News & Commentary

Bishop John O. Barres of Rockville Centre, N.Y., delivers the homily during Mass at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, N.Y., June 29, 2020. A judge may decide to dismiss the bankruptcy case of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, which would be a national first. (OSV News photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Possible ‘showdown’ ahead as NY diocese moves to scrap bankruptcy in impasse with abuse claimants

May 2, 2024

The Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, is seeking to scrap its bankruptcy filing amid an impasse with abuse survivor settlements — and the case may lead to what one bankruptcy scholar called “a little bit of a showdown in the O.K. Corral” when it goes before a judge May 9.

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The Kansas Capitol in Topeka is seen in this undated photo. The Kansas Legislature voted April 29, 2024, to override four vetoes on pro-life bills that state Catholic and pro-life advocates say will help save lives. (OSV News photo/Lori Wood Habiger, The Leaven)

Kansas Legislature successfully overrides governor’s vetoes of 4 pro-life measures

May 1, 2024
Kansas lawmakers voted to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's vetoes on pro-life legislation, a victory hailed by Catholic and pro-life advocates that comes just two years after voters in Kansas rejected a push to remove abortion protections from their state ...
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Damaged buildings are seen in Sulphur, Okla., April 28, 2024, after the town was hit by a tornado the night before. Tornadoes killed at least four people in Oklahoma, including an infant, and left thousands without power after a destructive outbreak of severe weather flattened buildings in the heart of the rural town of Sulphur and injured at least 100 people across the state. (OSV News photo/Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman/USA Today Network via Reuters)

Faithful respond to Midwest tornadoes, help storm victims ‘carry their cross’

April 30, 2024
Parishioners in several Midwestern states are coming together to bring help and healing after tornadoes ravaged the area April 26-28, killing at least four.
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This is a screenshot of "Father Justin," an AI chatbot simulating a priest in order to answer questions for teaching apostolate Catholic Answers. Catholic Answers executives told OSV News April 24, 2024, they are not discouraged from pursuing AI projects following the troubled April 23 launch of "Father Justin," who was "laicized" hours later to "Justin" after his responses to questions about the faith sparked social media furor. (OSV News screenshot/Catholic Answers)

Catholic Answers ‘no less resolved’ to use AI after ‘Father Justin’ brouhaha

April 29, 2024
Executives from the apologetics nonprofit Catholic Answers told OSV News they remain committed to exploring artificial intelligence after the launch of the group's "Father Justin" AI project sparked intense backlash online -- and resulted in the character's swift "laicization" to ...
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Jorge Granados, aka El Spanky, blesses Cristal, his image of La Santa Muerte, with beer Jan. 1, 2024, as he prepares for an annual pilgrimage from Ecatepec, Mexico, to the shrine of La Santa Muerte in Mexico City's Tepito neighborhood. Mexico's bishops criticized the use of an image of Santa Muerte, or St. Death, in political advertising during the presidential campaigns. (OSV News photo/Gustavo Graf, Reuters)

Mexico’s bishops denounce use of Santa Muerte in political advertising

April 26, 2024
Mexico's bishops have blasted the use of the folkloric La Santa Muerte by the country's ruling party as a distortion of the nation's "fundamental values" ahead of presidential and local elections, which have been marred by violence and the killing ...
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Christians attend a Sunday service at a church in Chibok, Nigeria, April 7, 2024. Nigerian soldiers fired upon students who were protesting the relentless attacks on Christian villages in Nigeria April 18 and 19, according to the British nongovernmental organization Release International. (OSV News photo/Temilade Adelaja, Reuters)

Nigerian military under fire for continued attacks on Christians

April 25, 2024
Nigerian soldiers fired upon students who were protesting the relentless attacks on Christian villages in Nigeria, according to the British nongovernmental organization Release International.
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A homeless couple moves their belongings to the side of a freeway on land under state jurisdiction, after being evicted from a downtown location on the side of a city street, in San Diego, Feb. 26, 2024. (OSV News photo/Mike Blake, Reuters)

Passions flare as Supreme Court hears case with impact on homelessness policy

April 24, 2024
The Supreme Court on April 22 heard a case concerning the constitutionality of local laws that ban public camping and their impact on people who are homeless.
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