Articles by Daniel Payne
Abuse victims agree to $246 million settlement from Diocese of Rochester, New York
Jul 30, 2025 / 16:39 pmDocuments obtained by CNA show a near-unanimous vote in favor of accepting the diocese’s proposed $246 million settlement plan.
Father Carlos Martins cleared of misdemeanor charges after incident at Illinois parish
Jul 30, 2025 / 13:09 pmThe Burke Law Group said Wednesday Father Carlos Martins had been “fully cleared of all charges” stemming from an event at Queen of Apostles Parish in Joliet, Illinois, in 2024.
How a Catholic priest led the Church’s ‘significant’ contribution to Deaf history
Jul 30, 2025 / 06:00 amThe National Institute for Deaf Youth of Paris was founded in 1760 by Father Charles-Michel de l’Épée.
Pope Leo XIV tells U.S. Pax Christi group: Spread peace in neighborhoods, parishes
Jul 26, 2025 / 12:00 pmThe pope issued the message to the Pax Christi USA assembly taking place in Detroit.
Nagasaki church replaces cathedral bell 80 years after it was destroyed in atomic blast
Jul 26, 2025 / 07:00 amCatholics in Nagasaki, Japan, have replaced a bell in a cathedral bell tower there almost exactly 80 years to the day after it was destroyed by an atomic blast.
Baltimore Archdiocese holds third annual gun buyback program amid declining gun crime
Jul 25, 2025 / 15:23 pmThe Archdiocese of Baltimore is hosting a gun buyback event, urging citizens to surrender their guns for cash as the city sees declining gun crime rates.
Missouri sues Planned Parenthood for ‘systematically’ misleading women on abortion pills
Jul 24, 2025 / 15:05 pmMissouri is suing the national Planned Parenthood organization, alleging it has “misled” women about the risks associated with chemical abortion pills.
Federal bill would exempt pope from U.S. taxes, ‘safeguard’ his American citizenship
Jul 24, 2025 / 12:35 pmA new bill in Congress would “safeguard” the U.S. citizenship of any American elected as pope of the Catholic Church and exempt him from paying taxes.
Israel says ‘deviation of munitions’ led to deadly strike on Gaza Catholic church
Jul 23, 2025 / 16:13 pmThe July 17 strike claimed the lives of three civilians at Holy Family Church and injured nine, including the pastor, Father Gabriel Romanelli.
U.S. Olympics will ban men from competing in women’s competitions after Trump order
Jul 23, 2025 / 12:44 pmThe United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) will formally prohibit men from competing in women’s sports.
Nigerian priest released from captivity after being kidnapped by Boko Haram
Jul 22, 2025 / 14:16 pmThe Fairbanks Diocese last month urged the faithful to “pray for [Afina’s] freedom from captivity and for his physical and spiritual strength” while he was in captivity.
FBI investigates vandalism incident at Pennsylvania Catholic church
Jul 22, 2025 / 12:32 pmBishop Mark Eckman said in a July 19 statement that St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Pleasant Hills had been desecrated with “anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic messages.”
Federal court blocks Washington law that would force priests to violate seal of confession
Jul 18, 2025 / 12:30 pmIn the ruling, District Judge David Estudillo said there was “no question” that the law burdened the free exercise of religion.
Vatican says Diocese of Green Bay can close down historic Wisconsin parish
Jul 15, 2025 / 14:10 pmThe Vatican has ruled that the Diocese of Green Bay can close down a historic parish in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Tennessee priest will serve 7 years in prison after pleading guilty to sex crimes
Jul 15, 2025 / 13:23 pmFather Juan Carlos Garcia-Mendoza was indicted last year on several counts of sexual battery and other crimes, some of which involved children and some adults.
French bishops reveal 12 new abuse allegations against Abbé Pierre
Jul 12, 2025 / 10:00 amThe famed French priest has already been accused by several dozen people of inflicting abuse over the course of several decades.
New York Supreme Court halts payments to Buffalo abuse fund amid parish merger dispute
Jul 11, 2025 / 17:43 pmA group of Buffalo parishes objected to the diocese’s requirement that they pay huge portions of cash into the diocese’s $150 million clergy abuse settlement.
IRS ends 70-year gag rule, says churches can now endorse political candidates
Jul 8, 2025 / 13:54 pmThe IRS this week backed off a decades-old rule that churches and other nonprofits can openly endorse political candidates without risking their tax-exempt status.
Bishop Barron urges court to strike down Washington law that targets seal of confession
Jul 4, 2025 / 15:29 pmBishop Robert Barron on July 4 urged a federal court to strike down a Washington state law that would force priests to violate the seal of confession.
Supreme Court to hear 2 cases on allowing males to compete in female sports
Jul 3, 2025 / 15:33 pmThe U.S. Supreme Court during its next term will consider two cases addressing whether or not states can ban males from participating in female sports leagues.