Articles by Daniel Payne
What a dispute over a Native American worship site means for U.S. religious liberty
Aug 26, 2025 / 06:00 amNative American activists trying to protect Oak Flat have drawn support from religious advocates and stakeholders including the U.S. bishops and the Knights of Columbus.
Bishop Conley says Nebraska immigrant detention camp must allow sacraments, pastoral care
Aug 23, 2025 / 11:15 amThe bishop made the announcement after Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen revealed the repurposing of a state work camp to house immigrants in the country illegally.
Resurfaced video shows Virginia gubernatorial candidate endorsing assisted suicide
Aug 22, 2025 / 14:08 pmYears-old video that surfaced this week showed Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger endorsing assisted suicide.
Federal judge blocks Texas from displaying Ten Commandments in public schools
Aug 21, 2025 / 12:12 pmA federal judge has partially blocked the state of Texas from enforcing its law ordering the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools.
Federal court awards pro-lifers $1 over unconstitutional abortion clinic rule
Aug 20, 2025 / 13:26 pmPro-life activists in New York were awarded $1 this month after a court found that a county abortion clinic rule violated their constitutional right to free speech.
Court says California school district must allow Christian club access to facilities
Aug 19, 2025 / 12:35 pmA federal court said a California school district must grant a Christian club equal access to school facilities, arguing denying access violates free speech rights.
Appeals court halts sale of Native American religious site defended by Catholic groups
Aug 19, 2025 / 10:34 amThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit said in a brief ruling on Aug. 18 that the Oak Flat site in Pinal County would not be transferred to Resolution Copper.
Trump vows to do ‘everything’ to ‘save’ Jimmy Lai ahead of trial verdict
Aug 16, 2025 / 07:30 amTrump promised to “see what we can do” to help the longtime human rights advocate jailed by Chinese authorities for years.
Alabama vicar general on leave after allegations of relationship with minor
Aug 14, 2025 / 12:42 pmA high-ranking priest in the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama is on leave amid allegations that he began a relationship years ago with a female minor.
New Jersey church says finance director stole $1.5 million, spent it on cigars, sports, vehicles
Aug 14, 2025 / 10:53 amA New Jersey church is alleging in a lawsuit that its finance director stole more than a million dollars over several years and spent it for his “personal benefit.”
Federal court rules against Little Sisters of the Poor in latest contraception lawsuit
Aug 13, 2025 / 16:25 pmA federal court has ruled against the Little Sisters of the Poor in their long-running legal dispute over government contraception mandates, dealing a blow to the religious order.
Federal appeals court says Arkansas can ban transgender procedures for minors
Aug 13, 2025 / 11:42 amThe state has a “compelling interest” in “protecting the physical and psychological health of minors,” the Aug. 12 ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit held.
Vatican allows New Zealand ban on Scottish congregation after alleged illicit exorcisms
Aug 12, 2025 / 15:52 pmChristchurch Bishop Michael Gielen said in an Aug. 10 letter to his diocese that the Vatican “rejected in its entirety” the appeal of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer.
University of Nebraska apologizes for ‘drag Mass,’ investigates controversial performance
Aug 8, 2025 / 13:08 pmAfter outcry, the University of Nebraska has apologized for sanctioning a profane “drag” performance that mocked the Catholic Mass, promising an investigation.
‘I did not authorize these’: Bishop slams 6-figure payouts after Vatican found no abuse
Aug 8, 2025 / 10:54 amA U.S. Catholic bishop is sharply criticizing a large payout to his accusers even after the Holy See said it had found no evidence to support allegations of abuse against him.
Diocese of Buffalo reportedly laying off 20% of diocesan workforce amid bankruptcy
Aug 7, 2025 / 11:51 amThe Diocese of Buffalo is reportedly dismissing a substantial number of workers at its headquarters as it continues to move through a sex abuse bankruptcy payout.
Pennsylvania priest admits to making up winner of $50,000 raffle, police say
Aug 7, 2025 / 11:21 amFather Ross Miceli allegedly “admitted to publicly falsifying the results of the grand prize winner” of a raffle at St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Appeals court says Texas attorney general can’t question Catholic charity leaders
Aug 6, 2025 / 14:55 pmThe state 15th Court of Appeals said Aug. 4 that Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley has cooperated sufficiently with the state’s investigation into the charity.
Is the Shroud of Turin merely a ‘work of art’? Years of study suggest otherwise
Aug 6, 2025 / 11:14 amCountless Catholics and other Christians across the world believe the Shroud of Turin is the authentic burial cloth of Jesus Christ.
Shroud of Turin center disputes new study that challenges authenticity of burial cloth
Aug 5, 2025 / 11:54 amThe guardians of the famed Shroud of Turin are disputing the results of a recent study that purports to disprove the cloth’s origins as the burial shroud of Jesus Christ.