Boys Town founder Father Flanagan moves one step closer to sainthood — By: Catholic News Agency

Pope Leo XIV on Monday approved the advancement of the beatification cause for Boys Town founder Father Edward J. Flanagan, declaring him “venerable.” The Irish-born priest, revered for his revolutionary approach to caring for homeless and impoverished children in the 20th century, famously said there was “no such thing as a bad boy, only bad…

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Catholic bishops demand repeal of India state’s anti-conversion bill — By: Catholic News Agency

NAGPUR, India — Catholic leaders in one of India’s most populous states are demanding the repeal of a new law that criminalizes religious conversion — the 13th such measure enacted across the country under the ruling Hindu-nationalist government. “We protest this move. We have urged the government to repeal this law. Copies of our [Western…

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‘Thirst of their souls’ is awakening a new generation of catechumens in France, priest says — By: Catholic News Agency

The number of catechumens — people preparing to receive baptism — continues to grow robustly in France. After reaching the highest number in two decades in 2025, with a total of 10,384 baptisms during the Easter Vigil, several French dioceses indicated that this year the number could reach 20,000. Young people are seeking something transcendent…

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Judge says religious ministers must have access to detainees at Minnesota ICE facility — By: Catholic News Agency

Christian ministers including a Jesuit priest won a victory at federal court on March 20 when a U.S. district judge said the Department of Homeland Security must allow them formal pastoral access to detainees at a federal facility in Minneapolis. Judge Jerry Blackwell said in his ruling that the government “may not impose an access…

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