French bishops condemn ‘unacceptable violence’ as riots sweep nation #Catholic – 
(OSV News) — France’s bishops condemned “unacceptable violence” that “gripped” the country over the Oct. 17-18 weekend, saying the scenes of rioting “plunged the country into shock, fear, and despair, raising numerous questions about the root causes of this crisis,” the bishops wrote in their Oct. 19 statement.
“We urge everyone not to be drawn into the spiral of this deadly violence: our country deserves better,” the bishops wrote, expressing their outrage at law enforcement officers being attacked and injured, shops looted, public property damaged, and buildings representing state institutions vandalized.
“We wish to express our support and solidarity with all those who have suffered injuries, as well as with the many shopkeepers who have been victims of this vandalism,” the bishops said.
Other Church leaders and commentators joined the bishops in their appeals for peaceful solution to the crisis, urging that it’s time for citizens to become peacemakers and reject growing division, with Pope Leo XIV’s recent apostolic visit to the country remembered as a signpost to follow.
Tragic violence that destroyed historic buildings
Initially called to protest the rising cost of living, the Oct. 17 demonstrations came amid a high school student protest movement that had evolved into a wider urban uprising since late September. Joined by far-left activists and masked rioters, some demonstrators clashed with police, leaving hundreds of officers injured, and carried out attacks on schools and other public property.
Rioters smashed storefronts to loot shops, with desperate owners trying to protect their property, and set cars on fire in numerous cities across France.
City halls and public buildings were attacked, severely damaged or completely destroyed. Limoges City Hall, a historic 19th-century building in central France, was almost entirely ravaged by a spectacular fire.
Cardinal Aveline: France deserves better
The president of the bishops’ conference, Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille, also condemned “unacceptable violence” in his Oct. 18 statement.
“Let us not get caught up in the spiral of this violence,” Cardinal Aveline said. “Our city and our country deserve better than this. Together with all believers, let us pray for an end to these disturbances and for peace to return.”
Cardinal Aveline, who witnessed the violence in Marseille, France’s second-largest city, wrote that “our city, like many others in France, has been the victim of unacceptable violence.”
“On the sidelines of planned demonstrations, shops were looted, churches were broken into, the town hall was invaded and vandalized, a police station was ransacked, and members of the security forces were attacked,” he said.
“Along with the entire Church of Marseille, I wish to express my support and solidarity with those who were injured and with the shopkeepers who were victims of this vandalism,” Cardinal Aveline said.
Archbishop of Lyon points to a ‘society in crisis’
Archbishop Olivier de Germay deplored the destruction that took place in Lyon, another major city, of which he is the archbishop.
“The violence that occurred in Lyon on Oct. 17 goes far beyond the scope of a protest in which legitimate grievances can be expressed,” he wrote on X on Oct. 18. “The city was the scene of clashes, hatred, destruction, and looting — all of which are unacceptable. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the shop owners, law enforcement, and all those who were victims of these excesses, including those who wanted to demonstrate peacefully.”
For Archbishop de Germay, the urgent need now is to act as “peacemakers.”
“I am well aware that this violence is a sign of a society in crisis,” he stated. “But I want to reiterate emphatically that it is a dead end and can only lead to further injustices and divisions. It is not by pitting one group against another, but by working together, that we will be able to meet the challenges facing our society.”
Reactions of deep dismay were evident throughout France on Oct. 18, with commentators expressing the “shame” of seeing the country so disfigured by looters and rioters bent on compulsive destruction. “What is happening to us?” wrote Jérôme Chapuis, editor-in-chief of the Catholic daily La Croix. “The outburst of violence on that fateful October 17 is disheartening, disturbing, and a source of shame for us.”
Chapuis pointed out to “the architects of chaos, influencers, or political parties engaged in the race toward extremes,” as those responsible for the damages as much as violent rioters themselves. He also called for accountability as Paris and other major cities witnessed post-warzone scenes on the morning of Oct. 19.
Voices of those tired of unrest highlight pope’s message to lawmakers
From the arrogance of protesters, Chapuis wrote, rose another form of anger in France, not even a month after a much successful papal visit in the country.
“It is the peaceful anger of men and women of good will who, in the diversity of their opinions and the ways they engage in political action, contemplate the ruins.”
“Faced with the image of the burned-out Limoges City Hall, the recent echo of a speech comes to mind,” Chapuis said, referring to the words of Pope Leo XIV at the Élysée Palace, the seat of the French presidency, on the day of his arrival in France on Sept. 25.
“Liberty, equality and fraternity are not simply words emblazoned on the front of your public buildings; they refer to universal ethical imperatives that also find in the Gospel message an inexhaustible source of inspiration and fulfillment,” the pope said that day, addressing President Emmanuel Macron and the officials present.
For Chapuis, the papal words “would do well to be heard again by all those who cherish civil peace — those who know its value and its fragility.”
President Macron: how the French could do this to France
In Paris, where entire streets had been ravaged, the violence was still ongoing on the evening of Oct. 18 as President Macron addressed the nation on television.
“Watching these images, we all asked ourselves how the French could do this to France,” Président Macron said. “How could they have come to this? Nothing justifies it; nothing explains it.” He referred to the many shop owners who had to “defend their stores themselves against criminals,” attributing responsibility for this “unbridled violence” to “troublemakers from far-left fringe groups joined by numerous criminals.”
Macron concluded his address by referring to the upcoming presidential elections, which will take place in April and May 2027.
“All those who are telling you today that the urgent need is to take to the streets, to protest, to create disorder have only one goal: to undermine the Republic and hijack the debate,” he lamented.
“Debates must take place in public meetings. They must take place with the political parties, not in the streets through violence,” Macron continued. “They must take place in newspapers, on television programs, and at peaceful gatherings, where people speak and explain themselves with respect — never amid chaos and destruction. Our country deserves a great presidential election in six months.”
“With all believers,” he said, “we pray that these disturbances will cease, that legitimate demands will be heard and addressed, and that, through dialogue and respect for justice, peace may return.”
Caroline de Sury writes for OSV News from Paris.
– (OSV News) — France’s bishops condemned “unacceptable violence” that “gripped” the country over the Oct. 17-18 weekend, saying the scenes of rioting “plunged the country into shock, fear, and despair, raising numerous questions about the root causes of this crisis,” the bishops wrote in their Oct. 19 statement. “We urge everyone not to be drawn into the spiral of this deadly violence: our country deserves better,” the bishops wrote, expressing their outrage at law enforcement officers being attacked and injured, shops looted, public property damaged, and buildings representing state institutions vandalized. “We wish to express our support and solidarity with
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![Denver archbishop responds to criticism over Trump prayer meeting: ‘I was being a Catholic priest’ – #Catholic – Denver Archbishop James Golka this week defended his participation in a prayer event with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Oval Office, citing the gathering as an opportunity to publicly pray and evangelize the faith. Golka, who was installed in the Denver Archdiocese in March after serving as the bishop of Colorado Springs for several years, led a prayer during an Oct. 22 meeting at the Oval Office between Trump and several U.S. bishops. During the gathering the archbishop in part prayed for the Holy Spirit to “surround our country, to protect us against any influence of evil.”The prayer event generated some backlash for what critics have argued was a politically motivated photo opportunity on the part of the White House. Golka this week said he “knew people might be upset” at the event and that it could be "use[d] for political purposes.” “But as I prayed about it, I thought that this is what Catholics do. We pray for people. No matter whether we agree or disagree on anything, we always pray for our country and leaders,” he said in remarks to the Denver Catholic. Golka said during the meeting he articulated Church teachings to the president. “As Catholics, we’re called to share our faith in season and out of season and to witness to the dignity of every human person,” he told the Denver Catholic. He denied that the event, including video of the prayer shared on social media, constituted an “endorsement” of the president. “That was never my intention,” he said. “The bishops of the United States teach that the Church cannot champion any candidate or party,” he said. “I hold to that. However you vote, you ultimately belong to Jesus who loves you infinitely more than you can imagine.”The archbishop said he has received criticism from friends about the decision and that he has responded by telling them: “I was being a Catholic priest.” He described himself as “heartbroken” at the anger over the event. He urged Christians to “look beyond the headlines, which are often crafted to provoke, towards the full truth.” “I will keep praying for our president, our governor and everyone who serves in public office, regardless of their party or position on divisive topics,” he said. The Archdiocese of Denver said after the event that praying for public leaders “is a long Catholic practice” that dates back to Apostolic Age.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/denver-archbishop-responds-to-criticism-over-trump-prayer-meeting-i-was-being-a-catholic-priest-catholic-denver-archbishop-james-golka-this-week-defended-his-participation-in-a.jpg "Denver archbishop responds to criticism over Trump prayer meeting: ‘I was being a Catholic priest’ – #Catholic – Denver Archbishop James Golka this week defended his participation in a prayer event with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Oval Office, citing the gathering as an opportunity to publicly pray and evangelize the faith. Golka, who was installed in the Denver Archdiocese in March after serving as the bishop of Colorado Springs for several years, led a prayer during an Oct. 22 meeting at the Oval Office between Trump and several U.S. bishops. During the gathering the archbishop in part prayed for the Holy Spirit to “surround our country, to protect us against any influence of evil.”The prayer event generated some backlash for what critics have argued was a politically motivated photo opportunity on the part of the White House. Golka this week said he “knew people might be upset” at the event and that it could be \"use[d] for political purposes.” “But as I prayed about it, I thought that this is what Catholics do. We pray for people. No matter whether we agree or disagree on anything, we always pray for our country and leaders,” he said in remarks to the Denver Catholic. Golka said during the meeting he articulated Church teachings to the president. “As Catholics, we’re called to share our faith in season and out of season and to witness to the dignity of every human person,” he told the Denver Catholic. He denied that the event, including video of the prayer shared on social media, constituted an “endorsement” of the president. “That was never my intention,” he said. “The bishops of the United States teach that the Church cannot champion any candidate or party,” he said. “I hold to that. However you vote, you ultimately belong to Jesus who loves you infinitely more than you can imagine.”The archbishop said he has received criticism from friends about the decision and that he has responded by telling them: “I was being a Catholic priest.” He described himself as “heartbroken” at the anger over the event. He urged Christians to “look beyond the headlines, which are often crafted to provoke, towards the full truth.” “I will keep praying for our president, our governor and everyone who serves in public office, regardless of their party or position on divisive topics,” he said. The Archdiocese of Denver said after the event that praying for public leaders “is a long Catholic practice” that dates back to Apostolic Age.")
![Students for Life, Turning Point debate abortion in ‘Feminists Lied’ campus tour – #Catholic – Students for Life of America and Turning Point USA teamed up this month to launch a new tour on college campuses, in which students are invited to debate the ethics of abortion with a pro-life speaker.The tour, titled “Feminists Lied: Prove Me Wrong,” features Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins. It began on Oct. 20 to challenge the view that feminism and a legal right to abortion have helped women rather than hurt them.“For decades, young women were told that career success, a degree, and independence were the keys to happiness, and that abortion was the price of equality,” Hawkins, who is Catholic, said in a statement.“Many Millennial women now ask whether those promises delivered, and Gen Z deserves to hear that conversation before they make the same choices,” she said. “Motherhood is not a weakness to be overcome. If equality requires a woman to end her pregnancy to succeed, then we haven’t liberated her at all. We’ve just handed her a different burden and called it freedom.”The tour includes visits to eight campuses: the University of North Texas, Grand Valley State University, the University of Cincinnati, Boise State University, the University of New Mexico, the University of Arizona, Southern Oregon University, and the University of Washington.Following the first event at the University of North Texas, Hawkins posted on X that her pro-life tour is intended to be in line with “Charlie’s legacy,” referencing Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on Sept. 10, 2025 during a college speaking and debating tour.Kirk, who was a conservative activist, frequently challenged abortion and encouraged young people to start families. He was an evangelical Christian who often blended political activism with evangelism.CatholicVote reaches Hispanics on Virginia abortion initiativeThe conservative organization CatholicVote has teamed up with Eduardo Verástegui — a Mexican actor and star in Sound of Freedom — to reach Hispanic voters in Virginia and encourage them to vote against a referendum that would enshrine a right to abortion in the state constitution.The advertisement, in Spanish, informs voters of the “very important” referendum, and notes that the state’s bishops have spoken with clarity against the proposal. The bishops of both dioceses in the state have said Catholics have a “sacred duty” to vote no.Verástegui also highlighted the bishops’ opposition to a separate ballot initiative to enshrine same-sex marriage in the state constitution.English archbishop voices concern over euthanasia law in Isle of ManArchbishop John Sherrington expressed sadness that an "assisted dying” bill will become law on the Isle of Man, which is a self-governing Crown Dependency of the British Crown.“The Catholic Church continues to teach that life is a most precious gift of God and that we are stewards entrusted with this gift to protect it, treat illness, and care for the good of life,” said Sherrington, whose jurisdiction includes the Isle of Man.“As such, a person should never intentionally end his or her life,” he said. “Catholic teaching, shared by many Christians and others of goodwill, proposes a different approach from that which has been passed into law by the Tynwald.”The law will allow people who are terminally ill to receive physician-assisted suicide.Arizona man wins lawsuit against abortion clinicAn Arizona man named Mario Villegas won a lawsuit against the Phoenix-based abortion clinic Camelback Family Planning after a court found that the clinic failed to follow the state’s informed consent law when his then-wife was prescribed chemical abortion drugs.Villegas was awarded $5,000 in statutory damages and $62,500 in compensatory damages for his psychological, emotional, and physical injuries. He had argued in court that the clinic did not adequately inform his wife, from whom he is now divorced, about the development of the unborn child, risks associated with abortion, and possible alternatives.In awarding Villegas damages, the court outlined that he was unable to properly function, eat, or sleep after his wife decided she wanted an abortion. The court highlighted his statements about feeling guilty after the abortion, saying "my baby was no longer living, and [I was wondering], ‘was there anything else I could have [done] to change the outcome?’”The court noted that he had spoken about his grief, with him expressing his “feeling of loss” and saying, “I lost an opportunity to have somebody in my life.”Villegas carries the ultrasound photo of his unborn child everywhere he goes, according to the court.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/students-for-life-turning-point-debate-abortion-in-feminists-lied-campus-tour-catholic-students-for-life-of-america-and-turning-point-usa-teamed-up-this-month-to-launch-a-new-t-scaled.jpg "Students for Life, Turning Point debate abortion in ‘Feminists Lied’ campus tour – #Catholic – Students for Life of America and Turning Point USA teamed up this month to launch a new tour on college campuses, in which students are invited to debate the ethics of abortion with a pro-life speaker.The tour, titled “Feminists Lied: Prove Me Wrong,” features Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins. It began on Oct. 20 to challenge the view that feminism and a legal right to abortion have helped women rather than hurt them.“For decades, young women were told that career success, a degree, and independence were the keys to happiness, and that abortion was the price of equality,” Hawkins, who is Catholic, said in a statement.“Many Millennial women now ask whether those promises delivered, and Gen Z deserves to hear that conversation before they make the same choices,” she said. “Motherhood is not a weakness to be overcome. If equality requires a woman to end her pregnancy to succeed, then we haven’t liberated her at all. We’ve just handed her a different burden and called it freedom.”The tour includes visits to eight campuses: the University of North Texas, Grand Valley State University, the University of Cincinnati, Boise State University, the University of New Mexico, the University of Arizona, Southern Oregon University, and the University of Washington.Following the first event at the University of North Texas, Hawkins posted on X that her pro-life tour is intended to be in line with “Charlie’s legacy,” referencing Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on Sept. 10, 2025 during a college speaking and debating tour.Kirk, who was a conservative activist, frequently challenged abortion and encouraged young people to start families. He was an evangelical Christian who often blended political activism with evangelism.CatholicVote reaches Hispanics on Virginia abortion initiativeThe conservative organization CatholicVote has teamed up with Eduardo Verástegui — a Mexican actor and star in Sound of Freedom — to reach Hispanic voters in Virginia and encourage them to vote against a referendum that would enshrine a right to abortion in the state constitution.The advertisement, in Spanish, informs voters of the “very important” referendum, and notes that the state’s bishops have spoken with clarity against the proposal. The bishops of both dioceses in the state have said Catholics have a “sacred duty” to vote no.Verástegui also highlighted the bishops’ opposition to a separate ballot initiative to enshrine same-sex marriage in the state constitution.English archbishop voices concern over euthanasia law in Isle of ManArchbishop John Sherrington expressed sadness that an \"assisted dying” bill will become law on the Isle of Man, which is a self-governing Crown Dependency of the British Crown.“The Catholic Church continues to teach that life is a most precious gift of God and that we are stewards entrusted with this gift to protect it, treat illness, and care for the good of life,” said Sherrington, whose jurisdiction includes the Isle of Man.“As such, a person should never intentionally end his or her life,” he said. “Catholic teaching, shared by many Christians and others of goodwill, proposes a different approach from that which has been passed into law by the Tynwald.”The law will allow people who are terminally ill to receive physician-assisted suicide.Arizona man wins lawsuit against abortion clinicAn Arizona man named Mario Villegas won a lawsuit against the Phoenix-based abortion clinic Camelback Family Planning after a court found that the clinic failed to follow the state’s informed consent law when his then-wife was prescribed chemical abortion drugs.Villegas was awarded $5,000 in statutory damages and $62,500 in compensatory damages for his psychological, emotional, and physical injuries. He had argued in court that the clinic did not adequately inform his wife, from whom he is now divorced, about the development of the unborn child, risks associated with abortion, and possible alternatives.In awarding Villegas damages, the court outlined that he was unable to properly function, eat, or sleep after his wife decided she wanted an abortion. The court highlighted his statements about feeling guilty after the abortion, saying \"my baby was no longer living, and [I was wondering], ‘was there anything else I could have [done] to change the outcome?’”The court noted that he had spoken about his grief, with him expressing his “feeling of loss” and saying, “I lost an opportunity to have somebody in my life.”Villegas carries the ultrasound photo of his unborn child everywhere he goes, according to the court.")
![Paterson Parish showcases powerful devotion during St. Therese Mass #Catholic – On Oct. 4, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney helped St. Therese Parish in Paterson, N.J., celebrate the feast day of St. Thérèse the Little Flower, traditionally observed on Oct. 1, with a Spanish Mass in the church. The popular saint is also known as St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus.
Father Yasid Salas, St. Therese’s pastor, concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Sweeney. The Mass included many faithful dressed as St. Thérèse and a dramatic devotion to her.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/paterson-parish-showcases-powerful-devotion-during-st-therese-mass-catholic-on-oct-4-bishop-kevin-j-sweeney-helped-st-therese-parish-in-paterson-n-j-celebrate-the-feast-day-of-st-therese-t.jpg "Paterson Parish showcases powerful devotion during St. Therese Mass #Catholic – On Oct. 4, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney helped St. Therese Parish in Paterson, N.J., celebrate the feast day of St. Thérèse the Little Flower, traditionally observed on Oct. 1, with a Spanish Mass in the church. The popular saint is also known as St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus.
Father Yasid Salas, St. Therese’s pastor, concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Sweeney. The Mass included many faithful dressed as St. Thérèse and a dramatic devotion to her.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.")
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![Catholic ethicists debate morality of embryo adoption – #Catholic – Can embryo adoption be considered morally licit by the Catholic Church? The John Paul II Shrine in Washington, D.C., hosted a debate between two Catholic ethicists Oct. 22 in an event marking the feast of St. John Paul II.The Catholic Church has not issued a definitive judgment that embryo adoption is morally licit. The issue remains debated among Catholic theologians. In the 2008 Vatican document Dignitas Personae, the Church affirmed the dignity and rights of frozen embryos and expressed reservations about proposals for prenatal adoption.John Haas, president emeritus of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, argued that embryo adoption is morally illicit as it requires the artificial transfer of a frozen embryo into the womb of a woman who is unrelated to the unborn child — a practice he said both violates the Church’s teachings about sexual ethics in marriage and deliberately endangers the lives of embryos in the thawing process.Haas further argued that the only moral solution to the question of what to do with frozen embryos is to keep them frozen, as bringing them to life or disposing of them in any way would always be considered illicit. To support this claim, he cited the 1987 Vatican document Donum Vitae, which states: “In consequence of the fact that they have been produced in vitro, those embryos which art not transferred into the body of the mother and are called ‘spare’ are exposed to an absurd fate, with no possibility of their being offered safe means of survival which can be licitly pursued.”Organized by the pro-life organization Defend Life, the event took place after a Mass in honor of St. John Paul II and was livestreamed on the organization’s website.Elizabeth Rex, an associate scholar at the Charlotte Lozier Institute, argued in favor of embryo adoption, saying that neither the Vatican nor the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have “ever formally ruled against embryo transfer or embryo adoption.”
Elizabeth Rex, an associate scholar at the Charlotte Lozier Institute, argues in favor of embryo adoption during a debate at the John Paul II Shrine in Washington, D.C., Oct. 22, 2026. | Credit: Madalaine Elhabbal/EWTN News
While acknowledging the Church’s teaching that in vitro fertilization (IVF) is immoral, Rex argued that the process of IVF and the transfer of the embryo into a mother’s womb should not be separated.“They go together. You donʼt do IVF just to leave [the embryo] in the petri dish or put it in the freezer. That would be an abortion,” she said. “The baby would die. So, the baby now has been conceived, and it needs to be transferred into the womb. Itʼs a person. Itʼs a child. Itʼs a patient, and it needs medical assistance. And that is what the Church teaches there.”Haas countered Rex’s argument that the Church has not ruled out embryo adoption, saying: “The only statement from the magisterium of the Church that has fueled this debate is one half of one sentence from Dignitas Personae that the supporters of embryo adoption often donʼt bother to finish when they quote it.”The paragraph he cited in the document states: “It has also been proposed, solely in order to allow human beings to be born who are otherwise condemned to destruction, that there could be a form of ‘prenatal adoption.’ This proposal, praiseworthy with regard to the intention of respecting and defending human life, presents however various problems not dissimilar to those mentioned above. All things considered, it needs to be recognized that the thousands of abandoned embryos represent a situation of injustice which in fact cannot be resolved.”Haas argued that the ends do not justify the means with regard to embryo adoption and that the Holy See has not made “a single statement on behalf of embryo adoption.”](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/catholic-ethicists-debate-morality-of-embryo-adoption-catholic-can-embryo-adoption-be-considered-morally-licit-by-the-catholic-church-the-john-paul-ii-shrine-in-washington-d-c-hosted-a-debate-scaled.jpg "Catholic ethicists debate morality of embryo adoption – #Catholic – Can embryo adoption be considered morally licit by the Catholic Church? The John Paul II Shrine in Washington, D.C., hosted a debate between two Catholic ethicists Oct. 22 in an event marking the feast of St. John Paul II.The Catholic Church has not issued a definitive judgment that embryo adoption is morally licit. The issue remains debated among Catholic theologians. In the 2008 Vatican document Dignitas Personae, the Church affirmed the dignity and rights of frozen embryos and expressed reservations about proposals for prenatal adoption.John Haas, president emeritus of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, argued that embryo adoption is morally illicit as it requires the artificial transfer of a frozen embryo into the womb of a woman who is unrelated to the unborn child — a practice he said both violates the Church’s teachings about sexual ethics in marriage and deliberately endangers the lives of embryos in the thawing process.Haas further argued that the only moral solution to the question of what to do with frozen embryos is to keep them frozen, as bringing them to life or disposing of them in any way would always be considered illicit. To support this claim, he cited the 1987 Vatican document Donum Vitae, which states: “In consequence of the fact that they have been produced in vitro, those embryos which art not transferred into the body of the mother and are called ‘spare’ are exposed to an absurd fate, with no possibility of their being offered safe means of survival which can be licitly pursued.”Organized by the pro-life organization Defend Life, the event took place after a Mass in honor of St. John Paul II and was livestreamed on the organization’s website.Elizabeth Rex, an associate scholar at the Charlotte Lozier Institute, argued in favor of embryo adoption, saying that neither the Vatican nor the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have “ever formally ruled against embryo transfer or embryo adoption.”
Elizabeth Rex, an associate scholar at the Charlotte Lozier Institute, argues in favor of embryo adoption during a debate at the John Paul II Shrine in Washington, D.C., Oct. 22, 2026. | Credit: Madalaine Elhabbal/EWTN News
While acknowledging the Church’s teaching that in vitro fertilization (IVF) is immoral, Rex argued that the process of IVF and the transfer of the embryo into a mother’s womb should not be separated.“They go together. You donʼt do IVF just to leave [the embryo] in the petri dish or put it in the freezer. That would be an abortion,” she said. “The baby would die. So, the baby now has been conceived, and it needs to be transferred into the womb. Itʼs a person. Itʼs a child. Itʼs a patient, and it needs medical assistance. And that is what the Church teaches there.”Haas countered Rex’s argument that the Church has not ruled out embryo adoption, saying: “The only statement from the magisterium of the Church that has fueled this debate is one half of one sentence from Dignitas Personae that the supporters of embryo adoption often donʼt bother to finish when they quote it.”The paragraph he cited in the document states: “It has also been proposed, solely in order to allow human beings to be born who are otherwise condemned to destruction, that there could be a form of ‘prenatal adoption.’ This proposal, praiseworthy with regard to the intention of respecting and defending human life, presents however various problems not dissimilar to those mentioned above. All things considered, it needs to be recognized that the thousands of abandoned embryos represent a situation of injustice which in fact cannot be resolved.”Haas argued that the ends do not justify the means with regard to embryo adoption and that the Holy See has not made “a single statement on behalf of embryo adoption.”")
![St. Therese Mountain Lakes event honors U.S.’ 250th birthday #Catholic – The Rosary and Prayer Ministry of St. Thérèse the Little Flower of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Mountain Lakes, N.J. on Oct. 11 honored the feast day of St. Therese during a devotional event with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney in the parish church. The popular saint is also known as St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus.
The event featured prayer, music, the Knights of Columbus, bagpipers, five vocalists, organist, a harpist and a patriotic finale to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States this year.
Despite the inclement weather, more than 200 people clergy, religious and laity attended the event, which began with a processional by Bishop Sweeney; Father Michael J. Parisi, pastor of the parish and vicar general of the Paterson Diocese, N.J.; Deacon James Gillespie opened the ceremony at St. Catherine’s; and the Knights of Columbus Color Corps processed with the Bishop.
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Music featured at the event included Highland Cathedral, Panis Angelicus, the St. Thérèse Hymn, Walk With Us, Dear St. Thérèse, Let there Be Peace on Earth, Be Still My Soul, I Believe, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Lady of Knock, and Ava Maria.
The bagpipers were Bill McEvoy and Paul O’Sullivan. David de la Mora, St. Catherine’s choir director, on piano and vocalist; Lou Scarpa, a trustee at Assumption College for Sisters in Denville, an organist; Kathleen Donahue, harpist and music director at St. Mary’s in Denville; her husband Michael Donahue, vocalist; Barbara Bailey and Deborah Tobia, vocalists and parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Church. In honor of Deborah’s devotion to our blessed saint, she wrote and composed the St. Therese Hymn which she sang.
During the patriotic finale, cub scouts from Pack 99, Boy Scouts, soldiers from Picatinny Arsenal held the American flag which was 10 feet wide. Jonathan Morales, was the vocalist who performed the Patriotic Finale with songs, such as America The Beautiful, God Bless America, Glory, Glory Hallelujah and the entire congregation recited The Pledge of Allegiance.
Bishop Sweeney concluded by a closing blessing with the Relic of St. Therese. Closing remarks by Carol Bsarany who leads the St. Thérèse Ministry. A reception followed in the parish gym.
The St. Thérèse prayer group meets at St. Catherine’s on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. from May through December. Members pray the Novena to St. Thérèse, a prayer for our nation, the Memorare, and the rosary. Participants are asked to bring a rosary. The group will provide prayer materials.
Two events left for this year are Tuesday, Nov. 17 healing service with Father Edward Rama, pastor of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish in Wharton, N.J., at 1 p.m.; the Christmas concert featuring two vocalists and an organist on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. This will be our last prayer service for this year. We will reopen on Tuesday, May 4th, 2027.
St. Thérèse was a Discalced Carmelite nun in France who died at 24 on Sept. 30, 1897.
While the St. Thérèse Ministry meets at St. Catherine’s, the Shrine of St. Thérèse at 54 Rock Lane in Boonton about a mile away is open year-round. Hours for the Shrine are 8 a.m. To 6 p.m. The faithful can continue to visit and light a candle.
The shrine represents the gratitude of its founder, Achille Arci. He made a promise to her in the 1920s after he was cured of an illness. Today, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Boonton, N.J., owns and cares for the shrine.
For further information please call Carol Bsarany at 973-271-9252.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/st-therese-mountain-lakes-event-honors-u-s-250th-birthday-catholic-the-rosary-and-prayer-ministry-of-st-therese-the-little-flower-of-st-catherine-of-siena-church-in-mountain-lakes-n-j.jpg "St. Therese Mountain Lakes event honors U.S.’ 250th birthday #Catholic – The Rosary and Prayer Ministry of St. Thérèse the Little Flower of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Mountain Lakes, N.J. on Oct. 11 honored the feast day of St. Therese during a devotional event with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney in the parish church. The popular saint is also known as St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus.
The event featured prayer, music, the Knights of Columbus, bagpipers, five vocalists, organist, a harpist and a patriotic finale to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States this year.
Despite the inclement weather, more than 200 people clergy, religious and laity attended the event, which began with a processional by Bishop Sweeney; Father Michael J. Parisi, pastor of the parish and vicar general of the Paterson Diocese, N.J.; Deacon James Gillespie opened the ceremony at St. Catherine’s; and the Knights of Columbus Color Corps processed with the Bishop.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Music featured at the event included Highland Cathedral, Panis Angelicus, the St. Thérèse Hymn, Walk With Us, Dear St. Thérèse, Let there Be Peace on Earth, Be Still My Soul, I Believe, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Lady of Knock, and Ava Maria.
The bagpipers were Bill McEvoy and Paul O’Sullivan. David de la Mora, St. Catherine’s choir director, on piano and vocalist; Lou Scarpa, a trustee at Assumption College for Sisters in Denville, an organist; Kathleen Donahue, harpist and music director at St. Mary’s in Denville; her husband Michael Donahue, vocalist; Barbara Bailey and Deborah Tobia, vocalists and parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Church. In honor of Deborah’s devotion to our blessed saint, she wrote and composed the St. Therese Hymn which she sang.
During the patriotic finale, cub scouts from Pack 99, Boy Scouts, soldiers from Picatinny Arsenal held the American flag which was 10 feet wide. Jonathan Morales, was the vocalist who performed the Patriotic Finale with songs, such as America The Beautiful, God Bless America, Glory, Glory Hallelujah and the entire congregation recited The Pledge of Allegiance.
Bishop Sweeney concluded by a closing blessing with the Relic of St. Therese. Closing remarks by Carol Bsarany who leads the St. Thérèse Ministry. A reception followed in the parish gym.
The St. Thérèse prayer group meets at St. Catherine’s on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. from May through December. Members pray the Novena to St. Thérèse, a prayer for our nation, the Memorare, and the rosary. Participants are asked to bring a rosary. The group will provide prayer materials.
Two events left for this year are Tuesday, Nov. 17 healing service with Father Edward Rama, pastor of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish in Wharton, N.J., at 1 p.m.; the Christmas concert featuring two vocalists and an organist on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. This will be our last prayer service for this year. We will reopen on Tuesday, May 4th, 2027.
St. Thérèse was a Discalced Carmelite nun in France who died at 24 on Sept. 30, 1897.
While the St. Thérèse Ministry meets at St. Catherine’s, the Shrine of St. Thérèse at 54 Rock Lane in Boonton about a mile away is open year-round. Hours for the Shrine are 8 a.m. To 6 p.m. The faithful can continue to visit and light a candle.
The shrine represents the gratitude of its founder, Achille Arci. He made a promise to her in the 1920s after he was cured of an illness. Today, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Boonton, N.J., owns and cares for the shrine.
For further information please call Carol Bsarany at 973-271-9252.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]")
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![Vice President Vance to EWTN: ‘We are God’s ambassadors on Earth’ #Catholic Vice President JD Vance on Oct. 22 told Raymond Arroyo on EWTN News’ “The World Over with Raymond Arroyo” that God calls Christians to be “humble in the face [of] uncertainty” and that Christians walking in faith often “take two steps toward Jesus and one step back” before arriving at Christ. Vance spoke with Arroyo in a wide-ranging interview that included politics, immigration, economics, and faith. The vice president has been especially forthcoming about his own faith journey, one which began in Appalachian Protestant churches and eventually led him to the Catholic Church. He attended Christian churches while growing up but was drawn to what in June he described as the “beautiful ancient Church” of Catholicism. Speaking with Arroyo, Vance described a religious experience in which he was driving on mountain roads back from his grandmother’s funeral and nearly drove off the road. “And just like right at that point where Iʼm like, all right, Iʼm about to go over the side of the mountain, the car just comes to a completely restful stop,” he said. “Like God put his hand on that car and made it stop.”The experience “gnawed at me,” Vance said, describing the event as “a door opening.” “[W]e are ultimately Godʼs ambassadors here on Earth,” he said, describing what he said is the “powerful” witness of Christians “doing good things.” Arroyo and Vance discussed several other topics in the interview, including the ongoing civil unrest and rioting in France. “I donʼt think you can talk about whatʼs happening in France without acknowledging the role of migration,” Vance said. “Because in the neighborhoods where you see the most significant violence, the most significant outburst, the burning of these beautiful historical buildings — you often have neighborhoods with extremely high immigrant populations.”Western societies “want to be welcoming to people,” the vice president said. But “when we allow someone into our country, are they culturally compatible? Are they willing to assimilate into Western values and Western society?”Asked about Church leadership on immigration issues, Vance — who has publicly disagreed with the U.S. bishops on some aspects of the immigration debate — said he would “never accuse the Church of being naive.” The Church “will say two things that I fundamentally believe in and agree with, but I think 90% of people agree with, which is: One, you must be welcoming towards a stranger. On the other hand, nations are allowed to control their borders.” As Vance sees it, the Church leadership in the U.S. has “missed an opportunity” to strike a balance on immigration in an age of high migration. He noted that the airplane is “less than 100 years old” and that rapid large-scale immigration is “a very new phenomenon.” “I do think the Church has to figure out what should the immigration policy of an advanced economy be in a world of mass transit,” he said. He noted that Christians are called “to be fundamentally hopeful [of] the future.” He disputed arguments that France is on the verge of “civilizational death,” describing it instead as “civilizational risk.” “[I] think that if France returns to its Christian roots, it can be welcoming to the stranger. It can also protect its borders and in a way that preserves its civilization,” he said.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/vice-president-vance-to-ewtn-we-are-gods-ambassadors-on-earth-catholic-vice-president-jd-vance-on-oct-22-told-raymond-arroyo-on-ewtn-news-the-world-over.png "Vice President Vance to EWTN: ‘We are God’s ambassadors on Earth’ #Catholic Vice President JD Vance on Oct. 22 told Raymond Arroyo on EWTN News’ “The World Over with Raymond Arroyo” that God calls Christians to be “humble in the face [of] uncertainty” and that Christians walking in faith often “take two steps toward Jesus and one step back” before arriving at Christ. Vance spoke with Arroyo in a wide-ranging interview that included politics, immigration, economics, and faith. The vice president has been especially forthcoming about his own faith journey, one which began in Appalachian Protestant churches and eventually led him to the Catholic Church. He attended Christian churches while growing up but was drawn to what in June he described as the “beautiful ancient Church” of Catholicism. Speaking with Arroyo, Vance described a religious experience in which he was driving on mountain roads back from his grandmother’s funeral and nearly drove off the road. “And just like right at that point where Iʼm like, all right, Iʼm about to go over the side of the mountain, the car just comes to a completely restful stop,” he said. “Like God put his hand on that car and made it stop.”The experience “gnawed at me,” Vance said, describing the event as “a door opening.” “[W]e are ultimately Godʼs ambassadors here on Earth,” he said, describing what he said is the “powerful” witness of Christians “doing good things.” Arroyo and Vance discussed several other topics in the interview, including the ongoing civil unrest and rioting in France. “I donʼt think you can talk about whatʼs happening in France without acknowledging the role of migration,” Vance said. “Because in the neighborhoods where you see the most significant violence, the most significant outburst, the burning of these beautiful historical buildings — you often have neighborhoods with extremely high immigrant populations.”Western societies “want to be welcoming to people,” the vice president said. But “when we allow someone into our country, are they culturally compatible? Are they willing to assimilate into Western values and Western society?”Asked about Church leadership on immigration issues, Vance — who has publicly disagreed with the U.S. bishops on some aspects of the immigration debate — said he would “never accuse the Church of being naive.” The Church “will say two things that I fundamentally believe in and agree with, but I think 90% of people agree with, which is: One, you must be welcoming towards a stranger. On the other hand, nations are allowed to control their borders.” As Vance sees it, the Church leadership in the U.S. has “missed an opportunity” to strike a balance on immigration in an age of high migration. He noted that the airplane is “less than 100 years old” and that rapid large-scale immigration is “a very new phenomenon.” “I do think the Church has to figure out what should the immigration policy of an advanced economy be in a world of mass transit,” he said. He noted that Christians are called “to be fundamentally hopeful [of] the future.” He disputed arguments that France is on the verge of “civilizational death,” describing it instead as “civilizational risk.” “[I] think that if France returns to its Christian roots, it can be welcoming to the stranger. It can also protect its borders and in a way that preserves its civilization,” he said.")
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![Supreme Court order leaves federal prison transgender services in place for now – #Catholic – The U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 21 left in place lower-court rulings that require the federal prison system to continue providing transgender-related benefits to inmates.The unsigned order rejected the Bureau of Prison’s petition to reverse rulings from both the U.S. district court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito said they would have granted the government’s request.The high court’s decision means that the bureau may not implement a policy passed in February that forbids the use of hormone therapy on prisoners who believe themselves to be the opposite sex. The rule also forbids “social accommodations” including wigs and makeup.The suit against the Bureau of Prisons was brought by several inmates who identify as transgender.LGBT-related policy at federal prisons has been in flux following President Donald Trump’s 2024 election. Earlier that year, the Biden Justice Department had signaled that prisons throughout the United States must provide prisoners with transgender-related medical care, including “hormone therapy” and other gender-related requests.Just after taking office in January 2025, on the other hand, Trump issued an executive order that purported to combat “efforts to eradicate the biological reality of sex.” Among the provisions of that order was a directive ordering the Bureau of Prisons to “[revise] its policies concerning medical care” to move away from gender-related provisions.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/supreme-court-order-leaves-federal-prison-transgender-services-in-place-for-now-catholic-the-u-s-supreme-court-on-oct-21-left-in-place-lower-court-rulings-that-require-the-federal-prison-system.jpg "Supreme Court order leaves federal prison transgender services in place for now – #Catholic – The U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 21 left in place lower-court rulings that require the federal prison system to continue providing transgender-related benefits to inmates.The unsigned order rejected the Bureau of Prison’s petition to reverse rulings from both the U.S. district court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito said they would have granted the government’s request.The high court’s decision means that the bureau may not implement a policy passed in February that forbids the use of hormone therapy on prisoners who believe themselves to be the opposite sex. The rule also forbids “social accommodations” including wigs and makeup.The suit against the Bureau of Prisons was brought by several inmates who identify as transgender.LGBT-related policy at federal prisons has been in flux following President Donald Trump’s 2024 election. Earlier that year, the Biden Justice Department had signaled that prisons throughout the United States must provide prisoners with transgender-related medical care, including “hormone therapy” and other gender-related requests.Just after taking office in January 2025, on the other hand, Trump issued an executive order that purported to combat “efforts to eradicate the biological reality of sex.” Among the provisions of that order was a directive ordering the Bureau of Prisons to “[revise] its policies concerning medical care” to move away from gender-related provisions.")
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![More than 1,000 spend a day at ‘Mary’s Shrine’ in Washington, D.C. for triennial pilgrimage #Catholic – Boarding buses as early as 6 a.m., more than 1,000 pilgrims from the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. traveled to Washington, D.C. to spend the day at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Oct. 17. Affectionately known as “Mary’s Shrine,” the pilgrimage to the basilica is a triennial diocesan event, with the last one held in 2023.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led the daylong event, which included a crowning of an image of the Blessed Mother, the opportunity for confessions, a catechetical presentation, multilingual recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Mass. Priests from all three counties of the diocese led 17 bus groups. Father Michael Rodak, diocesan director of pilgrimages and pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Hardyston, coordinated the buses and an overnight trip in which about 100 pilgrims participated.
Father Jared Brogan, diocesan director of worship and pastor of St. Brendan and St. George Parish in Clifton, organized the liturgical events of the day.
The Marian-themed pilgrimage allowed diocesan visitors to see more than 80 chapels dedicated to the Blessed Mother. Some of the chapels are dedicated to Marian titles such as Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Miraculous Medal.
The apses in the basilica’s Great Upper Church retell the life of Jesus through the mysteries of the rosary depicted through mosaics. The basilica’s Trinity Dome, the central and largest dome of the National Shrine, is another visual highlight.
In the Lower Church, confessions were held for pilgrims seeking the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There were also catechetical talks led by Father Yojaneider Garcia, pastor of Resurrection Parish in Randolph and diocesan director of the Catechetical Office and Faith Formation. The basilica also remembers the many Americans who have helped shape the Catholic Church in the United States in its Hall of American Saints.
BEACON PHOTOS | CECILE PAGLIARULO
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/more-than-1000-spend-a-day-at-marys-shrine-in-washington-d-c-for-triennial-pilgrimage-catholic-boarding-buses-as-early-as-6-a-m-more-than-1000-pilgrims-from-the-dio.jpg "More than 1,000 spend a day at ‘Mary’s Shrine’ in Washington, D.C. for triennial pilgrimage #Catholic – Boarding buses as early as 6 a.m., more than 1,000 pilgrims from the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. traveled to Washington, D.C. to spend the day at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Oct. 17. Affectionately known as “Mary’s Shrine,” the pilgrimage to the basilica is a triennial diocesan event, with the last one held in 2023.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led the daylong event, which included a crowning of an image of the Blessed Mother, the opportunity for confessions, a catechetical presentation, multilingual recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Mass. Priests from all three counties of the diocese led 17 bus groups. Father Michael Rodak, diocesan director of pilgrimages and pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Hardyston, coordinated the buses and an overnight trip in which about 100 pilgrims participated.
Father Jared Brogan, diocesan director of worship and pastor of St. Brendan and St. George Parish in Clifton, organized the liturgical events of the day.
The Marian-themed pilgrimage allowed diocesan visitors to see more than 80 chapels dedicated to the Blessed Mother. Some of the chapels are dedicated to Marian titles such as Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Miraculous Medal.
The apses in the basilica’s Great Upper Church retell the life of Jesus through the mysteries of the rosary depicted through mosaics. The basilica’s Trinity Dome, the central and largest dome of the National Shrine, is another visual highlight.
In the Lower Church, confessions were held for pilgrims seeking the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There were also catechetical talks led by Father Yojaneider Garcia, pastor of Resurrection Parish in Randolph and diocesan director of the Catechetical Office and Faith Formation. The basilica also remembers the many Americans who have helped shape the Catholic Church in the United States in its Hall of American Saints.
BEACON PHOTOS | CECILE PAGLIARULO
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.")
![Trump signs bill to reopen SSocial Security, Medicare opt-ins for priests, clergy #Catholic President Donald Trump signed into law a measure that allows clergy — including Catholic priests and bishops — to opt back in to Social Security and Medicare if they had previously opted out of the program.Under the tax code, clergy may opt out of Social Security and Medicare taxes for ministerial work but cannot receive the benefits if they do. A person who opts out typically cannot reverse that decision, but the law, supported by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), opens a two-year window for members of clergy to opt back in if they have changed their minds.The law, signed on Oct. 20, allows clergy members to opt back in during the 2029 or 2030 tax years, but they must still meet the standard contribution requirements to receive benefits. The House of Representatives passed the bill 350-5 on April 27, and the Senate cleared it by unanimous consent on Sept. 30.According to a news release from the House Ways and Means Committee, about 2,000 people take the opt-out. This is the third time Congress offered a temporary window for clergy to reverse their opt-outs, with the last time being 1999.“America’s pastors and faith leaders spend their lives caring for others,” Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, said in a statement.“Many chose to opt out of Social Security when they were young and just starting their ministry,” he said. “A single, sometimes ill-advised, decision made decades ago should not stand between them and a secure retirement.”Support from Catholic bishopsWhen reached for comment, the USCCB referred EWTN News to an April 14 letter supportive of the bill, signed by Archbishop Shelton Fabre, chair of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Archbishop Ronald Hicks, chair of the USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations.The letter states that the bill offers “much needed relief and support for priests and religious who previously opted out of Social Security and Medicare to opt back into the programs.”“For one reason or another, many clergy members, often decades prior and due to inaccurate financial advice, opted out of contributing,” the letter states.It adds that the bill helps clergy “move toward a more complete retirement” and offers a “more comprehensive financial and physical wellbeing as they transition into the next phase of their lives and ministries.”“Priests and religious have spent their lives in service to Christ by ministering to the faithful and those in need,” the letter adds. “[The legislation helps] enable them to obtain better financial and physical health in their retirement.”](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/trump-signs-bill-to-reopen-ssocial-security-medicare-opt-ins-for-priests-clergy-catholic-president-donald-trump-signed-into-law-a-measure-that-allows-clergy-including-catholic-priests-and.jpg "Trump signs bill to reopen SSocial Security, Medicare opt-ins for priests, clergy #Catholic President Donald Trump signed into law a measure that allows clergy — including Catholic priests and bishops — to opt back in to Social Security and Medicare if they had previously opted out of the program.Under the tax code, clergy may opt out of Social Security and Medicare taxes for ministerial work but cannot receive the benefits if they do. A person who opts out typically cannot reverse that decision, but the law, supported by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), opens a two-year window for members of clergy to opt back in if they have changed their minds.The law, signed on Oct. 20, allows clergy members to opt back in during the 2029 or 2030 tax years, but they must still meet the standard contribution requirements to receive benefits. The House of Representatives passed the bill 350-5 on April 27, and the Senate cleared it by unanimous consent on Sept. 30.According to a news release from the House Ways and Means Committee, about 2,000 people take the opt-out. This is the third time Congress offered a temporary window for clergy to reverse their opt-outs, with the last time being 1999.“America’s pastors and faith leaders spend their lives caring for others,” Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, said in a statement.“Many chose to opt out of Social Security when they were young and just starting their ministry,” he said. “A single, sometimes ill-advised, decision made decades ago should not stand between them and a secure retirement.”Support from Catholic bishopsWhen reached for comment, the USCCB referred EWTN News to an April 14 letter supportive of the bill, signed by Archbishop Shelton Fabre, chair of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Archbishop Ronald Hicks, chair of the USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations.The letter states that the bill offers “much needed relief and support for priests and religious who previously opted out of Social Security and Medicare to opt back into the programs.”“For one reason or another, many clergy members, often decades prior and due to inaccurate financial advice, opted out of contributing,” the letter states.It adds that the bill helps clergy “move toward a more complete retirement” and offers a “more comprehensive financial and physical wellbeing as they transition into the next phase of their lives and ministries.”“Priests and religious have spent their lives in service to Christ by ministering to the faithful and those in need,” the letter adds. “[The legislation helps] enable them to obtain better financial and physical health in their retirement.”")
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![Paterson rector hailed for inspiring hope and supporting children #Catholic – The community of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., beamed with pride on Oct. 18 as Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh presented the Key to the City to Msgr. Geno Sylva, St. John’s rector, for “being a champion for children and a beacon of hope for Paterson.” The mayor made the presentation that day at the end of the 11:30 a.m. Mass.
Msgr. Sylva has served as rector of St. John’s, the mother church of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., for about eight years. He also serves as diocesan vicar for special projects. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him to the Dicastery for Evangelization at the Holy See, reflecting his commitment to evangelization.
Under Msgr. Sylva’s leadership, St. John’s has expanded its outreach to children. The cathedral established Compostela, a faith-filled after-school and catechetical program for K- 8; Young Prophets youth ministry; a Special Needs Ministry with a monthly Mass; and a Cathedral Summer Camp. It’s active music ministry includes a Children’s Choir. St. John’s also welcomed KIPP Paterson Elementary Prep, a K-4 public charter school housed in its Catechetical and Educational Building.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
St. John’s holds Bethlehem in Paterson, a major holiday outreach and gift-giving program that transforms the cathedral area, also known as the Block of Mercy, into a festive setting to share the spirit of Christmas. The cathedral has also expanded its social justice ministries and outreach to Hispanic Catholics among many other initiatives.
After the Mass, Mayor Sayegh called Msgr. Sylva “an MVP: Most Valuable Priest,” on social media.
“He’s also a champion for children, especially our youth at the Paterson Prep School and the Young Prophets program,” Mayor Sayegh said about Msgr. Sylva. “He’s a credit to our community, and he has been a blessing everywhere he has served, including the Vatican. Please join me in celebrating and congratulating a Mighty Man of God!” he said.
Msgr. Sylva called the Key to the City presentation “a beautiful celebration of our mission here to the children of the city through the school and Compostela. We are blessed.”
In his homily at the Mass before the presentation, Msgr. Sylva thanked all those involved in St. John’s, Compostela, KIPP Paterson Prep, diocesan leadership, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, and Paterson emergency services and government, including Mayor Sayegh.
“As I receive the key to the City of Paterson, I find myself thinking about the children of this city and about [William] Wordsworth’s beautiful image of those children trailing clouds of glory. What a responsibility and opportunity we have to give our children the keys of beauty, truth, and goodness with which to unlock the gates of heaven. Nothing more merciful than that,” Msgr. Sylva said in his homily. “Mr. Mayor, thank you for presenting us with the key to the City. I promise, we will keep working to place these keys in the hands of our children, for Wordsworth was right: children come into this world trailing clouds of glory. Our responsibility is to make sure that as they grow older, those clouds of glory do not simply disappear into the darkness of the world, but lead them to the eternal Compostela, that heavenly field of stars,” the rector said.
Ordained a priest in 1993, Msgr. Sylva also sits on the Board of the Paterson Prep Charter School as one of its founding members. He also serves as chaplain for the Paterson Police and Fire Departments, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department, and the New York Division of the FBI.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/paterson-rector-hailed-for-inspiring-hope-and-supporting-children-catholic-the-community-of-the-cathedral-of-st-john-the-baptist-in-paterson-n-j-beamed-with-pride-on-oct-18-as-paterson-mayor-a.jpg "Paterson rector hailed for inspiring hope and supporting children #Catholic – The community of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., beamed with pride on Oct. 18 as Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh presented the Key to the City to Msgr. Geno Sylva, St. John’s rector, for “being a champion for children and a beacon of hope for Paterson.” The mayor made the presentation that day at the end of the 11:30 a.m. Mass.
Msgr. Sylva has served as rector of St. John’s, the mother church of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., for about eight years. He also serves as diocesan vicar for special projects. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him to the Dicastery for Evangelization at the Holy See, reflecting his commitment to evangelization.
Under Msgr. Sylva’s leadership, St. John’s has expanded its outreach to children. The cathedral established Compostela, a faith-filled after-school and catechetical program for K- 8; Young Prophets youth ministry; a Special Needs Ministry with a monthly Mass; and a Cathedral Summer Camp. It’s active music ministry includes a Children’s Choir. St. John’s also welcomed KIPP Paterson Elementary Prep, a K-4 public charter school housed in its Catechetical and Educational Building.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
St. John’s holds Bethlehem in Paterson, a major holiday outreach and gift-giving program that transforms the cathedral area, also known as the Block of Mercy, into a festive setting to share the spirit of Christmas. The cathedral has also expanded its social justice ministries and outreach to Hispanic Catholics among many other initiatives.
After the Mass, Mayor Sayegh called Msgr. Sylva “an MVP: Most Valuable Priest,” on social media.
“He’s also a champion for children, especially our youth at the Paterson Prep School and the Young Prophets program,” Mayor Sayegh said about Msgr. Sylva. “He’s a credit to our community, and he has been a blessing everywhere he has served, including the Vatican. Please join me in celebrating and congratulating a Mighty Man of God!” he said.
Msgr. Sylva called the Key to the City presentation “a beautiful celebration of our mission here to the children of the city through the school and Compostela. We are blessed.”
In his homily at the Mass before the presentation, Msgr. Sylva thanked all those involved in St. John’s, Compostela, KIPP Paterson Prep, diocesan leadership, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, and Paterson emergency services and government, including Mayor Sayegh.
“As I receive the key to the City of Paterson, I find myself thinking about the children of this city and about [William] Wordsworth’s beautiful image of those children trailing clouds of glory. What a responsibility and opportunity we have to give our children the keys of beauty, truth, and goodness with which to unlock the gates of heaven. Nothing more merciful than that,” Msgr. Sylva said in his homily. “Mr. Mayor, thank you for presenting us with the key to the City. I promise, we will keep working to place these keys in the hands of our children, for Wordsworth was right: children come into this world trailing clouds of glory. Our responsibility is to make sure that as they grow older, those clouds of glory do not simply disappear into the darkness of the world, but lead them to the eternal Compostela, that heavenly field of stars,” the rector said.
Ordained a priest in 1993, Msgr. Sylva also sits on the Board of the Paterson Prep Charter School as one of its founding members. He also serves as chaplain for the Paterson Police and Fire Departments, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department, and the New York Division of the FBI.")
![‘Exorcist Files’ priest sues Catholic commentators who questioned his credentials – #Catholic – A prominent priest who hosts a popular podcast about exorcisms is suing two lay Catholic commentators for defamation, alleging that they falsely told listeners of another podcast that he is not an exorcist. The two commentators are associates of a well-known exorcist, Father Chad Ripperger, who is not a defendant in the lawsuit.Father Carlos Martins, host of “The Exorcist Files” and author of a book with the same title, filed the lawsuit, which is pending, in November 2025 against Jesse Romero (identified in court papers as Jesus O. Romero Jr.) and Kyle Clement. At the time, Romero was the principal host of the podcast “Jesus 911,” while Clement, director of formation and training for a religious society of priests that Ripperger founded, was a guest on Romero’s podcast.The lawsuit also names as a defendant Catholic Resource Center Inc., of Los Angeles, which operates Virgin Most Powerful Radio, the broadcaster of “Jesus 911.” According to Martins’ complaint, Clement made false statements about Martins while appearing on the podcast in November 2024.“Clement asserted that Fr. Martins ‘is not who he says he is’” and that Martins is “opining and talking about things which he does not know,” according to Martins’ complaint, which calls Clement’s statements “false and defamatory” because, it says, “Fr. Martins has functioned as an exorcist and has both the knowledge and experience to perform and speak on exorcism.”“These statements harmed Fr. Martins’ credibility as a religious figure and exorcist and directly affected the sale and reception of ‘The Exorcist Files’ book that was newly released at the time these episodes aired,” states Martins’ complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. “In addition, these statements caused ‘The Exorcist Files’ to lose advertisers and listeners, which resulted in financial losses.”But Romero and Clement “deny any allegation that they published false or misleading statements” about Martins during the podcasts and maintain that the priest is not an exorcist, according to a formal answer to Martins’ complaint filed in court in September 2026.“It is Defendants[’] strongly held belief that Plaintiff is not an exorcist …,” the defendants state in court papers, questioning Martins’ credentials and describing the priest’s “traveling across the United States to perform exorcisms” as “both improper and out of the ordinary.”Private inquiriesThe statements Clement and Romero made about Martins during three late-2024 “Jesus 911” podcast episodes (Nov. 20, Nov. 27, and Dec. 4) followed inquiries Romero made privately in the summer of 2023.Romero sent Martins an email message Aug. 29, 2023, asking for his “status as an exorcist” while identifying himself as a radio and podcast host and as a “member of the Liber Christo team under Fr Ripperger,” according to an exhibit filed in court by Martins’ lawyer.Liber Christo is an organization founded by Ripperger and Clement for “training priests, deacons and laity in the ministry of liberation” from purported demonic possession.Martins referred Romero to the priest’s website without answering his questions, according to court papers.Romero also solicited an email message from Martins’ religious society, Companions of the Cross, about the priest, to which the society responded.“In answer to your inquiry Fr. Carlos has not been appointed as an exorcist by a particular diocese. His full-time ministry is Treasures of the Church, however, due to his travels, he has been involved in exorcisms with the appropriate permission and or by request of the corresponding bishop,” the society’s email message states.According to court papers, Romero quoted from the email message during a podcast episode released Nov. 27, 2024, but stopped at “Treasures of the Church” and left out the part about Martins receiving “appropriate permission” from diocesan bishops to perform exorcisms.Crossing a line?Romero’s partial quotation of the society’s email message about Martins during the podcast is a flashpoint in the case.On Aug. 21, 2026, U.S. District Judge F. Kay Behm denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss the case, writing that “the court agrees that Plaintiff has the better argument.” The judge highlighted a particular statement that, according to her ruling, Romero made on the podcast about Martins: “I just don’t understand why he’s purporting to be an exorcist when his Order says he’s not.”With that statement, the judge wrote, Romero “appear[s] to have crossed the line between an opinion that Fr. Martins is not an exorcist to statements of fact that the email from his own Order says he is not an exorcist.”The email message from the Companions of the Cross “does not say that Plaintiff is not an exorcist,” the judge wrote.The ruling allowed the lawsuit to proceed but did not determine whether the defendants had defamed Martins.Two weeks later, on Sept. 4, 2026, the defendants in their formal answer to Martins’ complaint acknowledged that “Romero only read a portion of the e-mail in question” during the podcast but described it as a choice the defendants made “consistent with their beliefs” that Martins is not an exorcist.Unspecified damagesMartins is seeking unspecified damages in the lawsuit for harm to his reputation, earning ability, and physical well-being allegedly caused by the podcasters’ statements about him.On the financial side, Martins’ complaint says he had to cancel “worldwide speaking engagements” associated with the publication of his book “The Exorcist Files,” published in November 2024, and that his podcast lost advertisers and listeners.Martins’ complaint says “multiple priests contacted” him following the “Jesus 911” podcasts in November and December 2024 and that “at least one priest advised Fr. Martins that multiple people in his parish were scandalized by the podcasts and asked if Fr. Martins was a fraud.”“Everywhere he goes, he fears people believe him to be a fraud, who is not worthy of the priesthood and not to be trusted as an exorcist,” the complaint states.Martins’ complaint also alleges that he “suffered severe emotional distress, including anxiety, sleeplessness, depression, dread, grief, and a sense of hopelessness,” as well as a brain injury called dendritic atrophy, allegedly caused by emotional distress. The complaint says the injury makes the brain “more susceptible to anxiety and depression.”“Fr. Martins’ cognitive abilities have been permanently diminished because of the Defendants’ conduct,” the complaint states.Neither Martins nor his religious community nor the lawyer representing him in the case could be reached for comment by the time this story was published.Clement and a spokesman for Catholic Resource Center also could not be reached for comment.A spokesman for Romero, who currently hosts “The Jesse Romero Show” podcast, declined an interview request from the National Catholic Register, the sister partner of EWTN News.“Jesse would welcome an interview after the case is adjudicated and talk about the case from the beginning to end,” said Anita Romero, Jesse Romero’s event coordinator, by email.The defendants’ lawyer, H. William Burdett, declined a request for comment.Ripperger, who, at the request of Denver Archbishop James Golka, has agreed to a one-year moratorium on public speaking and interviews, could not immediately be reached for comment Monday night. The Register attempted to contact him through the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother, known as the Doloran Fathers, a semi-contemplative society of priests he founded in the Archdiocese of Denver.A scheduling conference in the case is set for Oct. 29.This story was first published by the National Catholic Register, the sister partner of EWTN News, and has been adapted by EWTN News.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/exorcist-files-priest-sues-catholic-commentators-who-questioned-his-credentials-catholic-a-prominent-priest-who-hosts-a-popular-podcast-about-exorcisms-is-suing-two-lay-catholic.webp "‘Exorcist Files’ priest sues Catholic commentators who questioned his credentials – #Catholic – A prominent priest who hosts a popular podcast about exorcisms is suing two lay Catholic commentators for defamation, alleging that they falsely told listeners of another podcast that he is not an exorcist. The two commentators are associates of a well-known exorcist, Father Chad Ripperger, who is not a defendant in the lawsuit.Father Carlos Martins, host of “The Exorcist Files” and author of a book with the same title, filed the lawsuit, which is pending, in November 2025 against Jesse Romero (identified in court papers as Jesus O. Romero Jr.) and Kyle Clement. At the time, Romero was the principal host of the podcast “Jesus 911,” while Clement, director of formation and training for a religious society of priests that Ripperger founded, was a guest on Romero’s podcast.The lawsuit also names as a defendant Catholic Resource Center Inc., of Los Angeles, which operates Virgin Most Powerful Radio, the broadcaster of “Jesus 911.” According to Martins’ complaint, Clement made false statements about Martins while appearing on the podcast in November 2024.“Clement asserted that Fr. Martins ‘is not who he says he is’” and that Martins is “opining and talking about things which he does not know,” according to Martins’ complaint, which calls Clement’s statements “false and defamatory” because, it says, “Fr. Martins has functioned as an exorcist and has both the knowledge and experience to perform and speak on exorcism.”“These statements harmed Fr. Martins’ credibility as a religious figure and exorcist and directly affected the sale and reception of ‘The Exorcist Files’ book that was newly released at the time these episodes aired,” states Martins’ complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. “In addition, these statements caused ‘The Exorcist Files’ to lose advertisers and listeners, which resulted in financial losses.”But Romero and Clement “deny any allegation that they published false or misleading statements” about Martins during the podcasts and maintain that the priest is not an exorcist, according to a formal answer to Martins’ complaint filed in court in September 2026.“It is Defendants[’] strongly held belief that Plaintiff is not an exorcist …,” the defendants state in court papers, questioning Martins’ credentials and describing the priest’s “traveling across the United States to perform exorcisms” as “both improper and out of the ordinary.”Private inquiriesThe statements Clement and Romero made about Martins during three late-2024 “Jesus 911” podcast episodes (Nov. 20, Nov. 27, and Dec. 4) followed inquiries Romero made privately in the summer of 2023.Romero sent Martins an email message Aug. 29, 2023, asking for his “status as an exorcist” while identifying himself as a radio and podcast host and as a “member of the Liber Christo team under Fr Ripperger,” according to an exhibit filed in court by Martins’ lawyer.Liber Christo is an organization founded by Ripperger and Clement for “training priests, deacons and laity in the ministry of liberation” from purported demonic possession.Martins referred Romero to the priest’s website without answering his questions, according to court papers.Romero also solicited an email message from Martins’ religious society, Companions of the Cross, about the priest, to which the society responded.“In answer to your inquiry Fr. Carlos has not been appointed as an exorcist by a particular diocese. His full-time ministry is Treasures of the Church, however, due to his travels, he has been involved in exorcisms with the appropriate permission and or by request of the corresponding bishop,” the society’s email message states.According to court papers, Romero quoted from the email message during a podcast episode released Nov. 27, 2024, but stopped at “Treasures of the Church” and left out the part about Martins receiving “appropriate permission” from diocesan bishops to perform exorcisms.Crossing a line?Romero’s partial quotation of the society’s email message about Martins during the podcast is a flashpoint in the case.On Aug. 21, 2026, U.S. District Judge F. Kay Behm denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss the case, writing that “the court agrees that Plaintiff has the better argument.” The judge highlighted a particular statement that, according to her ruling, Romero made on the podcast about Martins: “I just don’t understand why he’s purporting to be an exorcist when his Order says he’s not.”With that statement, the judge wrote, Romero “appear[s] to have crossed the line between an opinion that Fr. Martins is not an exorcist to statements of fact that the email from his own Order says he is not an exorcist.”The email message from the Companions of the Cross “does not say that Plaintiff is not an exorcist,” the judge wrote.The ruling allowed the lawsuit to proceed but did not determine whether the defendants had defamed Martins.Two weeks later, on Sept. 4, 2026, the defendants in their formal answer to Martins’ complaint acknowledged that “Romero only read a portion of the e-mail in question” during the podcast but described it as a choice the defendants made “consistent with their beliefs” that Martins is not an exorcist.Unspecified damagesMartins is seeking unspecified damages in the lawsuit for harm to his reputation, earning ability, and physical well-being allegedly caused by the podcasters’ statements about him.On the financial side, Martins’ complaint says he had to cancel “worldwide speaking engagements” associated with the publication of his book “The Exorcist Files,” published in November 2024, and that his podcast lost advertisers and listeners.Martins’ complaint says “multiple priests contacted” him following the “Jesus 911” podcasts in November and December 2024 and that “at least one priest advised Fr. Martins that multiple people in his parish were scandalized by the podcasts and asked if Fr. Martins was a fraud.”“Everywhere he goes, he fears people believe him to be a fraud, who is not worthy of the priesthood and not to be trusted as an exorcist,” the complaint states.Martins’ complaint also alleges that he “suffered severe emotional distress, including anxiety, sleeplessness, depression, dread, grief, and a sense of hopelessness,” as well as a brain injury called dendritic atrophy, allegedly caused by emotional distress. The complaint says the injury makes the brain “more susceptible to anxiety and depression.”“Fr. Martins’ cognitive abilities have been permanently diminished because of the Defendants’ conduct,” the complaint states.Neither Martins nor his religious community nor the lawyer representing him in the case could be reached for comment by the time this story was published.Clement and a spokesman for Catholic Resource Center also could not be reached for comment.A spokesman for Romero, who currently hosts “The Jesse Romero Show” podcast, declined an interview request from the National Catholic Register, the sister partner of EWTN News.“Jesse would welcome an interview after the case is adjudicated and talk about the case from the beginning to end,” said Anita Romero, Jesse Romero’s event coordinator, by email.The defendants’ lawyer, H. William Burdett, declined a request for comment.Ripperger, who, at the request of Denver Archbishop James Golka, has agreed to a one-year moratorium on public speaking and interviews, could not immediately be reached for comment Monday night. The Register attempted to contact him through the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother, known as the Doloran Fathers, a semi-contemplative society of priests he founded in the Archdiocese of Denver.A scheduling conference in the case is set for Oct. 29.This story was first published by the National Catholic Register, the sister partner of EWTN News, and has been adapted by EWTN News.")
