Daniel Payne

Daniel Payne

Daniel Payne is a senior editor at Catholic News Agency. He previously worked at the College Fix and Just the News. He lives in Virginia with his family.

Articles by Daniel Payne

New Jersey jury awards man $5 million for clergy sexual assault in 1976

Oct 9, 2025 / 11:14 am

A jury in New Jersey has awarded a man $5 million in damages for a sexual assault that occurred at a Catholic school there nearly 50 years ago. 

Native American group loses religious freedom appeal at Supreme Court

Oct 8, 2025 / 12:00 pm

A Native American group working to stop the destruction of a centuries-old religious ritual site has lost a last-ditch appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Virginia bishops warn of ‘extreme’ pro-abortion amendment ahead of gubernatorial election

Oct 8, 2025 / 07:00 am

A letter from Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge and Richmond Bishop Barry Knestout said the amendment would “allow virtually unlimited abortion at any stage.”

CNA explains: When can Catholic employers fire employees for not following the Church?

Oct 8, 2025 / 06:00 am

The dismissal of a New Jersey teacher from a Catholic school over her decision to be a surrogate has raised the question of just when Catholic employers can dismiss workers.

Pope Leo XIV signs first apostolic exhortation,‘Dilexi Te’

Oct 4, 2025 / 14:39 pm

The Vatican said in a press release that Leo signed the exhortation “Dilexi Te” in the library of the Apostolic Palace.

Pope Leo XIV attends swearing-in of Swiss Guard, first for a pope in nearly 60 years

Oct 4, 2025 / 13:05 pm

Pope Leo XIV was joined by a crowd of spectators in the Vatican’s San Damaso Courtyard as 27 new members were sworn into the ranks of the papal guard on Oct. 4.

FDA approves new abortion pill from company seeking to ‘normalize abortion’

Oct 2, 2025 / 16:13 pm

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week approved a new abortion pill made by a company that explicitly says it seeks to “normalize” abortion. 

Fallout continues after Durbin backs out of Catholic award over pro-abortion beliefs

Oct 2, 2025 / 13:46 pm

Political and religious debate has continued to ferment in the wake of Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin’s withdrawal from a prominent Catholic award.

Bishops ‘grateful,’ ‘relieved’ after pro-abortion Durbin declines Catholic award

Oct 1, 2025 / 15:35 pm

Various U.S. bishops expressed relief and happiness after U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced his decision to decline an award from the Chicago Archdiocese.

Durbin declines Chicago Archdiocese award after global backlash over pro-abortion views

Sep 30, 2025 / 20:02 pm

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, will decline an award from the Archdiocese of Chicago after global backlash that included comments from Pope Leo XIV.

Judge dismisses lawsuit seeking to block $5 million state grant to Catholic trade school

Sep 30, 2025 / 12:56 pm

A West Virginia judge has tossed out a lawsuit aiming to block a state agency from providing a $5 million grant to the College of St. Joseph the Worker in Steubenville, Ohio.

Philadelphia Archdiocese launches ‘missionary hubs’ to help bring faithful back to Church

Sep 29, 2025 / 06:00 am

Archbishop Nelson Pérez’s announcement comes after Pérez earlier this year revealed a 10-year plan meant to bring Catholics back to the pews.

Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael: The 3 great archangels of the Bible

Sep 29, 2025 / 04:00 am

Today, on the feast of the archangels, we celebrate the powerful helpers sent by God throughout salvation history.

New York Supreme Court tosses lawsuit against Buffalo Diocese over bankruptcy payments

Sep 27, 2025 / 15:15 pm

Parishioners suing the diocese won a reprieve in July when the state Supreme Court instituted a temporary halt on the payments.

New York prosecutor drops charges against suspect in bloody assault on pro-life advocate

Sep 26, 2025 / 10:37 am

The suspect in the assault of a pro-life advocate in New York City earlier this year will not face charges after a prosecutor’s office dropped the case. 

Courage International marks 45 years helping faithful address same-sex attraction

Sep 26, 2025 / 07:00 am

Courage International, the Catholic apostolate that helps men and women experiencing same-sex attraction “persevere on the path of holiness,” marked 45 years of ministry.

Apartments built at Virginia parish highlight faith-led efforts to address housing crisis

Sep 25, 2025 / 13:33 pm

A project to develop dozens of affordable housing units in a Richmond, Virginia, parish is underscoring the ongoing need for more housing in the U.S.

UPDATE: Notre Dame announces investigation into alleged sexual misconduct by dorm hall priest

Sep 25, 2025 / 09:27 am

The allegations concern Father Thomas King, CSC, who was rector of the school’s Zahm Hall dorm from 1980 to 1997. 

In Virginia, a Marian shrine reaches back through 1,000 years of Christian history

Sep 24, 2025 / 14:57 pm

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Williamsburg, Virginia, is part of a thousand-year history of Marian devotion dating back to rural England.

In sparsely Catholic North Carolina, the Diocese of Raleigh leads nation in conversions

Sep 23, 2025 / 12:42 pm

The Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina, said in a press release last week an analysis by Catholic World Report revealed it as “the nation’s most conversion-rich diocese.”