Catholic New York

Father Tim Wezner, left, prays the rosary near the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. June 24 after a majority of the justices overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that legalized abortion in the country. Father Wezner said he was there to pray in thanksgiving but also for peace during a tense time for the country.

Supreme Court Overturns Roe in Anticipated Dobbs Decision

In a 5-4 decision June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its nearly 50-year-old decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion in this country. more

By CAROL ZIMMERMANN | 6/24/22

New York State Catholic Conference ‘Troubled’ by Court’s Gun Law Ruling

An official of the New York State Catholic Conference expressed disappointment with a June 23 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturns a century-old law and asserts that there is a constitutional right to carry a handgun in public for self-defense. more

By DENNIS SADOWSKI | 6/24/22

Afghan men search for survivors amid the debris of a destroyed house June 23 following an earthquake the previous day in Gayan, Afghanistan. During his June 22 general audience, Pope Francis offered prayers for victims of the magnitude 6 earthquake that hit a remote, mountainous area of Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan.

Pope Offers Prayers for Victims of Earthquake in Afghanistan

Pope Francis offered prayers for victims of a magnitude 6 earthquake that hit a remote, mountainous area of Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan. more

6/24/22

Pope to Visit Canada, Limiting Participation to One Hour at Various Events

Perhaps signaling some improvement in Pope Francis’ painful knee, the Vatican announced June 23 that he will visit Canada in late July. However, the Canadian bishops said that, due to the 85-year-old pope’s age and limitations, it is expected that his participation at public events will be limited to approximately one hour. more

6/23/22

People pray the Lord’s Prayer during Mass celebrated by Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, in St. Peter’s Basilica during the World Meeting of Families at the Vatican June 23.

Meeting Looks at How Families Protect Life, Pray, Connect Generations

Families are called to bridge the gap between older and younger generations and defend life, said U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 6/23/22

Pope Francis touches his knee during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican June 22. The pope has been experiencing severe knee pain.

Strength Can Be Found in Frailty of Old Age, Pope Says

Elderly Christians are called to bear witness to the strength that comes from God, especially when moments of frailty and weakness make them dependent on others, Pope Francis said. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 6/22/22

The Supreme Court is seen in Washington, D.C. June 15.

Court: Tuition Program Excluding Religious Schools Is Unconstitutional

In a 6-3 ruling June 21, the Supreme Court said a Maine tuition aid program that excluded religious schools violated the Constitution’s free exercise clause. more

By CAROL ZIMMERMANN | 6/21/22

Pope Francis listens as Melkite Patriarch Joseph Absi speaks during an audience with members of the synod of the Melkite Catholic Church at the Vatican June 20. The pope said he shared their concern about the dwindling Christian population of the Middle East.

Remember the Ongoing Suffering of Syria, Pope Urges

While the world must pay attention to Russia’s war on Ukraine, it cannot forget Syria and its people, which have been under the threat of bombs and violence for a dozen years, Pope Francis said. more

By CINDY WOODEN | 6/21/22

A man gets out of a damaged residential building following recent shelling in the course of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict in Donetsk, Ukraine, June 20.

Pope Appeals for Peace in Myanmar, Ukraine

Pope Francis called on world leaders to aid people suffering in war-torn countries, especially in Myanmar and Ukraine. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 6/21/22

People in St. Peter’s Square attend the Angelus led by Pope Francis from the window of his studio overlooking the square at the Vatican June 19.

Seek Nourishment, Satisfaction in Eucharist, Pope Says

When received with faith, the Eucharist not only nourishes and satisfies one’s hunger for consolation and love, but gives Christians the strength to nourish others, Pope Francis said. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 6/21/22

Father Andrew Adeniyi Abayomi, associate pastor at St. Francis Xavier Church in Owo, Nigeria, is pictured in an undated photo. His church was was hit by a terror attack during Mass on Pentecost, June 5.

Nigerian Priest Says He Shielded Parishioners Like Chicks During Massacre

Father Andrew Adeniyi Abayomi was in the sacristy of St. Francis Xavier Church after Mass when parishioners began running in different directions. more

6/17/22

A priest prays over a casket during a burial outside St. Francis Xavier Church in Owo, Nigeria, June 17. The Funeral Mass was for at least 50 victims killed in a June 5 attack by gunmen during Mass at the church.

Murdered Nigerians Found Suffering at Foot of Cross, Bishop Says at Funeral Mass

The Catholics attending Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church on Pentecost did not know how much it would cost to participate in the suffering of Jesus, said Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of Oyo. more

6/17/22

Pope Francis greets a child with members of the Italian military during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican June 15.

Discarding Elderly a ‘Betrayal’ of Humanity, Pope Says

People have a responsibility to care for the elderly and cherish their wisdom rather than regard them as a burden on society, Pope Francis said. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 6/17/22

Chalk art describing gun legislation is seen near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. June 7.

Archbishop Praises Senators’ Efforts to Address ‘Plague of Gun Violence’

The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ domestic policy committee June 14 praised a bipartisan Senate proposal “to help prevent senseless violence” that includes “reasonable gun safety measures.” more

6/16/22

Pope Francis touches the hands of a newly married couple during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 18, 2019. The Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life has released guidelines and suggestions for developing a “matrimonial catechumenate,” a yearlong preparation for marriage and family life.

Vatican Releases Suggestions for Lengthier, Revamped Marriage Preparation

Saying “superficial” marriage preparation programs leave many couples at risk of having invalid marriages or unprepared to cope with the struggles that arise in every marriage, Pope Francis endorsed suggestions for a yearlong “marriage catechumenate” drafted by the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life. more

By CINDY WOODEN | 6/16/22

Bishop Lucas Van Looy of Ghent, Belgium, was among 21 new cardinals named by Pope Francis May 29. Bishop Van Looy is pictured in an Oct. 14, 2015 photo.

Belgian Bishop Asks Pope Not to Make Him a Cardinal

Saying he did not want to add to the suffering of survivors of clerical sexual abuse who criticized his appointment as a cardinal, retired Bishop Lucas Van Looy of Ghent, Belgium, asked Pope Francis to withdraw his nomination, and the pope agreed. more

By CINDY WOODEN | 6/16/22

Superpowers at War Add to the World’s Poor, Pope Says in Message

War produces tremendous poverty, and its violence strikes those who are defenseless and vulnerable, Pope Francis said. more

By CAROL GLATZ | 6/14/22

Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop Lori Decry Attacks on Pro-Life Centers

Cardinal Dolan and Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori pleaded for peace in light of recent attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers in the United States. more

6/13/22

Ten Polish nuns murdered by Russian soldiers at the end of World War II were beatified in Wroclaw, Poland, June 11. Pictured clockwise are, Sisters Maria Paschalis Jahn, Melusja Rybka, Edelburgis Kubitzki, Adela Schramm, Adelheidis Töpfer, Acutina Goldberg, Felicitas Ellmerer, Rosaria Schilling, Sabina Thienel and Sapientia Heymann.

Martyred Nuns Beatified in Poland

Beatifying 10 Polish nuns killed by Russian soldiers at the end of World War II, it is difficult not to think of the suffering being endured by the people of Ukraine today and the need for peace in the world, said Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for Saints’ Causes. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 6/13/22

Members of a band from Castel Condino in northern Italy raise their instruments and wave to Pope Francis after he led the recitation of the Angelus prayer June 12 with visitors in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

People Need Each Other, Pope Says at Angelus

The Holy Trinity shows how to be open to others and to be good, generous and gentle, Pope Francis said. more

By CAROL GLATZ | 6/13/22