News & Commentary

U.S. President Joe Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Jesuit Father Greg Boyle during a ceremony at the White House in Washington May 3, 2024. Father Boyle established Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles in 1992 to improve the lives of former gang members. (OSV News photo/Evelyn Hockstein, Reuters)

Father Greg Boyle, Nancy Pelosi among Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients

OSV News May 7, 2024

Father Greg Boyle, a Jesuit priest who is the founder and director of Homeboy Industries, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were among 19 Americans awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, on May 3.

Catholic writer Flannery O'Connor is seen in an undated photo. (OSV News photo/courtesy 11th Street Lot)

‘Wildcat’ a reminder of Flannery O’Connor’s enduring attraction

OSV News May 6, 2024

Ethan Hawke knows "Wildcat," his film about the life and imagination of Southern writer Flannery O'Connor released May 3, is unlikely to attract general audiences.

Nearly 1,000 people attend an April 30, 2024, listening session for the Archdiocese of Baltimore's Seek the City To Come initiative at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland, Maryland. (OSV News photo/Kevin J. Parks, Catholic Review)

Baltimore Catholics weigh-in on ‘heart-wrenching’ proposed changes in archdiocese

OSV News May 3, 2024

Speaking to reporters outside the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen April 30 just moments before the Archdiocese of Baltimore held its final listening session on its Seek the City to Come parish reconfiguration proposal, Auxiliary Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., ...

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

OSV News 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. ...

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

OSV News 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 ...

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’

OSV News 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.

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

OSV News 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 ...