Cheryl Wetzstein
Articles by Cheryl Wetzstein
Congress OKs renewal of religious watchdog panel for 4 years
A bill to renew a federal panel that monitors religious freedom worldwide has been sent to the White House for President Obama's signature. Published October 7, 2015
Planned Parenthood, gay marriage top topics at Values Voters Summit
Republican presidential politicians may have grabbed the headlines at Friday's Values Voter Summit, but Kentucky clerk Kim Davis and pro-life video-maker David Daleiden got the heroes' welcomes. Published September 25, 2015
Values Voter Summit erupts in applause at news of Boehner’s resignation
The crowd at the Values Voter Summit erupted into applause and cheers at the news that House Speaker John Boehner is stepping down on Oct. 30. Published September 25, 2015
Pope Francis hopes to mend shattered bonds of family life on U.S. visit
The American family landscape that Pope Francis is viewing during his first visit to the United States differs vastly from that of 1965, when Paul VI became the first pontiff to step onto U.S. soil: More couples are divorced or living together and fewer are married today than they were in the '60s. Published September 24, 2015
Religious liberty, traditional marriage, presidential politics main topics of ‘values’ summit
Religious liberty, traditional marriage and presidential candidates are among the major topics to be addressed at annual Values Voter Summit, which begins Friday. Published September 24, 2015
Pope Francis, at D.C. canonization Mass, implores Catholics to live ‘joy of the Gospel’
Pope Francis urged Catholics not to let their hearts grow "numb" but to take joy from a life of sharing the Gospel, making his exhortation at a Wednesday canonization Mass that was the first declaration of a saint on U.S. soil and his personal first in this country. Published September 23, 2015
Pope Francis visit: Cardinal Donald Wuerl calls trip ‘a blessing to all of us’
Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, thanked Pope Francis at Wednesday afternoon's canonization Mass, saying Francis's visit is "a blessing to all of us." Published September 23, 2015
Pope Francis canonizes Saint Serra, 18th-century missionary
A Franciscan friar who walked thousands of miles to spread Christianity in California some 300 years ago became the first saint to be declared in the United States Wednesday. Published September 23, 2015
Senate blocks pain-capable abortion bill
The Senate on Tuesday scuttled an attempt to advance a bill that would prevent most late term abortions based on a concern that the fetuses would feel the pain of abortion. Published September 22, 2015
House passes bills to defund Planned Parenthood, criminalize infanticide in abortion clinics
Citing undercover videos taken of abortion officials involved in fetal-tissue procurement operations, members of the House of Representatives Friday passed two bills aimed at correcting potential abuses. Published September 18, 2015
House abortion bills debated, scheduled for Friday vote
A bill to divert Planned Parenthood federal funding to community health centers for a year, and another measure that would penalize doctors if they fail to give medical care to infants born alive during an abortion are scheduled to be voted on Friday in the House. Published September 17, 2015
Adopted children who are ‘re-homed’ hard to find, track: GAO report
A new federal report on the "re-homing" of adopted children said the problem is hard to track, but government officials are taking action to stop the practice. Published September 17, 2015
Planned Parenthood worries about fetal-tissue ‘headlines,’ keeps no written policy
A new undercover video shows Planned Parenthood officials discussing ways in which they keep fetal-tissue operations out of sight, due to fears of scandal. Published September 15, 2015
South Dakota lawmakers ask Supreme Court to reconsider Roe, Doe abortion rulings
A trio of South Dakota lawmakers presented a state-passed legislative measure to the Supreme Court Tuesday that asks the high court to reconsider -- and overturn -- its abortion rulings, including Roe v. Wade. Published September 14, 2015
Lawmakers say killing Christians is ‘religious genocide’
The mass torture, murder and displacement of Christian families and other religious minorities in the Middle East must be called by its real name -- genocide -- members of Congress said Thursday at a gathering of a nonpartisan organization that advocates against religious persecution. Published September 10, 2015
Constitutional literacy campaign launched to promote informed citizenry
A new campaign has been launched to educate Americans of all ages about the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights and other core documents and principles of the nation, campaign leaders said Thursday. Published September 10, 2015
Planned Parenthood misleads, women testify at congressional hearing
Two women who survived abortions told a congressional hearing that Planned Parenthood, which is being investigated over its abortion and fetal tissue activities, already misleads people about what it does. Published September 9, 2015
Pro-life groups to rally at Capitol Hill in wake of videos
As the first congressional hearing begins into Planned Parenthood's practices with fetal tissue, pro-life groups are planning a Capitol Hill rally while a major reproductive health research group warns that shifting funds to community health centers will likely cause problems for low-income women. Published September 8, 2015
Pope Francis to canonize Junipero Serra during Washington, D.C., visit
An 18th century priest who walked thousands of miles to spread Christianity in California and founded several Catholic missions that gave rise to the state's major cities will soon be elevated into sainthood. Published September 7, 2015
Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities collects ideas to save children
The grisly tragedies mount: A Missouri mother has been charged with beating her 1-year-old daughter to death, and a Kentucky couple are accused of criminal abuse after the mother dropped their newborn while high on drugs, resulting in the baby's death. Published September 6, 2015