CNA Staff

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

Bankruptcy filing stalls case involving New Orleans Saints, archdiocese

May 6, 2020 / 15:11 pm

The New Orleans archdiocese’ recent declaration of bankruptcy will freeze a court case alleging executives for the New Orleans Saints football team helped the archdiocese, through public relations efforts, “conceal” the crimes of abusive clergy.

CNA Editor's Desk: What people will get mad about

Apr 30, 2020 / 00:00 am

Editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon sit down for another quarantine edition of the podcast. They discuss reactions to President Donald Trump's recent phone call with bishops and other Catholic leaders; canonists rallying to petition recourse to Rome for the reopening of public Mass; and much more. Listen to the episode here: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/810887200&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/what-people-will-get-mad-about" title="What people will get mad about" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">What people will get mad about</a></div>

CNA Editor's Desk: The Church goes out (like Johnny Appleseed)

Apr 24, 2020 / 00:00 am

Editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon are back this week for another quarantine edition of the podcast.  They have an in depth discussion about the Society of St. Pius X; the U.S. Church's response to the coronavirus pandemic; Fr. Frank Pavone and 'Catholics for Trump'; and much more. Listen to the full episode here:  <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/806174617&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-church-goes-out-like-johnny-appleseed" title="The Church goes out (like Johnny Appleseed)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">The Church goes out (like Johnny Appleseed)</a></div> 

CNA Editor's Desk: Happy Birthday, Mrs. Condon

Apr 17, 2020 / 00:00 am

Christ is Risen! On this episode of the podcast, Catholic News Agency editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss the week’s most important Catholic news stories, including the financial fallout of the coronavirus pandemic for the Church, an update on the Vatican financial scandal, and much more. Plus, Ed pays tribute to his mother on her birthday, and the editors play “Triduum Yes or No." 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/801173119&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe>

Spanish business leaders organize to support cloistered communities

Apr 16, 2020 / 09:44 am

A group of businessmen in Spain have joined together to help cloistered religious communities that are unable to support themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CNA Editor's Desk: 'The only basis for justice is truth'

Apr 7, 2020 / 00:00 am

Australia’s High Court has unanimously overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for five alleged counts of sexual abuse.  This week on CNA Editor's Desk, editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss the decision and what could come next for Cardinal Pell.  They also talk about their plans to navigate Holy Week during the coronavirus pandemic, and play a game of "Waltzing Matilda" Yes or No.  Listen here:  <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/793358392&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe>

Major Penitentiary: Mercy does not cease amid coronavirus

Apr 6, 2020 / 10:21 am

In an Easter letter to confessors on Saturday, the head of the Apostolic Penitentiary wrote that while 'social distancing' is necessary amid the coronavirus, 'mercy does not cease'.

Confession, Conclaves, and Corona

Apr 2, 2020 / 00:00 am

On this week's episode of the podcast, Catholic News Agency editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss some of the week’s most important Catholic news stories. They also answer the one question people have been asking them non-stop: What happens if there’s a conclave during the global pandemic? 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/789493759&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe>

What will the Church look like after the pandemic ends?

Mar 27, 2020 / 00:00 am

Editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss many things on this episode of the podcast, including the week’s most important Catholic news.  Topics include the story of how JD and Ed became canon lawyers; Catholics adapting to life with limited access to the sacraments; parallels between the coronavirus pandemic and the sexual abuse crisis; 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/784732459&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe>

Douthat: Decadent societies lack babies, and hope

Mar 21, 2020 / 13:00 pm

Catholic author and commentator Ross Douthat said that a “decadent society” plays a role in declining birth rates, as cultures and couples lose a sense of hope in the future.

Social distance...from our desks

Mar 19, 2020 / 00:00 am

From a safe social distance— 1,493 miles to be exact— editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss the week’s most important Catholic news on this episode of the podcast, including the suspension of public Masses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and how Catholics are adjusting and continuing to practice their faith during this trying time. And, at the end, a bunch of games to take your mind off the pandemic.  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/779286448&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe>

Cardinal George Pell has had his day in court

Mar 12, 2020 / 00:00 am

On this episode of the podcast, JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss and debate the week’s Catholic news, including updates on the abuse trial of Cardinal George Pell in Australia; an interesting document about the validity of marriages; and an update on the coronavirus outbreak and how it is affecting the Catholic Church worldwide. 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/775191679&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe>

Peruvian cardinal calls for suppression of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae

Mar 9, 2020 / 17:10 pm

A Peruvian cardinal has said that the Vatican has been asked to dissolve the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a Peruvian religious community whose founder sexually and psychologically abused members, and committed other abuses of power.

Louisiana AG: Argument against Unsafe Abortion Act ‘absolutely a lie’

Mar 7, 2020 / 12:00 pm

In a Thursday interview, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said efforts to conflate the case with a Texas law regulating abortion clinics, struck down by the court in 2016, were clearly false. 

CNA Editor's Desk: This is not our coronavirus episode

Mar 5, 2020 / 00:00 am

JD Flynn, Ed Condon, and Carl Bunderson discuss and debate the week's top stories. Topics include coronavirus and the reception of Holy Communion; news that Bishop Richard Malone of Buffalo suspended the priest behind leaked chancery tapes; the true identity of the creator of a 17th-century painting of David and Goliath; and a NJ boy with autism who was denied First Communion. Listen here:  <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/771456874&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe>  

The Curious Case of Canon 1090

Feb 28, 2020 / 00:00 am

Listen to this week's episode of the podcast by clicking below, or by searching for it on your favorite podcast app! On this episode, JD, Carl, and Ed discuss an interesting canonical case involving a murder in Lesotho; the tragedy of abuse allegations against Jean Vanier; religious sisters supporting a pro-choice candidate for office; and much more. Listen now: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/768189289&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe>

How did Ed do as host?

Feb 21, 2020 / 00:00 am

JD and Ed discuss and debate the week’s Catholic news. This time, by popular demand, Ed is the host. Topics discussed include the Pope’s council of Cardinal advisors meeting to reorganize the Roman Curia; The McCarrick Report; Former Cardinal McCarrick’s donations to a religious order; Vatican financial scandal update; Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia retires; Cardinal Zen’s continued outspokenness about the Vatican-China deal. Games this week include “Yes or No” and “Name That 90s Church Tune.” <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/764050078&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe>

Married priests in the Amazon; “Querida Amazonia,” Amazonia/Amazon Price is Right; etc.

Feb 14, 2020 / 00:00 am

On this episode of the podcast, JD and Ed discuss Pope Francis’ decision not to permit married priests or female deacons in the Amazon region, and other important implications of the Pope’s recent post-synodal apostolic exhortation, “Querida Amazonia.” Along the way, they also discuss the Houston Astros, suits, Tim Tebow, Laudato Si, and much more. They also play "Amazonia/Amazon Price is Right." 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/760262314&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe>

Movements in the Church; the McCarrick Report; Crookston investigation; Hipster Hobbies; Etc.

Feb 7, 2020 / 00:00 am

The editors discuss movements in the Catholic Church; the continuing investigation into Bishop Michael Hoeppner of Crookston, Minnesota; the report set to come from the Vatican about Theodore McCarrick, the former Cardinal and abuser; a Nigerian seminarian who this week was kidnapped and possibly martyred; and much more. Stick around, because this may be the most game-filled episode of the podcast ever. Executive producer Kate Olivera joins for a classic round of “Greater or Lesser,” and then JD, Ed, and Kate play a round of a brand new game: “Hipster Hobby Price is Right.” You really don’t want to miss this one. Listen 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/756680728&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe>

Kobe Bryant; Legionaries of Christ; abortion; approval for Catholic websites; etc.

Jan 30, 2020 / 00:00 am

Discussion topics this week on the podcast include: the death of a Missouri priest, Fr. Evan Harkins, by suicide; a recap of the March for Life, and President Trump’s speech at the march; Bishop Barron’s comments about introducing a stamp of approval for Catholic sites that teach the faith online; uncertainty surrounding the future of the troubled Legionaries of Christ religious order; and more. Listen 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/751771297&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe>