A Roman Catholic church official who won an appeal of his landmark conviction in the priest-abuse scandal has left a Pennsylvania prison after 18 months behind bars.

If similar surveys were undertaken in other countries, the results would be pretty much the same, writes Fr Seán McDonagh

A US Roman Catholic Archbishop has labelled Barack Obama the “most committed” abortion-rights candidate from a major party in 35 years while accusing Democratic-friendly Catholic groups of doing a “disservice to the church”.

Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain were preparing to reach out to conservative religious voters, a group that has largely supported the Republican Party but from whom Mr Obama hopes he can siphon some votes with firm talk of his Christian faith.

THE Rev James Dobson is endorsing a candidate for the White House for the first time. He says he had a dream.