Articles by Daniel Payne
Wisconsin Supreme Court says Catholic charity group cannot claim religious tax exemption
Mar 14, 2024 / 16:00 pmThe Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a major Catholic charity group’s activities were not “primarily” religious under state law.
Priest sues Indiana diocese after ‘no evidence’ found in sex abuse investigation
Mar 14, 2024 / 12:45 pmA priest in Indiana is suing his diocese for fraud and defamation after he was suspended over what the clergyman claims were false allegations.
Diocese of Buffalo announces sale of headquarters to pay sex abuse victims
Mar 14, 2024 / 11:15 amThe Diocese of Buffalo in New York has announced the sale of its headquarters in downtown Buffalo nearly four years after it declared bankruptcy.
DOJ signals that U.S. prisons must adopt transgender policies for prisoners
Mar 13, 2024 / 14:00 pmThe Department of Justice said the Utah Department of Corrections had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.
State attorneys general threaten lawsuit over Maine abortion, transgender bill
Mar 12, 2024 / 17:30 pmOver a dozen state attorneys general are threatening a possible lawsuit over a bill that extends legal protections to out-of-staters seeking transgender-related procedures.
Pope Francis laicizes North Dakota priest after sexual assault guilty plea
Mar 12, 2024 / 13:30 pmDiocese of Fargo Bishop John Folda said in a statement this month that former priest Neil Pfeifer “received a dispensation from the clerical state” effective March 8.
Pope Francis appoints UCLA astrophysicist to Pontifical Academy of Sciences
Mar 8, 2024 / 16:05 pmAndrea Mia Ghez, recognized for her groundbreaking research on black holes, is one of only four women to have been awarded the Nobel Prize in physics.
Connecticut latest state to consider ‘human composting’ amid Catholic opposition
Mar 8, 2024 / 12:10 pmThe measure under consideration seeks to “authorize the natural organic reduction of human remains as a final disposition of such remains.”
Fake priest robs New York church of $900 in multistate impersonator scam
Mar 7, 2024 / 15:20 pmNYPD Crime Stoppers is offering a $3,500 reward for tips leading to the arrest of a man who impersonated a priest to gain access to a Queens church.
New criminal justice program in Steubenville ‘rooted in the Catholic tradition’
Mar 7, 2024 / 12:10 pmFranciscan University of Steubenville, founded in 1946, announced the launch of the program in a press release last month.
Leaked files reveal transgender group’s ‘pseudoscientific’ crusade, ethical abuse
Mar 5, 2024 / 15:50 pmMembers of a transgender advocacy organization admitted that children who receive transgender procedures are too young to be capable of consent.
French bishops call for fasting and prayer as France enshrines abortion in constitution
Mar 4, 2024 / 15:22 pmThe French National Assembly in January voted to introduce a “right to abortion” in the French Constitution.
Church Militant to shut down following $500,000 defamation lawsuit brought by priest
Mar 2, 2024 / 14:22 pmThe controversial website will cease operations next month following a $500,000 defamation judgment against it.
Bishop Barron leads prayer vigil at Planned Parenthood, calls for end to ‘culture of death’
Mar 1, 2024 / 17:30 pmThe well-known prelate said the vigil was to “pray for the conversion of hearts and minds to protect the most vulnerable in our society.”
Polish nunciature: Archbishop’s resignation linked to negligence in addressing abuse claims
Feb 29, 2024 / 17:30 pmAccording to a 2021 report by the Polish Catholic outlet Więź, the Polish nunciature had received four reports from three separate individuals.
Pope Francis urges Armenian Catholic bishops to ‘take up the cry for peace’
Feb 28, 2024 / 10:30 amArmenia and Azerbaijan are engaged in peace talks following Azerbaijan's violent takeover of the Nagorno-Karabakh region late last year.
Ex-priest sentenced to 15 months in prison for molestation of minor with cancer
Feb 28, 2024 / 10:18 amThe judge condemned the sexual assault of a child and said the laicized priest took advantage of the family’s need for a priest during a difficult time.
Prosecutor vows to try ‘on a gurney’ 92-year-old Louisiana priest accused of rape
Feb 27, 2024 / 17:20 pmLawrence Hecker was indicted on charges of aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, an aggravated crime against nature, and theft in September 2023.
Texas death row inmate to be executed in days as Catholics call for clemency
Feb 26, 2024 / 13:00 pmTexas has scheduled the execution of Ivan Cantu for Wednesday, Feb. 28. Cantu was convicted for a double murder that took place in 2000.
Beer for Lent? The Diocese of Scranton’s ‘40 Days’ brew helps feed the homeless
Feb 24, 2024 / 07:00 amThe Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania, has launched a beer collaboration with a local brewery to support its anti-hunger programs for homeless people.