Archdiocese of Washington

The Latest

Bishop Mario Eduardo Dorsonville, 1960-2024, officiating at the wedding of Steve and Courteney Simchak in 2019.

A legacy of love: Catholics reflect on Bishop Dorsonville’s impact on the Church

Feb 2, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

An immigrant, priest, and bishop, Mario Eduardo Dorsonville was known and beloved to people from the halls of Congress to... Read more

Crowds exit Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., after the June 14, 2023, "Pride Mass" with "Progress Pride" flags visible in the back of the church.

‘Pride Mass’ takes place in Washington, D.C., despite calls for cardinal to intervene

Jun 15, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

During the Mass, prayers were offered in solidarity with LGBTQ+ individuals and the LGBTQ+ community while protesters prayed outside. Read more

Parishioners of Holy Cross Church in Garrett Park, Maryland, learned in a Sept. 30, 2022, email that their pastor was suspended over allegations of sexual abuse of minors.

Maryland priest accused of sexual abuse of minors placed on administrative leave

Oct 4, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

A priest at a parish in Garrett Park, Maryland, has been placed on administrative leave after he was accused of... Read more

Father Fred Close, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., blesses St. Anthony students after a blessing of the statue.

Man arrested for burglary, property destruction at Catholic school in DC

Aug 18, 2022

By Edie Heipel

Police have arrested and charged the man believed to have vandalized St. Anthony School in Washington, D.C., last week, Read more

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DC Catholic schools must comply with district's COVID-19 vaccination rules for students 12 and older

Aug 3, 2022

By Edie Heipel

Parents seeking a religious exemption must now provide additional information to support their request. Read more

Flames visible inside St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Parish in Bethesda, Maryland, on July 10, 2022.

Pastor of Catholic church in Bethesda, Maryland, describes arson, desecration of tabernacle

Jul 10, 2022

By Shannon Mullen

St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish was one of three Bethesda churches hit by vandalism over the weekend. Read more

Photos of the June 3 vandalism show a splash of red paint covering the Capitol Hill Pregnancy Center’s white door. On the brick outer building, the words “Jane says revenge” are written in black spray paint.

Pregnancy resource center vandalized in DC

Jun 3, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

A pregnancy resource center in Washington, D.C., was vandalized with red paint and graffiti this week. The incident is the... Read more

Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington takes possession of Immacolata Concezione di Maria a Grottarossa in Rome, Sept. 27, 2021

DC archdiocese mistakenly gives candid response on Pelosi Communion denial

May 23, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The Archdiocese of Washington’s communications office erroneously told a reporter Monday that media requests related to Nancy Pelosi’s denial of... Read more

The body of St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Padre Pio's relics coming to national shrine in DC

May 18, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina never visited the United States during his time on earth, but now his relics — which... Read more

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Washington archdiocese drops school mask requirement in DC

Mar 9, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

Masks are no longer mandatory at Catholic schools in Washington, D.C., the Archdiocese of Washington announced Wednesday. Read more

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Catholic school parents sue Washington DC mayor over school mask mandate

Mar 8, 2022

By Christine Rousselle

Two Catholic school families are suing Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser over the city’s continuing mask mandate in schools, including... Read more

President Joe Biden, with ashes on his forehead in honor of Ash Wednesday, walks to speak to reporters before boarding Marine One with First Lady Jill Biden on the South Lawn of the White House on March 02, 2022 in Washington, DC. The Bidens are spending the day in Superior, Wisconsin, with cabinet members where they will give remarks on the bipartisan infrastructure legislation.

Biden balks at explaining abortion stance to EWTN correspondent

Mar 2, 2022

By Christine Rousselle

U.S. President Joe Biden (D), a Catholic, declined to discuss why he supports abortion rights despite Church teaching prior to... Read more

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Washington archdiocese drops mask mandate in Maryland schools

Feb 16, 2022

By Christine Rousselle

Following an outcry from parents, the Archdiocese of Washington has reportedly decided to permit its schools in Maryland to go... Read more

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Parents of Washington archdiocese schoolchildren urge end to mandatory masking

Feb 11, 2022

By Christine Rousselle

Parents of children enrolled in Archdiocese of Washington schools have begun a campaign to urge the archdiocese to align mask... Read more

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Was it legal? Pro-abortion light projection on Catholic basilica part of debated trend

Jan 26, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

A pro-abortion rights group drew wide condemnation from Catholics, including Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington, for projecting pro-choice slogans on... Read more

Pro-choice messages projected onto the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2022.

Cardinal Gregory criticizes activist group's 'antics' at basilica on eve of March for Life

Jan 21, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, responded strongly Friday to an activist group's projection of pro-choice messages on the facade... Read more

Security personnel reported damage to the Our Lady of Fatima statue located outside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., Dec. 6, 2021.

Man attacks DC basilica's Our Lady of Fatima statue by cutting off hands, hammering face

Dec 8, 2021

By Katie Yoder

Security-camera footage shows a man attacking a statue of Our Lady of Fatima by cutting off her hands and hammering... Read more

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, delivers the homily for the 69th annual Red Mass at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 3.

Vatican diplomat warns US leaders not to use God for selfish ends

Oct 4, 2021

By Matt Hadro

A leading Vatican diplomat on Sunday exhorted U.S. government officials and justices to not use God for their own selfish... Read more

Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington speaks at the National Press Club, Sept. 8, 2021.

Cardinal Gregory: Biden ‘not demonstrating Catholic teaching’ on when life begins

Sep 8, 2021

By Matt Hadro

The Archbishop of Washington on Wednesday clarified the Church’s teaching on when life begins, after Catholic President Joe Biden last... Read more

Cardinal Raymond Burke celebrates a pontifical high Mass  during the Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage in Rome on Oct. 25, 2014.

Updated: Catholics ask Cardinal Gregory to reconsider cancelation of Tridentine Mass at National Shrine

Jul 31, 2021

By Matt Hadro

The organizers of an Aug. 14 Tridentine Mass in Washington, D.C. – canceled per new papal restrictions on traditional liturgies... Read more