Bishop John Ricard, Josephite who served as first Black Catholic prelate in Florida, dead at 86
The Louisiana-born leader ministered for nearly six decades, serving as a mental health professional, parish priest, bishop, and administrator.
In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV apologizes for Vatican role in slavery, discusses dangers of AI
The lengthy new document covers the nature of emerging technology, its effects on respect for human dignity, and the risk of modern bondage.
St. Patrick Catholic Church slated for closure amid Diocese of Oakland bankruptcy
The diocese, which plans to close 13 parishes, is seeking approval of a $180 million settlement concerning child sex abuse dating back decades.
Six U.S.-born Black Catholics set for ordination to diaconate, priesthood in 2026
They are among at least nine North American Black Catholics receiving Holy Orders this year in the United States.
Fr Darrell Kelly, SVD, Mississippi-born priest who served in the South, dead at 64
Ordained in his 40s, Kelly served African-American parishes in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, before health issues forced his retirement.
Auxiliary Bishop-elect Robert Boxie of Washington to be consecrated July 7
The 45-year-old chaplain is set to become the nation's youngest Catholic prelate and the latest African-American auxiliary bishop in Washington.
Virginia Supreme Court nixes Democrats' congressional map amid voting rights fracas
The 4-3 ruling from a conservative-majority bench said a spring voter referendum was authorized improperly in violation of the state constitution.
Virginia flags lowered to honor Dr. Cerina Fairfax, dentist killed in murder-suicide
The 49-year-old Catholic had initiated divorce proceedings before being shot and killed by her husband, former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, in April.
'A theological and moral voice': Chicago conference explores Pope Leo XIV—past, present, and future
Scholars and journalists spoke at the two-day event on the American pontiff, his roots and experiences in the global Church, and his current voice.
Fr Robert Boxie III named Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, youngest U.S. Catholic prelate
The 45-year-old former attorney has served as the Catholic chaplain for Howard University since 2020, seeing sustained success at the HBCU.
'This is holy ground': Catholics celebrate announcement of shrine to Venerable Augustus Tolton
Hundreds gathered at the former St. Boniface Church in Quincy, Ill., where Tolton once said a Mass as the nation's first openly Black Catholic priest.
'We are them. They are us.': St. Louis Catholics gather for workshop unpacking racism, the Church's response
The event, based on the USCCB’s 2018 letter “Open Wide Our Hearts," was organized by the Office of Racial Harmony and Black Catholic Ministries.
Best they ever Sawe: Kenyan Catholic shatters marathon world record, breaks two-hour barrier
Sabastian Sawe, 31, defended his London Marathon title in a historic race that saw two runners break two hours, and three best the previous WR.
Shrine to Venerable Augustus Tolton planned at shuttered church in Quincy, Illinois
The former St. Boniface Catholic Church, where Tolton once studied as a child and later celebrated Mass, was named a city landmark in 2024.
Xavier University of Louisiana national champions in competitive cheer for second time in four years
The Gold Rush dethroned three-peat champions St. Ambrose with a strong final-day performance to capture the school's second-ever red banner.
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, wife Cerina dead in murder-suicide
Police say the 47-year-old Black Catholic attorney was in the midst of a "messy" divorce and had falsely accused his wife of assault in January.