shook central Mexico. Eleven members of a family died during the earthquake, including the 2-month-old girl being baptised, Crux reports. (Click on title for whole story.)

The Pope's Council of Cardinals met this week to discuss the ongoing reform of the Roman Curia, CNA reports.(Click on title for full article.)

The scientific work of an American Dominican sister was instrumental in the discovery of DNA, Aleteia reports. (Click on title for whole story.)

Musicians, including Sr. Maria Valentina, a nun-turned-rapper in sports sneakers, will perform for the Pope when he visits Colombia tomorrow, Yahoo7 News reports. (Click on title for full article.)

U.S. Catholic Magazine remembers Rev. "Mr. Rogers" on Labor Day who believed, “Work is one of the most satisfying things that a person can do if he or she is interested.” (Click title to read whole article.)

Catholic social teaching has developed over the past century as new problems – human, social, economic and environmental – come clearer into focus and call out for a faith-based response, CNS reports.

Pope Francis has invoked his “magisterial authority” to declare that the liturgical reforms following Vatican II are “irreversible”, the Catholic Herald reports.

As political and religious leaders across America denounced Saturday's violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, triggered by a large white supremacist rally, the leader of the country's Catholic bishops said, "The abhorrent acts of hatred on display in Charlottesville are an attack on the unity of our nation and therefore summon us all to fervent prayer and peaceful action." (Click title for entire article from CRUX.)

negotiating table and focus on improving the quality of life of their people rather than on the might of their advanced weaponry, said a former Vatican diplomat, CNS/NCR reports. (Click title for whole story.)

The religious imagery throughout the Star Wars saga is more than just coincidence, writes Fr Raymond de Souza in the Catholic Herald. (Click title for whole story.)

Fr José Miguel Machorro, who was attacked while celebrating Mass in Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral in May, has died in hospital, the Catholic Herald reports. (Click title for whole story.)

Ordinary Catholics, including those who may not be regular church attendees, must help with Church reform, writes Kevin Liston on Eureka Street. (Click title for whole story.)

Complaining in Pope Francis’ room is not allowed, at least according to a sign now hanging on his door at the Domus Santa Marta, Crux reports.

Agencies of the US and European Catholic bishops have called for all nations to develop a plan to eliminate nuclear weapons from their military arsenals, CNS reports. (Click title for full story.)

Catholics must work harder to bridge the racial divide in communities, across the United States and within the Church, while the Church needs to be a stronger force in confronting racism. (Click on Title for article.)