Coronavirus

The Latest

Office of the mayor of Washington, D.C.

DC backs down over Mass limits after archdiocese sues

Dec 17, 2020

The District of Columbia has changed course and will now allow up to 250 people to attend religious services. The... Read more

Appeals court strikes down Nevada's coronavirus rules for houses of worship

Dec 16, 2020

A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday ruled preliminarily that Nevada may not limit attendance at indoor religious services differently than... Read more

Stock image.

Vatican officials call for 'solidarity' in nuclear disarmament after coronavirus pandemic

Dec 16, 2020

By Matt Hadro

The current pandemic has underscored the need for global solidarity to achieve nuclear disarmament, a senior Vatican diplomat said on... Read more

Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville delivers the St. Thomas Day Lecture at Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paul, Calif., Jan. 28, 2019. Photo courtesy of TAC.

Bishop Flores affirms COVID vaccines are 'morally permissible'

Dec 16, 2020

In a December 8 letter to his diocese, Bishop Daniel Flores said that he wants “to assure Catholics that it... Read more

US Supreme Court in Washington.

Supreme Court vacates ruling on Colorado church restrictions

Dec 15, 2020

The Supreme Court accepted a church’s appeal against coronavirus restrictions in the state of Colorado on Tuesday, even after the... Read more

A pilgrim from Russia wears a mask and uses hand sanitizer in front of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 6, 2020.

Vatican City to start coronavirus vaccinations in January

Dec 15, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Vatican City will begin to offer coronavirus vaccinations in January, according to the Vatican director of health and hygiene.   Read more

Empty cradle. Stock image via Shutterstock.

As Italy hits record low births, is there a future for the family?

Dec 15, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

What is causing the 50 years of steady decline in births across Europe, and especially in Italy, and is there... Read more

How Catholics are carrying out prison ministry during the pandemic

Dec 14, 2020

By Perry West

As the pandemic has severely restricted gatherings and volunteer opportunities, Catholic dioceses throughout the United States and Canada have had... Read more

activist carrying a NARAL (National Abortion Rights Action League) sign at a pro abortion rally.

Abortion groups took in millions in federal coronavirus aid

Dec 14, 2020

Abortion clinics and lobbyists received millions of dollars in emergency small business loans during the pandemic, one pro-life group reports.  Read more

Purple stole and confessional.

Bishops in northeast Italy permit general absolution at Christmas due to pandemic

Dec 14, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Catholic bishops in northeast Italy have said that the risk of illness amid the ongoing pandemic constitutes a grave necessity... Read more

Coronavirus vaccine, stock image.

Catholic US bishops approve use of COVID-19 vaccines with 'remote connection' to abortion

Dec 14, 2020

By CNA Staff

The United States bishops' conference has said that Catholics can take two of the three available COVID-19 vaccines, even though... Read more

Cardinal Wilton Gregory at Mass at the Capital One Arena, Washington.

DC archdiocese sues over Christmas Mass restrictions

Dec 12, 2020

The Archdiocese of Washington is suing the District of Columbia over restrictions on public worship during the coronavirus pandemic. The... Read more

A lab technician scientist in PPE.

Vatican diplomat: COVID-19 vaccines must be accessible to all

Dec 11, 2020

By Courtney Mares

A Vatican diplomat has called for a coordinated rollout of COVID-19 vaccines which ensures that the poor are not left... Read more

Woman alone in empty church.

Why in-person worship matters

Dec 11, 2020

By Matt Hadro

After Virginia’s governor appeared to suggest that church attendance is immaterial to the act of worship, one theologian says that... Read more

The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels, Belgium.

Belgium allows 15 people at Mass in ‘slight easing’ of public worship ban

Dec 11, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The government of Belgium has agreed to ease restrictions on Mass celebrated with the public beginning Dec. 13, permitting a... Read more

Only frequent church attendees avoided downward mental health trend in 2020

Dec 11, 2020

Americans who attend religious services weekly are the only demographic group appearing to show improved mental health in 2020, despite... Read more

Lourdes struggled financially after all pilgrimages were canceled during France’s first lockdown.

Pandemic causes up to 40% drop in income of French parishes

Dec 10, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The Catholic Church in France estimates that it lost more than $100 million due to the country’s two coronavirus lockdowns... Read more

US Supreme Court in Washington.

Colorado lifts church capacity limit, asks Supreme Court to drop lawsuit

Dec 10, 2020

The Governor of Colorado has asked the Supreme Court to drop a church’s lawsuit against the state after he lifted... Read more

California flag.

Circuit court vacates California church closure decision

Dec 9, 2020

Following instructions by the Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit on Tuesday vacated a district court ruling against South Bay United... Read more

Father Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor, one of the Lansing diocese's schools which have joined a suit against the Mich. health department.

Catholic high schools in Michigan sue over coronavirus order keeping them closed

Dec 8, 2020

Two high schools in the Diocese of Lansing have joined a lawsuit against a public health order keeping schools in... Read more