St. John's University said the state's mandatory bargaining requirement "impermissibly entangles" the government in its religious mission.

The Florida bishops had petitioned the state Legislature for the funding, though a broader statewide measure failed to pass.

Father Anthony Odiong was arrested in Florida on child pornography charges in July 2024 while facing several other charges related to sex crimes.

Coakley spoke at a virtual panel held by Georgetown University's Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life that explored what the encyclical is asking.

Catholic scholars echo Leo's focus on the dignity of work, the environment, and avoiding power concentration as one data center spokesperson says her work is consistent with Leo's vision.

Fidelity Month, a celebration of God, family, and America, has been recognized by elected officials across the country this June.

Archbishop John Wester reiterated papal concerns about nuclear weapons and the use of artificial intelligence in weaponry during a keynote address.

In an effort to bring its bankruptcy proceedings to a successful conclusion, the Diocese of Buffalo announced all its parishes will file "rapid prepackaged bankruptcy" cases.

WASHINGTON - Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), welcomed the news that Ms. Maria Montserrat Alvarado has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV as the new prefect for the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication. 

“It was with gratitude that I learned of Montse’s appointment as the next prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Communication,” said Archbishop Coakley. “We are grateful for her work as a Catholic journalist, faithfully covering the work of the bishops, and also for her advocacy and dedication to upholding religious freedom and human dignity at the Becket Fund. On behalf of the Conference, I assure her of our prayers as she continues to serve the universal Church with her unique talents.” 

Ms. Alvarado has overseen the news operations for Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) since 2023, and previous to that, at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty – at both entities, she has had interactions with the USCCB and its member bishops.

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WASHINGTON - On May 27, an Emergency Presidential Determination (PD) on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 was published in the Federal Register, based on the President’s finding of “an unforeseen emergency refugee situation.” This new rule will allow 10,000 individuals, exclusively Afrikaners from South Africa, to be admitted to the United States as refugees. 

Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, issued the following statement:  

“Offering refuge to the world’s vulnerable and persecuted is a founding principle of our country and it is uniquely what makes this country great. For decades, the United States was known for offering this opportunity, not favoring one particular group, but granting relief in accordance with our laws, our shared values, and the national interest. Today, however, that is sadly not the case. We appreciate the Administration’s acknowledgement that our country can continue to resettle refugees, and we renew our call for resettlement to be extended further to others in need, including those persecuted on the basis of their faith, the likes of whom have no access to refuge in our country at this time.” 

Last October, Bishop Cahill’s predecessor also addressed the disparate treatment of refugees taking place. In January 2025, the president placed an indefinite suspension to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and set the PD for FY 2026 at 7,500 refugees. Virtually all the refugees resettled were Afrikaners granted individualized exceptions to the suspension. At the time the refugee admissions program was suspended, over 100,000 people from a range of countries had been conditionally approved for refugee status in the United States and were awaiting resettlement through the program, some after being in the process for several years.

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