Daniel Payne

Daniel Payne

Daniel Payne is a senior editor at Catholic News Agency. He previously worked at the College Fix and Just the News. He lives in Virginia with his family.

Articles by Daniel Payne

Moral theologian on new cremation guidance: ‘Reverence for body’ still paramount

Dec 15, 2023 / 09:20 am

Catholic Church teaching on “reverence for the body” must still be at the center of any decisions related to a loved one’s ashes. 

Anti-Defamation League: ‘Terrifying’ rise in antisemitic attacks since Hamas war began

Dec 14, 2023 / 11:35 am

From the war’s outbreak on Oct. 7, U.S. antisemitic incidents “reached the highest number of incidents during any two-month period” ever surveyed by the ADL.

Abortion advocates received nearly $2 billion in federal funds over three years, data shows

Dec 13, 2023 / 08:14 am

The report showed Planned Parenthood receiving nearly $2 billion worth of funds from several federal sources. 

Catholic survey shows ‘shocking’ impact of church closures during COVID pandemic

Dec 12, 2023 / 14:00 pm

A survey released this month by a British Catholic organization demonstrates what the group says were the “shocking” effects of pandemic church closures. 

Nebraska priest dies after stabbing in parish rectory, suspect arrested

Dec 11, 2023 / 13:35 pm

The archdiocese said in a statement that Father Stephen Gutgsell was assaulted “during an invasion at the rectory of St. John the Baptist Parish.”

Climate activists vandalize St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy

Dec 8, 2023 / 17:00 pm

Climate activists vandalized the facade of the nearly 1,000-year-old St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy, on Thursday.

Pope Francis appoints three new auxiliary bishops for Philadelphia Archdiocese

Dec 8, 2023 / 13:59 pm

Pope Francis on Friday appointed Fathers ​​Keith Chylinski, Christopher Cooke, and Efren Esmilla as new auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

‘Social emergency’ of low fertility may be driven partly by pesticides, study shows

Dec 7, 2023 / 16:15 pm

Plunging fertility rates, due to multiple factors, present profound challenges for couples today, and the future does not look bright. 

Pope Francis accepts resignation of head of Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal Alencherry

Dec 7, 2023 / 14:35 pm

Pope Francis on Thursday accepted the resignation of Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, based in India.

Data shows most states moving away from use of the death penalty

Dec 7, 2023 / 14:05 pm

Executions peaked in 1999 and have been on a mostly unbroken downward trajectory since then with more states ending the use of the death penalty.

Former Speaker McCarthy says he’s leaving Congress at end of year

Dec 6, 2023 / 13:30 pm

The California Republican said in an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal that he had “decided to depart the House at the end of this year to serve America in new ways.” 

Climate activists disrupt archbishop’s Mass in Turin

Dec 4, 2023 / 14:30 pm

Activists with the climate group Extinction Rebellion interrupted Mass at the Turin Cathedral on Sunday while reading aloud from the pope’s environmental documents.

Pope Francis signs interfaith climate statement as part of COP28 summit in Dubai

Dec 4, 2023 / 14:02 pm

“Our faith instills in us a sacred duty to cherish not only our human family but also the fragile ecosystem that cradles us,” the document said.

Pope Francis sends condolences to family of Indi Gregory at British baby’s funeral

Dec 1, 2023 / 11:35 am

The pope “sends condolences and the assurance of his spiritual closeness to her parents, Dean and Claire, and to all who mourn the loss of this precious child of God.”

In unique governors’ debate, DeSantis and Newsom bicker, trade criticism

Dec 1, 2023 / 11:10 am

The event, billed as “The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate,” was broadcast on Fox News and moderated by network host Sean Hannity.

Activist group pushes to enshrine abortion rights in Arkansas constitution

Nov 29, 2023 / 17:00 pm

An activist group in Arkansas this week announced an effort to pass a state constitutional amendment protecting the right to abortion.

Vatican: Pope’s health ‘stable’; treatment continues as lung inflammation remains

Nov 29, 2023 / 15:58 pm

The Vatican on Wednesday said Pope Francis’ health was stable as the Holy Father continues to receive treatment for ongoing lung inflammation.

New Catholic PR agency looks to help Catholics become ‘strengthened in the faith’

Nov 29, 2023 / 09:00 am

Sophia Communications seeks to promote a variety of Catholic organizations and endeavors by “spreading the faith via the media.”

When an Oregon town told a church to limit its meals to the homeless the DOJ stepped in

Nov 28, 2023 / 15:55 pm

St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Brookings, Oregon, has for years regularly provided meals for homeless people in the area up to six days per week. 

Vatican cancels Pope Francis’ trip to climate conference in Dubai, citing ongoing illness

Nov 28, 2023 / 14:53 pm

The Vatican indicated the Holy Father will still attempt to participate in the conference in some fashion.