Catholic New York

Archbishop Coakley: Loans Keep ‘Essential Ministries’ Going During National Emergency

The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ domestic policy committee said the federal emergency “bridge loans” that dioceses, parishes and other Catholic entities applied for provided a lifeline, allowing “our essential ministries to continue to function in a time of national emergency.” more

By JULIE ASHER | 7/14/20

Auxiliary Bishop James Massa of Brooklyn

Bishop James Massa Appointed Rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, has announced the appointment of Bishop James Massa as the rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, effective July 16. Bishop Massa is an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn and a former member of the faculty of the seminary, 2012-2015. more

7/10/20

20 Elementary Schools Will Not Reopen, Three Others to Merge Amid Covid-19 Crisis

The Office of the Superintendent of Schools today announced 20 Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese of New York will be unable to reopen in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, three Catholic schools in Orange County will merge on one campus. more

7/9/20

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. is seen March 18.

Faith Leaders Ask Congress to Boost Overseas Pandemic Aid

Three dozen faith-based organizations, including Catholic Relief Services, have asked Congress to immediately fund efforts to respond to the coronavirus pandemic around the world. more

7/7/20

At Angelus, Pope Backs U.N. Resolution Calling for Global Cease-Fire

Pope Francis praised the United Nations’ adoption of a global cease-fire resolution amid the coronavirus pandemic that has swept the world. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 7/6/20

Cardinal Dolan: Broad Criticism of NYPD Unfairly Tarnishes Police Officers

Utilizing personal stories from his interactions with the New York Police Department, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan said in a newspaper column that the city’s police officers deserve better treatment and broad support on the job. more

7/2/20

A statue of St. Junipero Serra that was toppled June 19 in Golden Gate Park and San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone are seen in this composite photo.

San Francisco Archbishop Leads Prayer, Blesses Site of Toppled Serra Statue

Several dozen people joined San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone as he led the rosary June 27 and recited the prayer of St. Michael the Archangel for protection from evil at the site of the now-toppled statue of St. Junipero Serra in the city’s Golden Gate Park. more

7/1/20

Montana resident Kendra Espinoza, a key plaintiff in a religious rights case involving school choice, poses for a photo in front of the U.S. Supreme Court with her daughters Sarah and Naomi Jan. 19. The court ruled June 30 that religious schools cannot be excluded from Montana’s school tax-credit program.

Court Says Tax Credit Program Can’t Exclude Religious Schools

In a 5-4 ruling June 30, the Supreme Court said the exclusion of religious schools in Montana’s state scholarship aid program violated the federal Constitution. more

By CAROL ZIMMERMANN | 7/1/20

Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, the brother of retired Pope Benedict XVI, is pictured directing the Regensburg Choir in this file photo.

Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, Retired Pope’s Brother, Dies at 96

Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, a musician and retired Pope Benedict XVI’s elder brother, died July 1 at the age of 96. more

7/1/20

Only Laws Guarantee Liberty

This month, Americans celebrate the 244th anniversary of our freedom. So, this is the perfect time to recall exactly what our forebears fought for. They did not shed their blood so that we could be … more

By FATHER BOB PAGLIARI, C.Ss.R., Ph.D. | 6/29/20

This is the cover of the updated “Directory for Catechesis.” The English version of the directory is still being translated.

Catechesis Directory Called ‘Fresh, Focused Tool’ That Will ‘Enhance’ Evangelization

The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis welcomed the Vatican’s updated “Directory for Catechesis,” saying it is exciting to have “a fresh and focused tool to enhance our evangelization efforts in catechesis.” more

6/28/20

The two newly ordained priests, Father Luis Silva and Father Roland Pereira, M.Id., receive the applause of the congregation at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Ordination of Two Priests Was ‘Like a Booster Shot’ for the Archdiocese, Cardinal Says

With coronavirus protocols in place, Cardinal Dolan ordained two men to the priesthood—one for the Archdiocese of New York, the other for the Idente Missionaries—June 26 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. more

By CHRISTIE L. CHICOINE | 6/27/20

Two Priests Ordained at Mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral

Cardinal Dolan ordained two priests at a Mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral this morning (June 26). The newly ordained are Father Luis Silva, who was ordained for the Archdiocese of New York, and Father Roland Pereira, M.Id., who was ordained for the Idente Missionaries. The Mass of Ordination was delayed for more than a month because of the coronavirus pandemic. more

6/26/20

God Listens to Everybody—Sinner, Saint, Victim, Killer, Pope Says

Everyone lives a life that is often inconsistent or a “contradiction” because people can be both a sinner and a saint, a victim and a tormentor, Pope Francis said. more

By CAROL GLATZ | 6/24/20

A vandalized statue of St. Junipero Serra in San Francisco is seen June 19. The Spanish Franciscan founded several missions in what is now California.

Racial Issues Need ‘Honest Discussion,’ Not Destruction, Says San Francisco Archbishop

San Francisco’s archbishop said June 20 the “toppling and defacing” of a statue of St. Junipero Serra and other statues in the city’s Golden Gate Park is the latest example of some people using the current movement against racial injustice as a reason for violence, looting and vandalism. more

6/23/20

Retired Pope Returns to Vatican After Visiting His Brother in Germany

Retired Pope Benedict XVI returned to the Vatican June 22, five days after flying to Germany to spend time with his ailing, 96-year-old brother. more

By CINDY WOODEN | 6/22/20

Archbishop Thomas J. Wenski of Miami is pictured at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome Feb. 10. He was appointed June 22 as acting chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Religious Liberty until the bishops’ November 2020 general assembly.

Archbishop Wenski Named Acting Chair of Bishops’ Religious Freedom Efforts

Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami has been appointed the acting chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee for Religious Liberty. more

6/22/20

Catholics Urged to Pray, Reflect, Act to Safeguard Religious Freedom

The U.S. bishops are urging Catholics to “pray, reflect and take action” on religious liberty in the United States and abroad during Religious Freedom Week June 22-29. more

By LESLIE MILLER | 6/22/20

Reconciliation Friday

Father Edward Dougherty, M.M., hears confession on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 19, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral as priest and penitent observe proper safety protocols necessitated by … more

6/19/20

Retired Pope Travels to Germany to Visit His Brother

Retired Pope Benedict XVI, who is 93 years old, traveled to Germany to visit his ailing older brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, who is 96. more

By CINDY WOODEN | 6/18/20