Morning Briefing

Vatican declares Chilean bishop innocent of sexual abuse charges The district attorney’s office also closed its investigation regarding the case, the statement said, adding that the bishop had cooperated with both investigations.

Hawaii -- Civil Window for child sex abuse victims extended Will allow suits to be brought against private and pubulic institutions.

London -- Second priest defies Church of England to marry his same sex partner

Synod on the Family -- At a press conference Thursday at noon (Rome time), the Vatican will release Instrumentum laboris (work document) for this falls extraordinary synod on the family.

Winona, Minn. -- Diocese explains why it's paying priest who admitted abuse Payment "is required by law."

El Paso, Texas -- Church groups were startled on a Wednesday in early June when Border Patrol officials alerted them that planeloads of detained migrants, mainly women and children from Central America, would be released in El Paso the coming weekend. The government officials were giving advance warning to the agencies and church groups that would be needed to supply aid. We mobilized to meet their needsby Janet Gildea is a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati. Global Sisters Report, devoted to covering the mission and ministry of Catholic women religious. It offers news, commentary and reflections on spirituality and theology.

This is a story from last week, but if you have yet seen the photograph that illustrates the story, you're missing out: The Fall of the Vice-Pope

Washington -- Bishops state 'great concern' over executive order on LGBT discrimination

Commentary --  USCCB on LGBT Non-Discrimination: Why do we need to have this fight? by Michael Sean Winters

Pope Francis visits Italian mob turf, says mafiosi excommunicated

Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, Utah: If you’re pro-life, you’re pro-Medicaid expansion. He asked why in "a state that proudly proclaims its pro-life beliefs," political leaders are "frittering away" the chance to expand Medicaid.

Dominican Republic Catholic Church opposes wall at Haiti border

Looking for a little inspiration to begin your day? NCR's sister publication, Celebration, gives you two options, both based on the Scripture readings of the day:

Daily Bread is a series of short reflections written by four authors who meet regularly to share the readings. Daily Bread is intended to help daily preachers and others who pray from the assigned Scriptures each day to orient themselves to the Living Word addressed to the church in the world. It's a great way to begin the day.

Pencil Preaching is blog in which Celebration editor Pat Marrin combines Scripture and sketching to reflect on the Word.