(RNS) It's never been easy for us to determine the boundary line between individual rights and civic responsibility. But it doesn't help when pundits resort to name-calling, nor when complexities are reduced to bumper-sticker sound bites. By James Calvin Davis.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI on Friday (March 9) denounced the "powerful political and cultural currents" that are working to "alter the legal definition of marriage" in the United States. By Alessandro Speciale.

(RNS) as the U.S. hierarchy stakes its claim as the first and final arbiter of the Catholic position in this hotly contested battle, the bishops are also facing a number of internal challenges. Left unchecked, they could undermine the bishops' position and weaken their future standing if they are seen as losing their faceoff with the White House. By David Gibson.

(RNS) The Obama administration is pushing back against charges by the nation's top Catholic bishop that talks to create a broader religious exemption from a controversial birth control coverage mandate are "going nowhere," and that White House officials are dismissing the central role of the bishops. By David Gibson.

(RNS) Anti-abortion zealots are behaving like radical Islamists: trying to balance society's moral ledger by scapegoating women and taking away their freedom. The abortion debate isn't about the unborn, it's about insecure men demanding the right to control women's lives.

Jeremy Lin does it again, and Tim Tebow may need a new nickname. Tim Dolan also (hearts) NY, and will tell pope why. China snubs Washington's religious freedom envoy, Oliver Stone becomes a Muslim -- sorta. Hutaree militia was hunting the antichrist, not the Feds.

WASHINGTON (RNS) Americans are split on a federal mandate requiring nearly all employers -- even institutions with strong religious affiliations -- to provide insurance covering contraception. By Lauren Markoe.

President Obama today said that all insurers -- not all religious institutions -- will be required to offer free contraceptive services to women. Here's what people are saying about it.

Newt Gingrich wants a ban on embryonic stem cell research, Romney doesn't. Santorum's daughter makes "miraculous" recovery, he looks for political miracle in Florida. Obama, birth control, and the Catholic vote. Andrew Sullivan's fan in the Vatican. And more...

(RNS) In the wake of President Obama's controversial decision last week to force religious groups pay for contraceptives, New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan is feeling personally betrayed.

Will Fidel Castro go to Hell? Or just something like it? Will Mitt Romney live in the Golden Temple? Will Chris Christie be the next Mitt Romney? Can we speak well of Joe Paterno?