Madalaine Elhabbal

Madalaine Elhabbal

Madalaine Elhabbal is a staff reporter for Catholic News Agency based at EWTN’s Washington, D.C., bureau. She has been published by CatholicVote and has also worked as foreign language assistant in France. She is a graduate of Benedictine College.

Articles by Madalaine Elhabbal

Rubio says State Department will exempt select USAID programs from freeze

Feb 6, 2025 / 17:55 pm

The secretary of state also said the State Department has reached out to USAID officials to help determine these exemptions. 

Trump at National Prayer Breakfast announces task force to end anti-Christian bias

Feb 6, 2025 / 15:20 pm

During remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning, Trump said U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi would head the task force.

‘Real sanctions, real consequences’ are needed for countries on religious freedom watchlist

Feb 5, 2025 / 17:30 pm

USCIRF Chairman Stephen Schneck said: “The CPC [Country of Particular Concern] designation really only works as an instrument for naming and shaming.”

Catholics back new pro-family agenda on technology and human flourishing

Feb 4, 2025 / 11:10 am

Ryan T. Anderson, Patrick Deneen, and Robert P. George are among the 28 signatories of “A Future for the Family: A New Technology Agenda for the Right.”

Survey reveals common threads behind final vows of 2024’s professed religious

Feb 3, 2025 / 15:40 pm

The survey report released on Monday polled a total of 140 religious who professed perpetual vows in 2024, including 73 sisters and nuns and 67 brothers and priests.

Pentagon ends Biden policy that funded travel for abortions

Jan 31, 2025 / 15:55 pm

Officials at the Defense Travel Management Office announced the move to “Remove Travel for Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care Services” in a memo Wednesday.

Bishop Conley on Catholic Schools Week: educating the whole person

Jan 31, 2025 / 12:50 pm

Having spent the past week paying visits to Catholic schools across his diocese, Bishop James Conley issued a reflection on the value of faith-based education.

Bishop Barron applauds Trump’s order banning sex-change surgeries for minors

Jan 30, 2025 / 17:05 pm

“So many young people who have been victims of this ideological crusade have profound regrets over its life altering consequences,” Bishop Robert Barron said.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledges to carry out Trump’s policies on abortion, conscience rights

Jan 29, 2025 / 17:05 pm

Republican and Democrat senators on the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday pressed Kennedy on his views on abortion and “reproductive health.”

Republicans introduce bill to protect parents’ rights

Jan 28, 2025 / 16:45 pm

The Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act seeks to prevent government intervention in parental decisions. 

Catholics to gather for annual New York Encounter next month: ‘There’s nothing like it’

Jan 28, 2025 / 08:00 am

Organized annually by members of Communion and Liberation, the event will take place Feb. 14–16 in the heart of New York City.

Pro-life activist Paul Vaughn ‘rejoices’ over Trump pardon after 2-year-long ordeal

Jan 23, 2025 / 20:30 pm

The pardon put an end to the Biden administration’s prosecution of Vaughn and his fellow pro-life activists, among whom were several elderly and infirm women.

More than two-thirds of Americans support limitations on abortion, according to poll

Jan 23, 2025 / 14:45 pm

The poll revealed that 67% of Americans support legal limitations on abortion and 60% believe abortions should be limited to the first three months of pregnancy.

El Paso bishop calls Trump immigration orders ‘contrary to the moral law’

Jan 23, 2025 / 12:40 pm

“We urge President Trump to pivot from these enforcement-only policies to just and merciful solutions,” wrote Bishop Mark Seitz, USCCB migration committee chair.

UPDATE: Protestant leader at interfaith service calls on Trump to ‘have mercy’ on migrants, LGBTQ

Jan 21, 2025 / 15:30 pm

In her sermon, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington was openly critical of the president. 

‘We have been living under a lawless regime’: Catholics celebrate Trump overhauls

Jan 21, 2025 / 10:45 am

Several high-profile Catholic intellectuals in the United States anticipated and celebrated a number of changes that are coming to the country.

Cardinal Dolan, Father Mann among clergy leading President Trump’s inaugural prayers

Jan 20, 2025 / 15:50 pm

Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Father Frank Mann opened and closed the prayers of invocation and benediction at the inauguration of the new presidential administration.

Museum of the Bible to add Trump’s Bible to inauguration-themed exhibit

Jan 20, 2025 / 12:35 pm

Museum of the Bible Chief Curatorial Officer Robert Duke said Trump’s personal Bible will be added to the set of U.S. presidential inauguration Bibles.

Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire deal in Gaza, includes hostage release

Jan 15, 2025 / 14:15 pm

Brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt after 15 months of war, the agreement could be implemented as early as Sunday, according to CNN.

New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith to be honored at National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

Jan 13, 2025 / 15:20 pm

The New Jersey representative will receive the organization’s annual Christifideles Laici Award at the 20th National Catholic Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 28.