Articles by Daniel Payne
Los Angeles archbishop: Catholics called to be God’s ‘instruments’ during deadly wildfires
Jan 10, 2025 / 14:50 pmThe prelate delivered the remarks as a homily at a special Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.
Biden cancels trip to Italy and meeting with Pope Francis amid deadly California wildfires
Jan 10, 2025 / 12:05 pmBiden was set to travel to Rome from Jan. 9–12 at Pope Francis’ invitation. His audience with the Holy Father was set for Jan. 10.
Researchers underscore link between decline of marriage, plummeting fertility rates
Jan 10, 2025 / 07:00 amAssociates at the Ontario-based think tank Cardus assert that the decline of marriage is “one contributing issue” to plummeting fertility in Western countries.
Abortion group trains pharmacists to dispense abortion pills
Jan 9, 2025 / 14:30 pmA pilot program launched this month in Washington state has trained pharmacists to prescribe the abortion-drug combo mifepristone and misoprostol.
‘Families who have lost everything’: Los Angeles Archdiocese responds to deadly wildfires
Jan 9, 2025 / 12:30 pmArchdiocesan officials and local Church leaders in Los Angeles are working to shelter and assist victims of the ongoing wildfires there.
Lawsuit: City retaliated against Catholic hospital for refusing ‘body cavity’ drug search
Jan 7, 2025 / 14:00 pmThe suit said police brought a “detainee” to the hospital’s ER and requested doctors “perform a body cavity search” to determine if the suspect was in possession of drugs.
Biden attends prayer service for New Orleans terror attack victims hosted by archdiocese
Jan 7, 2025 / 13:30 pmThe president was among the dignitaries at the Monday evening event at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans.
Shigemi Fukahori, Catholic atomic bomb survivor and peace advocate, dies at 93
Jan 6, 2025 / 12:50 pmIn 2020, at a ceremony in Japan, the peace advocate said: “I am determined to send our message to make Nagasaki the final place where an atomic bomb is ever dropped.”
Bishop urges faithful to fight ‘scourge of human trafficking’ in Pennsylvania
Jan 2, 2025 / 11:20 amIn a Dec. 29 pastoral letter Bishop Timothy Senior said he was “shocked and appalled” to learn about the extent of human trafficking within diocesan territory.
Catholics join other faith leaders for Baltimore prayer walk in memory of homicide victims
Dec 31, 2024 / 14:00 pmThe coalition met at St. Joseph’s Monastery Parish in the city’s Irvington neighborhood before holding a prayer walk to My Brother’s Keeper.
Judge says Wisconsin trial against McCarrick will remain suspended until his death
Dec 30, 2024 / 15:05 pmThe criminal case against McCarrick in Wisconsin was suspended in January after a psychologist hired by the court found that he was not competent to stand trial.
UPDATE: Oakland Diocese denies it used diocesan fund to hide money from abuse victims
Dec 30, 2024 / 11:25 amThe filing claims the diocese “perpetrated a fraudulent scheme to funnel substantial assets away from what would soon become its bankruptcy estate.”
Louisiana priest Lawrence Hecker dies in prison after life sentence over rape of teenager
Dec 30, 2024 / 10:55 amLawrence Hecker was indicted in September 2023 on felony charges related to allegations that he raped an underage teenage boy in the 1970s.
Canadian group that led push to legalize euthanasia warns of abuse of system
Dec 27, 2024 / 12:10 pmThe British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, which pushed to legalize euthanasia in Canada, is now warning that additional government safeguards are needed.
‘An incredible thing’: Catholic groups collect Christmas toys for children in need
Dec 25, 2024 / 06:00 amMultiple Catholic groups and organizations this year have collected and distributed Christmas presents to children and families in need.
Becoming the mother of God: Did Mary have a choice?
Dec 24, 2024 / 07:00 amDid Mary have free will, or did she have to consent to being Jesus’ mother? Two theologians weigh in.
Papal preacher urges ‘littleness’ ahead of Christmas
Dec 23, 2024 / 13:30 pmFather Roberto Pasolini told members of the Roman Curia on Dec. 20 that God “sees littleness not as a limitation but as a precious resource.
Biden commutes death row sentences of 37 federal prisoners
Dec 23, 2024 / 09:40 amThe White House announced the clemencies on Monday morning, stating that the president was “commuting the sentences of 37 individuals on federal death row.”
Pope Francis appoints Bishop Gregory Kelly as new bishop of Tyler, Texas
Dec 20, 2024 / 12:45 pmPope Francis relieved Bishop Joseph Strickland from the Tyler bishopric last November after an apostolic visitation concluded it was “not feasible” for Strickland to remain.
Louisiana priest sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to rape of teenage boy
Dec 19, 2024 / 11:25 amLawrence Hecker had pleaded guilty earlier this month to the kidnapping and raping of his teenage victim in the 1970s.