Articles by Madalaine Elhabbal
Former Catholic Relief Services head speaks out amid funding freeze
Mar 15, 2025 / 11:30 amCarolyn Woo’s statements come after the U.S. bishops issued a “very urgent” appeal earlier this week for Catholics to contribute to this year’s annual CRS collection.
3 Christian converts in Iran sentenced to over 40 years in prison
Mar 14, 2025 / 17:40 pmHere are some of the major stories about the Church around the world that you may have missed this week.
John Paul II’s biographer says late pope is a model for Catholics in fighting antisemitism
Mar 13, 2025 / 08:55 amSpeaking at a conference on Monday, George Weigel reflected on John Paul II’s “distinctly personal” relationship with the Jewish people.
Families of Israeli hostages met with Catholic support during D.C. visit
Mar 12, 2025 / 11:00 amAn intimate group of about 20 people attended the panel, including several representatives of the Philos Project, a multi-denominational Christian nonprofit organization.
State Department lifts funding suspension for 2 Jesuit Refugee Service programs
Mar 7, 2025 / 18:10 pmHowever, the Catholic nongovernmental organization has yet to receive payment from the State Department.
Christians in Gaza: ‘The ceasefire has made the situation even worse’
Mar 7, 2025 / 16:50 pmHere are some of the major stories about the Church around the world that you may have missed over the past week.
Vatican shares Pope Francis’ recorded message during rosary in St. Peter’s Square
Mar 6, 2025 / 15:50 pmThe Holy Father’s voice was hoarse, and he was noticeably out of breath in the brief audio message, which the Holy See Press Office said was recorded today.
Indianapolis Archdiocese investigates possible Eucharistic miracle
Mar 5, 2025 / 16:10 pmThe Archdiocese of Indianapolis is currently investigating a possible Eucharistic miracle.
USCCB’s Broglio calls for ‘just peace’ in Ukraine in first-ever Lenten reflection
Mar 4, 2025 / 12:40 pm“We pray and hope that the United States, in concert with the wider international community, works with perseverance for a just peace and an end to aggression,” the archbishop said.
Bishop Barron to attend Trump address to Congress as guest of Catholic lawmaker
Mar 3, 2025 / 16:15 pmThe speech will mark Trump’s first address to Congress since taking office for his second term.
German archdiocese criticizes carnival float associating Jesus with sex abuse crisis
Feb 28, 2025 / 17:15 pmHere are some of the major stories of the Catholic Church around the world that you might have missed this past week.
Catholic Charities agencies across U.S. continue to be affected by funding freeze
Feb 27, 2025 / 06:00 amCatholic Charities in Florida, Texas, and Kansas spoke out this week about how the funding freeze has impacted both program-specific and agency-wide efforts.
Here are the states where assisted suicide legislation is moving forward in 2025
Feb 26, 2025 / 06:00 amLegislation on assisted suicide has been introduced in several states this year, with some bills gaining traction in efforts to legalize the practice and expand its availability.
Ukrainian patriarch in Washington: Putin wants to ‘erase’ Ukraine
Feb 22, 2025 / 07:00 amArchbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk’s visit came as the Trump administration begins to open diplomatic channels to Russia in an attempt to end the Ukraine war.
Catholic Charities agencies across country cut funding, lay off staff amid funding freeze
Feb 19, 2025 / 17:40 pmUpon taking office last month, President Donald Trump issued directives that, among other measures, paused grants to organizations that aid migrants and refugees.
New York Encounter panel: Marriage matters ‘more than ever’ amid falling birth rates
Feb 16, 2025 / 13:40 pmForecasts that 1 in 3 young adults in the U.S. today will never marry signify a closing of the “American heart,” a leading marriage researcher said Saturday.
Catholics hopeful on abortion, health policy after Kennedy’s confirmation as HHS secretary
Feb 16, 2025 / 07:30 amKennedy, himself a professed Catholic, has faced intense scrutiny from both sides of the aisle for his controversial views on vaccines, abortion, and public health policy.
Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump ban on transgender surgeries for minors
Feb 13, 2025 / 17:35 pmThe move comes after a group of seven families with transgender-identifying children filed a lawsuit challenging the executive order earlier this month.
Marc Fogel’s family: Rosary and faith sustained them through his detainment in Russia
Feb 12, 2025 / 16:00 pm“At 9:30 at night we always prayed the rosary simultaneously, and I think it helped all of us, and I think particularly Marc,” Fogel’s 95-year-old mother said.
Jesuit Refugee Service says Trump funding freeze will impact more than 100,000 refugees
Feb 11, 2025 / 15:50 pmIn 2024, JRS received $24,049,039 in government funding and $9,224,422 in private donations, according to its financial statements from last year.