Articles by Kevin J. Jones
Despite denials, HHS nominee Xavier Becerra sued to take away nuns' religious freedom rights
Mar 5, 2021 / 03:01 amXavier Becerra, US president Joe Biden’s nominee for HHS secretary, did indeed sue to take away the religious exemptions for the Little Sisters of the Poor, and it is only “technically true” for the California attorney general to claim that he sued the Trump administration, not the Catholic sisters who joined the case in order to defend against threats to their rights, says an attorney involved in their case.
Iowa religious freedom bill sets 'highest standard' for government, backers say
Feb 27, 2021 / 15:01 pmAn effort to restore strong religious freedom protections in Iowa has the backing of the state Catholic conference and others who say there should be a high threshold for any state interference with the free exercise of religion.
In confidential interviews, Catholic bishops talk COVID, Joe Biden, Pope Francis
Feb 24, 2021 / 03:23 amA series of one-on-one interviews with more than two dozen bishops has revealed significant concern among the Church leaders over the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic and political tensions.
Twitter, Truth and Transgenderism: Catholic outlet suspended for Biden nominee report
Feb 1, 2021 / 17:18 pmCatholic World Report is no longer suspended on Twitter, but the publication is still concerned about the social media giant’s action against its post describing Biden appointee Dr. Rachel Levine as “a biological man who identifies as a transgender woman.”
Amanda Gorman, inaugural poet for Biden, has history of abortion advocacy
Jan 27, 2021 / 12:40 pmPoet Amanda Gorman made a splash with her performance at President Joe Biden’s inauguration. But less than two years earlier, she performed a strongly pro-abortion poem that championed abortion access as necessary to secure equality, to escape from poverty, and to achieve the freedom to determine family size.
Pro-abortion protestors disrupt pro-life Mass at Ohio cathedral
Jan 22, 2021 / 17:06 pmAbout eight pro-abortion protesters disrupted the Respect Life Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in downtown Columbus Friday, where Bishop Robert Brennan was presiding at an event marking the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
In far-reaching executive order, Biden redefines 'sex'
Jan 21, 2021 / 18:01 pmIn one of his first acts in office, President Joe Biden has signed an executive order to interpret sex discrimination in federal law to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The move could impact high school sports, the privacy of single-sex bathrooms, faith-based organizations that are government grantees or contractors, and whether employees may face retaliation for voicing “discriminatory” religious beliefs.
Why 2021 is the Year of Dante
Jan 21, 2021 / 03:01 amDante Alighieri died 700 years ago, and Italy is ready to celebrate the author whose epic poem through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven has influenced the art, imagination, and faith of so many down the centuries.
Texas ends Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood
Jan 13, 2021 / 16:01 pmTexas will no longer provide Medicaid funds to abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood, with the last funds ending in February.
Father Michael Pfleger, activist Chicago priest, faces claim of abusing minor
Jan 5, 2021 / 20:55 pmThe outspoken activist Chicago priest Father Michael Pfleger faces an allegation that he sexually abused a minor over 40 years ago, Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago has said, adding that the claims have not been proven true or false and are under investigation.
Biden's OMB nominee heads think tank with history of anti-religious freedom advocacy
Dec 16, 2020 / 16:35 pmPresident-elect Joe Biden’s choice to direct the Office of Management and Budget is Neera Tanden, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress and a major advocate of a federal mandate that has tied up the Little Sisters of the Poor in court over their opposition to contraception.
US Supreme Court: government agents violating religious liberty liable for monetary damages
Dec 11, 2020 / 17:02 pmThree Muslims who claim the FBI wrongly pressured them into becoming informants on Muslim communities may seek monetary damages as part of their lawsuit under a federal religious freedom law, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in a decision that strengthens legal action on religious freedom problems.
New Catholic priests voice satisfaction in priestly life, but minority report 'troubling' adversity
Nov 24, 2020 / 16:50 pmA survey of recently ordained Catholic priests reports that the great majority find great satisfaction in their work celebrating sacraments and in their parish ministry, but there are also difficulties and areas for which they felt seminary life had left them unprepared.
The McCarrick Report's provocative tale of a KGB encounter, and an FBI request
Nov 10, 2020 / 15:00 pmAn undercover KGB agent tried to befriend ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick in the early 1980s, prompting the FBI to ask the rising churchman to exploit this connection to counter Soviet intelligence, according to claims in the Vatican’s report on McCarrick released Tuesday.
Typhoon Goni hits Philippines, compounding damage of storms and coronavirus
Nov 5, 2020 / 10:28 amTyphoon Goni has hit the Philippines, killing several people and causing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes as the country struggles to recover from two other recent major storms and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
New Orleans archdiocese seeks laicization for all clergy credibly accused of sex abuse
Oct 27, 2020 / 13:45 pmWhile scandalous allegations against two New Orleans-area priests have again raised questions about the Church’s response to clergy misconduct, the Archdiocese of New Orleans has confirmed that for the past two years it has been seeking to laicize clergy who have been removed from ministry for credible reports of sexual abuse.
Named for Father Michael McGivney, Catholic high school eager to celebrate beatification
Oct 25, 2020 / 15:04 pmThe upcoming beatification of American priest Father Michael McGivney is a time for celebration and reflection for southern Illinois’ Father McGivney Catholic High School, named for the founder of the Knights of Columbus who lived a life of service before dying in a pandemic.
Pro-life Democrats make the case for a 22-week abortion ban in Colorado
Oct 20, 2020 / 18:01 pmAs Colorado voters consider a ballot measure to ban abortion after 22 weeks of pregnancy, pro-life Democrats have been vocal in support, stressing its mainstream appeal and the need to give care to vulnerable human beings who can survive outside of the womb.
Belize’s far-reaching gender bill runs aground, and critics warn of international 'gender ideology' pressure
Oct 18, 2020 / 11:00 amA bill purporting to secure equality and anti-discrimination in Belize was withdrawn last month, after Bishop Lawrence Nicasio and other Catholic leaders raised objections to the bill’s treatment of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Colorado abortion ban backers optimistic, but opponents have big funding advantage
Oct 16, 2020 / 05:00 amPolling shows a close race for a Colorado ballot measure seeking to ban abortion after 22 weeks of pregnancy, and backers are “very optimistic” that with enough volunteers and community outreach they will succeed, even while abortion advocates have outraised pro-life campaigners by millions in the weeks leading to the election.