CNA Staff
The Catholic News Agency (CNA) Staff are a team of journalists dedicated to reporting news concerning the Catholic Church around the world. Our bureaus are located in Denver, Washington, and Rome. We have sister language agencies in Kenya, Germany, Peru, Brazil, and Italy. CNA is a service of EWTN News. You can contact us at news@catholicna.com with questions.
Articles by CNA Staff
CNA Editor's Desk: Politics, then Baseball
Aug 21, 2020 / 00:00 amEditors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss the recent Democratic National Convention; debate whether our political process allows for good and holy politicians; and give an update on Hong Kong. Then, Fernando Tatis Jr.’s grand slam . . . JD tries his hand at a round of Presidential Candidate ‘Who Said It?’ Listen below or on your favorite podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/879902071&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/politics-and-then-baseball" title="Politics, and then Baseball" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Politics, and then Baseball</a></div>
Fr. James Martin, Sr. Simone Campbell to pray at Democratic National Convention
Aug 17, 2020 / 11:00 amFr. James Martin, S.J., and Sister Simone Campbell, SSS will both offer prayers during the Democratic National Convention, it was announced on Sunday.
CNA Editor's Desk: "Once a Catholic, Always a Catholic?"
Aug 14, 2020 / 00:00 amOn the podcast this week, CNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss St. Maximilian Kolbe, a historic peace deal in the Middle East, evangelism, Catholic politicians, musical theater, and much more. Listen here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/876035152&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/once-a-catholic-always-a-catholic" title="Once a Catholic, Always a Catholic?" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Once a Catholic, Always a Catholic?</a></div>
CNA Editor's Desk: Let’s talk about Vatican II
Aug 7, 2020 / 00:00 amEditors JD Flynn and Ed Condon return this week to talk about recent “discussion” about the Second Vatican Council and a new ruling by the Vatican’s doctrinal office. JD shares the name he’d pick if he were elected pope. Ed tries his hand at a round of “Which Clement am I?” Listen below, or on your favorite podcast app! <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/872015623&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/lets-talk-about-vatican-ii" title="Let’s talk about Vatican II" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Let’s talk about Vatican II</a></div>
Nicaragua Catholic cathedral attacked with firebomb
Jul 31, 2020 / 18:15 pmAn unidentified man threw a firebomb into a chapel of Managua’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Friday, severely damaging the chapel and a devotional image of Christ more than three centuries old.
CNA Editor's Desk: "Vote for Carl"
Jul 31, 2020 / 00:00 amOn the podcast this week, CNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s recent remarks about a Catholic saint; Joe Biden’s endorsement by an abortion-rights group; the latest updates on the Vatican financial scandal; and more. Also, Ed hates the book “Little Women,” apparently. Listen here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/868163461&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/vote-for-carl" title="Vote for Carl" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Vote for Carl</a></div>
Christian leaders call on Democrats to embrace pro-life policies
Jul 24, 2020 / 08:30 amBishop John Stowe of Lexington, Kentucky, was one of several Catholic clergy, religious, and laity who joined 115 Christian leaders, theologians, and ministers to sign a letter to the DNC and the Democratic Platform Committee on Friday, asking the party to support pro-life policies including “legal protection for pre-born children.”
CNA Editor's Desk: Christopher Yes or No?
Jul 24, 2020 / 00:00 amEditors JD Flynn and Ed Condon return this week to talk about what we may expect from the Vatican before summer break. They also lay out the key takeaways of the Vatican's new instructions on parish reform, and discuss the situation in China. JD plays a round of Christopher 'Yes or No.' Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app. <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/864079804&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/christopher-yes-or-no" title="Christopher Yes or No?" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Christopher Yes or No?</a></div>
Pakistanis mourn Sister Ruth Lewis, who cared for children with disabilities
Jul 23, 2020 / 15:32 pmSister Ruth Lewis, a Pakistani nun who dedicated her life to helping underprivileged people with disabilities, died Monday following coronavirus complications.
CNA Editor's Desk: "The hard-learned lessons of history"
Jul 16, 2020 / 00:00 amThis week on the podcast, CNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss what seems to be a rising tide of anti-Catholicism in the United States, in the context of recent arson attacks against Catholic churches and statues; the Little Sisters of the Poor Supreme Court decision; backlash to Catholic Churches receiving coronavirus relief money from the government; and more. They also discuss an important document on sexual abuse from the Vatican, and debate open floor plans for kitchens. Listen here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/859308421&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/the-hard-learned-lessons-of-history" title="The hard-learned lessons of history" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">The hard-learned lessons of history</a></div>
CNA Editor's Desk: The Perfect Society
Jul 10, 2020 / 00:00 amEditors JD Flynn and Ed Condon are back this week to talk about the US Supreme Court's rulings on the Obama-era “contraception mandate”, and the right of Catholic schools to set criteria for employment. They also discuss canon law cited in the suspension of an Indiana priest after his letter about Black Lives Matter; and address feedback on Ed's recent article about White House Catholics' concern about Trump's Catholic tweets. Listen to the episode here, or on your favorite podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/855845338&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/the-perfect-society" title="The Perfect Society" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">The Perfect Society</a></div>
CNA Editor's Desk: "Change Your Neighbor’s Mind"
Jul 2, 2020 / 00:00 amIn this special Supreme Court edition of the podcast, CNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss the week’s news, including several recent and highly consequential Supreme Court decisions. They also talk about the abuses against the Uighur people in China, chat for a couple of minutes about baseball, and, for fun, take the United States Citizenship Test. Listen here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/851176732&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/change-your-neighbors-mind" title="Change Your Neighbor’s Mind" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Change Your Neighbor’s Mind</a></div>
CNA Editor's Desk: Small talk and big ideas
Jun 26, 2020 / 00:00 amEditors JD Flynn and Ed Condon are back this week for a candid conversation about the toppling of statues in the US; the Black Lives Matter movement; and the inculturation of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Editor Carl Bunderson is back by popular demand for a couple of games. Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app! <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/847590046&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/small-talk-and-big-ideas" title="Small talk and big ideas" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Small talk and big ideas</a></div>
CNA Editor's Desk: "Worlds Collide"
Jun 12, 2020 / 00:00 amCNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss the news, including former nuncio Carlo Maria Vigano’s letter to President Trump, and Vigano’s increasing detachment from “reasonable discourse;” the results of an investigation into Monsignor Walter Rossi, rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in DC; the Canon conspiracy; canon law; and much more. Listen to the episode here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/839254876&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/worlds-collide" title="Worlds Collide" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Worlds Collide</a></div> We also have a very special bonus episode this week in which JD Flynn interviews Gloria Purvis about Catholicism, racism, and healing: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/839004553&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/bonus-a-conversation-about-racism-with-gloria-purvis" title="BONUS: A conversation about racism with Gloria Purvis" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">BONUS: A conversation about racism with Gloria Purvis</a></div>
CNA Editor's Desk: In Hope We are Saved
Jun 5, 2020 / 00:00 amCNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss hope, prayer, and leisure. Stay tuned for Breaking News in the middle. For the third week, Father Brad Doyle of “The Quizzical Papist” podcast joins at the end for a fun game of trivia. Listen here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/834944482&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/in-hope-we-are-saved" title="In Hope We are Saved" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">In Hope We are Saved</a></div>
CNA Editor's Desk: Repent and Believe in the Gospel
May 29, 2020 / 00:00 amOn this week's podcast, CNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss the most important Catholic news of the week, including the continued fallout from the killing of a black man by police in Minneapolis; China’s imposition of new “security laws” on Hong Kong; Maryland lifting a ban on Holy Communion; diocesan mergers; and much more. Listen here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/830774326&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/repent-and-believe-in-the-gospel" title="Repent and Believe in the Gospel" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Repent and Believe in the Gospel</a></div>
Is Ed a figment of JD’s imagination? with special guest “The Quizzical Papist”
May 22, 2020 / 00:00 amOn this episode of the podcast, CNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss the most important Catholic news of the week, including the announcement that the bishops of Minnesota will reopen public Masses. Later in the show, Ed and JD play a game with Father Brad Doyle, host of “The Quizzical Papist” podcast. Listen here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/825990358&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237" title="CNA Editor's Desk" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">CNA Editor's Desk</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-714262237/is-ed-a-figment-of-jds-imagination-with-special-guest-the-quizzical-papist" title="Is Ed a figment of JD’s imagination? with special guest “The Quizzical Papist”" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Is Ed a figment of JD’s imagination? with special guest “The Quizzical Papist”</a></div>
CNA Editor's Desk: "A resume of moral seriousness"
May 15, 2020 / 00:00 amOn this episode of the podcast, CNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss the legacy of Pope St. John Paul II on his hundredth birthday; the continued fallout (or lack thereof) of a letter signed by several prominent bishops warning that the coronavirus pandemic is being exploited to create a “one world government;” the latest on the massive and still-unfolding financial scandal at the Vatican; and much more. Listen here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/821385454&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe>
CNA Editor's Desk: "You just have to laugh"
May 8, 2020 / 00:00 amOn this episode of the podcast, CNA editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss some of the week’s most important Catholic news stories, including the fallout from a controversial letter warning of a “one world government” and supposedly signed by several bishops and cardinals. They also play a round of "world capitals” geography trivia and “Crazy Like a Fox” trivia. Listen here or on any podcast app: <iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/816548110&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false"></iframe>
Cardinal Pell 'surprised' by Royal Commission findings
May 7, 2020 / 10:00 amCardinal George Pell has expressed his “surprise” at newly released findings of an Australian investigation, which concluded that the cardinal was aware of sexual abuse by clerics in the 1970s and 80s, and failed to act.