Multistate lawsuit challenges ‘gender conditions’ tied to HHS funding — By: Catholic News Agency

Credit: JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock Jan 14, 2026 / 17:55 pm (CNA). Twelve states filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Jan. 13, seeking to block what they call unlawful “gender conditions” imposed on billions of dollars in federal health, education, and research grants. The plaintiff states — New York,…

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UPDATE: ICE deported Minnesota church employee, surveilled parish during Mass, mayor says — By: Catholic News Agency

Church employee Francisco Paredes, 46, was handcuffed by ICE Dec. 4, 2025. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Francisco Paredes Jan 9, 2026 / 15:01 pm (CNA). U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents surveilled St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Hopkins, Minnesota, on Epiphany after deporting the parish’s beloved maintenance worker to Mexico five…

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Dictatorship in Nicaragua releases dozens of political prisoners after U.S. pressure — By: Catholic News Agency

Daniel Ortega, dictator of Nicaragua. | Credit: Council of Communication and Citizenship of the Government of Nicaragua – el19digital.com (CC0 1.0) Jan 12, 2026 / 16:21 pm (CNA). The Nicaraguan dictatorship announced on Jan. 10 the release of “dozens of people” who were imprisoned following pressure from the United States and coinciding with the 19th…

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House Republican budget plan would permanently defund Planned Parenthood — By: Catholic News Agency

Republicans say they are crafting a bill to permanently defund Planned Parenthood Jan. 13, 2026. | Credit: usarmyband, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Jan 14, 2026 / 16:19 pm (CNA). House Republican lawmakers unveiled a framework that outlines their budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes permanently defunding large abortion providers such…

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Vatican prosecutor steps aside as London property trial appeal moves forward — By: Catholic News Agency

Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu in 2019. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN Jan 14, 2026 / 11:45 am (CNA). The Vatican’s Court of Cassation has cleared the way for the appeal phase of the Secretariat of State funds trial — commonly tied in headlines to Cardinal Angelo Becciu — rejecting last-ditch procedural challenges and accepting the recusal of Vatican…

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Catholic bishops of the Philippines tap veteran EWTN executive for communications post — By: Catholic News Agency

Veteran EWTN executive Edwin Lopez is the new executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Commission on Social Communications. | Credit: EWTN Jan 14, 2026 / 12:35 pm (CNA). Edwin Lopez, who for more than two decades has served as EWTN’s regional manager for Asia-Pacific, has been appointed as the new executive…

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Homeland Security Department says rule will address religious worker visa backlog — By: Catholic News Agency

Credit: Lisa F. Young/Shutterstock Jan 14, 2026 / 10:25 am (CNA). The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it is addressing a religious worker visa backlog with rules that will reduce wait times and disruptions in ministry for faith-based communities. “Under the leadership of Secretary [Kristi] Noem, DHS is committed to protecting and preserving freedom…

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