crime

The Latest

A San Francisco police officer steps out of the mobile command unit in San Francisco, California.

Police arrest man accused of shooting into Catholic church in South San Francisco

Jan 31, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

St. Augustine Catholic Church closed its parish office and did not hold in-person services on Wednesday per the advice of... Read more

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Mass at California Catholic church interrupted by armed police pursuit

Jan 17, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

As the priest was elevating the Eucharist just after the consecration, officers entered the sanctuary, shouting at a suspected gunman... Read more

Pope Francis meets with a group of women who escaped criminal organizations in Italy on Oct. 30, 2023, at the Vatican.

‘You are not alone’: Pope Francis meets women who escaped the Mafia

Oct 30, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis on Monday encouraged a group of women who escaped criminal organizations in Italy to keep fighting despite fear... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI.

Police: Suspect in theft of Benedict XVI’s pectoral cross arrested

Oct 7, 2023

By AC Wimmer

A 53-year-old suspect has been arrested in the theft of Pope Benedict XVI’s pectoral cross. Read more

Vandalism at St. John XXIII parish in Fort Collins, Colo., May 7, 2022.

FBI investigating crimes against churches, pro-life groups, director affirms

Nov 18, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

FBI Director Christopher Wray has reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to investigating crimes against pro-life groups and churches. Read more

Church pews

Tabernacle, with Eucharist inside, stolen from Maryland Catholic church

Mar 30, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

A tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament located inside, along with other church belongings, was stolen from Catholic church in Hydes,... Read more

Bishop Eugenio Lira Rugarcía celebrates Mass on June 23

‘No more violence!’ cries bishop after crime wave in Mexican border town 

Jun 25, 2021

In the midst of the crime wave hitting Reynosa, Mexico, the bishop of Matamoros has cried out “no more violence”... Read more

St. Michael's Cathedral in Springfield, Mass.

Former priest, a sex offender, killed Massachusetts altar boy in 1972, investigators conclude

May 25, 2021

By CNA Staff

A Massachusetts prosecutor announced Monday that a convicted sex offender who had been dismissed from the clerical state, and who... Read more

A statue of the infant Jesus was found decapitated outside the diocesan administrative offices in Brooklyn

Brooklyn diocese requests greater police presence outside churches, after acts of vandalism

May 18, 2021

The Diocese of Brooklyn is requesting increased police presence after two incidents of vandalism in three days at church properties.  Read more

Minnesota bishops call for prayer and civility before jury finds Derek Chauvin guilty

Apr 20, 2021

A jury on Tuesday found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on second degree unintentional murder and manslaughter charges... Read more

St. Michael's Cathedral in Springfield, Mass.

Deceased Massachusetts bishop accused of sexual abuse had roots in New York archdiocese

Aug 11, 2020

Archbishop-designate Mitchell Rozanski, who will take over the Archdiocese of St. Louis this month, oversaw an investigation into the late... Read more

(CC0 1.0)

Rise in crimes against churches in France shock faithful, prompt reflection

Jul 11, 2019

Vandalism, theft, arson and other increasing attacks on churches in France have led to debates about their causes, amid shock... Read more

Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, Montreal.

Montreal priest stabbed at Mass 'eager' to return

Mar 23, 2019

Father Claude Grou is out of the hospital and grateful for the groundswell of support he received after he was... Read more

Fr. Alfred Kunz celebrates Mass. Courtesy of the Journal Sentinel.

Who killed Fr. Kunz? Wisc. police launch campaign to revive cold case

Mar 7, 2018

Fr. Alfred Kunz was a 67-year-old parish priest at St. Michael’s church in the rural town of Dane, Wisconsin.  Read more

Police line Caution tape.

Deaths in smuggler's truck 'completely senseless,' Texas archbishop says

Jul 23, 2017

The deaths of at least nine people due to heat in an alleged immigrant smuggler’s truck parked in San Antonio... Read more

82-year-old priest attacked, robbed outside Kansas City parish

Oct 25, 2016

82-year-old Fr. Tom Kearns is in the hospital recovering from an attack outside of Blessed Sacrament Church in Kansas City,... Read more

Japan reacts to mass stabbing at care center for the disabled.

Japan knife attack shows disabled persons 'have to be protected'

Jul 29, 2016

Following Tuesday's mass killing at a care home in Japan for persons with mental disabilities, one of the country's bishops... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square Dec. 4, 2013

Pope encourages crime experts to humanize justice

Jun 7, 2014

Pope Francis has sent a letter to the participants of an international conference on criminal law, encouraging them to consider... Read more

Bishop Stephen E. Blaire.

Bishops encourage changes in incarceration of minors

Feb 1, 2013

The U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development has joined with more than 100 other organizations to call... Read more

CNA

Apostolic nuncio prays for missing priest in Mexico

Jan 29, 2013

Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to Mexico, voiced prayers and expressed solidarity with the family members of a local... Read more