Martin Barillas

Martin Barillas

Martin Barillas is a writer and translator, having once served as a U.S. diplomat in Europe and South America. A lifelong Catholic, he resides in Michigan with his wife Alice and their four children and grandchild. He has written on a variety of topics, including human rights, politics and religion. He is also a novelist.

Articles by Martin Barillas

Eastern Catholics begin Nativity Fast to empty themselves as did Christ in the Incarnation

Nov 24, 2024 / 06:00 am

Eastern Christians — both Catholic and Orthodox — observe the Nativity Fast, a penitential and preparatory time before the great feast of Christmas.

Alpha evangelization course brings Chinese inquirers to the faith in Michigan

Nov 10, 2024 / 06:00 am

Alpha began as a course of evangelization within the Anglican Church in England in 1977 and has since expanded to include various Christian traditions.

Catholic missionary endeavor in Pakistan shares Gospel, frees Christians from slavery

Oct 24, 2024 / 07:00 am

CNA interviewed missionaries who recently returned from Pakistan, where they freed nearly 200 Christians from slavery.

‘Time is right’ for Catholic hospital and medical school project in Michigan, bishop says

Oct 16, 2024 / 06:00 am

A celebration of two beloved saints recently served to highlight an initiative to found an authentically Catholic hospital and medical school in Michigan.

Nuclear engineer says latest research confirms first-century date of Shroud of Turin 

Sep 28, 2024 / 06:00 am

“The Shroud of Turin is the second-most valuable possession of the human race next to the Bible itself,” nuclear engineer Robert Rucker told CNA.

Pro-life groups adjust tactics in challenging electoral panorama

Sep 16, 2024 / 07:00 am

Pro-life groups across the political spectrum are adjusting tactics and expanding collaborative efforts. 

Catholic artist Tim Schmalz brings Scripture to life with sculpture

Aug 12, 2024 / 07:00 am

Schmalz, 52, recently created a massive bronze crucifix that was installed outside St. John the Evangelist Church in downtown Indianapolis.

British appeals court overturns lower court that forbade lifesaving care to teen

Aug 2, 2024 / 17:21 pm

Britain’s Court of Appeal overturned an earlier court ruling that declared Sudiksha Thirumalesh, 19, lacked the mental capacity to make her own decisions.

National Conference for Single Catholics promises to deepen faith, foster relationships

Jul 20, 2024 / 06:00 am

Anastasia Northrop, who started the annual event more than 20 years ago, told CNA it provides practical aids for growing in faith and forming lasting relationships.

Michigan parents press case to end discrimination in school funding 

Jul 1, 2024 / 13:57 pm

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy and the Bursch Law firm have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their challenge to Michigan’s Blaine amendment.

Controversy swirls around Canadian Catholic schools celebrating ‘Pride’ month 

Jun 28, 2024 / 07:00 am

For the third year in a row, St. Denis Catholic School in Toronto, Ontario, raised the Pride flag on school grounds.

Top European human rights court rules countries can’t be forced to introduce assisted suicide

Jun 14, 2024 / 15:30 pm

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled in favor of Hungary’s right to uphold its laws prohibiting assisted suicide, affirming the laws of 46 countries.

Pro-family leaders in Mexico react to Sheinbaum’s election 

Jun 5, 2024 / 18:50 pm

Various pro-life, pro-family, and Catholic leaders in Mexico have reacted with concern to the election of Claudia Sheinbaum as president of the country.

A new player in post-secondary Catholic education: San Damiano College for the Trades

May 29, 2024 / 15:30 pm

The new college, which is currently accepting applications for its fall 2025 inaugural class, is geared toward young men.

No reason to be cynical about celebrity conversions, Bishop Barron and others say

May 27, 2024 / 06:00 am

The phenomenon of celebrity conversions to the faith has taken center stage, especially on social media, and they have been widely welcomed.

Mary, Mother of Persecuted Christians gains a shrine in Wyoming

May 14, 2024 / 07:00 am

Bishop Robert Pipta of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma, Ohio, dedicated a shrine and an icon at Wyoming Catholic College. 

Orthodox Church ordains female deacon 

May 9, 2024 / 18:05 pm

The Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa ordained Zimbabwean Angelic Molen as a deaconess in the Orthodox Church.

Arsonists burn down homes of Egypt’s beleaguered Christians

Apr 24, 2024 / 15:45 pm

Muslim extremists set on fire several homes of Christians in Minya, a province in southern Egypt, in a continuation of anti-Christian violence. 

Catholic sculptor readies monumental Stations of the Cross in Orlando, Florida

Apr 16, 2024 / 14:45 pm

The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary Queen of the Universe in Orlando is adding a “Gospel Garden” featuring massive bronze Stations of the Cross.

Byzantine Catholic priest ‘overjoyed’ to join special Synod on Synodality meeting

Apr 4, 2024 / 07:00 am

Father Artur Bubnevych said he is honored and delighted to be among the five priests from the U.S. selected to attend the upcoming meeting of priests in Rome.