Benedictine Br. Joseph Byron, monk at Portsmouth Abbey and boarding school in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, stands on top of the abbey's wind turbine in March 2006. (Courtesy of Joseph Byorn)

How a Benedictine monk built Rhode Island's first utility-scale wind turbine

News

The project was a test of whether Portsmouth Abbey and its school were willing to act on environmental values. "This is kind of a put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is kind of deal," says Br. Joseph Byron.

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Editors' Choice

Peter Thiel speaks with attendees at the 2022 Converge Tech Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore)

In Focus

Tech billionaire Peter Thiel takes on popes, delves into end-times theology

In the last two weeks, venture tech capitalist Peter Thiel has accused Pope Leo XIV of being a Chinese communist agent because of his teaching on AI, and has insinuated that Pope Francis was an Antichrist figure.

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Most Read Stories

Four bishops lie on the floor as they are given episcopal consecration during a Mass in a tent set up outside the Society of St. Pius X seminary, in Econe, Switzerland, July 1, 2026. (Cyril Zingaro/Keystone via AP)

#1
Traditionalist Catholics face a difficult choice after Vatican cuts off breakaway group

For traditionalist Catholics who worship at churches affiliated with the breakaway Society of St. Pius X, Sunday Mass now comes with an extraordinary question.

ByHolly Meyer, Associated Press
Pope Leo XIV speaks with leaders of the "continental bodies" representing Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, the Middle East and North America, together with the coordinators of the continental synodal teams, during a private meeting at the Vatican June 25, 2026. (CNS/Vatican Media)
NCR Voices

#2
In plans for 'Amoris Laetitia' meeting, Pope Leo continues to show his hand

We learned more about how Pope Leo XIV intends to implement the reforms his predecessor introduced when the Vatican released a "thematic framework" for a meeting to discuss Pope Francis' Amoris Laetitia.

ByMichael Sean Winters
Peter Thiel speaks with attendees at the 2022 Converge Tech Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore)

#3
Tech billionaire Peter Thiel takes on popes, delves into end-times theology

In the last two weeks, venture tech capitalist Peter Thiel has accused Pope Leo XIV of being a Chinese communist agent because of his teaching on AI, and has insinuated that Pope Francis was an Antichrist figure.

ByBrian Fraga

#4
Pope Leo shares meal with vulnerable guests at Castel Gandolfo

#5
Podcast: Theologian Ronald Rolheiser talks about a spirituality for our wisdom years

#6
Jesuits will create 2 novitiates from 5 current US and Canada novitiates

Opinion

Podcast: 'Racism has injured us all,' says racial healing leader Catherine Meeks

Guest Voices

Religious ignorance is as problematic as anti-religious bias

NCR Voices
President-elect John F. Kennedy shakes hands with Fr. Richard J. Casey, pastor of Holy Trinity Church, after attending Mass at the church prior to inauguration ceremonies in Washington Jan. 20, 1961. (CNS/Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington)

Can civil religion make a comeback?

NCR Voices

It is difficult to see how we bind the nation's wounds without some kind of shared national mythos and telos, writes NCR columnist Michael Sean Winters.

The US has entered a national era of cruelty

Guest Voices

Editorial: Catholic support for press freedoms must be unwavering

Editorial
Newly consecrated Society of St. Pius X Bishop Michael Goldade is seen kissing the ring of Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta during an SSPX liturgical celebration July 1, 2026, in Écône, Switzerland. (OSV News/CPP)

Editorial: Following schism, SSPX leaders must work for unity

Editorial

The leaders of the Society of St. Pius X made decisions that carry major implications. Their actions will need to be unpacked, and in some cases, undone, if the group seeks to have unity with the Catholic Church.

Vatican

Four bishops lie on the floor as they are given episcopal consecration during a Mass in a tent set up outside the Society of St. Pius X seminary, in Econe, Switzerland, July 1, 2026. (Cyril Zingaro/Keystone via AP)

Traditionalist Catholics face a difficult choice after Vatican cuts off breakaway group

For traditionalist Catholics who worship at churches affiliated with the breakaway Society of St. Pius X, Sunday Mass now comes with an extraordinary question.

Rates of HIV, AIDS down, but children still vulnerable, says Vatican diplomat to UN

Much has been done to mitigate rates of HIV and AIDS, but more work remains as children are still vulnerable to the virus and the disease it causes, said the Holy See's diplomatic representative to the United Nations in a July 10 address.

ByGina Christian, OSV News
Andrea Tornielli, editorial director at the Dicastery for Communication speaks at a news conference at the Vatican Sept. 19, 2024. (CNS/Justin McLellan)

Did the Vatican take a jab at Trump's ambassador?

After the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See characterized the pope's criticism of the Iran war as the intervention of a head of state "coequal" to the U.S. president, a top Vatican communications official appeared to clap back.

ByJustin McLellan
Pilgrims are seen leaving a packed train July 12, 2026, as they arrive at Castel Gandolfo, Italy, ahead of Pope Leo XIV's Sunday Angelus. (OSV News photo/Jan Guzik)

Pilgrims flock to Castel Gandolfo for Pope Leo's first Angelus of the summer

When the 8:21 a.m. train left Rome's Termini Station to Castel Gandolfo July 12, people were packed in like sardines, off to see Pope Leo XIV's Sunday Angelus prayer — the first this summer at his residence there.

ByPaulina Guzik, OSV News

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Vatican News

Pope Leo shares meal with vulnerable guests at Castel Gandolfo

View from the Vatican

Reporter's Notebook: Witnessing the SSPX schism in the Swiss Alps

Vatican News

Vatican unveils agenda for global family summit marking 'Amoris Laetitia' anniversary

EarthBeat

Benedictine Br. Joseph Byron, monk at Portsmouth Abbey and boarding school in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, stands on top of the abbey's wind turbine in March 2006. (Courtesy of Joseph Byorn)

How a Benedictine monk built Rhode Island's first utility-scale wind turbine

The project was a test of whether Portsmouth Abbey and its school were willing to act on environmental values. "This is kind of a put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is kind of deal," says Br. Joseph Byron.

A priest celebrates a funeral Mass in La Guaira, Venezuela, July 15, 2026, for 2-year-old Kalani Martinez and her mother, Ashley Martinez, 29, victims of the earthquakes. Two catastrophic earthquakes hit Venezuela in quick succession June 24, leaving at least 5,000 dead with thousands still missing. (OSV News/Reuters/Pablo Sanhueza)

Death toll in Venezuela nears 5,000 as earthquake recovery intensifies

Twin earthquakes in Venezuela have left nearly 5,000 people dead, according to government officials, triggering a massive mobilization of humanitarian aid organizations.

ByJunno Arocho Esteves, OSV News
The mining facility in La Oroya, Peru, is photographed in 2014. (Wikimedia Commons/Heiner Amado Cadillo)

Peruvians exposed to lead as children reach $150M settlement, with Catholic help

Lawyers for Peruvian plaintiffs reached a $150 million settlement with Doe Run and the Renco Group, bringing an end to a 19-year lawsuit that was supported along the way by the Catholic Church in Peru and the U.S.

ByBrian Roewe

Las Cruces Diocese demands jury trial, just compensation in feds' effort to seize pilgrimage site

The Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico, is demanding a jury trial as it fends off the Trump administration's move to seize a long-revered pilgrimage site for a border wall as part of Trump's hardline crackdown on immigration.

ByGina Christian, OSV News

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

'Keep Venezuelans in your hearts' after earthquakes, says Catholic relief worker

Soul Seeing

Could Henry David Thoreau be a synodal conversation partner?

Columns

After 2 earthquakes, nuns do their part in Venezuelans' compassionate response

Culture

Bible in a Year Family Edition

'Bible in a Year' podcast announces upcoming 'Family Edition' with Black Catholic priest Josh Johnson

A new podcast encouraging biblical literacy for youth is set to launch in 2027 with one of the nation's most prominent young Black Catholic priests.

Spain's Lamine Yamal (19) and Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) embrace after during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP/Seth Wenig)

What remains after the World Cup ends

In an age of distraction and isolation, we were for six weeks invited into presence and community. But if the beautiful game is a microcosm of life, what lessons can we take with us?

ByMichael O'Connell
In the upcoming documentary "Mario," the faith and politics of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo are a stark contrast against today's Catholic politicians. (Life Stories)

In new documentary, Mario Cuomo is a stark contrast to today's Catholic politicians

In the forthcoming documentary "Mario," which recently debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival, the Catholic faith of former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo takes center stage.

ByJim McDermott
Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir (23) saves a penalty kick by Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Spiritual lessons from World Cup penalty kicks

The 2022 final between France and Argentina, widely considered one of the greatest World Cup games ever played, was decided by a penalty kick shootout. So if it happens again this year, spare a prayer for the pressure these players are under — and ask yourself how you would respond, whatever the outcome.

ByMichael O'Connell

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The unshakable faith of Ms. Rachel

The early church fathers are showing their swag on TikTok

Book Reviews

Antonio Pagliarulo's 'Queer Saints' explores expanded understanding of sainthood

Women Wage Peace leaders speak at the People’s Peace Summit 2025 in Jerusalem. (M.A. Kirk)
Columns

Israeli and Palestinian women wage peace and share light

Those advancing the Mothers' Call for Peace lead with the light proclaiming, "No child should be raised to kill or be killed." Our faith calls us to be the peace we seek.

Members of a panel on pontifical commissaries speak Oct. 2, 2025, at the Resource Center for Religious Institutes annual conference in Dallas. (GSR/Dan Stockman)

As US Catholic nuns age, more congregations turn to outside leaders

As more congregations face declining numbers, they turn to commissaries for leadership, changing how communities preserve their charism and care for one another.

ByDan Stockman
Members and animators of the Judith Forum participate in a gathering on May 26, 2026, at St. Mary's Forane Church in the Diocese of Thamarassery, Kerala, southwestern India. (George Kommattam)

With Judith Forum, congregations collaborate to empower widows in India

As one Carmelite Sister recalls: "Our congregation began the forum as a small initiative to help grieving women, but soon it became a rare collaborative ministry of women congregations to offer compassion and support."

By
A planted vegetable field with mulch film (Wikimedia Commons, Florian Gerlach [Nawaro], CC BY-SA 3.0 deed)
Columns

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Weeds, wheat and God's patience

Theologians' Corner - Images in the Gospel remind us not to lose hope. God's work may be quiet and hidden, but it is real, and it is powerful.

By

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Indian lay group slams mob intimidation of nuns in West Bengal

Have the courage to know where you stand

Meet 4 religious sisters dedicating their lives to God in 2026