Articles by Jonah McKeown
Diocese reverses hymn ban in favor of ‘synodal’ selection of sacred music
Nov 7, 2024 / 17:30 pmBishop W. Shawn McKnight of the Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri, had listed a dozen contemporary hymns to be “forbidden” in the diocese.
Missouri abortion amendment passes, threatening to overturn pro-life protections
Nov 6, 2024 / 13:45 pmMissourians voted to overturn the state’s near-ban on abortion and enshrine a provision guaranteeing “reproductive freedom” in the state constitution.
Paid sick leave proposal passes in Nebraska
Nov 6, 2024 / 13:15 pm“Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans,” Initiative 436, passed overwhelmingly, with roughly 75% voting in favor.
3 states reject pro-abortion ballot measures while 7 other states expand abortion
Nov 6, 2024 / 10:15 amThe rejection of pro-abortion measures in three states on Tuesday represent the first victories at the ballot box for pro-life advocates since Roe’s overturn.
Rita Marker, prolific anti-euthanasia advocate, dies at 83
Nov 5, 2024 / 13:30 pmMarker, a mother of seven, was appointed with her husband of six decades, Mike, to the Vatican’s Pontifical Council on the Family by St. John Paul II.
Sister Annella Zervas’ sainthood cause could be opened this month
Nov 4, 2024 / 15:25 pmAt their planned annual plenary meeting in Baltimore, which begins Nov. 11, the USCCB plans to discuss opening her cause for beatification and canonization.
Michigan man builds up the Catholic Church, one Lego at a time, for 25 years
Nov 4, 2024 / 06:00 amEvery year, for 25 years now, Kraemer assembles some 30,000 Lego bricks into a painstakingly intricate model of a Catholic church.
Bishop defends St. Michael’s prayer at Mass: ‘The devil has no influence’
Nov 2, 2024 / 07:00 amIn a letter to the editor published Oct. 21, Father Gerald J. Bednar wrote that the Vatican “suppressed this practice in 1964.”
Diocese bans ‘All Are Welcome,’ other hymns from Catholic Masses
Oct 31, 2024 / 15:40 pmIn an Oct. 24 decree, Bishop W. Shawn McKnight listed a dozen commonly used but “doctrinally problematic” Catholic songs that will be “absolutely forbidden.”
Court rules in favor of Jewish families regarding special education funding in California
Oct 28, 2024 / 17:20 pmBecket law firm said the ruling makes it clear that California cannot continue to exclude Jewish families and schools from a federal special education program.
Storm leaves scores dead and widespread damage in the Philippines
Oct 28, 2024 / 16:05 pmTropical Storm Trami hit the island of Luzon, which includes the capital Manila, bringing two months’ worth of rain to some areas in just 24 hours.
Privacy in the confessional: Is your smartphone listening to your sins?
Oct 28, 2024 / 06:00 amCould it be true that your phone is “listening” to your private conversations — including in the confessional?
UPDATE: Satanic Temple denies it intends to desecrate the Eucharist during planned ‘black mass’
Oct 25, 2024 / 17:20 pm“The Satanic Temple Atlanta has not engaged in theft or illicit activity of any kind. Specifically, we have not stolen a consecrated host,” the group said Oct. 24.
10 states will vote on abortion on Election Day. Here’s a look at each
Oct 24, 2024 / 16:15 pmSeveral of the state ballot proposals in front of voters threaten current pro-life protections, particularly a number of proposed constitutional amendments.
Seminary rector responds to ‘Conclave’ movie: why only men can be priests
Oct 24, 2024 / 06:00 am“Conclave” bills itself as a star-studded mystery-thriller centered on the selection of a new pope for the Catholic Church, but its ending has drawn criticism.
![The Supreme Court of Texas said in a post on X late Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, that it had “granted a Texas House of Representatives’ emergency motion” and “effectively [halted] the execution of Robert Roberson,” which was scheduled to take place that night. Credit: Innocence Project](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/storage/image/robertroberson101824.jpg?w=310&h=198)
Texas death row inmate, spared execution, barred from testifying to state lawmakers
Oct 23, 2024 / 14:05 pmRobert Roberson was convicted in 2003 of the murder of his infant daughter, Nikki, whom he had brought to a local hospital with severe injuries.
Catholic election night coverage from EWTN News — here’s how to tune in
Oct 22, 2024 / 16:45 pmEWTN News will offer extensive coverage on the night of the 2024 U.S. general election, and viewers can expect balanced reporting rooted in Catholic teaching.
Persecution of Christians worldwide has gotten worse, papal charity report says
Oct 22, 2024 / 15:45 pmThe Aid to the Church in Need report, which covers August 2022 to June 2024, states that human rights violations against Christians have increased.
Saintly superhero: When Marvel Comics told the life story of John Paul II
Oct 22, 2024 / 04:00 amSt. John Paul II, who led the Catholic Church from 1978 until his death in 2005, is one of the most compelling figures of the 20th century.
Diocese of Charlotte launches ‘sister parish’ program to aid recovery after hurricane
Oct 21, 2024 / 15:30 pmBishop Michael Martin noted that parishes need to be ready to help each other and the community even if they themselves did not suffer serious damage.