US bishops form new task force over AI concerns, meet with tech leaders French Church awaits ‘breath of new life’ from Pope Leo XIV’s visit DHS watchdog finds inhumane conditions at ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ including use of small enclosures National credibly-accused clergy database unveiled as Chicago Archdiocese abuse payouts exceed $400M How can a priest deal pastorally with those who are quick to suspect people of being Freemasons? Local News Archbishop Spalding wrestler breaks barriers as she eyes the Olympics Nelson Coffin September 16, 2026 Although Taina Fernandez looks forward to her senior year at Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, she also has major plans following graduation. An elite athlete and the first girl to claim a wrestling title against boys in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association – arguably the most challenging prep league in the state – Fernandez has her sights set on a berth in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. IND Alumnae Association establishes scholarship endowments at Mercy, Mount de Sales Catholic Review Staff September 15, 2026 The Institute of Notre Dame Alumnae Association has established endowed scholarship funds at Mercy High School in Baltimore and Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville, providing a combined $50,000 investment to support incoming students with family ties to the former Institute of Notre Dame. Mount St. Joseph inducts 12 alumni into Athletic Hall of Fame Catholic Review Staff September 15, 2026 As part of its 150th anniversary celebration, Mount St. Joseph High School in Irvington inducted 12 distinguished alumni into its Athletic Hall of Fame Sept. 11. Deacon Wayne Matthews, longtime church leader and scientist, dies at 81 Lisa Harlow September 15, 2026 Deacon Wayne Matthews, whose ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore strengthened parish life and expanded outreach programs across Western Maryland, died Aug. 28 at age 81. More Local News World News US bishops form new task force over AI concerns, meet with tech leaders Gina Christian September 16, 2026 Amid recent calls from several artificial intelligence leaders for a slowdown in the technology’s development, the nation’s Catholic bishops are engaging tech leaders and lawmakers to address concerns over AI and online child safety. French Church awaits ‘breath of new life’ from Pope Leo XIV’s visit Caroline de Sury September 16, 2026 With a little over a week left in France to welcome Pope Leo XIV, the country’s Catholics hope for a “breath” of “new life” into their Church from the pope. DHS watchdog finds inhumane conditions at ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ including use of small enclosures Kate Scanlon September 16, 2026 Dozens of immigrants detained at Florida’s now-shuttered “Alligator Alcatraz” were held in 18-square-foot outdoor cages — about the same size as telephone booths — according to a new report by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. National credibly-accused clergy database unveiled as Chicago Archdiocese abuse payouts exceed $400M Simone Orendain September 16, 2026 A St. Paul, Minnesota-based firm announced a new abuse settlement with the Archdiocese of Chicago, which has already paid out more than $400 million to abuse survivors, while also unveiling a national database of clergy it says are credibly accused of sexual abuse. More World News Commentary How can a priest deal pastorally with those who are quick to suspect people of being Freemasons? Jenna Marie Cooper September 16, 2026 Q: As a parish priest, I found your recent article on the Church’s teaching on Freemasonry interesting, and I have a follow-up question: How can one deal pastorally with parishioners who are quick to suspect people of being Freemasons? I can think of one or two parishioners who are convinced the Vatican is infiltrated by Freemasons, and anybody in Church life they in any way disagree with must be a Freemason. They can be frustrating, as it’s hard to argue with them without them turning around and saying that you must be a Freemason! (Ireland) Front-row seat Rita Buettner September 16, 2026 We bring our children to Mass. We slide into the front row in hopes it will bring our children closer to God. We pray for them every day. We ask God to help us be everything they need us to be. And they do find their way. Our mother in joy and sorrow Rita Buettner September 13, 2026 Mary knows the breadth of joy and she knows the depth of sorrow. She understands how to accompany us through life’s joys and sorrows. Pondering what Gloria Steinem now knows Elizabeth Scalia September 9, 2026 It is understandable that so many attributed the words to Steinem, who died Sept. 2 at age 92; not only did she gleefully repeat them, her own rhetoric echoed or expanded on the sentiments as she became the face of second wave feminism for six decades. Question Corner: Can I receive Communion even if I didn’t attend the whole Mass? Jenna Marie Cooper September 9, 2026 Q: I’m a Catholic working at a funeral home and assisting at many Catholic funerals. I’m not always in the church for the entirety of Mass. I’m sometimes out during the Gospel and homily or after Communion since I’m helping with the arrangements. Since it’s not fulfilling my Sunday obligation, is it still OK for me to receive Communion to offer up for the deceased if I’m not there for the entire Mass? (Illinois) More Commentary Featured Video Archbishop William E. Lori celebrated the annual Blue Mass Sept. 13 at St. Joseph’s Monastery in Irvington to honor all first responders in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. This tradition sees unity and strength among the local Catholic community and police and fire units representing parishes across the archdiocese.
Archbishop Spalding wrestler breaks barriers as she eyes the Olympics Nelson Coffin September 16, 2026 Although Taina Fernandez looks forward to her senior year at Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, she also has major plans following graduation. An elite athlete and the first girl to claim a wrestling title against boys in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association – arguably the most challenging prep league in the state – Fernandez has her sights set on a berth in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
IND Alumnae Association establishes scholarship endowments at Mercy, Mount de Sales Catholic Review Staff September 15, 2026 The Institute of Notre Dame Alumnae Association has established endowed scholarship funds at Mercy High School in Baltimore and Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville, providing a combined $50,000 investment to support incoming students with family ties to the former Institute of Notre Dame.
Mount St. Joseph inducts 12 alumni into Athletic Hall of Fame Catholic Review Staff September 15, 2026 As part of its 150th anniversary celebration, Mount St. Joseph High School in Irvington inducted 12 distinguished alumni into its Athletic Hall of Fame Sept. 11.
Deacon Wayne Matthews, longtime church leader and scientist, dies at 81 Lisa Harlow September 15, 2026 Deacon Wayne Matthews, whose ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore strengthened parish life and expanded outreach programs across Western Maryland, died Aug. 28 at age 81.
US bishops form new task force over AI concerns, meet with tech leaders Gina Christian September 16, 2026 Amid recent calls from several artificial intelligence leaders for a slowdown in the technology’s development, the nation’s Catholic bishops are engaging tech leaders and lawmakers to address concerns over AI and online child safety.
French Church awaits ‘breath of new life’ from Pope Leo XIV’s visit Caroline de Sury September 16, 2026 With a little over a week left in France to welcome Pope Leo XIV, the country’s Catholics hope for a “breath” of “new life” into their Church from the pope.
DHS watchdog finds inhumane conditions at ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ including use of small enclosures Kate Scanlon September 16, 2026 Dozens of immigrants detained at Florida’s now-shuttered “Alligator Alcatraz” were held in 18-square-foot outdoor cages — about the same size as telephone booths — according to a new report by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.
National credibly-accused clergy database unveiled as Chicago Archdiocese abuse payouts exceed $400M Simone Orendain September 16, 2026 A St. Paul, Minnesota-based firm announced a new abuse settlement with the Archdiocese of Chicago, which has already paid out more than $400 million to abuse survivors, while also unveiling a national database of clergy it says are credibly accused of sexual abuse.
How can a priest deal pastorally with those who are quick to suspect people of being Freemasons? Jenna Marie Cooper September 16, 2026 Q: As a parish priest, I found your recent article on the Church’s teaching on Freemasonry interesting, and I have a follow-up question: How can one deal pastorally with parishioners who are quick to suspect people of being Freemasons? I can think of one or two parishioners who are convinced the Vatican is infiltrated by Freemasons, and anybody in Church life they in any way disagree with must be a Freemason. They can be frustrating, as it’s hard to argue with them without them turning around and saying that you must be a Freemason! (Ireland)
Front-row seat Rita Buettner September 16, 2026 We bring our children to Mass. We slide into the front row in hopes it will bring our children closer to God. We pray for them every day. We ask God to help us be everything they need us to be. And they do find their way.
Our mother in joy and sorrow Rita Buettner September 13, 2026 Mary knows the breadth of joy and she knows the depth of sorrow. She understands how to accompany us through life’s joys and sorrows.
Pondering what Gloria Steinem now knows Elizabeth Scalia September 9, 2026 It is understandable that so many attributed the words to Steinem, who died Sept. 2 at age 92; not only did she gleefully repeat them, her own rhetoric echoed or expanded on the sentiments as she became the face of second wave feminism for six decades.
Question Corner: Can I receive Communion even if I didn’t attend the whole Mass? Jenna Marie Cooper September 9, 2026 Q: I’m a Catholic working at a funeral home and assisting at many Catholic funerals. I’m not always in the church for the entirety of Mass. I’m sometimes out during the Gospel and homily or after Communion since I’m helping with the arrangements. Since it’s not fulfilling my Sunday obligation, is it still OK for me to receive Communion to offer up for the deceased if I’m not there for the entire Mass? (Illinois)
