In accused priest killer's case, bishops urge mercy, reject death penalty

Collecting human rights prize, Yazidi lawmaker calls travel ban ‘unfair’

Adelle M. Banks Religion News Service | Feb. 9, 2017

Receiving a prestigious human rights prize, an Iraqi lawmaker who gained international attention for her oppressed Yazidi religious minority decried the Trump administration’s “unfair” executive order on immigration.

“Mr. President Donald Trump, Iraq is not a terrorist,” said Vian Dakhil as she received the Lantos Human Rights Prize at a Capitol Hill ceremony Wednesday (Feb. 8). “Iraqis are not terrorists. We are friends and allies. And we are looking forward to have exceptional relations with all people, especially with the United States of America.”

Fordham ban of Palestine group contradicts free speech, Jesuit values

Stephen Zunes | Feb. 9, 2017

NCR Today: Although Students for Justice in Palestine followed all the required procedures, Fordham has refused to recognize it. But its members have every right to organize for justice.

Vatican defends including China at organ-trafficking summit

Josephine McKenna Religion News Service | Feb. 8, 2017

The Vatican defended its decision to invite China to an organ trafficking summit after an outcry from medical experts and ethicists about China's record of using executed prisoners as organ donors.

They defied sanctions to bring aid to Iraq's people

Kathy Kelly | Feb. 8, 2017

Gabe Huck and Theresa Kubasak repeatedly challenged the economic sanctions against Iraq by carrying medicines and medical relief supplies to Iraqi children, families and hospitals.

Editorial: Ohio's halt in executions is welcome

NCR Editorial Staff | Feb. 7, 2017

We say: Recent cases bolster arguments that the Supreme Court should reconsider not only its ruling on midazolam, but on all executions, no matter what methods are used.

In Kenya, a pastor fights female genital mutilation with the gospel

Frederick Nzwili Religion News Service | Feb. 6, 2017

On International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, the U.N.-sponsored awareness day, a Presbyterian pastor visited a rescue center for girls escaping the tribal procedure.

We, too, sing America: The Catholic church and the Museum of African American History and Culture

Bishop Edward Braxton | Feb. 6, 2017

As an African-American and a Catholic bishop, I have looked forward to visiting the new Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture and examining its treatment of the church.

Yazidi human rights leader won’t be able to pick up her award

Josephine McKenna Religion News Service | Feb. 3, 2017

Vian Dakhil captured the world’s attention two years ago when she made an impassioned plea to save the Yazidi religious minority from annihilation by the Islamic State group in northern Iraq.

As the only female Yazidi in the Iraqi Parliament, Dakhil fought tirelessly for international assistance to stop the violence, including sexual slavery, targeting her beleaguered people.

Now she has been awarded the Lantos Human Rights Prize in Washington, D.C. But she is unlikely to make the ceremony on Feb. 8, since President Donald Trump banned all travelers from Iraq.

USCCB official urges Tillerson to work for two-state solution in Mideast

Catholic News Service | Feb. 2, 2017

USCCB on Israeli-Palestinian conflict: The U.S. government should continue to promote a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and avoid actions that would undermine results, said Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico, head of the U.S. bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace.