VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - After Donald Trump pulled off what was for many a surprising victory in the United States election, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin offered his prayers that the new president-elect would promote peace in a world torn by conflict.

After a hard-fought presidential election, Bishop Richard J. Malone offers a reflection and prayer for the United States to come together in a special episode of "Consider This."

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA) - As Americans across the country prepare to step into the voting booth today, what are the most important principles for Catholics seeking to form their consciences according to Church teaching?

Throw your political affiliation out the window. But you're a loyal Democrat. Or perhaps instead, you're a loyal Republican. Never mind that. Your political affiliation is not that important.

Can there be any doubt that this election cycle has been unlike any other that we have seen in many years? Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, we are told, have had historically unfavorable ratings, and have engendered stronger dislike than past candidates. And some observers remark that these two candidates have succeeded in polarizing our country to a greater extent than it was before the primaries began.

It's a common experience for bishops. Often enough, after we have addressed some controversial moral issue (which may also be a neuralgic political issue), we get mail. This intensifies during an election season. No surprise there.

Dozens of 11, 12 and 13-year-old students were urged to shout out the word "No' inside of Saint Mark's Church on Tuesday morning. They did it at the urging of Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, who was stressing to them the dangers of substance abuse as part of Red Ribbon Week.

During October, those of us who cherish God's gift of life prayerfully look to both heaven and earth for encouragement and inspiration. We pray, celebrate successes and share stories that encourage us in the cultural struggles we face.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - In the final presidential debate on Wednesday, the major party candidates were pressed to explain their positions on abortion. Hillary Clinton defended her earlier support of partial-birth abortion, while Donald Trump reiterated the assertion that he is pro-life.

I haven't met many people who are not by now exasperated, confounded and dismayed by the ongoing presidential election campaign. Ordinarily in an election year I would be looking forward to the day after the election; at least the war of words would be (pretty much) behind us. This time, however, I expect that I will feel no better about the national situation then than I do right now, a few weeks away from Nov. 8. In fact, I may feel worse.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - In a leaked email hacked from a private account, the chairman of Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign appears to discuss with a progressive figure whether it is possible to "plant the seeds of the revolution" against the U.S. bishops and their stances.

DENVER, COLO. (CNA/EWTN News) - For history professor Christopher Shannon, Catholics in American politics have a long history, yet this legacy is overshadowed by a troubling disunity in the present.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine was gravely wrong to say he personally opposed abortion while taking a pro-choice stance in public office, a moral theologian says.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA) - Recently released audio of Donald Trump making lewd comments about women in 2005 has created a split in his Catholic supporters - with some continuing to back him and others pulling away from the GOP nominee.

DENVER, COLO. (CNA/EWTN News) - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump wrote a letter to Catholic leaders during a two-day conference in Denver this week, identifying himself as pro-life and vowing to support core values such as religious liberty and school choice.

FARMVILLE, VA. (CNA/EWTN News) - The topic of abortion made an appearance at the vice presidential debate last night, as both candidates discussed the role of faith in their lives, and how it aligns with their political views.

"I have personally seen the difference that committed Catholic lawyers can make in confronting big societal challenges," said Bishop Richard J. Malone to dozens of judges and lawyers gathered Wednesday at the annual Red Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral.

WASHINGTON - Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued the following statement alerting the public to a deceptive ad campaign calling for taxpayer funding of abortion in the name of the Catholic faith.

Two USCCB committee chairmen have issued a joint statement reaffirming the Catholic Church's teaching on marriage "as exclusively the permanent, faithful, and fruitful union of one man and one woman [and] cannot change."

"It simply will be cheaper to kill than to treat," said Dennis Vacco as he made a case against physician assisted suicide. The former New York State Attorney General was one of the featured speakers at a forum hosted by the Public Policy Committee of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.

They are years away from being eligible to vote, but on their first day of the school year, eighth graders at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament School in Depew got a lesson on Faithful Citizenship.

On the first day of school, each Catholic elementary school student will go home with a blank registration form to encourage all those who are eligible, but are not registered to vote, to do so in time to vote in the fall elections.

On September 9, the feast of St. Peter Claver, the U.S. Catholic bishops are urging dioceses, parishes, and other faith communities to participate in a Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities. This day complements the ongoing work of a special task force, led by Archbishop Gregory, to help bishops and communities engage the challenging problems connected with race relations.

After a few years of planning and one year of construction, the Mother Teresa Home has officially opened on Buffalo's East Side. Hundreds gathered on Thursday afternoon for a dedication Mass at St. Adalbert Church and then watched on a live video stream as Bishop Richard J. Malone blessed the tiny chapel in the Mother Teresa Home next door.

The Public Policy Committee of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo is hosting a public forum on Thursday, Sept. 8, to address proposed New York State legislation that would legalize doctor-assisted suicide. The bill has already been approved by the Assembly Health Committee, setting the stage for a possible vote this year. Senator Diane Savino, of Staten Island, and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, of Scarsdale, each sponsored bills which 'relate to a terminally ill patient's request for and use of medication for medical aid in dying.'

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops offers some thoughts on Faithful Witness to Marriage

SYRACUSE - The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities (SOSF) with sisters in Syracuse, Williamsville, Poughkeepsie and Mount Vernon, New York, joined more than 5000 Catholic sisters in asking the U.S. presidential candidates to stop using language "that disrespects, dehumanizes or demonizes" others during the presidential campaign.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA) - Although both major 2016 vice presidential nominees were raised Catholic and still profess to be Christians, their public policy records have drawn concern from some members of the faithful.

PHILADELPHIA, PA. (CNA/EWTN News) - The Democratic Party platform has drawn the ire of critics - including a member of Barack Obama's former campaign - who say its extreme positions on abortion shut out millions of pro-life voters.

CLEVELAND, OHIO (CNA) - The detailed platform adopted by the Republican Party this week received mixed reactions among Catholics for its positions.

"We cannot be couch potatoes," said Sister Simone Campbell, SSS to dozens of people gathered at a busy intersection in downtown Buffalo. It was part of her 'Nuns on the Bus' tour which stopped briefly, Wednesday morning, at St Paul's Episcopal Church.

United States have observed the Fortnight for Freedom in preparation for Independence Day on July 4. The theme set by the U.S. Bishops' Conference for this year's fortnight is "Witnesses to Freedom."

Father William "Jud" Weiksnar, OFM, of the Holy Name Province in Buffalo, returned home in June from a two-week trip to Italy for a meeting on justice, peace and the integrity of creation. The gathering brought together Franciscans from throughout the world who discussed the importance of caring for creation and the lasting impact of Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, "Laudato Si."

"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.

Once again, the bishops of the United States have asked Catholics to celebrate the annual Fortnight for Freedom, a national effort to educate Americans on the challenges to religious liberty, from June 21 - July 4. This year's theme is "Witnesses to freedom."

SYRACUSE — Heeding Pope Francis' call to fight "modern forms of enslavement," the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities have taken a congregational stand against human trafficking.

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."

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA) - In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court sent the Little Sisters of the Poor HHS mandate case back to the lower courts on Monday, in light of new developments in the case.

In anticipation of the passage of the 2016 New York state budget, advocates for Catholic education had expressed support for education tax credits which would have provided additional financial assistance to low- and middle-income tuition-paying families who send their children to private schools.

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.