Articles by Daniel Payne
As home schooling soars in U.S., Catholic schools struggle to recover from pandemic
Nov 18, 2023 / 06:00 amAccording to the latest data, more children are being home-schooled in the U.S. than attend Catholic schools.
Annual collection for retired religious to fill a dire need
Nov 17, 2023 / 16:50 pmOnly 6% of religious communities have the funds to care for their elderly, said John Knutsen, the director of the U.S. bishops’ National Religious Retirement Office.
‘Anti-Christian hate crimes’ in Europe up 44% in past year, watchdog group says
Nov 17, 2023 / 13:28 pmThe spike in anti-Christian incidents is “connected to a rise in extremist motivation and a higher acceptance of the targeting of churches,” OIDAC Europe says.
Oklahoma Supreme Court says superintendent can’t intervene in Catholic charter school suit
Nov 16, 2023 / 15:15 pmState Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed a lawsuit last month against the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board.
Catholic Relief Services calls for ‘immediate cessation of violence’ in Gaza to allow aid
Nov 16, 2023 / 13:53 pmCRS is supporting four churches in Gaza where “they are running out of food, running out of water, and are ... under constant bombardment.”
‘Do the right thing’: Senators demand secretary of defense rescind abortion travel policy
Nov 15, 2023 / 13:45 pmSecretary of Defense Lloyd Austin last year directed his department to establish allowances for service members to access abortion.
Catholic Relief Services warns of disease, ‘long-term’ hunger amid devastating Ghana flood
Nov 15, 2023 / 12:00 pmA CRS representative in Ghana said 200,000 hectares remain covered by water in the southeastern part of the country, impacting the livelihood of thousands.
Human Life International says pro-life training has reached 10,000 African seminarians
Nov 14, 2023 / 16:10 pmThe U.S.-based pro-life Catholic group says it has trained thousands of African seminarians in its anti-abortion programs over the last few decades.
Satanic Temple announces launch of ‘After School Satan Club’ at Connecticut elementary school
Nov 14, 2023 / 13:00 pmThe club will launch Dec. 1 at Lebanon Elementary School after a federal judge ruled that a middle school in Pennsylvania had to accommodate a similar club.
Outspoken atheist Ayaan Hirsi Ali says she is now a Christian
Nov 13, 2023 / 17:04 pmThe prominent critic of Islam said she turned to Christianity in part “because I ultimately found life without any spiritual solace unendurable.”
Antisemitic incidents in U.S. up by more than 300% since Israel-Hamas war, study says
Nov 13, 2023 / 14:40 pmThe Anti-Defamation League shared a map plotting the antisemitic incidents throughout the U.S., with an average of at least two dozen incidents occurring daily.
Explainer: ‘Faithful Citizenship,’ the U.S. bishops’ guidance on voting
Nov 13, 2023 / 14:06 pmIn the past, bishops have debated whether the voting guide should continue to call abortion a “preeminent” issue; the question may be brought up again this year.
U.S. population expected to decline after 2080; low fertility a cause, Census Bureau says
Nov 10, 2023 / 14:30 pmThe Census Bureau’s data on fertility rates reflect those recorded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Catholic bishops call on Hong Kong government to release pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai
Nov 8, 2023 / 18:07 pmTen bishops from around the world have called for the release of Lai, who was originally arrested in August 2020 and has now spent over 1,000 days in prison.
Missouri attorney general files lawsuit against FDA over abortion pill by mail
Nov 8, 2023 / 14:20 pmRepublican State Attorney General Andrew Bailey claimed the FDA had “unlawfully approv[ed] the shipment of chemical abortion pills in the mail.”
Kentucky and Mississippi governor’s races end with Democratic, Republican victories
Nov 8, 2023 / 06:47 amThe gubernatorial races in Kentucky and Mississippi on Tuesday ended with two incumbent victories, one Democratic and the other Republican.
Baltimore Archdiocese shuts down Mass at city parish after priest abuse scandal
Nov 6, 2023 / 14:10 pmIn a statement on Saturday, the archdiocese announced that “a pastor will not be named for St. Benedict Church” following the priest’s removal.
Arlington bishop: ‘Reflect on faithful witness’ during Black Catholic History Month
Nov 6, 2023 / 10:15 amBishop Michael Burbidge said the month, observed in November, is “an important time” time to review the roles Black Catholics play in the life of the Church.
Election 2023: Even in Southern states, abortion is a top issue
Nov 3, 2023 / 16:14 pmIn both Kentucky and Mississippi’s gubernatorial races, big money is being spent by pro-abortion factions in traditionally Republican strongholds.
Democratic senators ask Biden administration to mandate coverage of OTC birth control
Nov 3, 2023 / 10:28 amThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July approved the first nonprescription oral contraceptive, called “Opill.”