WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - After the Supreme Court struck down Texas' abortion clinic regulations last week, a new report claims that these clinics are ignoring health standards and continuing to put women at risk.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - On Monday, the Supreme Court struck down a 2013 Texas law regulating the safety of abortion clinics, saying in a 5-3 decision that it put an undue burden on a women's right to an abortion.

"To be Catholic and to be American should not mean having to choose one over the other," said Father Robert Zilliox in a Mass that began the two week period known as the Fortnight for Freedom.

Much to the delight of abortion advocates, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has loosened its guidelines for the powerful abortion drug, RU-486/Mifepristone, marketed as "Mifeprex."

Several bills have been introduced in New York State that would fundamentally alter the doctor-patient relationship by authorizing physician-assisted suicide for individuals declared by a doctor to be terminally ill.

Bishop Edward M. Grosz, auxiliary bishop of Buffalo, will offer a special blessing for unborn children and their expectant parents at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday at St. Joseph Cathedral

Since California legalized physician-assisted suicide late last year, the proponents of such laws have set their sights on New York, with paid lobbyists, consultants and public relations firms endlessly recounting the story of Brittany Maynard.

The 12th annual Mass for the unborn will be held on Wednesday, March 23, at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church, 157 Cleveland Drive, Cheektowaga. The rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. and Mass will begin at 7 p.m. Father Martin X. Moleski, S.J., will the celebrant and homilist at the evening Liturgy.

The 2016 annual Rosary Novena for Life begins on Saturday, March 19, with 8 a.m. Mass at St. Rose of Lima Parish, Parkside and Parker avenues, Buffalo, and will continue on one Saturday each month through November.

Ultrasound images have become a powerful tool in saving the lives of those still in the womb. Ultrasound exams use ultrasound waves to scan a women's abdomen, creating a picture or "sonogram" of the baby in uterus.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Christians must work to abolish the death penalty and improve prison conditions, Pope Francis said on Sunday.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Despite a rush of headlines claiming Pope Francis is softening the Church's stance on contraception, a closer look at his recent remarks could suggest otherwise.

Jacquie Stalnaker is one of those special people who not only have managed to overcome the very difficult situations in her life, but managed to use them for good and to help others.

On Feb. 18, Bishop Richard J. Malone formally announced Upon This Rock, a five-year, $100 million capital campaign that will fund the Diocese of Buffalo's mission in three specific areas. These three pillars, which the campaign calls "those we serve," "those who serve" and "how we serve," involve investing money into the future of diocesan parishes, caring for retired priests, and supporting efforts of Catholic Charities and Catholic education, all with the goal of ensuring a solid future for the diocese.

In February, the St. Gianna Molla Pregnancy Outreach Center will be holding its fifth-annual benefit banquet to raise money to buy needed supplies for women it serves who are in need of baby supplies.

Many of us in the pro-life movement have heard someone make the claim that they're firmly against abortion but see nothing wrong with contraception. This statement shows a common confusion that blurs the truth, espoused and cherished by our Church, about the gift of life and the dignity of every person.

Once again, Buffalonians had their plans crushed by their archenemy - snow. An incoming blizzard forced a contingent of 360 people from the Diocese of Buffalo to flee Washington, D.C. just an hour before the March for Life began.

HOUSTON, TEXAS (CNA/EWTN News) - Updated Jan 25, 2016 at 18:16 MST: The Center for Medical Progress issued a statement saying it "uses the same undercover techniques that investigative journalists have used for decades in exercising our First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and of the press, and follows all applicable laws. We respect the processes of the Harris County District Attorney, and note that buying fetal tissue requires a seller as well. Planned Parenthood still cannot deny the admissions from their leadership about fetal organ sales captured on video for all the world to see."

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - "Women's liberation." "Women's rights movement." "War on women."

Bishop Richard Malone explains the teaching of the Catholic church on the protection of human life in a new "Consider This." Catholics cannot accept abortion as something that is moral and right.

The 2016 March for Life will take place in Washington, D.C. on Friday, Jan. 22. Catholics and others in solidarity will join in a pilgrimage of public witness, penance and prayer for all those victimized by the1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.

WASHINGTON, DC - Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on everyone "concerned about the tragedy of abortion" to recommit to a "vision of life and love, a vision that excludes no one" on January 14. His statement marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Cardinal Dolan chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

WASHINGTON, DC - The National Prayer Vigil for Life will be held from Thursday afternoon, January 21-Friday morning, January 22, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, where Pope Francis celebrated Mass during his recent visit to Washington. Over 20,000 pilgrims from around the nation will pray there for an end to abortion before the annual March for Life.

A Mass for the observance of the 43rd anniversary of the United States Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade legalizing abortion will take place on Saturday, Jan. 16, at 4 p.m. at Divine Mercy Parish, 2437 Niagara St., Niagara Falls. The Mass serves as a symbol of reparation for the millions of unborn children, victims of abortion; reconciliation for all women and men who have been involved in an abortion; and recommitment to end abortion-on-demand in our nation.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNA/EWTN News) - After the House of Representatives voted Wednesday to pass a budget bill blocking federal funding of Planned Parenthood, the legislation will reach President Barack Obama's desk in a historic first for the pro-life movement.

Bishop Richard J. Malone, along with other representatives from the Buffalo Diocese and hundreds of thousands of Catholics from across the nation, will join in solidarity in the March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 21- 22, 2016.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - The United States Senate voted Thursday to pass a bill that would defund Planned Parenthood, though the White House has said President Obama will veto the legislation.

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. (CNA/EWTN News) - After Friday's shooting at a Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic killed three but with an official motive for the act not determined, pro-life groups have condemned any act of violence against abortion clinics.

Becoming pregnant while facing an uncertain and unstable future forces women to make one of the most important decisions of their lives. The diocesan Office of Pro-Life Activities is now working to build a ministry that hopefully eases the stress of that decision.

A couple of months from now when the Christmas season rolls around again, I know that my wife and I will once again watch her favorite Christmas movie - "It's a Wonderful Life." You probably remember the story of George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart, who is facing so much trouble that he has decided to take his own life. Fortunately, an angel named Clarence talks him out of it by pointing out how much poorer everyone else's life would have been if he had not been born.

In September, Pope Francis made headlines when he announced that all priests worldwide will be allowed to hear confessions and forgive women who have had abortions. Cheryl Calire, diocesan director of Pro-Life Activities, discussed this matter and said this will not have a significant effect on Diocese of Buffalo policy, but is an important step toward making the Church more welcoming.

Bishop Richard J. Malone referred to Baby Jesse as a "little saint" during a prayer service at St. Mary Cemetery in Dunkirk on Oct. 20.

Bishop Richard J. Malone will preside over a prayer service on Tuesday, Oct. 20, the observance of the National Remembrance Day for the Unborn. The prayer service will be held at 4 p.m. at St. Mary Cemetery, 10880 Bennett Road (Route 60), Dunkirk, at Baby Jesse's grave.

When one considers the many ways countless human beings are treated like cheap disposable products - from children exploited by pornographers, to young sweatshop workers exploited by wealthy corporations - it's hard to imagine how much worse it can get for the poor and vulnerable.

"Every Life is Worth Living" has been a consistent theme of Pope Francis and one that has particular urgency today. This year's theme for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Respect Life Program fills us with encouragement and hope and calls us to love, defend and celebrate all human life. It calls us to joyfully follow the example of Christ, to love without limits, and further, to act on that sense of true Christian charity.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - In his lengthy speech to the U.S. Congress on Thursday, Pope Francis said the family is being threatened today like never before, and praised American figures, including Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr., for their tireless efforts to defend freedom and values.

About 100 Respect Life coordinators received a civics lesson on Sept. 12, as they learned how they can help make a bill into a law. During the annual in-service sponsored by the Office of Pro-Life Activities, guest speaker Loretta Fleming spoke about the impact people have on the legislative process.

WASHINGTON - Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., archbishop of Boston and chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), responded September 1 to Pope Francis' letter allowing all priests worldwide "to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it."

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In a new set of pastoral guidelines for the upcoming Holy Year of Mercy Pope Francis has made some significant moves, allowing all priests to forgive the sin of abortion and granting SSPX priests the faculty to forgive sins.

After consulting with the Canonists of the Chancery, I have confirmed that the faculties granted to all priests of the Buffalo Diocese include the faculty of remitting the excommunication attached to the procurement of abortion. This has been the case in our diocese since the 1980s during Bishop Edward Head's tenure. By extending this faculty to every priest throughout the world, Pope Francis is reminding us of the limitless power of God's mercy and compassion.