Articles by Jonah McKeown
Pro-life group urges action after appropriations bill passes without Hyde Amendment
Jul 16, 2021 / 16:15 pmA pro-life group on Friday decried President Joe Biden’s decision not to renew the Hyde Amendment, which has since 1976 prohibited federal funding for elective abortions, and urged citizens to speak out on the issue.
San Bernardino bishop 'shocked and saddened' after retired priest attempts marriage
Jul 12, 2021 / 15:01 pmThe Bishop of San Bernardino says he is “shocked and saddened” at a longtime pastor’s decision to attempt to contract a marriage following his retirement.
USCCB looks to assist federal investigation of boarding schools for indigenous
Jul 8, 2021 / 10:30 amThe U.S. bishops’ conference has volunteered to assist a new federal investigation of the history of boarding schools for Native American children.
Catholic Charities opens cooling centers amid Pacific Northwest heat wave
Jun 30, 2021 / 19:00 pmAmid an unprecedented heat wave in the Pacific Northwest, local Catholic Charities agencies are opening cooling centers for the elderly, disabled and homeless.
Springfield bishop appoints co-chairs of sex abuse task force
Jun 29, 2021 / 17:01 pmThe bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts has announced the appointment of two social workers to lead an independent task force responding to sex abuse.
Poll suggests nearly two-thirds of Americans believe abortion should be illegal after first trimester
Jun 28, 2021 / 15:30 pmA new poll suggests that a majority of Americans believe that abortion should be illegal in most or all cases after the first trimester.
Irish parish removes LGBT ‘Pride’ flag after archdiocese intervenes
Jun 24, 2021 / 14:00 pmA Catholic parish in Ireland has reluctantly taken down a rainbow LGBT “Pride” flag that was erected last week outside the church, after an intervention from the Dublin archdiocese.
Portland archbishop welcomes ‘Eucharistic Revival,’ emphasizes worthy reception of Communion
Jun 23, 2021 / 17:00 pmArchbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Oregon last week praised a new “Eucharistic Revival” initiative of the U.S.bishops that aims to foster deeper devotion to the Eucharist.
'Eucharistic Revival' to begin in 2022: 'We want to start a fire, not a program'
Jun 18, 2021 / 17:39 pmThe bishops of the United States discussed on Friday a program of “Eucharistic Revival” which will aim to foster deeper devotion and knowledge about the Eucharist nationwide beginning next summer.
Cincinnati archdiocese celebrates 200 years, looks forward
Jun 18, 2021 / 11:33 amOn June 19, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati celebrated its bicentennial with a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving offered by Archbishop Dennis Schnurr at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains.
Pittsburgh group calls for same-sex blessings
Jun 17, 2021 / 20:19 pmA Catholic organization based in Pittsburgh has called on Bishop David Zubik to reject a March note from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding blessings for same-sex couples, and has asked him to offer blessings to those who identify as LGBT.
Fargo dad follows his son, a priest, to Holy Orders as a deacon
Jun 15, 2021 / 18:01 pmEric Seitz was ordained to the priesthood August 8, 2020 for the Diocese of Fargo. Two months later, his father Ben was ordained to the diaconate.
How a 'culture of conversion' transformed a Catholic high school
Jun 10, 2021 / 15:02 pmAn all-boys Catholic high school in Tampa, Florida is attracting attention for fostering a faith-filled environment that helped lead nearly two dozen of its students into the Church last month.
New priest blesses his sister, a nun: 'It's been a real privilege and a joy'
Jun 7, 2021 / 16:00 pmIt is customary for a newly-ordained priest to impart a first blessing. For Father Matthew Breslin, who was ordained May 29, his first blessing was especially poignant, as he bestowed it on Sr. Mary Strength of Martyrs, his natural sister.
Perpetual adoration chapel will be a 'spiritual gamechanger' for New York City, priest says
Jun 5, 2021 / 06:01 amA perpetual adoration chapel slated to open next spring will bring spiritual healing and revitalization to Manhattan, according to a Dominican priest overseeing the project.
Hong Kong advocacy organization condemns China's refusal to allow commemoration of Tiananmen Square protests
Jun 3, 2021 / 17:01 pmAn organization aiming to support the democratic movement and religious freedom in Hong Kong spoke out on Thursday against China’s continued refusal to allow Hong Kongers to hold a candlelight vigil on the 32nd anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre.
Nuns producing Communion hosts adapt, as pandemic decimates industry
Jun 2, 2021 / 13:00 pmA community of Benedictine nuns known for inventing and distributing low-gluten Communion hosts has seen their business decimated by the pandemic, as the widespread suspension of public Masses last year led to a drop in demand for hosts nationwide.
Michigan high school valedictorian allowed to reference Jesus in graduation speech
Jun 1, 2021 / 13:30 pmA Michigan high school valedictorian will be allowed to reference her Christian faith in her upcoming graduation speech, after being advised by her school principal to omit religious references in her address.
Los Angeles clergy celebrate Mass for unaccompanied migrant children
May 26, 2021 / 19:03 pmCatholic clergy in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles have been celebrating Masses this month for hundreds of unaccompanied migrant children housed in large temporary shelters.
Proposed change to brain death laws draws criticism from some doctors, ethicists
May 18, 2021 / 16:18 pmA proposed change to U.S. law concerning the determination of brain death has drawn criticism from a group of doctors, lawyers, and philosophers, who say that the proposed changes, among other things, could lead to incorrect diagnoses of brain death in patients who are in fact still alive.