Catholic New York

USCCB Committee Chairmen Raise Concerns on Proposed Changes to Title IX

The chairmen of three U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ committees are raising concerns over a proposed rule to revise regulations governing the 50-year-old Title IX law that promotes women’s equality and opportunity in schools and colleges. more

6/30/22

Debra Ponce, left, and Angelita Olvera of San Antonio mourn June 28 near the scene where dozens of immigrants were found dead inside a trailer truck a day earlier.

Archbishop Asks Church to Be in Solidarity With Migrants Who Died in Truck

The archbishop of San Antonio offered prayers for dozens of people found dead as well as more than a dozen survivors discovered June 27 in sweltering conditions in a semitruck. more

6/29/22

Pope Francis and Orthodox Archbishop Job of Telmessos, head a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, pray in front of the tomb of St. Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on the feast of SS. Peter and Paul, June 29.

Pope at Pallium Mass: Church Must Go Out to ‘Meet the World’

Like SS. Peter and Paul, the Church must go out to evangelize and not be bound by the chains of routine and spiritual mediocrity that stifles the Gospel message, Pope Francis said. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 6/29/22

Pope to Send Cardinal Parolin to Congo, South Sudan

Although he postponed his own trip to Congo and South Sudan, Pope Francis has asked Cardinal Pietro Parolin, his secretary of state, to visit the two countries July 1-8, the Vatican press office said. more

6/28/22

Pope Francis greets the crowd before attending Mass in St. Peter’s Square during the World Meeting of Families at the Vatican June 25. U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, presided at the Mass.

Look to Future, Not to Past, Pope Tells Families

Christian families are called to embark on a journey of love and service that will lead them to joy and hope for the future, Pope Francis said. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 6/28/22

Pro-life demonstrators in Washington, D.C. celebrate outside the Supreme Court June 24 as the court overruled the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision in its ruling in the Dobbs case on a Mississippi law banning most abortions after 15 weeks.

Supreme Court Overturns Roe in Anticipated Dobbs Decision

In a 5-4 decision June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its nearly 50-year-old decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion in this country. more

By CAROL ZIMMERMANN | 6/24/22

New York State Catholic Conference ‘Troubled’ by Court’s Gun Law Ruling

An official of the New York State Catholic Conference expressed disappointment with a June 23 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturns a century-old law and asserts that there is a constitutional right to carry a handgun in public for self-defense. more

By DENNIS SADOWSKI | 6/24/22

Afghan men search for survivors amid the debris of a destroyed house June 23 following an earthquake the previous day in Gayan, Afghanistan. During his June 22 general audience, Pope Francis offered prayers for victims of the magnitude 6 earthquake that hit a remote, mountainous area of Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan.

Pope Offers Prayers for Victims of Earthquake in Afghanistan

Pope Francis offered prayers for victims of a magnitude 6 earthquake that hit a remote, mountainous area of Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan. more

6/24/22

Pope to Visit Canada, Limiting Participation to One Hour at Various Events

Perhaps signaling some improvement in Pope Francis’ painful knee, the Vatican announced June 23 that he will visit Canada in late July. However, the Canadian bishops said that, due to the 85-year-old pope’s age and limitations, it is expected that his participation at public events will be limited to approximately one hour. more

6/23/22

People pray the Lord’s Prayer during Mass celebrated by Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, in St. Peter’s Basilica during the World Meeting of Families at the Vatican June 23.

Meeting Looks at How Families Protect Life, Pray, Connect Generations

Families are called to bridge the gap between older and younger generations and defend life, said U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 6/23/22

Pope Francis touches his knee during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican June 22. The pope has been experiencing severe knee pain.

Strength Can Be Found in Frailty of Old Age, Pope Says

Elderly Christians are called to bear witness to the strength that comes from God, especially when moments of frailty and weakness make them dependent on others, Pope Francis said. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 6/22/22

The Supreme Court is seen in Washington, D.C. June 15.

Court: Tuition Program Excluding Religious Schools Is Unconstitutional

In a 6-3 ruling June 21, the Supreme Court said a Maine tuition aid program that excluded religious schools violated the Constitution’s free exercise clause. more

By CAROL ZIMMERMANN | 6/21/22

Pope Francis listens as Melkite Patriarch Joseph Absi speaks during an audience with members of the synod of the Melkite Catholic Church at the Vatican June 20. The pope said he shared their concern about the dwindling Christian population of the Middle East.

Remember the Ongoing Suffering of Syria, Pope Urges

While the world must pay attention to Russia’s war on Ukraine, it cannot forget Syria and its people, which have been under the threat of bombs and violence for a dozen years, Pope Francis said. more

By CINDY WOODEN | 6/21/22

A man gets out of a damaged residential building following recent shelling in the course of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict in Donetsk, Ukraine, June 20.

Pope Appeals for Peace in Myanmar, Ukraine

Pope Francis called on world leaders to aid people suffering in war-torn countries, especially in Myanmar and Ukraine. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 6/21/22

People in St. Peter’s Square attend the Angelus led by Pope Francis from the window of his studio overlooking the square at the Vatican June 19.

Seek Nourishment, Satisfaction in Eucharist, Pope Says

When received with faith, the Eucharist not only nourishes and satisfies one’s hunger for consolation and love, but gives Christians the strength to nourish others, Pope Francis said. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 6/21/22

Father Andrew Adeniyi Abayomi, associate pastor at St. Francis Xavier Church in Owo, Nigeria, is pictured in an undated photo. His church was was hit by a terror attack during Mass on Pentecost, June 5.

Nigerian Priest Says He Shielded Parishioners Like Chicks During Massacre

Father Andrew Adeniyi Abayomi was in the sacristy of St. Francis Xavier Church after Mass when parishioners began running in different directions. more

6/17/22

A priest prays over a casket during a burial outside St. Francis Xavier Church in Owo, Nigeria, June 17. The Funeral Mass was for at least 50 victims killed in a June 5 attack by gunmen during Mass at the church.

Murdered Nigerians Found Suffering at Foot of Cross, Bishop Says at Funeral Mass

The Catholics attending Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church on Pentecost did not know how much it would cost to participate in the suffering of Jesus, said Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of Oyo. more

6/17/22

Pope Francis greets a child with members of the Italian military during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican June 15.

Discarding Elderly a ‘Betrayal’ of Humanity, Pope Says

People have a responsibility to care for the elderly and cherish their wisdom rather than regard them as a burden on society, Pope Francis said. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 6/17/22

Chalk art describing gun legislation is seen near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. June 7.

Archbishop Praises Senators’ Efforts to Address ‘Plague of Gun Violence’

The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ domestic policy committee June 14 praised a bipartisan Senate proposal “to help prevent senseless violence” that includes “reasonable gun safety measures.” more

6/16/22

Pope Francis touches the hands of a newly married couple during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 18, 2019. The Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life has released guidelines and suggestions for developing a “matrimonial catechumenate,” a yearlong preparation for marriage and family life.

Vatican Releases Suggestions for Lengthier, Revamped Marriage Preparation

Saying “superficial” marriage preparation programs leave many couples at risk of having invalid marriages or unprepared to cope with the struggles that arise in every marriage, Pope Francis endorsed suggestions for a yearlong “marriage catechumenate” drafted by the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life. more

By CINDY WOODEN | 6/16/22