California

The Latest

A replica of the Mission Santa Cruz chapel in Santa Cruz, Calif.

Santa Cruz historical commission recommends removing city’s last mission bell

Nov 23, 2020

The historical preservation commission of Santa Cruz, California last week advised the city council to remove a replica mission bell... Read more

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone performs an exorcism rite outside Mission San Rafael Arcangel in San Rafael, California.

San Francisco archbishop performs exorcism at site of destroyed St. Junipero Serra statue

Oct 20, 2020

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco on Saturday performed an exorcism at the site of a destroyed statue of St.... Read more

Father Kyle Faller leads prayers at the site of a destroyed statue of St. Junipero Serra on Oct. 13, 2020.

California Catholics pray, protest at destroyed St. Junipero Serra statue

Oct 14, 2020

By Jonah McKeown

Catholics in California rallied in a peaceful demonstration Tuesday evening at the former site of a statue of St. Junipero... Read more

Pope Francis prays in St. Peter's Basilica on June 14, 2020.

Pope Francis prays for people affected by California wildfires

Oct 11, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis expressed his concern Sunday for people suffering from the effects of wildfires in California and South America.  Read more

The door of St. Peter's Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon, Ca.

Catholic cathedral vandalized in California with 'white power,' 'BLM,' and swastikas

Sep 26, 2020

A Catholic cathedral in California was defaced overnight, with swastikas, an upside-down cross, and other messages spray-painted on the church’s... Read more

A desecrated statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Holy Family Parish in Citrus Heights, California.

Californa parish prays for vandal after Mary statue beheaded

Aug 20, 2020

After its statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was beheaded, a California parish asked Catholics to pray for the vandal... Read more

The restored statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Upland, California. Courtesy photo.

California parish restores vandalized Our Lady of Guadalupe statue

Jul 27, 2020

A California parish has restored an outdoor statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, after it was kicked to the ground... Read more

Catholic schools ready for 'vital' in-person education, California's bishops say

Jul 24, 2020

Catholic schools in California are taking appropriate measures against the threat of the new coronavirus and authorities should issue waivers... Read more

The seal of Ventura County, California.

St. Junipero Serra could soon be removed from California county seal

Jul 21, 2020

By Kevin J. Jones

A proposal to remove St. Junipero Serra from Ventura County’s official seal is unwarranted, and elected officials need to know... Read more

San Buenaventura Mission in Ventura, Ca.

Pope Francis makes mission founded by St. Junipero Serra a minor basilica

Jul 15, 2020

Pope Francis has elevated a California mission church founded by St. Junipero Serra to the rank of minor basilica. The... Read more

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.

Indoor events, public Masses again suspended by California governor’s order 

Jul 14, 2020

With coronavirus cases spiking in California, the governor has issued new orders banning indoor events including public Masses in much... Read more

The small prayer shrine Audrey Ortega placed at the former site of a statue of St. Junipero Serra. Courtesy photo.

Catholic builds a shrine to St. Junipero Serra on the site of destroyed Sacramento statue

Jul 8, 2020

By Jonah McKeown

After rioters pulled down a statue of St. Junipero Serra in Sacramento on July 4, a local Catholic told CNA... Read more

The statue of St. Junipero Serra outside the California State Capitol.

St. Junípero Serra statue destroyed at California state capitol

Jul 5, 2020

On the evening of Independence Day, a crowd in Sacramento tore down a statue of St. Junipero Serra, set fire... Read more

St. Junipero Serra statue, San Juan Capistrano.

San Juan Capistrano Mission relocates St. Junipero Serra statues for protection 

Jun 25, 2020

Two statues of St. Junipero Serra have been moved from a Catholic mission and church in southern California amid fears... Read more

Statue of St. Junipero Serra in Golden Gate Park.

St. Junipero Serra statue torn down in San Francisco Park

Jun 20, 2020

A statue of Catholic missionary St. Junipero Serra was toppled in a San Francisco park Friday, along with statues of... Read more

Supreme Court of the United States.

Ahead of Pentecost, Supreme Court backs California coronavirus limits on churches

May 30, 2020

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of California’s limits on the number of people who may attend a church service,... Read more

Archbishop Jose Gomez.

LA archdiocese announces reopening plan

May 27, 2020

By Matt Hadro

After California relaxed public health restrictions on churches, the nation’s largest diocese announced its plan on Tuesday to resume public... Read more

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles, Ca.

California churches can reopen at 25% capacity

May 26, 2020

Churches in California can begin holding services again at a limited capacity, the state announced on Monday.  Read more

California can't omit churches from re-opening plans, Justice Department says 

May 20, 2020

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's efforts to lift some anti-coronavirus restrictions cannot single out churches for stricter treatment than other similar... Read more

Govenor Gavin Newsom of California.

California church sues over governor's reopening plan

May 14, 2020

By Matt Hadro

A protestant church in California is suing the state for ordering churches to remain closed while some businesses can reopen... Read more