The state is shaping up to be big battleground over abortion rights in November. Research shows a majority of U.S. Catholics supports abortion rights — even though church leadership does not.

Although the Catholic Church officially opposes abortion, the report says there's far greater diversity of opinion among laity in the U.S.

Religions hold a variety of views toward IVF. Catholicism has one of the strongest negative judgments against the practice. Yet many in the church still use the procedure in order to have children.

The possible plan could affect President Biden, among other Catholic political figures. The Vatican is calling for U.S. bishops to reach a consensus and says any such move could sow division.

In the midst of a pandemic that's wreaking havoc on prisons and disproportionately affects older people, activists known as the Kings Bay Plowshares have been sentenced to up to 33 months in prison.

Opposition to the death penalty is "a teaching that deserves our respect," says Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley. "I don't think it can be simply disregarded."

Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, D.C., is among 13 church leaders who will be elevated to cardinal at a ceremony at the Vatican next month.

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have looked for ways to challenge Barrett's conservative views without alienating her Catholic supporters.

A common Catholic "sensibility" is at work among both pro-Trump and pro-Biden Catholic voters, with an emphasis on the dignity of the human person.

Democrats are unhappy over Barrett's nomination and object to her conservative legal views, but they are unlikely to question her Catholic beliefs.