News

Two more First Nations Catholic churches destroyed in ‘suspicious’ fires

June 26 blazes leveled churches on the Hedley and Chopaka Native Reserves in British Columbia, bringing to five the total number of churches on Canadian Indigenous land damaged or ruined within a week.

Call for prayers for healing for Floyd family, community follows sentencing

In a statement, Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis said he hoped the conviction and imprisonment of former officer Derek Chauvin would prompt deeper conversations about "race, justice, violence and peace."

Pope prays for victims, condemns violence in Mexican border city

Following random gun attacks that killed 19 civilians in Reynosa, Pope Francis called for conversion and consolation as drug cartels terrorize ordinary citizens.

Only God can quench thirst for peace, pope tells Middle East patriarchs

In a June 27 letter on the first "Day of Peace in the Middle East," the pope said the region's tapestry of peaceful coexistence can come undone "if violence, envy and division tears even one of those threads."

Writing about LGBTQ ministry, pope says God loves all his children

In a June 21 letter to Jesuit Father James Martin, Pope Francis said "God's 'style'" is marked by "closeness, compassion and tenderness" toward each individual.

Colorado Catholic church holds vigil for slain officer targeted by gunman

Arvada Police Officer Gordon Beesley, shot dead June 21, was recalled during a June 24 service as a man who brought a "smile with him everywhere" he went.

Miami Catholic parish says 10 of its families still missing after building collapse

Following the June 24 tragedy at the Champlain Towers South complex, Father Juan Sosa, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, is urging all affected to "keep their hearts open" to God amid the ongoing search and rescue operations.

Pope, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken meet at Vatican

Climate change, migration and geopolitical hot spots were on the agenda during the 40-minute meeting June 28, Pope Francis' second with an official of the Biden Administration.

Local nuns head to southern border as migrant influx surges

Dozens of Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters are joining women religious from across the U.S. at Catholic Charities USA shelters, bringing hope to thousands fleeing violence, poverty and natural disasters.

La Salle caps school-best 26-2 season with state baseball title

With a 2-1 win over North Allegheny June 18 to capture the PIAA Class 6A state baseball championship, the Explorers finished on a school-record 25-game winning streak.