Makary out as FDA commissioner after tumultuous tenure, pro-life criticism As Planned Parenthood defunding nears expiration, USCCB pro-life chair backs bill to block funds Israeli soldiers punished after desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon First-ever pilgrimage celebrates Pope Leo with Mass, visits to papal boyhood landmarks Can intelligent extraterrestrial life exist? Here’s what Catholic thinkers have to say Local News Archbishop Lori will ordain 12 transitional deacons May 16 George P. Matysek Jr. May 12, 2026 Archbishop William E. Lori will ordain 12 transitional deacons during a 10 a.m. Mass May 16 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. Radio Interview: Why a world-class pianist gave up a promising career to become a priest Catholic Review Staff May 11, 2026 He was once a rising concert pianist, performing for audiences around the world – until he answered a call he could not ignore. George Matysek speaks with Sulpician Father Paul Maillet about his journey from the concert stage to the priesthood. ‘Present’: Archbishop Lori ordains 14 permanent deacons at solemn, yet joy-filled Mass George P. Matysek Jr. May 10, 2026 Archbishop William E. Lori ordained 14 permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Baltimore at a joy-filled Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. Among them was a man who defied a devastating diagnosis to fulfill his calling – and 13 others with their own stories of faith, family and perseverance. Archdiocesan staff celebrates Archbishop Lori’s 75th birthday Christopher Gunty May 8, 2026 Archbishop William E. Lori observed his 75th birthday May 7 with a celebration with Catholic Center staff in Baltimore. More Local News World News Makary out as FDA commissioner after tumultuous tenure, pro-life criticism Kate Scanlon May 12, 2026 President Donald Trump on May 12 confirmed that Marty Makary, the embattled FDA commissioner criticized by pro-life advocates and others, will depart from his post. As Planned Parenthood defunding nears expiration, USCCB pro-life chair backs bill to block funds Kate Scanlon May 12, 2026 Ahead of the July 4 expiration of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act provision that eliminated Medicaid funds to health providers who also perform abortions, the U.S. bishops’ pro-life chairman expressed support for legislation that would block federal Title X family-planning grants and funds from going to those entities. Israeli soldiers punished after desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon Paulina Guzik May 12, 2026 An Israeli soldier has been sentenced to 21 days of military detention for placing a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon, while another soldier who photographed the act received a 14-day sentence, the Israeli army said May 11. First-ever pilgrimage celebrates Pope Leo with Mass, visits to papal boyhood landmarks Simone Orendain May 12, 2026 On the first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s election, a group promoting the Catholic faith in Chicago’s south suburbs led an inaugural pilgrimage to his boyhood home and the church he attended as a boy. More World News Commentary ‘Congratulations!’ What moms want to hear in facing challenging or unexpected pregnancies Molly Sheahan May 10, 2026 Jess Echeverry knows how it feels to face pregnancy and motherhood alone. She experienced trauma, homelessness and three unexpected pregnancies before age 22. Dorothy Day: Catholic Worker founder pioneered a faith-based alternative to secularist progressivism Russell Shaw May 9, 2026 Dorothy Day was co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement and longtime editor of the penny-a-copy newspaper of the same name. From the mid-1930s to the early 1980s, she preached radical Christianity and no less radical social activism to a sometimes appreciative, sometimes puzzled, sometimes angry audience of American Catholics. The Mom Friends You Need Rita Buettner May 8, 2026 Before becoming a mother, I had no idea how important my relationships with other mothers would be. Mary’s interior freedom Archbishop William E. Lori May 8, 2026 Among the many beautiful feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Visitation. This year it falls on a Sunday and so won’t be celebrated in the liturgy. Nevertheless, it should not be passed over in silence. Among its important lessons is the beauty of interior freedom – Mary’s interior freedom. Bench to brilliance Mark Viviano May 7, 2026 When Mark Scallion arrived at Mount St. Mary’s, the former high school star found himself sitting on the bench. Instead of giving up, he embraced a new role — and made college basketball history in the process. More Commentary Featured Video Veteran Vatican journalist Gerard O’Connell joins Vatican Access to discuss the inside story of the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in history.
Archbishop Lori will ordain 12 transitional deacons May 16 George P. Matysek Jr. May 12, 2026 Archbishop William E. Lori will ordain 12 transitional deacons during a 10 a.m. Mass May 16 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.
Radio Interview: Why a world-class pianist gave up a promising career to become a priest Catholic Review Staff May 11, 2026 He was once a rising concert pianist, performing for audiences around the world – until he answered a call he could not ignore. George Matysek speaks with Sulpician Father Paul Maillet about his journey from the concert stage to the priesthood.
‘Present’: Archbishop Lori ordains 14 permanent deacons at solemn, yet joy-filled Mass George P. Matysek Jr. May 10, 2026 Archbishop William E. Lori ordained 14 permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Baltimore at a joy-filled Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. Among them was a man who defied a devastating diagnosis to fulfill his calling – and 13 others with their own stories of faith, family and perseverance.
Archdiocesan staff celebrates Archbishop Lori’s 75th birthday Christopher Gunty May 8, 2026 Archbishop William E. Lori observed his 75th birthday May 7 with a celebration with Catholic Center staff in Baltimore.
Makary out as FDA commissioner after tumultuous tenure, pro-life criticism Kate Scanlon May 12, 2026 President Donald Trump on May 12 confirmed that Marty Makary, the embattled FDA commissioner criticized by pro-life advocates and others, will depart from his post.
As Planned Parenthood defunding nears expiration, USCCB pro-life chair backs bill to block funds Kate Scanlon May 12, 2026 Ahead of the July 4 expiration of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act provision that eliminated Medicaid funds to health providers who also perform abortions, the U.S. bishops’ pro-life chairman expressed support for legislation that would block federal Title X family-planning grants and funds from going to those entities.
Israeli soldiers punished after desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon Paulina Guzik May 12, 2026 An Israeli soldier has been sentenced to 21 days of military detention for placing a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon, while another soldier who photographed the act received a 14-day sentence, the Israeli army said May 11.
First-ever pilgrimage celebrates Pope Leo with Mass, visits to papal boyhood landmarks Simone Orendain May 12, 2026 On the first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s election, a group promoting the Catholic faith in Chicago’s south suburbs led an inaugural pilgrimage to his boyhood home and the church he attended as a boy.
‘Congratulations!’ What moms want to hear in facing challenging or unexpected pregnancies Molly Sheahan May 10, 2026 Jess Echeverry knows how it feels to face pregnancy and motherhood alone. She experienced trauma, homelessness and three unexpected pregnancies before age 22.
Dorothy Day: Catholic Worker founder pioneered a faith-based alternative to secularist progressivism Russell Shaw May 9, 2026 Dorothy Day was co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement and longtime editor of the penny-a-copy newspaper of the same name. From the mid-1930s to the early 1980s, she preached radical Christianity and no less radical social activism to a sometimes appreciative, sometimes puzzled, sometimes angry audience of American Catholics.
The Mom Friends You Need Rita Buettner May 8, 2026 Before becoming a mother, I had no idea how important my relationships with other mothers would be.
Mary’s interior freedom Archbishop William E. Lori May 8, 2026 Among the many beautiful feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Visitation. This year it falls on a Sunday and so won’t be celebrated in the liturgy. Nevertheless, it should not be passed over in silence. Among its important lessons is the beauty of interior freedom – Mary’s interior freedom.
Bench to brilliance Mark Viviano May 7, 2026 When Mark Scallion arrived at Mount St. Mary’s, the former high school star found himself sitting on the bench. Instead of giving up, he embraced a new role — and made college basketball history in the process.
