Gina Christian

Fr. Jim Cassidy, parochial vicar at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Minneapolis, spoke with OSV News a day after joining several faith and community leaders who, along with Minnesota officials, were part of CNN's live Jan. 28 town hall, "State of Emergency: Confronting the Crisis in Minnesota," moderated by journalists Anderson Cooper and Sara Sidner.

The sharply worded document also included a picture of the child taken at the time of his capture, as well as a scathing criticism of how the Trump administration has conducted its immigration enforcement operations.

The pope shared his concerns in remarks delivered after he led the Angelus prayer Feb. 1 in St. Peter's Square.

Amid the "current climate of fear and polarization," Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley invited "my brother bishops and priests across the United States to offer a Holy Hour for Peace in the days ahead."

The message of the clock "cannot be clearer," said Alexandra Bell, president and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which was founded in 1945 by Albert Einstein, J. Robert Oppenheimer and University of Chicago scientists who developed the first atomic weapons.

More U.S. Catholic bishops are sounding the alarm over an increasingly frayed social order both at home and abroad — while calling for a renewal of heart and a recommitment to Gospel values safeguarding God-given human dignity.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis — whose territory has become a flashpoint in the nation's immigration policy debate — is calling for "comprehensive immigration reform now," citing "human cost on all sides."

On Jan. 19, Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, released "The Divine Physician and a Christian Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing," a pastoral letter surveying the state of mental health in the U.S. and offering both "encouragement and guidance" in addressing mental health challenges "in light of the teachings of Christ and the Gospel."

The conspiracy lured players to intentionally underperform while fixers raked in profits from sports betting, authorities said.

The Trump administration's plans to acquire Greenland for the U.S. are being met with concern, sometimes fear and "a quiet strength" by residents, said the Arctic island's only Catholic parish priest.

The Archdiocese of St. Louis filed a Dec. 23 motion seeking to have several counts dismissed in a lawsuit alleging "decades" of sexual abuse against minors by clergy, men and women religious, archdiocesan employees and other affiliated persons.

Just a few days before the Jan. 3 U.S. strikes on — and temporary takeover of — Venezuela, the Catholic bishops of several Caribbean nations had repeated their earlier plea for peace while expressing support for the Venezuelan people, amid a pre-attack buildup of U.S. military in the region.

The "extensive media outreach" — which includes some two dozen secular outlets in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas — is part of the archdiocese's "commitment to the nonmonetary provisions laid out in its Chapter 11 settlement plan," said the press release.

The U.S. strikes on — and announced temporary takeover of — Venezuela violate both the United Nations Charter and the Christian principles on which it is based, a University of Notre Dame scholar told OSV News.

Slightly more than half of U.S. adults surveyed still identify with their childhood religion. For Catholics, retention rates tend to be significantly lower than for other faiths, according to Pew.

Amid immigration raids in Louisiana, dozens gathered at a New Orleans church for a candlelight vigil, praying for both those detained and for law enforcement officials. The Dec. 9 service was held at Holy Name of Jesus Church in New Orleans, located on the campus of Loyola University.

Amid immigration detention sweeps in Louisiana — part of an ongoing nationwide campaign by the Trump administration — Bishop Michael Duca of Baton Rouge has issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass for those concerned for their safety.

 "In recent years, despite strong leadership and ongoing investment, Franciscan Media has encountered the same challenges facing Catholic and Christian publishing ministries," the outlet formerly known as St. Anthony Messenger said.

"I give thanks to God who has sustained me through this journey," Cardinal Robert McElroy said. "And I give thanks to all of you who have prayed to God for my healing. I believe those prayers were what led to this wonderful outcome."

"As Catholics, we believe that every person is beloved by God and created in his image," said Bishop Daniel Garcia. "Each child of God has value and dignity."