In all that we do, Saint Paul says this Sunday, we should “avoid giving offense” but “do everything for the glory of God.” Catholic bishops and others Tuesday held an unprecedented service of repentance in Rome, asking forgiveness “for those who have abused in various ways” . . .

“I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble,” the psalmist intones in this Sunday’s psalm response. Troubled Middle East peace efforts went another problematic direction Monday when Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas turned toward the Islamic militant group Hamas, agreeing to head an interim unity government . . .

Considered guilty of sin, lepers faced great prejudice in ancient societies. Jesus, moved by compassion, modeled a different response in this Sunday’s gospel. A university’s death-penalty study has the potential to offer a new model for death-row inmates . . .

The reading from the Book of Leviticus this Sunday says that the person who is declared unclean “shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.” A mere two years after opening a $750-million-dollar embassy in Iraq, U.S. officials and contractors increasingly find themselves isolated . . .

"We have two sets of Indians. One section of the people is racing ahead while the majority are limping."

Though the total U.S. prison population remained basically unchanged between 2007 and 2010, the number of inmates age 65 and over rose by 63 percent during the same period.