BLOGS

A judge in Canada has ruled that a woman with autism can be granted her request to die by assisted suicide, overruling efforts by the woman’s father to halt the deadly procedure.  In a decision this week, Justice Colin Feasby of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta said the 27-year-old woman, identified in documents as…

Governors Jim Justice of West Virginia, Spencer Cox of Utah, and Brad Little of Idaho — all Republicans — signed legislation in their states to enhance religious freedom protections.  The new West Virginia law establishes stronger religious freedom protections for student organizations at public universities. The Utah law allows residents to bring civil action against government entities if those…

Friar Nelson Medina, a Dominican known for his extensive apostolate on the internet, offered five tips for Catholics to do a better job evangelizing on social media. The Colombian priest, who holds a doctorate in fundamental theology, shared the following recommendations with CNA. 1. Practice gratitude. “Consider it a privilege and a great opportunity to…

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is reporting a significant rise in assisted suicide prescriptions and deaths in the state, a move that comes after authorities in 2022 began allowing out-of-state residents to access the lethal services. Since the state’s passage of the “Death with Dignity Act” in 1997, assisted suicide numbers have been generally rising…

The archbishop of Toledo and primate of Spain, Francisco Cerro Chávez, stressed in a recent letter the need to support the Christians in the Holy Land, even more so during this time of war, given the danger that “it may become a museum, just an archaeological remembrance.” In his letter, titled “The Holy Land Urgently…

Father Roger Landry has worn a lot of hats during his 25-year priesthood, figuratively speaking. But this summer he says he’ll be trading them all in for one — a sun hat to protect his fair skin as he walks 1,500 miles across the eastern United States. The trek is no mere physical challenge —…

Juan Vicente Pérez Mora, a twice-daily prayer of the rosary who at his death was the confirmed oldest man in the world, died on April 2, just weeks before his 115th birthday. Mora held the title of oldest man in the world for a few short years. He was awarded the distinction by Guinness World…

The Vatican sent a telegram to the president of Taiwan’s bishops’ conference in which Pope Francis expressed his sadness and solidarity after an earthquake recently left several dead and more than 1,000 injured.  “His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and damage caused by the earthquake in Taiwan,”…

As several charitable groups are halting operations in the wake of the killing of seven humanitarian aid workers in Gaza, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is increasing its presence and efforts in the region.  Jason Knapp, Holy Land representative for the U.S.-based Catholic group, told CNA that while it is “working hard to keep our team…

Celebrating Rural Life 2024 Our Archdiocese is truly blessed in its diversity. To further promote unity within our local church and to highlight the specific blessing of our rural communities, we invite each parish to dedicate a weekend in May as Rural Life Weekend. May offers a great time to celebrate, honor, and pray for…