Current church teachings on women's roles; human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people; and birth control are, to my mind, obvious examples of decisions made without sufficient consultation with the faithful. While carefully distinguishing between public opinion and the "sense of the faithful," the statement nevertheless values the role of public opinion and lists helpful criteria for Catholics to evaluate the important dispositions needed to participate in the sensus fidei.

Sr. Kathleen Erickson first went to serve on the United States’ southern border with Mexico in 1991. She served there 18 years and recently, she’s been speaking out on the root causes of the immigration crisis. Most of the children are coming from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Erickson was an international observer of the Honduran elections last November and spent five weeks in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, earlier this summer.

Three stats and a map - Most climate scientists agree that the time to find clean and renewable sources of energy is now. And although officials from Accra to Ontario are moving toward solar power, there are still questions about clean energy best practices.

Sr. Julie George believes God has called her to seek justice on behalf of women. A human rights lawyer and a member of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit in India, she is director of Streevani, a women’s empowerment organization. She said, "Many women would never have reached the court without our help."

"Compassion is the basis of morality."

Most people remember the 1979 Three Mile Island disaster, but few have heard of the uranium tailings pond break that sent contaminated waters from near Gallup, N.M., to as far as Winslow, Ariz., 35 years ago – that same year. Even today the contamination rests under foot and threatens distant waterways and lands, and those of us nearby mark the annual progress.

GSR Today - The way we understand the Bible is important. How we are taught the Bible – that is, how religious authorities understand the Bible – is important

Living in a digital world has changed my prayer life. I now feel more connected globally, aware of what is going on in real time, anywhere, anytime. Through news alerts and in constant communication with community, family and friends, the reality of how we are all connected is immediate and concrete. However, I noticed some changes in myself and my own contemplative practice about nine years ago. The immediacy of technology and accessibility can be a blessing or a curse.

The Sisters of St. Francis of Tiffin have built a house using straw bale insulation as a demonstration project to show that by incorporating an alternative design, nontraditional materials and a renewable-energy system, a house – or almost any structure – can be comfortable and good for the environment.

Before the latest troubles with Boko Haram militants acting in Nigeria began making international headlines, there were 47 Catholic sisters from three congregations working in the diocese around Maidugri. Sixteen sisters remain. They insist on completing their ministry despite the danger and refuse to abandon their communities.