Top 5 must-read news stories of 2015

Pray that 2016 is better.

This year has been full of big headlines ranging from ISIS attacks to Caitlyn Jenner's sex change, but what are the top five news stories of 2015?

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - There have been several noteworthy moments in the news this year, most of which has sparked some sort of outrage.

What has sparked the most outrage? What top news stories created snowball effects? How bad or how good was 2015? Here are Catholic Online's top 5 news stories of 2015:

ISIS

ISIS has been making headlines for the past few years with its threats, executions and spread of terror.

Sadly, the Islamic extremists have shown no signs of slowing their spread. Please pray for a miracle, that God helps the world stomp out the terror organization. 

Refugee Crisis

The Syrian Civil War paired with the threat of ISIS attacks has resulted in heartbreaking headlines this year as millions have been displaced, drowned or stranded.
Please take time out of your day to pray for the refugees and victims of war:
"Lord God, 
no one is a stranger to you and no one is ever far from your loving care. In your kindness, watch over refugees and victims of war, those separated from their loved ones, young people who are lost, and those who have left home or who have run away from home. Bring them back safely to the place where they long to be and help us always to show your kindness to strangers and to all in need. 
Grant this through Christ our Lord."
Same Sex Marriage
This June, the Supreme Court ruled gay marriage is now legal in all fifty states.
Though the news certainly made several headlines, Kim Davis burst through all forms of media to stand for the Christian stance on same-sex marriages, landing gay marriage on Catholic Online's top 5 list.
Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood has come under fire on several occasions following the release of secretly recorded footage recorded by undercover agents from the Center for Medical Progress.
The videos show women in prominent positions within Planned Parenthood talking about aborting fetuses, selling organs and even aborting babies in the third trimester of pregnancy. All fetal tissue is then sold to the highest bidder.
Shame on you, Planned Parenthood. Not only is murder a fundamentally horrific sin, but lying about it and putting the organization, which has provided otherwise important care for women of insufficient means, at risk of closing down.
American shootings
Shootings and gun control laws have been prominent in the United States for years. Unfortunately, the incidents continue to increase.
There have been several mass shootings, mentally unstable people responsible for shootings and even a live shooting during a news report. What has the world come to?

Unfortunately the top 5 stories of 2015 were primarily about murder. ISIS is responsible for nearly the most deaths in the world this year, refugees continue to flee a war-torn country, Planned Parenthood is responsible for the death and dismemberment of the unborn and shootings in America have run rampant.
The only thing we can do is pray that God changes the hearts of those who have turned to evil, that the Lord touch us all with His love and mercy and that 2016 will be the year Pope Francis hopes it will be: a Jubilee Year of Mercy.
Like our list? Check out our other top lists on Best and Worst Advent Calendars, Christmas Trees Around the World, sex, lifting your spirits, dealing with anger, love, common misquotes, how to give and healing.

---

The California Network is the Next Wave in delivery of information and entertainment on pop culture, social trends, lifestyle, entertainment, news, politics and economics. We are hyper-focused on one audience, YOU, the connected generation. JOIN US AS WE REDEFINE AND REVOLUTIONIZE THE EVER-CHANGING MEDIA LANDSCAPE.