Kevin J. Jones
Kevin J. Jones is a senior staff writer with Catholic News Agency. A Colorado native, he holds a bachelor's degree in Classics from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Articles by Kevin J. Jones
Mother Angelica's monastery elects new abbess, asks for 'continued prayers'
Jul 30, 2021 / 17:01 pmMother Mary Paschal has been elected the newest abbess of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Alabama, filling the role once held by EWTN foundress Mother Angelica.
Catholic health care giant Ascension to mandate coronavirus vaccines for employees
Jul 29, 2021 / 18:29 pmThe Catholic health care network Ascension will mandate coronavirus vaccination for its employees, physicians, volunteers, and vendors. It cited a need for more action to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic and promised some exemptions to the mandate for people with health problems or religious exemptions.
Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick charged with sexual assault of a minor
Jul 29, 2021 / 12:11 pmFormer Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has reportedly been charged with sexual assault of a teenage boy, a crime alleged to have occurred in the 1970s.
In India, Catholic priest jailed for alleged hate speech after political remarks stir controversy
Jul 28, 2021 / 14:01 pmA Catholic priest in southern India who made political remarks, including criticism of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, has been arrested for alleged hate speech. The priest denies the charges, and suggested that videos criticizing his remarks were deceptively edited, but apologized for any hurt he may have caused.
Fernando Karadima, former priest whose sex abuse scandal rocked Chile, dead at 90
Jul 26, 2021 / 14:45 pmFernando Karadima, an influential former priest in Chile whose sexual abuse of minors prompted major questions about episcopal cover-ups, has died at the age of 90. Allegations that Karadima’s protégés helped cover up his abuse entangled Pope Francis, and resulted in massive controversy and sweeping changes to the makeup of the country’s bishops.
Major donations mean 'tremendous impact' for Catholic school students in western Pennsylvania
Jul 23, 2021 / 16:01 pmAn anonymous donor and new partners will help continue millions of dollars in funding for a tuition aid program for the Diocese of Greensburg’s Catholic schools. The program is set to support hundreds of students in southwestern Pennsylvania over the next five years.
Despite criticism from Wisconsin AG, Milwaukee archdiocese stresses cooperation with new abuse cases
Jul 22, 2021 / 19:01 pmThe Milwaukee archdiocese said that to its knowledge the Wisconsin attorney general’s inquiry into sexual abuse, which some critics say is singling out the Catholic Church, has so far not resulted in any allegations against current archdiocesan priests.
In Oregon, educators propose alternative to gender identity policy—and face calls to be fired
Jul 1, 2021 / 05:01 amA public school teacher and an assistant principal are facing disciplinary action and possible firing, because of their alternative policy response to self-identified transgender students.
Mackenzie Scott donates millions to controversial group outspoken on Catholic issues, religious freedom
Jun 30, 2021 / 11:02 amSeveral million dollars from the Amazon fortune of Jeff Bezos’ former wife Mackenzie Scott have funded a controversial multi-religious advocacy group, Faith in Public Life.
‘Gender transition’ regret deserves a voice, says former patient
Jun 29, 2021 / 18:00 pmNew York woman Grace Lidinsky-Smith said she regrets going through “gender transition” surgery, in a June 25 essay for Newsweek.
.png?w=310&h=198)
Police investigate after two Catholic churches burn on British Columbia tribal lands
Jun 24, 2021 / 08:15 amTwo Catholic churches in the same region of British Columbia burned down in suspicious circumstances early Monday morning.
.jpg?w=310&h=198)
Now agreeing with former priest’s victim, Kansas City archdiocese says abuse claim was substantiated
Jun 22, 2021 / 17:00 pmCrediting a sex abuse victim for his challenge of a review board’s ruling in 2002, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas says an allegation that a now-laicized priest abused a minor was, in fact, able to be substantiated.
Bishops plan response to Native American Catholics who 'want their voice heard'
Jun 18, 2021 / 13:10 pmNative American ministry was an action item for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Thursday, as the relevant subcommittee sought approval for a new statement and a “comprehensive vision” for indigenous Catholics and those who serve them.
Wealthy donors pour millions into anti-religious freedom efforts, as Catholic adoption agency ruling looms
Jun 16, 2021 / 03:01 amGrant listings from wealthy philanthropies and strategic political donor networks show that millions of dollars continue to pour into advocacy groups and other NGOs opposed to broad religious freedom protections.
.jpg?w=310&h=198)
In pushback against AG inquiry, Wisconsin Catholics cite decades of church vigilance against abuse
Jun 10, 2021 / 17:04 pmThe Archdiocese of Milwaukee is citing decades of Catholic efforts to prevent sex abuse, along with judicial statements and reviews of Church documents, as among the reasons it is pushing back against a state inquiry into clergy abuse.
Wedding cake, controversy and faith: Colorado baker's book recounts years-long legal fight
Jun 10, 2021 / 03:01 amJack Phillips, a Colorado baker whose decision not to bake cakes for same-sex weddings ended up taking him before the US Supreme Court, has told his story in a book about his profession, his Christian faith, and his belief that religious freedom benefits everyone.
Las Cruces diocese says abuse records disclosed voluntarily, despite New Mexico attorney general's claims
Jun 7, 2021 / 18:00 pmWhile New Mexico’s attorney general has taken credit for securing Catholic Church documents on sex abuse by clergy, saying they will be released to the public soon, a spokesperson for the Las Cruces diocese said it provided the documents voluntarily out of a desire to address the “abhorrent crime” of sex abuse, not because of a search warrant or legal obligation.
.jpg?w=310&h=198)
Ottawa archbishop: Some parents say flying LGBT flag ‘hijacks’ Ontario Catholic schools
Jun 3, 2021 / 18:00 pmWith multiple Catholic school systems in the Canadian province of Ontario deciding to fly the rainbow LGBT Pride flag in June, one Ontario archbishop says that the movement contradicts Catholic teaching.
Mixed 'blessings' as Bishop Stowe attends Catholic dissenters' Pride Month event
Jun 2, 2021 / 15:45 pmCatholic dissenters and LGBT activists on Tuesday hosted an online Pride Month “blessing” in reaction to a Vatican statement reiterating that same-sex unions cannot be blessed. Speakers made comments that rejected Catholic teaching, talking about “God’s triumph of queer love” or declaring that pride is not sin but “salvation” and “a promise of liberation for all.”
Chicago archdiocese reinstates Father Pfleger after investigating sex abuse allegations
May 24, 2021 / 18:01 pmOutspoken activist priest Father Michael Pfleger will return to the pulpit, after a Chicago archdiocese investigation concluded there was “insufficient reason” to suspect he was guilty of allegations of sexual abuse.