France Legalizes Assisted Dying, Venezuela Earthquake Toll Nears 5,000, USCCB vs. IVF Rule and More

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless!Maggie Murray of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for July 16, 2026. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.Read the stories in this episode:France's National Assembly voted 291 to 241 to legalize assisted dying, prompting Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline to call it a "serious turning point" that abandons the nation's tradition of caring for people until natural death.The death toll from Venezuela's twin June 24th earthquakes has climbed to 4,829, as Caritas Venezuela and Catholic Relief Services distribute over 13,000 metric tons of food, water and hygiene supplies amid continuing aftershocks.Catholic leaders in Maine and Texas are calling for prayer and accountability after two fatal ICE shootings within a week claimed the lives of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, sparking protests and federal investigations.The USCCB submitted formal comments opposing a proposed federal rule expanding insurance coverage for IVF, urging the Trump administration to promote "restorative reproductive medicine" instead and to include conscience protections for employers.Senators pressed Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on his handling of state mifepristone lawsuits during his July 15th confirmation hearing, with Senator John Cornyn demanding a formal response on the administration's intentions as the nomination now hangs on razor-thin margins following Senator Lindsey Graham's death.