Archive for March 31, 2020

The flag of Vatican City with St. Peter's Basilica in the background. ?w=200&h=150

By Courtney Mares

Vatican flags at half-staff in solidarity with coronavirus victims

More than 11,500 people have died of COVID-19 in Italy after a total of 101,739 people have been documented by... Read more

Pope Francis lifts the Eucharist during Mass March 31, 2020. ?w=200&h=150

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis prays the Church will welcome the homeless during coronavirus

Pope Francis prayed Tuesday for all those who do not have homes to go to during the coronavirus pandemic, that... Read more

Blue and white sign above the entrance for the Planned Parenthood clinic in Newton, NJ. Via Shutterstock.?w=200&h=150

Federal judges stop states designating abortion 'non-essential'

Federal judges in Texas, Alabama, and Ohio on Monday halted state rules that would limit or halt entirely abortions during... Read more

Archbishop William Lori, speaks at a Legatus conference on Feb 8, 2013. ?w=200&h=150

Churches closed in Maryland, not Virginia, after governors’ orders

The Archdiocese of Baltimore has closed all churches to private prayer and instructed priests to only offer sacraments in cases of... Read more

Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo. ?w=200&h=150

By Courtney Mares

African cardinal tests positive for coronavirus as pandemic spreads across the continent

Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo of Burkina Faso has tested positive for the coronavirus, his archdiocese announced Tuesday. He is the second... Read more

Parliament Buildings in Belfast, seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly. ?w=200&h=150

Democratic Unionists lament introduction of elective abortion in N Ireland

Politicians of the Democratic Unionist Party, the leading pro-life party in Northern Ireland, along with other pro-life leaders, are lamenting... Read more

Students at the 2020 FOCUS Student Leadership summit. Courtesy photo.?w=200&h=150

By Perry West

How college students can spend their time during the coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic has led colleges across the country to close their dorms, and offer classes online. As students return... Read more

Stock image via VGstockstudio/Shutterstock?w=200&h=150

Majority of Americans praying for end to coronavirus, survey finds

A majority of Americans say they have prayed for an end to the new coronavirus, including some who say they... Read more

Bishop John Sherrington, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster. ?w=200&h=150

English bishop 'shocked' by permission for at-home medical abortions

The British government’s plans to allow women to have early abortions at home without medical supervision during the coronavirus crisis... Read more

Texas state capitol building, Austin. ?w=200&h=150

Texas coronavirus abortion rule back in effect, after court grants stay

A Texas order prohibiting most abortions during the novel coronavirus pandemic is temporarily back in effect, after the Fifth U.S.... Read more

Hand holding small pine branch. ?w=200&h=150

By Christine Rousselle

Maine priest encourages 'Pine Sunday' where there are no palms

With public Masses cancelled across the United States, ahead of Palm Sunday this weekend, some Maine Catholics are being encouraged... Read more

An Indian health worker sprays disinfectant on the luggage of migrant workers and labourers along with their families stuck in New Delhi, India, March 29. ?w=200&h=150

Indian bishop condemns 'shocking' disinfectant spray of migrant workers

A bishop in India has condemned the spraying of migrant workers and their children with disinfectant, after a video posted... Read more

The flag of Nicaragua. ?w=200&h=150

Nicaraguan bishops cancel annual pilgrimage, but mayor reportedly goes ahead

Local media in Nicaragua are reporting that despite the nation’s bishops’ conference suspending Mass and prohibiting large gatherings, the mayor... Read more

?w=200&h=150

By Jonah McKeown

Coronavirus keeps volunteers away, but Arkansas Catholic Charities plans help for tornado victims

An EF3 tornado blew through Jonesboro, Arkansas, this week, and although no deaths have been reported, Catholic Charities of Arkansas... Read more

Our Lady of Sorrows at the Church of the Holy Cross in Salamanca. ?w=200&h=150

Church in Mexico calls for national day of penance

The bishops of Mexico have designated April 3, the Friday of Passion Week, as a National Day of Penance amid... Read more

Ultrasound. ?w=200&h=150

Kentucky AG aims to declare abortion 'non-essential' under coronavirus bans

Kentucky’s attorney general has joined the national controversy over whether abortion clinics can continue to operate at a time when... Read more