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

Federal judge blocks Texas from displaying Ten Commandments in public schools

Aug 21, 2025 / 12:12 pm

A federal judge has partially blocked the state of Texas from enforcing its law ordering the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools.

Federal court awards pro-lifers $1 over unconstitutional abortion clinic rule

Aug 20, 2025 / 13:26 pm

Pro-life activists in New York were awarded $1 this month after a court found that a county abortion clinic rule violated their constitutional right to free speech.

Court says California school district must allow Christian club access to facilities

Aug 19, 2025 / 12:35 pm

A federal court said a California school district must grant a Christian club equal access to school facilities, arguing denying access violates free speech rights.

Appeals court halts sale of Native American religious site defended by Catholic groups

Aug 19, 2025 / 10:34 am

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit said in a brief ruling on Aug. 18 that the Oak Flat site in Pinal County would not be transferred to Resolution Copper.

Trump vows to do ‘everything’ to ‘save’ Jimmy Lai ahead of trial verdict

Aug 16, 2025 / 07:30 am

Trump promised to “see what we can do” to help the longtime human rights advocate jailed by Chinese authorities for years.

Alabama vicar general on leave after allegations of relationship with minor

Aug 14, 2025 / 12:42 pm

A high-ranking priest in the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama is on leave amid allegations that he began a relationship years ago with a female minor.

New Jersey church says bookkeeper stole $1.5 million, spent it on cigars, sports, vehicles

Aug 14, 2025 / 10:53 am

A New Jersey church is alleging in a lawsuit that its bookkeeper stole more than a million dollars over several years and spent it for his “personal benefit.”

Federal court rules against Little Sisters of the Poor in latest contraception lawsuit

Aug 13, 2025 / 16:25 pm

A federal court has ruled against the Little Sisters of the Poor in their long-running legal dispute over government contraception mandates, dealing a blow to the religious order.

Federal appeals court says Arkansas can ban transgender procedures for minors

Aug 13, 2025 / 11:42 am

The state has a “compelling interest” in “protecting the physical and psychological health of minors,” the Aug. 12 ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit held.

Vatican allows New Zealand ban on Scottish congregation after alleged illicit exorcisms

Aug 12, 2025 / 15:52 pm

Christchurch Bishop Michael Gielen said in an Aug. 10 letter to his diocese that the Vatican “rejected in its entirety” the appeal of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer. 

University of Nebraska apologizes for ‘drag Mass,’ investigates controversial performance

Aug 8, 2025 / 13:08 pm

After outcry, the University of Nebraska has apologized for sanctioning a profane “drag” performance that mocked the Catholic Mass, promising an investigation.

‘I did not authorize these’: Bishop slams 6-figure payouts after Vatican found no abuse

Aug 8, 2025 / 10:54 am

A U.S. Catholic bishop is sharply criticizing a large payout to his accusers even after the Holy See said it had found no evidence to support allegations of abuse against him.

Diocese of Buffalo reportedly laying off 20% of diocesan workforce amid bankruptcy

Aug 7, 2025 / 11:51 am

The Diocese of Buffalo is reportedly dismissing a substantial number of workers at its headquarters as it continues to move through a sex abuse bankruptcy payout.

Pennsylvania priest admits to making up winner of $50,000 raffle, police say

Aug 7, 2025 / 11:21 am

Father Ross Miceli allegedly “admitted to publicly falsifying the results of the grand prize winner” of a raffle at St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Appeals court says Texas attorney general can’t question Catholic charity leaders

Aug 6, 2025 / 14:55 pm

The state 15th Court of Appeals said Aug. 4 that Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley has cooperated sufficiently with the state’s investigation into the charity.

Is the Shroud of Turin merely a ‘work of art’? Years of study suggest otherwise

Aug 6, 2025 / 11:14 am

Countless Catholics and other Christians across the world believe the Shroud of Turin is the authentic burial cloth of Jesus Christ.

Shroud of Turin center disputes new study that challenges authenticity of burial cloth

Aug 5, 2025 / 11:54 am

The guardians of the famed Shroud of Turin are disputing the results of a recent study that purports to disprove the cloth’s origins as the burial shroud of Jesus Christ.

Federal court rules Colorado Catholic nurses can continue abortion-pill reversal ministry

Aug 2, 2025 / 09:00 am

U.S. District Judge Daniel Domenico said Colorado’s abortion pill reversal ban interfered with the religious rights of nurses Dede Chism and Abby Sinnett.

Diocese of Salt Lake City affirms credible abuse allegation against Colombian-born priest

Aug 1, 2025 / 13:15 pm

A press release from the Diocese of Salt Lake City said that in December 2024 it had received allegations against Father Heriberto Mejia.

Lawsuit claims Massachusetts college dismissed Catholic student over objection to abortion

Jul 31, 2025 / 15:05 pm

A lawsuit filed in Massachusetts alleges that a Catholic student was dismissed from the school after she objected to having to witness an abortion as part of her clinical studies.