Articles by Jonah McKeown
Here's what you need to know about Archbishop Gänswein, Benedict XVI's personal secretary
Feb 14, 2022 / 05:45 amArchbishop Georg Gänswein is a familiar face because of his many years of service beside now-Pope Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, but his role and background are less known to many Catholics. Here's what you need to know about this respected papal confidant.
Vatican Observatory announces discovery of 'trans-Neptunian object'
Feb 10, 2022 / 17:29 pmThe Vatican Observatory recently announced the discovery of an object in the solar system orbiting the sun at a distance of between 3.3 and 4.8 billion miles, which could help to aid scientists in understanding more about the origins of the solar system.
Religious repression in Hong Kong could soon worsen, Christian cleric warns
Feb 10, 2022 / 16:12 pmSpeaking anonymously during an online discussion, a Christian cleric in Hong Kong said he thinks it is likely that greater repression by the Chinese government of religious freedom in Hong Kong, particularly the freedom of religious schools, is about to occur.
Quebec bishops lament government's COVID vaccine passport for Mass attendance
Feb 9, 2022 / 15:00 pmThe Catholic bishops of Quebec, while registering their opposition to the province's imposition of COVID-19 vaccine passports as a requirement to attend religious services, said this week that they accept the requirement for now, and continue to petition the government to end it.
Indian bishop, priests arrested for illegal sand mining operations on Church-owned land
Feb 8, 2022 / 14:00 pmA Catholic bishop and several priests have reportedly been arrested in India for illegal mining operations on land owned by the diocese.
Chicago archdiocese will continue to require masks in schools, while other Illinois dioceses drop requirement
Feb 7, 2022 / 16:00 pmFollowing an Illinois judge’s Friday ruling that nullified a statewide mask mandate for schools, the superintendent of schools for the Chicago archdiocese says masks will continue to be required for students in Chicago Catholic schools.
Catholic school enrollment numbers rebounding in some of the largest dioceses, and the US overall
Feb 4, 2022 / 16:00 pmAfter a difficult 2020-2021 year for many Catholic schools, enrollment numbers are rebounding nationwide, according to data from the National Catholic Educational Association.
Tennessee Down syndrome abortion ban back in effect while legal challenges continue
Feb 3, 2022 / 14:00 pmA Tennessee law restricting abortions based on sex, race, or prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome is back in effect for now, as legal challenges against the law continue to play out in court.
Pope Francis tells secular institutes to reveal God's love by their lives
Feb 2, 2022 / 14:00 pmIn a letter on Wednesday, Pope Francis commemorated the 75th anniversary of the first papal recognition of secular institutes, and encouraged the consecrated men and women involved in secular institutes to be “radical and at the same time free and creative, so as to receive from the Holy Spirit the most opportune way of living your Christian witness.”
Las Vegas bishop asks pro-abortion Catholic politicians not to present themselves for Holy Communion
Feb 1, 2022 / 15:33 pmThe Bishop of Las Vegas, responding to a pro-abortion column written by a Catholic politician, has asked all Catholic politicians who do not agree with the Church’s teaching on abortion not to present themselves for Holy Communion.
Spaced out: A Catholic scientist makes an unusual discovery
Jan 31, 2022 / 15:31 pmThis week on the podcast, a Catholic scientist talks about his fascinating discovery in space and its significance, as well as his thoughts on the relationship between faith and science.
Expert urges attention to persecuted Christians as bishops decry Islamist violence in Nigeria
Jan 28, 2022 / 18:01 pmVictims of persecution in Nigeria must be listened to, an expert on the persecution of Christians told students at the Franciscan University of Steubenville on Friday.
From Denver to Uganda, St Joseph facilitates an unexpected connection
Jan 27, 2022 / 17:00 pmWhen Daniel Campbell saw an email in his inbox last spring from Soroti, Uganda, his first thought was: Am I being scammed?
Catholic adoption agency in Michigan wins settlement allowing it to operate in accord with the faith
Jan 25, 2022 / 14:34 pmA Catholic adoption agency in Michigan reached a settlement with the state on Tuesday which will allow the agency to continue to place children in homes in a manner consistent with its Catholic identity.
Legal group seeks protection for Navy personnel objecting to COVID vaccine on religious grounds
Jan 24, 2022 / 15:00 pmA Christian legal group has filed a class-action lawsuit with the goal of blocking the Navy’s COVID vaccine mandate for all U.S. Navy personnel who have requested religious accommodation.
US Supreme Court allows Texas abortion law challenge to stay with state's top court
Jan 21, 2022 / 16:00 pmThe U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday declined to send a legal challenge against a Texas abortion law back to a lower federal court— which has already blocked enforcement of the law once— sending the challenge instead to the Texas Supreme Court.
Milwaukee archdiocese provides gender theory policy based on biological sex
Jan 20, 2022 / 15:04 pmThe Archdiocese of Milwaukee this week put forth a policy related to gender theory, which includes the provision that only pronouns corresponding to a person’s biological sex are to be used in parishes, schools, and other Catholic institutions or organizations.
Afghanistan the most dangerous place to be Christian, advocacy group says
Jan 19, 2022 / 15:35 pmAfghanistan has unseated North Korea for the dubious distinction of the most dangerous country in the world for Christians, according to a group that reports on global Christian persecution.
New committee aims to build up political candidates who support religious liberty for all
Jan 19, 2022 / 09:52 amThe Religious Freedom Institute on Tuesday launched a committee to support political candidates who defend the free exercise of religion for all.