A man who once served as a priest in several U.S. dioceses was sentenced 22 years in federal prison on Wednesday, May 11, after pleading guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor. Fernando Cristancho, 65, also admitted that he had produced nude images of four additional minors. He entered a guilty plea on October … Read more
It’s a Miracle! “The Science” Changes Overnight. Catholic schools across much of the Archdiocese of Chicago can now make masks optional, according to an abrupt shift in the archdiocese’s COVID-19 policy. Citing a “dramatic drop” in coronavirus cases in recent weeks, Greg Richmond, the archdiocese’s schools superintendent, announced the change in a letter sent to … Read more
Crickets from Cardinal Gregory as Biden reaffirms his support for abortion. President Joe Biden pledged to defend a so-called right to abortion and reaffirmed his commitment to the widespread availability of the procedure in a Jan. 22 statement marking the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide. “The constitutional … Read more
Supporters of the Traditional Latin Mass are petitioning Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, to lift restrictions he recently imposed on the celebration of the sacraments in the Extraordinary Form. “In the spirit of the Synodal Path that the church has embarked upon, we humbly ask that you engage in consultations with the faithful of … Read more
Father James Jackson, a priest of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) and pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Providence, Rhode Island, was arrested at the parish on Oct. 30 and charged with three crimes related to child sexual abuse material. Father Jackson, 66, was charged with possession of child pornography, transfer of child … Read more
A Boston priest has said he believes in “a woman’s right to choose” on the issue of abortion, and will continue his advocacy for Joe Biden’s presidential campaign, despite Catholic teaching on abortion and a Church prohibition on clerical advocacy for political candidates. Msgr. Paul Garrity of the Archdiocese of Boston spoke to CNA Tuesday, … Read more
The Archbishop of Westminster has admitted that he did not properly handle an accusation of abuse in his archdiocese, as he also rejected calls for priests to violate the seal of confession. Cardinal Vincent Nichols said during an independent inquiry hearing earlier this week that he “failed” a woman who claimed she was sexually abused … Read more
Bishop Michael J. Bransfield, Bishop emeritus of Wheeling-Charleston, will no longer be allowed to participate in public Masses or live within his former diocese. He must “make personal amends” for the harm he brought to the diocese, Pope Francis announced in a communique released on Friday afternoon. Bransfield is reported to have sexually harassed, assaulted, … Read more
Archbishop Sartain, the ball’s in your court. Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) introduced the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act and looked to pass the bill Feb. 4 via unanimous consent. That process means one senator can stop the vote by raising an objection. “You’re either for babies or you’re defending infanticide,” Sasse said Monday before the vote. … Read more
Marie Collins said canon law had more often been used to protect the abuser than to punish him Canon law should be re-written to institute a global zero-tolerance policy against priests who commit sexual abuse, a clerical abuse survivor told attendees at the World Meeting of Families. Marie Collins, a former member of the Pontifical … Read more