Obituary: Brother Mark Ligett OFM

Br. Mark Ligett, OFM, 76, passed away Jan. 21, 2025, at St. Luke Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was a professed Franciscan friar for 54 years. Br. Mark was known for his warmth and humor and his deep sense of gratitude for his vocation and fellow friars. He was also …
USCCB Statement on its Work with the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued the following statement on its long-time partnership with the federal government to serve refugees: “Faithful to the teaching of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church has a long history of serving refugees. In 1980, the bishops of the United States began …
U.S. bishops say refugee program is ‘work of mercy’ after criticism from vice president

By Daniel Payne CNA Staff, Jan 27, 2025 / 10:35 am The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on Sunday argued that its long-standing refugee program is a “work of mercy” after Vice President JD Vance criticized the bishops’ positions on immigration issues. Vance had made the remarks during an interview on …
Finding Truth in Fiction: The Importance of Literature for Life

In August 2024, Pope Francis promulgated his Letter on the Role of Literature in Formation. He explains that he wrote the letter to promote “the value of reading novels and poems as part of one’s path to personal maturity.” Reading fiction, the Holy Father argues, “can help us weather the …
Catholic Schools Week 2024: Jan. 26 – Feb. 1

Catholic school students, teachers, and communities throughout the 19-county Archdiocese of Cincinnati will be celebrating the 51st annual Catholic Schools Week from January 28 through February 3 under the theme, “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.” The 108 Catholic elementary and high schools in the archdiocese will mark the …
Obituary: Sr. Georgia Marie Messingschlager, CDP

Sr. Georgia Marie Messingschlager, CDP died peacefully at Holy Family Home on January 23, 2025 after a brief illness. She was a professed member of the Congregation of Divine Providence for 67 years. Born in Covington, KY in 1938 to William and Georgia Marie Kaub Messingschlager, she made her first …
Trump pardons 23 pro-life activists

By Zelda Caldwell, Tyler Arnold Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jan 23, 2025 / 16:35 pm President Donald Trump issued pardons for 23 pro-life activists on Thursday, fulfilling a promise he made during the presidential campaign. Trump signed the pardons on Thursday in the Oval Office of the White House on the day before …
Pro-life activist Paul Vaughn ‘rejoices’ over Trump pardon after 2-year-long ordeal

By Madalaine Elhabbal Washington D.C., Jan 23, 2025 / 20:30 pm Pro-life activist Paul Vaughn received the news that President Donald Trump had pardoned him, along with 22 other pro-life demonstrators, on Thursday in the middle of a press conference with his lawyers at the Thomas More Society. “I have a lot of …
U.S. government abortion website shut down

By Kate Quiñones CNA Staff, Jan 24, 2025 / 09:45 am Here is a roundup of recent abortion- and pro-life-related news: U.S. government reproductive rights website shut down A federal government website promoting abortion has been taken down following the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Reproductiverights.gov, launched in 2022 by the …
Church in Mexico responds to Trump’s new immigration policies

By Diego López Colín Puebla, Mexico, Jan 23, 2025 / 15:15 pm The Catholic Church in Mexico reiterated its commitment to supporting migrants in the country after U.S. President Donald Trump signed executive orders declaring a national emergency at the U.S. southern border and tightening immigration policies. Among the measures announced are the reactivation …