U.S. briefs
Judge shields more Catholic health providers as Illinois assisted suicide law takes effect
CHICAGO — A federal judge on Sept. 11 temporarily blocked Illinois from enforcing the state’s physician-assisted suicide law, which permits physicians to aid terminally ill adults in dying by suicide, against Catholic entities that challenged it in court. The judge granted a temporary restraining order to Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago, two orders of Catholic nuns and an Illinois pharmacist in response to their lawsuit, Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm v. Prince, filed earlier in September. The Catholic entities argued the law, which took effect Sept. 12, would require them to facilitate such deaths for their patients in violation of their faith. Cardinal Cupich also welcomed the decision in a statement, emphasizing the Church’s aim is “to stop the State from compelling Catholic healthcare providers to violate their conscience.” Specific “Catholic health care entities” under the authority of Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield, four Catholic doctors and Lutheran Care Center, a nursing home in south-central Illinois, were also previously shielded from the Illinois law in response to a separate lawsuit. (OSV News)
U.S. bishops urge Trump administration to end mass deportations of Haitians
WASHINGTON — Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has urged the Trump administration to end mass deportations to Haiti. A few weeks after Temporary Protected Status for Haiti was terminated, Archbishop Coakley wrote a letter to President Donald Trump on Sept. 8, saying, “I implore you to avoid further endangering innocent human life by ceasing the deportation of large numbers of people to Haiti at this time, particularly while there is not an adequate system in place to provide for their safe and orderly reception and reintegration.” The termination of the TPS designation for Haiti was effective July 27. TPS for El Salvador was scheduled to expire on Sept. 9, however, the Trump administration appeared to delay that expiration, saying it would make an announcement “at the appropriate time” and until then, “Salvadoran individuals present in the U.S. under TPS retain protection.” However, that statement left legal status for 200,000 Salvadoran immigrants uncertain, and their attorneys have said work permits have still expired. A grave humanitarian crisis and gang violence persist in Haiti. (OSV News)
Msgr. Roger Landry takes leave from Pontifical Missions Societies amid misconduct investigation
FALL RIVER, Mass. — Msgr. Roger J. Landry has taken a temporary leave from his position as director of the Pontifical Mission Societies USA, following allegations he violated priestly conduct codes for two dioceses with which he is affiliated. The news was announced by both TPMS USA and the Diocese of Fall River, where Msgr. Landry is incardinated, in separate statements issued on Sept. 11. Both statements confirmed the allegations, made by multiple individuals, do not involve minors. The diocesan statement noted an “initial investigation” was conducted by the Archdiocese of New York, with the Diocese of Fall River — having consulted with the archdiocese and “canonical advisors” — determining that “sufficient evidence exists to restrict him from the public exercise of priestly ministry, pending the resolution of this matter.” (OSV News)
Pope Leo XIV names new bishop for Metuchen, coadjutor of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has appointed Newark Auxiliary Bishop Michael A. Saporito as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey, the Vatican announced on Sept. 15. Saporito, 64, succeeds Bishop James F. Checchio, who was named archbishop of New Orleans earlier this year. The Diocese of Metuchen has been vacant since November 2025, when Archbishop Checchio was installed as coadjutor archbishop of New Orleans. A Newark native, Bishop Saporito has served as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Newark since 2020. He was ordained a priest in 1992. The Vatican also announced the resignation of Bishop Francis I. Malone, 76, of Shreveport, Louisiana, who submitted his resignation to the pope last year at the age of 75, as required by canon law. He named Bishop Robert W. Marshall of Alexandria, Louisiana, as apostolic administrator of the diocese. On Sept. 8, the pope also appointed Franciscan Father Gerardo Antonio Vargas Cruz, vicar for clergy of the Archdiocese of San Juan, Puerto Rico, as coadjutor bishop of the Diocese Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico. The Vatican announced the appointment on Sept. 8. Bishop-designate Vargas, 49, will assist Bishop Luis Francisco Miranda Rivera, a 72-year-old Carmelite who has led the diocese since 2020. As coadjutor bishop, the bishop-designate has the right of succession and will automatically become bishop when Bishop Miranda retires. Born Dec. 2, 1976, in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Bishop-designate Vargas joined the Order of Friars Minor in the Franciscan Custody of the Caribbean and completed his novitiate in the Dominican Republic. He later studied at Universidad Central de Bayamón in Puerto Rico, earning degrees in social service and divinity. After making his solemn profession in 2004, he was ordained to the priesthood on Aug. 12, 2006. (OSV News)
World briefs
Pro-life advocates welcome defeat of assisted suicide bill in England and Wales
LONDON — The Catholic Church in England and Wales welcomed the Sept. 11 defeat of a bill that would have legalized assisted suicide for terminally ill adults. Members of Parliament rejected the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in a 286 to 270 vote. Archbishop John Sherrington of Liverpool, the bishops’ conference lead on life issues, thanked lawmakers and campaigners who opposed the measure, including medical professionals, disability advocates, faith groups “and those of no faith who stood up for the dignity and sanctity of every life.” The archbishop said society should respond to illness, disability and old age with “solidarity, care and respect,” adding that better access to palliative care remains the most effective response to end-of-life suffering. The measure marked the fifth attempt in 12 years to decriminalize assisted suicide in the U.K. It faced opposition from major medical organizations and disability groups. Pro-life advocates called the vote a major victory for vulnerable people. (OSV News)
Mozambique bishops say questions remain unanswered 3 months after bishop’s murder
MAPUTO, Mozambique — Catholic bishops in Mozambique say they remain perplexed and deeply grieved over the lack of answers three months after the assassination of Bishop Osório Citora Afonso. The prelate was found shot to death at his Quelimane residence in the early hours of June 6. In a Sept. 4 statement concluding their plenary assembly, the bishops’ conference pressed authorities for answers, noting investigators have released no details identifying who ordered or carried out the killing, nor any motive. The bishops called the slaying a harsh blow to the nation’s Church, which continues to mourn a young leader described as a pastor who loved peace and his people. Bishop Citora Afonso’s violent death “at the hands of an assassin was a harsh blow to the heart of the Catholic Church in Mozambique and continues to cause us grief.” (OSV News)
