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Catholic News Agency
Justice Department sues Washington state over law forcing priests to break confession seal
By Amira Abuzeid CNA Staff, Jun 23, 2025 / 17:13 pm The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state of Washington over its recent law mandating that priests must violate the seal of confession if child abuse is learned about during the sacrament of reconciliation. The DOJ in a press …
‘Summer Christmas’: Why does the Church celebrate the birthday of St. John the Baptist?
By Hannah Brockhaus Rome Newsroom, Jun 24, 2025 / 11:13 am St. John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, is one of only three people in history — after Jesus and Mary — whose birthday is celebrated in the Church’s liturgy. In fact, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist on …
‘He’s one of us’: New short film chronicles Pope Leo XIV’s Chicago life before papacy
By Francesca Pollio Fenton CNA Staff, Jun 21, 2025 / 07:00 am From popping a wheelie in front of Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home to sitting in “the pope’s chair” at a favorite local pizzeria, filmmaker Rob Kaczmark appeared to be enjoying every stop along a tour of Pope Leo’s childhood …
Kentucky political leader builds life-sized Stations of the Cross garden
By Daniel Payne CNA Staff, Jun 22, 2025 / 06:00 am Catholics in northeastern Kentucky will soon be able to follow the passion of Christ in life-sized form thanks to the efforts of a longtime state politician. Jerry Lundergan, a fixture in Kentucky Democratic politics for decades, is aiming to have …
World’s smartest man professes Christian faith on social media
By Amira Abuzeid CNA Staff, Jun 19, 2025 / 14:02 pm The man with the highest reported IQ in the world has gained attention worldwide after publicly proclaiming his Christianity on social media. On June 17, South Korean scientist YoungHoon Kim, who claims he has an IQ of 276, the highest …
Archbishop of Los Angeles criticizes mass deportations: ‘Judge each case on its merits’
By Tyler Arnold Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 19, 2025 / 18:53 pm In an op-ed criticizing the current U.S. administration’s mass deportation efforts and immigration raids, Los Angeles Archbishop José Gómez urged the federal government instead to take a case-by-case approach on how it handles immigrants who are in the country …
Pope Leo XIV celebrates the 43rd anniversary of his ordination
By Victoria Cardiel Vatican City, Jun 19, 2025 / 16:03 pm Pope Leo XIV celebrated the 43rd anniversary of his priestly ordination today. On June 19, 1982, Robert Prevost was ordained a priest by Belgian Archbishop Jean Jadot in St. Monica Chapel, located just outside the Vatican. He was 26 years …
Citing safety concerns, plans changed for Los Angeles conclusion of Eucharistic Pilgrimage
By Kate Quiñones CNA Staff, Jun 18, 2025 / 18:23 pm The National Eucharistic Congress has changed the route and agenda for the conclusion of the 2025 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in Los Angeles this Sunday, citing safety concerns. The culmination of the St. Katherine Drexel pilgrimage route will no longer include a Eucharistic …
Chicago City Council votes to protect historic Catholic parish after yearslong effort
By Daniel Payne CNA Staff, Jun 19, 2025 / 12:53 pm The Chicago City Council on Wednesday voted to extend protection status to a historic Catholic parish in the city, handing a win to advocates who for years have urged the local government to protect the more-than-century-old structure. City leaders voted at …
U.S. Catholic bishops announce Religious Freedom Week theme: ‘Witnesses to Hope’
By Tyler Arnold Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 18, 2025 / 18:43 pm The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is commemorating 2025 Religious Freedom Week with the theme “Witnesses to Hope,” according to a June 18 announcement. Religious Freedom Week, which the USCCB first launched in 2018, begins on Monday, June …
