Father Norvel, first Black superior general for U.S. men’s religious community, dies at 90 Amid measles uptick, infectious diseases specialist says Church recommends vaccination U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is failing the Church’s just war test, bishops warn Deacon Stretmater, father of 11 who ministered at Howard County parish, dies at 101 Pope Leo XIV meets with evacuated Tehran cardinal as U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran continue Local News Father Norvel, first Black superior general for U.S. men’s religious community, dies at 90 George P. Matysek Jr. March 12, 2026 Josephite Father William Norvel, a forceful voice for Black Catholic identity who spent more than six decades challenging the institutional church to live up to its claim of being universal, died March 8. He was 90. Deacon Stretmater, father of 11 who ministered at Howard County parish, dies at 101 Jay Sorgi March 12, 2026 The word “presence” defined the way Deacon Daniel Stretmater ministered, living a life to evoke Christ’s presence through everything he did in his 101 years of life, including actively serving for a quarter-century at St. Louis in Clarksville. Franciscan Center unveils new partnership to help with water, energy bills Catholic Review Staff March 11, 2026 Continuing its mission to provide outreach to the economically disadvantaged, Baltimore’s Franciscan Center began a new partnership March 5 to provide assistance with water and energy bills. Mount St. Mary’s alumnus David Ginty wins world’s largest brain research prize Catholic Review Staff March 11, 2026 Dr. David Ginty, a 1984 graduate of Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, has been named a recipient of The Brain Prize, the world’s largest neuroscience research award. More Local News World News Supreme Court asked to end temporary protections for Haitians backed by U.S. bishops Kate Scanlon March 13, 2026 The Trump administration on March 11 asked the U.S. Supreme Court to pause a ruling by a federal judge that barred the government from ending a program temporarily shielding eligible Haitians living in the U.S. from deportation. The move has been opposed by bishops as “not realistic” given the turmoil in their country of origin. Birthright citizenship order to impact more than children of migrants, Senate panel hears Kurt Jensen March 13, 2026 A Senate subcommittee hearing held March 10 on President Donald Trump’s executive order to restrict access to birthright citizenship guaranteed in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution examined arguments about what the amendment’s language regarding “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” meant when originally drafted. Pope’s Robin Hood wraps almoner’s mission and returns to Polish hometown as archbishop Paulina Guzik March 13, 2026 After 13 years of daring acts of charity that made him break the law in the name of the Gospel and elevate Rome’s homeless to the heart of the Church, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the pope’s “Robin Hood” leaves Rome after nearly three decades to become archbishop of Lódz, Poland. Pope Leo XIV names Benedictine monk as bishop of Belleville Diocese in Illinois Courtney Mares March 13, 2026 Pope Leo XIV has named Father Godfrey Mullen, a Benedictine monk, as the new bishop of Belleville, Ill. More World News Commentary The beauty of Ballerina Farm mom’s nine kids Katie Yoder March 13, 2026 Instead of judging families because they look different, we should be walking with them. We should embrace a world of variety, not a cookie-cutter life. Prayer, sacrifice and charity in season of Lent Silvio Cuéllar March 13, 2026 We are now in the season of Lent, a time that invites us to pause in our routines and focus on three spiritual pillars: prayer, sacrifice and charity. Just war theory in the age of AI weapons and the ‘Department of War’ Charles C. Camosy March 12, 2026 What does the Catholic Church have to say about war? How does the concept of a “just war” which has roots in St. Augustine’s writings relate to modern warfare? And what does a discussion of the ethics of war look like with modern weaponry, including weapons made with artificial intelligence? Yes and no George P. Matysek Jr. March 12, 2026 In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Jesus tells us to let our “yes” mean “yes” and our “no” mean “no,” warning that anything more is from the evil one. Scripture scholars explain that he was condemning the misuse of oaths and calling his followers to live in truth. But I couldn’t help thinking that he was also calling us to something deeper: an integrity of heart. Question Corner: Can you use a deconsecrated altar for other purposes? Jenna Marie Cooper March 11, 2026 while a church building that could no longer be used for its original purpose might in some cases lawfully be sold and re-purposed as something like a museum or private residence, this relegation or re-purposing would not affect the status of the altar it once contained. More Commentary Featured Video Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s bid to become the first team to earn back-to-back Baltimore Catholic League Tournament and Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference basketball titles started quickly and promptly hit a snag against St. Frances Academy March 4 at Loyola University Maryland’s Reitz Arena.
Father Norvel, first Black superior general for U.S. men’s religious community, dies at 90 George P. Matysek Jr. March 12, 2026 Josephite Father William Norvel, a forceful voice for Black Catholic identity who spent more than six decades challenging the institutional church to live up to its claim of being universal, died March 8. He was 90.
Deacon Stretmater, father of 11 who ministered at Howard County parish, dies at 101 Jay Sorgi March 12, 2026 The word “presence” defined the way Deacon Daniel Stretmater ministered, living a life to evoke Christ’s presence through everything he did in his 101 years of life, including actively serving for a quarter-century at St. Louis in Clarksville.
Franciscan Center unveils new partnership to help with water, energy bills Catholic Review Staff March 11, 2026 Continuing its mission to provide outreach to the economically disadvantaged, Baltimore’s Franciscan Center began a new partnership March 5 to provide assistance with water and energy bills.
Mount St. Mary’s alumnus David Ginty wins world’s largest brain research prize Catholic Review Staff March 11, 2026 Dr. David Ginty, a 1984 graduate of Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, has been named a recipient of The Brain Prize, the world’s largest neuroscience research award.
Supreme Court asked to end temporary protections for Haitians backed by U.S. bishops Kate Scanlon March 13, 2026 The Trump administration on March 11 asked the U.S. Supreme Court to pause a ruling by a federal judge that barred the government from ending a program temporarily shielding eligible Haitians living in the U.S. from deportation. The move has been opposed by bishops as “not realistic” given the turmoil in their country of origin.
Birthright citizenship order to impact more than children of migrants, Senate panel hears Kurt Jensen March 13, 2026 A Senate subcommittee hearing held March 10 on President Donald Trump’s executive order to restrict access to birthright citizenship guaranteed in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution examined arguments about what the amendment’s language regarding “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” meant when originally drafted.
Pope’s Robin Hood wraps almoner’s mission and returns to Polish hometown as archbishop Paulina Guzik March 13, 2026 After 13 years of daring acts of charity that made him break the law in the name of the Gospel and elevate Rome’s homeless to the heart of the Church, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the pope’s “Robin Hood” leaves Rome after nearly three decades to become archbishop of Lódz, Poland.
Pope Leo XIV names Benedictine monk as bishop of Belleville Diocese in Illinois Courtney Mares March 13, 2026 Pope Leo XIV has named Father Godfrey Mullen, a Benedictine monk, as the new bishop of Belleville, Ill.
The beauty of Ballerina Farm mom’s nine kids Katie Yoder March 13, 2026 Instead of judging families because they look different, we should be walking with them. We should embrace a world of variety, not a cookie-cutter life.
Prayer, sacrifice and charity in season of Lent Silvio Cuéllar March 13, 2026 We are now in the season of Lent, a time that invites us to pause in our routines and focus on three spiritual pillars: prayer, sacrifice and charity.
Just war theory in the age of AI weapons and the ‘Department of War’ Charles C. Camosy March 12, 2026 What does the Catholic Church have to say about war? How does the concept of a “just war” which has roots in St. Augustine’s writings relate to modern warfare? And what does a discussion of the ethics of war look like with modern weaponry, including weapons made with artificial intelligence?
Yes and no George P. Matysek Jr. March 12, 2026 In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Jesus tells us to let our “yes” mean “yes” and our “no” mean “no,” warning that anything more is from the evil one. Scripture scholars explain that he was condemning the misuse of oaths and calling his followers to live in truth. But I couldn’t help thinking that he was also calling us to something deeper: an integrity of heart.
Question Corner: Can you use a deconsecrated altar for other purposes? Jenna Marie Cooper March 11, 2026 while a church building that could no longer be used for its original purpose might in some cases lawfully be sold and re-purposed as something like a museum or private residence, this relegation or re-purposing would not affect the status of the altar it once contained.
