U.S.
Supreme Court sends challenge to abortion-coverage mandate back to NY courts
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on June 16 breathed new life into a long-running religious liberty case, Diocese of Albany v. Harris, by sending it back to the New York Court of Appeals. The case involves Catholic dioceses, women religious and faith-based ministries challenging a 2017 New York state mandate requiring most employers, including religious nonprofits, to cover abortions in employee health plans. New York’s exemption applies only to organizations that primarily serve and employ people of their own faith — a standard critics say excludes ministries like Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, who serve all in need in several New York locations. Becket, a legal group representing the petitioners, said the ruling offers hope that courts will ultimately protect religious groups from being forced to violate their beliefs. The Supreme Court instructed state judges to reconsider the case in light of a recent decision affirming religious tax exemptions for Catholic Charities in Wisconsin. (OSV News)
Over 20,000 permanent deacons serve Church, but death, retirement bring overall number down
WASHINGTON — The nation’s Catholic permanent deacons were estimated to number more than 20,000 in 2024 — but “as is the case with priests in the United States, there are not enough new permanent deacons being ordained to make up for the numbers who are retiring from active ministry and dying each year,” according to a new report. “A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate in 2025” was released June 12 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations. “Deacons serve an invaluable role in bringing the hope of the Gospel to all members of society,” said committee chair Bishop Earl Boyea of Lansing, Michigan. In the U.S., most permanent deacons in 2024 were at least age 50, married, white and college educated. The average minimum age for acceptance into formation was 32. (OSV News)
WORLD
Pope sets Sept. 7 for joint canonization of Blesseds Acutis and Frassati
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV will canonize Blesseds Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati together Sept. 7, the Vatican announced. Meeting with cardinals living in and visiting Rome for an ordinary public consistory June 13, the pope approved the new canonization date for the two young blesseds and set Oct. 19 as the date for the canonization of seven others. He announced the dates in Latin. The canonization of Blessed Acutis, a teenager known for his devotion to the Eucharist and creating an online exhibition of eucharistic miracles, had originally been scheduled for April 27 during the Jubilee of Teenagers. It was postponed following the death of Pope Francis April 21. Born in 1991 and raised in Milan, Blessed Acutis used his tech skills to evangelize and was noted for his joyful faith and compassion for others before dying of leukemia in 2006 at age 15. Blessed Frassati, born in 1901 into a prominent family in Turin, Italy, was admired for his deep spirituality, love for the poor and enthusiasm for life. He died at age 24. (CNS)
‘This is genocide,’ charity says as ‘barbaric massacres’ target Christians in Nigeria
MAKURDI, Nigeria — In Nigeria’s Benue state, tragedy struck as nearly 200 people — mostly displaced Christians — were killed in a June 13-14 attack near Makurdi. Pope Leo XIV condemned the “terrible massacre” during his Sunday Angelus, praying for peace and justice in Nigeria. Advocacy groups say Fulani militants targeted a Catholic town, reportedly in retaliation for Bishop Wilfred Anagbe’s testimony before U.S. and U.K. lawmakers on anti-Christian violence. Victims included infants, elderly and those sheltering at a local Catholic mission. Amnesty International and Nigerian bishops condemned the ongoing bloodshed, calling for urgent government action. Kidnappings of clergy continue, including that of Father Alphonsus Afina on June 1. Nigeria remains gripped by security crises, with over 2 million abductions reported in just one year. (OSV News)
Pope: Sport reveals beauty of God, teaches teamwork, humility, hope
VATICAN CITY — Sport, with its demands for self-giving, collaboration and perseverance, reflects the beauty and dynamic love of God, Pope Leo XIV said. Celebrating Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica June 15 to conclude the Jubilee of Sport, the pope told athletes and sports professionals that “every good and worthwhile human activity is in some way a reflection of God’s infinite beauty, and sport is certainly one of these.” The Mass, attended by a variety of teams and groups in colorful sporting jerseys, marked the conclusion of a weekend of celebrations of the world of sport throughout Rome. Pilgrims and athletes participated in events including a procession through the Holy Door, panel discussions with athletes on sports and hope, and a sports village in the center of the city intended to bring together the world of athletics with faith, prayer and fraternity. The celebration coincided with the feast of the Holy Trinity, a convergence the pope said was not accidental. Speaking on the relational nature of the Trinity, he noted how “the life of God is a kind of ‘dance’” of “mutual love.” He said, “Sport can thus help us to encounter the Triune God, because it challenges us to relate to others and with others, not only outwardly but also, and above all, interiorly.” (CNS)
Pope Leo to return to practice of ‘imposing’ pallium on new archbishops
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV will revive a tradition begun by St. John Paul II in 1983 by personally placing a pallium around the shoulders of recently named archbishops. The pallium, a 3-inch-wide woolen band with 14-inch strips hanging down the front and the back, is a liturgical vestment that symbolizes both unity with the pope and service to the people of God. Metropolitan archbishops — residential archbishops who preside over an ecclesiastical province — wear the pallium when celebrating Mass in their province. The Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff issued a formal notification June 11 that on the June 29 feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Pope Leo “will preside over the Eucharistic celebration, bless the palliums and impose them on the new metropolitan archbishops.” In 2015, Pope Francis had changed the ceremony, inviting new archbishops to be present for the blessing of the palliums but having the imposition take place in their archdioceses. (CNS)
