Articles by Kevin J. Jones
Catholic vaccine exemptions take the wrong path, San Diego's Bishop McElroy says
Aug 13, 2021 / 17:26 pmBishop Robert McElroy of San Diego has asked that priests in his diocese not sign religious exemption letters from coronavirus vaccine mandates.
El Paso bishop requires vaccination for Catholic church employees, ministers
Aug 13, 2021 / 15:01 pmCiting the need for the Catholic Church to “lead by example” and to act responsibly to protect others during the coronavirus pandemic, Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso has said that all Church employees and ministry volunteers must be vaccinated.
'Contrite hearts' and concrete action: Catholics react to the legacy of Canada's residential schools
Aug 11, 2021 / 03:00 amCatholic leaders, including a First Nations deacon, reflect on the shocking legacy of Canada’s residential schools run by Catholic and Protestant groups under Canada’s federal government. They reflect on the dangers of serving a malign government policy that aimed at cultural genocide of indigenous, and stress the need for genuine contrition and action on behalf of indigenous communities today.
Despite millions in Catholic residential schools reparations, critics seek to end church tax exemptions
Aug 9, 2021 / 18:22 pmCatholic entities had committed tens of millions of dollars in legal settlements for their involvement in the Canadian government’s historic residential schools campaign forcibly to assimilate indigenous people, even before the rediscovery of graves and cemeteries at the former schools made headlines, renewed the grief of affected communities, and possibly inspired several church burnings.
Bishops in Colorado back conscientious exemption for coronavirus vaccines
Aug 6, 2021 / 16:27 pmThe Catholic bishops in Colorado have emphasized the need to respect those with conscientious objections to the COVID-19 vaccines and have provided a template letter for any Catholics with objections to mandatory vaccination. They also welcomed the City of Denver’s vaccination mandate for including a religious exemption.
Months after China detains Xinxiang's Bishop Zhang, Catholics seek answers
Aug 4, 2021 / 19:01 pmBishop Joseph Zhang Weizhu’s whereabouts are still unknown months after Chinese officials detained him with clergy and seminarians who object to joining the Chinese government’s official Catholic organization.
Mother Angelica's monastery elects new abbess, asks for 'continued prayers'
Jul 30, 2021 / 17:01 pmMother Mary Paschal has been elected the newest abbess of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Alabama, filling the role once held by EWTN foundress Mother Angelica.
Catholic health care giant Ascension to mandate coronavirus vaccines for employees
Jul 29, 2021 / 18:29 pmThe Catholic health care network Ascension will mandate coronavirus vaccination for its employees, physicians, volunteers, and vendors. It cited a need for more action to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic and promised some exemptions to the mandate for people with health problems or religious exemptions.
Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick charged with sexual assault of a minor
Jul 29, 2021 / 12:11 pmFormer Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has reportedly been charged with sexual assault of a teenage boy, a crime alleged to have occurred in the 1970s.
In India, Catholic priest jailed for alleged hate speech after political remarks stir controversy
Jul 28, 2021 / 14:01 pmA Catholic priest in southern India who made political remarks, including criticism of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, has been arrested for alleged hate speech. The priest denies the charges, and suggested that videos criticizing his remarks were deceptively edited, but apologized for any hurt he may have caused.
Fernando Karadima, former priest whose sex abuse scandal rocked Chile, dead at 90
Jul 26, 2021 / 14:45 pmFernando Karadima, an influential former priest in Chile whose sexual abuse of minors prompted major questions about episcopal cover-ups, has died at the age of 90. Allegations that Karadima’s protégés helped cover up his abuse entangled Pope Francis, and resulted in massive controversy and sweeping changes to the makeup of the country’s bishops.
Major donations mean 'tremendous impact' for Catholic school students in western Pennsylvania
Jul 23, 2021 / 16:01 pmAn anonymous donor and new partners will help continue millions of dollars in funding for a tuition aid program for the Diocese of Greensburg’s Catholic schools. The program is set to support hundreds of students in southwestern Pennsylvania over the next five years.
Despite criticism from Wisconsin AG, Milwaukee archdiocese stresses cooperation with new abuse cases
Jul 22, 2021 / 19:01 pmThe Milwaukee archdiocese said that to its knowledge the Wisconsin attorney general’s inquiry into sexual abuse, which some critics say is singling out the Catholic Church, has so far not resulted in any allegations against current archdiocesan priests.
In Oregon, educators propose alternative to gender identity policy—and face calls to be fired
Jul 1, 2021 / 05:01 amA public school teacher and an assistant principal are facing disciplinary action and possible firing, because of their alternative policy response to self-identified transgender students.
Mackenzie Scott donates millions to controversial group outspoken on Catholic issues, religious freedom
Jun 30, 2021 / 11:02 amSeveral million dollars from the Amazon fortune of Jeff Bezos’ former wife Mackenzie Scott have funded a controversial multi-religious advocacy group, Faith in Public Life.
‘Gender transition’ regret deserves a voice, says former patient
Jun 29, 2021 / 18:00 pmNew York woman Grace Lidinsky-Smith said she regrets going through “gender transition” surgery, in a June 25 essay for Newsweek.
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Police investigate after two Catholic churches burn on British Columbia tribal lands
Jun 24, 2021 / 08:15 amTwo Catholic churches in the same region of British Columbia burned down in suspicious circumstances early Monday morning.
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Now agreeing with former priest’s victim, Kansas City archdiocese says abuse claim was substantiated
Jun 22, 2021 / 17:00 pmCrediting a sex abuse victim for his challenge of a review board’s ruling in 2002, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas says an allegation that a now-laicized priest abused a minor was, in fact, able to be substantiated.
Bishops plan response to Native American Catholics who 'want their voice heard'
Jun 18, 2021 / 13:10 pmNative American ministry was an action item for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Thursday, as the relevant subcommittee sought approval for a new statement and a “comprehensive vision” for indigenous Catholics and those who serve them.
Wealthy donors pour millions into anti-religious freedom efforts, as Catholic adoption agency ruling looms
Jun 16, 2021 / 03:01 amGrant listings from wealthy philanthropies and strategic political donor networks show that millions of dollars continue to pour into advocacy groups and other NGOs opposed to broad religious freedom protections.