News & Commentary

Bishop Alberto Rojas of San Bernardino, Calif., the main celebrant, distributes Communion to a detainee during a Mass on the grounds of the ICE Processing Center near Adelanto, Calif., Dec. 10, 2025. Attendees said the Mass, which took place in the Mojave Desert, was deeply emotional for both the bishops and the roughly 300 detainees present.

California bishops celebrate ‘very powerful’ Mass for detainees in ICE facility

OSV News December 19, 2025

A group of seven California bishops celebrated Mass at the ICE Processing Center outside the town of Adelanto in the Mojave Desert on December 10, providing communion to the roughly 300 detainees present.

Father Pfleger is reinstated; archdiocesan board finds no proof of abuse

OSV News December 13, 2022

CHICAGO (CNS) — Father Michael Pfleger, 73, has been reinstated as senior pastor of the Faith Community of St. Sabina after the Chicago Archdiocese’s Independent Review Board determined the accusations of sex abuse lodged against him in October are not ...

After vote, House sends Respect for Marriage Act to Biden for signature

OSV News December 12, 2022

WASHINGTON (CNS) — By a vote of 258-169, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Respect for Marriage Act Dec. 8 and sent it to President Joe Biden for his signature. Biden is expected to sign the bill legalizing same-sex ...

An elderly woman stands in her doorway as armed Salvadoran troops patrol a residential area in Soyapango Dec. 5, 2022. A massive crackdown on gangs in El Salvador has led to ongoing human rights abuses, says a new report. (CNS photo/Jose Cabezas, Reuters)

El Salvador crackdown on gangs causes human rights abuses, report says

OSV News December 9, 2022

A massive crackdown on gangs in El Salvador has led to ongoing human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions, torture and deaths in custody, according to a report from a pair of human rights groups.

Chief Dadá Borarí from the Maró Indigenous Lands of the Brazilian Amazon; Arouna Kandé, a climate change refugee from Senegal; U.S. scientists Robin Martin and Greg Asner; and teenage climate activist Ridhima Pandey of India participated in the making of the documentary "The Letter." They are seen inside the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Aug. 26, 2021. The film tells the story of a journey to Rome of frontline leaders to discuss with Pope Francis his encyclical "Laudato Si', on Care for Our Common Home." (CNS photo/courtesy Off the Fence)

Pope enlists a willing warrior to spread the message of ‘Laudato Si’’

OSV News December 8, 2022

Pope Francis is getting more non-Catholics to do his work. The latest is Nicolas Brown, who directed "The Letter: A Message for Our Earth," a documentary on the pope's 2015 encyclical "Laudato Si', on Care for Our Common Home."

Megan Miller, a music teacher and orchestra director, teaches during an Aug. 12, 2019, class session at St. Mary Catholic School in League City, Texas. Miller was one of nearly 75 educators to attend a recent continuing education and development day for art and music teachers hosted by the Catholic Schools Office and the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston. (CNS photo/James Ramos, Texas Catholic Herald)

Catholic school art, music teachers find camaraderie at event

OSV News December 7, 2022

Art and music teachers joined other educators, like band directors, orchestra leaders and music leaders, for a series of workshops that inspired them personally and emphasized the importance of viewing, learning about and producing sacred art with their students in ...