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The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday, in the case of a man seeking to pray with his pastor as he is executed. John Henry Ramirez was scheduled to be executed in September, in Texas. His execution was delayed, after the Supreme Court agreed to hear his case. Ramirez has requested to have a baptist pastor present with him, as he receives lethal injection. He has also requested that the pastor be able to lay hands on him as he is dying. He was told personal contact by his pastor would not be permitted.
Slovakia’s parliament is debating a bill that would increase support for pregnant women, in hopes of reducing the number of abortions in the country. The bill would extend the mandatory waiting period before an abortion, ban abortion advertising, and offer more financial support to new mothers. Abortion is legal in Slovakia up to twelve weeks.
Are you feeling discouraged or exhausted? Try calling on the Holy Spirit. That was the message of Pope Francis today, during his general audience in Rome. The pope recommended all Catholics carry a copy of the prayer that the Church recites on Pentecost, or simply pray, “Come, Holy Spirit, Come.”
Today the Church honors Pope Saint Leo the Great. The fifth-century pope is remembered for his involvement in the fourth ecumenical council, which helped prevent the spread of error concerning Christ’s divine and human natures.