Madalaine Elhabbal

Madalaine Elhabbal

Madalaine Elhabbal is a staff reporter for Catholic News Agency based at EWTN’s Washington, D.C., bureau.

Articles by Madalaine Elhabbal

Iraqi bishop says imposing Iran regime change ‘can only worsen the situation’

Jun 27, 2025 / 11:06 am

Here’s a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed.

Department of Education says California is violating federal law with transgender policies

Jun 26, 2025 / 17:32 pm

Title IX, a landmark federal civil rights law adopted in 1972, prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools that receive federal funding.

Ohio bishops’ conference speaks out against anti-school-choice ruling

Jun 25, 2025 / 18:01 pm

The Catholic Conference of Ohio expressed confidence that Ohio’s school voucher program would ultimately prevail after a judge ruled it unconstitutional. 

Japan bishops on nuclear bombs: ‘This tragedy must not be repeated’

Jun 24, 2025 / 17:07 pm

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan is urging the international community to abolish nuclear weapons once and for all in 2025. 

Bishop Barron responds to criticism over participation in Religious Liberty Commission

Jun 23, 2025 / 18:13 pm

In a social media post on June 22, Bishop Robert Barron responded to claims made in a recent article by Minneapolis Star-Tribune columnist Karen Tolkkinen.

Austria to ordain more priests in 2025 than in previous years

Jun 20, 2025 / 06:00 am

Here’s a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed.

CatholicVote names Kelsey Reinhardt new president 

Jun 19, 2025 / 17:33 pm

CatholicVote has named Kelsey Reinhardt as its new president following the appointment of the group’s co-founder, Brian Burch, as U.S. ambassador to the Holy See.

UPDATE: Classical Catholic high school in DC announces plans for second location

Jun 19, 2025 / 09:36 am

Demand from Catholic families has spurred the St. Jerome Institute, a classical liberal arts high school in Washington, D.C., to announce plans for a second campus.

After 4 months on life support, Georgia woman delivers 1-pound baby boy

Jun 17, 2025 / 16:26 pm

A Georgia woman who was declared brain dead in February has given birth after four months on life support. 

Nearly half of Americans have a connection to Catholicism, new report finds

Jun 17, 2025 / 06:00 am

Nearly 50% of adults in the U.S. have some connection to the Catholic faith, according to new data from Pew Research. 

Up to 200 displaced Nigerian Christians killed in ‘worst’ attack yet

Jun 16, 2025 / 17:01 pm

Islamist militants killed up to 200 Nigerian Christians on Friday in what international aid organizations are calling the “worst killing spree” in the region yet.

House launches probe of Catholic nongovernmental organizations’ role aiding migrants

Jun 13, 2025 / 18:09 pm

Catholic Charities USA and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops are among those named in the investigation.

Gallup poll says many Americans think U.S. is becoming more religious

Jun 13, 2025 / 15:39 pm

“Thirty-four percent of U.S. adults believe religion is increasing its influence in American life, similar to the 35% measured in December, ...” the latest Gallup poll reads.

China recognizes Pope Leo XIV’s first bishop appointment

Jun 13, 2025 / 07:00 am

Here’s a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed.

French president to push social media ban for children under 15

Jun 12, 2025 / 17:08 pm

French President Emmanuel Macron has joined other European and North American leaders in a call for age verification requirements for social media.

Report: Irish Church abuse allegations jumped 50% in 1 year

Jun 11, 2025 / 18:18 pm

Child abuse allegations in the Irish Church reached their highest level since 2009 following a probe into Church-run school abuses.

Fidelity Month kickoff event in Congress promotes renewal of country’s ‘common bonds’

Jun 11, 2025 / 09:54 am

Fidelity Month bills itself as “a positive, grassroots movement to heal division and restore unity in our nation.”

Cardinal Ambongo appeals to Trump: ‘Africa is important to the U.S.’

Jun 10, 2025 / 15:19 pm

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, the archbishop of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, asked President Donald Trump this weekend to reinstate foreign aid to Africa.

Pew report: How the global religious landscape changed from 2010 to 2020

Jun 9, 2025 / 18:08 pm

The latest Pew report found that Islam outpaced every world religion in population from 2010 to 2020, though Christianity remained the largest globally.

Pope Leo XIV to leaders of ecclesial movements: ‘Christian life is not lived in isolation’

Jun 6, 2025 / 16:00 pm

Christians must not attempt to live out the promises of Christ alone, Leo told a delegation in Rome for the Jubilee of Ecclesial Movements, Associations, and New Communities.