Articles by Daniel Payne
Preservation group launches campaign to save New York churches from closure
Jun 13, 2024 / 11:00 amThe “Save Our Sacred Sites” campaign aims to save historic church buildings at risk of closure by the Diocese of Buffalo.
What is ‘green burial’ and does the Catholic Church allow it?
Jun 13, 2024 / 06:00 amThe practice of “green burials” is growing in popularity including at numerous Catholic cemeteries throughout the United States.
Two court rulings deal blow, victory to U.S. transgender advocates
Jun 12, 2024 / 12:20 pmTwo court rulings in Florida and Texas simultaneously dealt both a victory and a setback to transgender advocates in the United States this week.
Massachusetts launches ‘first-in-the-nation’ effort to target pregnancy resource centers
Jun 11, 2024 / 15:15 pmThe state’s Department of Public Health says it will launch an “education campaign” to highlight “the dangers and potential harm” of crisis pregnancy centers.
French euthanasia bill on hold as Macron calls ‘snap election’
Jun 11, 2024 / 12:45 pmReims Archbishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort said earlier this year that the measure would “shift our entire health care system toward death as a solution.”
‘Very sad day’: Fire engulfs historic Toronto church
Jun 10, 2024 / 14:30 pmThe Archdiocese of Toronto on Sunday called for prayers after a fire engulfed and largely destroyed historic St. Anne’s Anglican Church in the Canadian city.
Los Angeles County gives fire captain partial religious exemption in gay pride flag dispute
Jun 10, 2024 / 12:08 pmCapt. Jeffrey Little has received a partial religious exemption in his dispute with the county over raising a gay pride flag, but his lawyers say it's “not nearly enough.”
UPDATE: ‘Beloved, historic’ Chicago parish gets key protection vote from city preservation board
Jun 7, 2024 / 15:45 pmThe Society of St. Adalbert said the Chicago Landmark Commission on Thursday “voted unanimously to landmark all four buildings on the St. Adalbert site.”
Oklahoma judge says lawsuit over nation’s first Catholic charter school can proceed
Jun 6, 2024 / 17:52 pmThe court’s decision was “not making any type of ruling regarding substantive arguments” in the case, the judge said in issuing the order.
Kentucky parish offers scheduled appointments for same-sex blessings
Jun 6, 2024 / 14:15 pmHistoric St. Paul Catholic Church in downtown Lexington says on its website that “same-sex couples who would like a blessing” can contact the church’s pastor.
Catholic priest injured in Chicago shooting after confronting car thieves
Jun 4, 2024 / 16:52 pmThe shooting took place outside the Jesuit residence of the priest and 15 other Jesuits who serve St. Ignatius College Prep and nearby Stroger Hospital.
Melinda Gates, a Catholic, to give millions to fund abortion throughout the world
Jun 4, 2024 / 15:22 pmGates, who has written fondly about her Catholic upbringing, said last week she is giving multimillion-dollar donations to abortion-supporting groups.
In Title IX lawsuit, Texas professors say they won’t accommodate students who get abortions
Jun 3, 2024 / 13:55 pmNew U.S. Department of Education regulations prohibit “discriminating” against a woman for choosing to have an abortion.
Trans-identifying monk risks ‘scandal’ and ‘confusion’ in Church, experts say
May 30, 2024 / 18:20 pmChristian Matson, a hermit living in the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky, went public with her transgender identity in a May 19 Religion News Service story.
Florida church employee pleads guilty to defrauding parish of $775,000
May 30, 2024 / 14:15 pmThe stolen money went toward “expensive purchases of concert and show tickets, luxury goods, payments to her home mortgage, and other purchases,” prosecutors said.
Bishop Barron: Anti-religion Bill Maher has ‘become an ally’
May 29, 2024 / 13:25 pmIn recent years, Bishop Robert Barron noted, the comedian has pivoted away from criticism of religion and more toward criticism of “woke” politics.
Diocese of Fresno to file for bankruptcy amid sex abuse claims, bishop says
May 29, 2024 / 12:25 pmThe bankruptcy filing comes after plaintiffs lodged 154 sex abuse complaints against the diocese.
A major organ build in Virginia highlights the ‘multidisciplinary’ art of church organ-making
May 29, 2024 / 06:00 amThe Richmond cathedral’s search for a new organ eventually led it to the firm of Juget-Sinclair, whose build of the organ is its largest project to date.
New Mexico priest dies by suicide amid child sex abuse investigation
May 28, 2024 / 12:05 pmThe Archdiocese of Santa Fe said in a press release that Daniel Balizan had “taken his life” ahead of “a hearing in a child sexual abuse case.”
Bishops’ call to address ‘maternal health crisis’ highlights U.S. maternal death rate
May 28, 2024 / 06:00 amThe U.S. bishops this month urged Congress to address the “maternal health crisis” in the United States.