CNA Staff
The Catholic News Agency (CNA) Staff are a team of journalists dedicated to reporting news concerning the Catholic Church around the world. Our bureaus are located in Denver, Washington, and Rome. We have sister language agencies in Kenya, Germany, Peru, Brazil, and Italy. CNA is a service of EWTN News. You can contact us at news@catholicna.com with questions.
Articles by CNA Staff
CNA Editor's Desk: "Becciu didn't see this coming"
Sep 25, 2020 / 00:00 amCNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss the resignation of a prominent cardinal, presumably over financial scandal; the Supreme Court vacancy and what might happen next; and, as a special bonus, Father Pius Pietrzyk, OP joins at the end for a discussion about canon law, an analysis of the Senate’s confirmation process, and a game. Listen here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/899607712&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/becciu-didnt-see-this-coming" title="Becciu didn’t see this coming" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Becciu didn’t see this coming</a></div>
CNA Editor's Desk: "The Blest Wing"
Sep 18, 2020 / 00:00 amThis week on the podcast, editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss the second known instance of a priest realizing his baptism was invalid; the continued controversy over Netflix’s “Cuties”; an update on the Vatican-China deal; and much more. They also talk about Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United Kingdom ten years ago; debate canon law as it relates to baptisms; and JD asks Ed some riddles. Listen here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/895710775&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/the-blest-wing" title="The Blest Wing" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">The Blest Wing</a></div>
Video series echoes Bishop Olmsted's call 'into the breach'
Sep 8, 2020 / 09:00 amA video series encouraging men to spiritual and moral leadership of their families will be broadcast this week, based upon a call to men from Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix.
Princeton legal scholar says Biden pledge to codify Roe is ‘disgraceful’
Sep 4, 2020 / 08:30 amA pledge by Joe Biden to codify Roe v Wade into federal law is “disgraceful,” a Catholic law professor has said, and argued that the 1973 Supreme Court decision that imposed an abortion “regime” on the country must be reversed.
CNA Editor's Desk: Masks and McCarrick
Sep 4, 2020 / 00:00 amEditors JD Flynn and Ed Condon crack open the Code of Canon Law to discuss the case of a Colorado priest who told parishioners to disobey their bishop on mask wearing. They also discuss the elusive McCarrick report and the latest on relations between the Vatican and China. Listen below, or on your favorite podcast platform. <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/887999053&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/masks-and-mccarrick" title="Masks and McCarrick" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Masks and McCarrick</a></div>
CNA Editor's Desk: "The Church Supplies"
Aug 28, 2020 / 00:00 amOn the podcast this week, CNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss baptism and the sacraments, in the context of a Detroit priest who learned this summer that he was invalidly baptized. We also hear about Ed and JD's weddings; JD gives Ed an assessment of how he’s been doing as a CNA editor for the past two years; and they have one of the most passionate debates about television you will ever hear. Listen here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/883815394&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/the-church-supplies" title=""The Church Supplies"" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">"The Church Supplies"</a></div>
CNA Editor's Desk: Politics, then Baseball
Aug 21, 2020 / 00:00 amEditors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss the recent Democratic National Convention; debate whether our political process allows for good and holy politicians; and give an update on Hong Kong. Then, Fernando Tatis Jr.’s grand slam . . . JD tries his hand at a round of Presidential Candidate ‘Who Said It?’ Listen below or on your favorite podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/879902071&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/politics-and-then-baseball" title="Politics, and then Baseball" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Politics, and then Baseball</a></div>
Fr. James Martin, Sr. Simone Campbell to pray at Democratic National Convention
Aug 17, 2020 / 11:00 amFr. James Martin, S.J., and Sister Simone Campbell, SSS will both offer prayers during the Democratic National Convention, it was announced on Sunday.
CNA Editor's Desk: "Once a Catholic, Always a Catholic?"
Aug 14, 2020 / 00:00 amOn the podcast this week, CNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss St. Maximilian Kolbe, a historic peace deal in the Middle East, evangelism, Catholic politicians, musical theater, and much more. Listen here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/876035152&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/once-a-catholic-always-a-catholic" title="Once a Catholic, Always a Catholic?" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Once a Catholic, Always a Catholic?</a></div>
CNA Editor's Desk: Let’s talk about Vatican II
Aug 7, 2020 / 00:00 amEditors JD Flynn and Ed Condon return this week to talk about recent “discussion” about the Second Vatican Council and a new ruling by the Vatican’s doctrinal office. JD shares the name he’d pick if he were elected pope. Ed tries his hand at a round of “Which Clement am I?” Listen below, or on your favorite podcast app! <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/872015623&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/lets-talk-about-vatican-ii" title="Let’s talk about Vatican II" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Let’s talk about Vatican II</a></div>
Nicaragua Catholic cathedral attacked with firebomb
Jul 31, 2020 / 18:15 pmAn unidentified man threw a firebomb into a chapel of Managua’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Friday, severely damaging the chapel and a devotional image of Christ more than three centuries old.
CNA Editor's Desk: "Vote for Carl"
Jul 31, 2020 / 00:00 amOn the podcast this week, CNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s recent remarks about a Catholic saint; Joe Biden’s endorsement by an abortion-rights group; the latest updates on the Vatican financial scandal; and more. Also, Ed hates the book “Little Women,” apparently. Listen here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/868163461&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/vote-for-carl" title="Vote for Carl" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Vote for Carl</a></div>
Christian leaders call on Democrats to embrace pro-life policies
Jul 24, 2020 / 08:30 amBishop John Stowe of Lexington, Kentucky, was one of several Catholic clergy, religious, and laity who joined 115 Christian leaders, theologians, and ministers to sign a letter to the DNC and the Democratic Platform Committee on Friday, asking the party to support pro-life policies including “legal protection for pre-born children.”
CNA Editor's Desk: Christopher Yes or No?
Jul 24, 2020 / 00:00 amEditors JD Flynn and Ed Condon return this week to talk about what we may expect from the Vatican before summer break. They also lay out the key takeaways of the Vatican's new instructions on parish reform, and discuss the situation in China. JD plays a round of Christopher 'Yes or No.' Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app. <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/864079804&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/christopher-yes-or-no" title="Christopher Yes or No?" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Christopher Yes or No?</a></div>
Pakistanis mourn Sister Ruth Lewis, who cared for children with disabilities
Jul 23, 2020 / 15:32 pmSister Ruth Lewis, a Pakistani nun who dedicated her life to helping underprivileged people with disabilities, died Monday following coronavirus complications.
CNA Editor's Desk: "The hard-learned lessons of history"
Jul 16, 2020 / 00:00 amThis week on the podcast, CNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss what seems to be a rising tide of anti-Catholicism in the United States, in the context of recent arson attacks against Catholic churches and statues; the Little Sisters of the Poor Supreme Court decision; backlash to Catholic Churches receiving coronavirus relief money from the government; and more. They also discuss an important document on sexual abuse from the Vatican, and debate open floor plans for kitchens. Listen here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/859308421&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/the-hard-learned-lessons-of-history" title="The hard-learned lessons of history" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">The hard-learned lessons of history</a></div>
CNA Editor's Desk: The Perfect Society
Jul 10, 2020 / 00:00 amEditors JD Flynn and Ed Condon are back this week to talk about the US Supreme Court's rulings on the Obama-era “contraception mandate”, and the right of Catholic schools to set criteria for employment. They also discuss canon law cited in the suspension of an Indiana priest after his letter about Black Lives Matter; and address feedback on Ed's recent article about White House Catholics' concern about Trump's Catholic tweets. Listen to the episode here, or on your favorite podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/855845338&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/the-perfect-society" title="The Perfect Society" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">The Perfect Society</a></div>
CNA Editor's Desk: "Change Your Neighbor’s Mind"
Jul 2, 2020 / 00:00 amIn this special Supreme Court edition of the podcast, CNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss the week’s news, including several recent and highly consequential Supreme Court decisions. They also talk about the abuses against the Uighur people in China, chat for a couple of minutes about baseball, and, for fun, take the United States Citizenship Test. Listen here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/851176732&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/change-your-neighbors-mind" title="Change Your Neighbor’s Mind" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Change Your Neighbor’s Mind</a></div>
CNA Editor's Desk: Small talk and big ideas
Jun 26, 2020 / 00:00 amEditors JD Flynn and Ed Condon are back this week for a candid conversation about the toppling of statues in the US; the Black Lives Matter movement; and the inculturation of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Editor Carl Bunderson is back by popular demand for a couple of games. Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app! <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/847590046&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/small-talk-and-big-ideas" title="Small talk and big ideas" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Small talk and big ideas</a></div>
CNA Editor's Desk: "Worlds Collide"
Jun 12, 2020 / 00:00 amCNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss the news, including former nuncio Carlo Maria Vigano’s letter to President Trump, and Vigano’s increasing detachment from “reasonable discourse;” the results of an investigation into Monsignor Walter Rossi, rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in DC; the Canon conspiracy; canon law; and much more. Listen to the episode here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/839254876&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/worlds-collide" title="Worlds Collide" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Worlds Collide</a></div> We also have a very special bonus episode this week in which JD Flynn interviews Gloria Purvis about Catholicism, racism, and healing: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/839004553&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/bonus-a-conversation-about-racism-with-gloria-purvis" title="BONUS: A conversation about racism with Gloria Purvis" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">BONUS: A conversation about racism with Gloria Purvis</a></div>