U.S.
Supreme Court declines case seeking to overturn same-sex marriage ruling
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court declined Nov. 10 a case that asked it to revisit its landmark ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The 2015 ruling overturned state laws defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman, a decision the head of the U.S. Catholic bishops at the time called a “tragic error.” Many legal scholars questioned the merits of the case itself, so the court’s move was expected. However, in the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned the court’s previous abortion precedent, Justice Clarence Thomas filed a concurrence arguing the justices should “reconsider all of this Court’s substantive due process precedents,” including Obergefell. At the time Obergefell was decided, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, then-president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the court’s 5-4 decision was as wrong as the high court’s decision in 1973 to legalize abortion nationwide with Roe v. Wade. He called it “profoundly immoral and unjust for the government to declare that two people of the same sex can constitute a marriage,” emphasizing that “Jesus Christ, with great love, taught unambiguously that from the beginning marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman.” (OSV News)
Former diocesan fundraising director indicted on wire fraud for alleged theft
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A former director of stewardship and development for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri, has been arrested and charged with theft, with federal prosecutors alleging he stole more than $150,000 using his diocesan credit card. A grand jury indicted 44-year-old Jeremy Lillig Oct. 29 on one count of wire fraud for the offenses, which were reported to have taken place from 2017 to about March 2021. Lillig had worked for the diocese until October 2023 as director of the Bright Futures Fund, an independent nonprofit providing tuition for three Kansas City Catholic schools. Lillig was arrested and arraigned Nov. 4. He pleaded not guilty. Lillig is set to go on trial in March. (OSV News)
Abp. Fabre prays for comfort, peace, healing after deadly crash of UPS cargo plane
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Saying he was deeply saddened, Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of Louisville prayed for comfort, peace and healing after the deadly crash of a UPS cargo plane at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Nov. 4. UPS flight 2976 to Honolulu caught fire and crashed just beyond the runway on departure. Three crew members were on board the MD-11 aircraft. They are among 12 people who were confirmed dead late Nov. 5, and the death toll could continue to climb, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said Nov. 6. “I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families who are mourning the death of their loved ones. May God comfort and strengthen them during this difficult time,” Archbishop Fabre said in a statement Nov. 5. “I invite you to join me in praying for the repose of the souls of those killed, the healing of those injured, and their families.”
WORLD
‘Leo from Chicago:’ Vatican releases new documentary on pope’s early years
VATICAN CITY — A new Vatican documentary is offering a closer look at the humble beginnings of Pope Leo XIV. “Leo from Chicago,” released Nov. 10 on the Vatican News YouTube channel, traces the future pope’s early life in Dolton, Illinois, and his formation as an Augustinian. Vatican journalist Salvatore Cernuzio, who co-produced the film, says it’s “the story of an ordinary person who answered a calling to serve.” Produced by the Dicastery for Communication with the Archdiocese of Chicago and Catholic network ESNE, the film follows up on June’s “León de Perú,” which chronicled the pope’s missionary years in South America. Cernuzio said the new documentary highlights the pope’s consistency, compassion and down-to-earth character. “I hope that with this documentary, people will understand the guiding threads of his personality and how he lives out his charism and roles,” Cernuzio said. (OSV News)
Security for Syria’s religious minorities is disastrous, say religious freedom advocates
AMMAN, Jordan — In Syria, a new wave of violence is targeting Christians and other minorities — raising urgent questions about whether the war-torn country can rebuild without first securing its people. Human rights advocates say kidnappings, killings and looting have surged since Islamist factions tied to the new Sunni-led government took control in December 2024. The murder of Druze physician Hamza Shaheen near Damascus and attacks on Christians in Homs and Sweida have deepened fears of a broader sectarian campaign. Archbishop Jacques Mourad warned that “the Church in Syria is dying” as Christian families continue to flee. Faith leaders, including Patriarch John X, are urging President Ahmed al-Sharaa — a former Al-Qaeda leader — to protect Christian communities. “People are under all sorts of pressure. Don’t think we are heading towards greater freedom, religious or otherwise,” Archbishop Mourad of Homs said. (OSV News)
Diocese mourns death of kidnapped teen seminarian in Nigeria
AUCHI, Nigeria — The Diocese of Auchi in Nigeria is mourning the death of teenage seminarian Emmanuel Alabi, who died after being kidnapped with two classmates in July. Diocesan officials confirmed Nov. 4 that while seminarians Japhet Jesse and Joshua Aleobua were freed, Alabi “died in the course of the ordeal.” Bishop Gabriel Dunia expressed deep sorrow and urged Nigerian authorities to prioritize citizens’ safety amid worsening insecurity. The seminarians were abducted July 10 when gunmen attacked Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary, killing a security guard. It was the seminary’s second kidnapping in less than a year. In 2024, its rector, Father Thomas Oyode, was abducted after offering himself in place of students. A Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria report said 145 priests have been kidnapped in Nigeria since 2015, 11 of whom were killed. (OSV News)
