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CNA Staff, Aug 15, 2024 / 06:00 am (CNA).

On Aug. 15, 1483, Pope Sixtus IV consecrated the Sistine Chapel to Our Lady of the Assumption. Today, as we celebrate the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, let's take a closer look at this historic chapel.

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel is known for its magnificently frescoed ceilings, but it also serves an important function as the place where the cardinals meet to elect a new pope.

Here are five things to know:

1. Where did the chapel get its name?

The chapel derives its name from the man who consecrated it: Pope Sixtus IV, who served as the Roman pontiff from 1471 to 1484. He commissioned the restoration of the Cappella Magna, the chapel that stood where the Sistine Chapel stands today.

2. Who painted the frescoes?

The artist most famously connected with the Sistine Chapel is Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni. However, it wasn't until several years after a team of artists began work on the chapel that Pope Julius II commissioned work from Michelangelo. 

Between 1481 and 1482, four artists — Pietro Perugino, Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and Cosimo Rosselli — worked on the chapel's frescoes. These artists were assisted by their shops in painting the walls with false drapes, the stories of Moses and Christ, as well as portraits of the popes. 

Michelangelo painted the chapel ceiling and the lunettes on the upper part of the walls. Perhaps the most famous fresco in the chapel is his "Creation of Adam," which portrays God in the form of a man surrounded by angels and wrapped in a mantle, reaching toward Adam, while Adam reaches back up to God. 

3. Michelangelo was telling a story.

The "Creation of Adam," although a focal point of the ceiling, is part of nine frescoes depicting different stories from the Book of Genesis. The stories are separated into groups of three. 

4. Pope John Paul II, the Sistine Chapel, and theology of the body

Walking into the Sistine Chapel, one might be surprised to see the many nude figures in the frescoes. During Mass in the Sistine Chapel on April 8, 1994, Pope John Paul II called the chapel a "sanctuary of the theology of the human body."

The late pope and now saint said in his homily: "It seems that Michelangelo, in his own way, allowed himself to be guided by the evocative words of the Book of Genesis which, as regards the creation of the human being, male and female, reveals: 'The man and his wife were both naked, yet they felt no shame.'"

"The Sistine Chapel is precisely — if one may say so — the sanctuary of the theology of the human body," he added. "In witnessing to the beauty of man created by God as male and female, it also expresses in a certain way the hope of a world transfigured, the world inaugurated by the risen Christ, and even before by Christ on Mount Tabor."

5. One can take a virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel.

It's possible to visit the Sistine Chapel without leaving the house. The website for the Vatican Museums allows one to virtually stroll through the chapel and zoom in on the details of each fresco.

The experience is not quite the same as being physically present, but visitors can take their time examining the frescoes without the usual crowds.

Bonus fact: 

There is a spray-painted replica of the Sistine Chapel in the United States. Located in Waterloo, Iowa, at 622 Commercial St., Cappella Magna can be rented out for functions. 

"Welcome to Capella Magna, Iowa's newly imagined premiere destination venue!" the organization's description says. "Experience the only replica of the Sistine Chapel in the world. Host your corporate event, office party, wedding, or anniversary in the splendor and elegance of Michelangelo's masterpiece reimagined by Waterloo's own, Paco Rosic."

The description says the venue seats 68 people in the main hall and 50 people in another area of the venue. Photos can be seen on the venue's Facebook page.

This article was previously published on Aug. 14, 2023, and has been updated.

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ACI Prensa Staff, Aug 14, 2024 / 18:30 pm (CNA).

Luis Fernando Figari Rodrigo, founder of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (Sodality of Christian Life) and accused of committing sexual abuse, has been expelled from the organization by decision of the Vatican, the Peruvian Bishops' Conference announced.

In an Aug. 14 statement posted on its website, the conference said that the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life has announced, in a decree, that Figari, 77, has been expelled from the sodality "in accordance with Canon 746 of the Code of Canon Law." 

The decree explains that Figari has been expelled based on the "results obtained and the certainties acquired" in the investigation carried out by Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith following their visit to Peru in July 2023 on behalf of Pope Francis.

At the time, the Holy Father entrusted both prelates with clarifying the accusations against the founder of the sodality and "other members" for sexual abuse and the abuse of power.

Following the results, on Aug. 6 Pope Francis delegated to the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life the task of ordering the expulsion of Luis Fernando Figari "in order to restore justice which had been violated … and to protect in the future the individual good of the faithful and of the Church."

Sodality of Christian Life: Figari is no longer part of our community

In a statement, the superior general of the Sodality of Christian Life, José David Correa González, called Pope Francis' decision "a gesture of pastoral charity, justice, and reconciliation within our community" and with all of Figari's victims. Correa underscored that Figari "no longer has ties with our community" as a result of the measure taken by the pontiff.

Correa also referenced previous actions taken by the sodality against its founder, including the disciplinary measures imposed on him in 2014 "after receiving testimonies of abuse" and his being declared a "persona non grata" in 2016. In addition, he stated that following the sanctions by the Holy See in 2017, as superior general, he asked the Vatican in 2019 to expel Figari from the society of apostolic life.

"As we have stated previously, Luis Fernando Figari is the historical founder of the Sodality of Christian Life, but he is not a spiritual role model for our community or for the Sodality family," the superior general explained.

The statement concluded by renewing the sodality's commitment to continue its process of renewal and reiterating its request for forgiveness and its solidarity with the victims.

"We reaffirm our readiness to continue with efforts to guarantee a safe environment in all our communities and apostolic works," Correa emphasized.

Who is Luis Fernando Figari?

Figari founded the Sodalitium in Peru in 1971. The society of apostolic life is currently present in several countries in the Americas and in Italy.

However, in 2015, journalists Pedro Salinas and Paola Ugaz published the book "Mitad monjes, mitad soldados" ("Half Monks, Half Soldiers"), in which they accused Figari and other members of the sodality of sexual abuse and abuse of power.

The following year, the Vatican appointed Cardinal Joseph Tobin, then-archbishop of Indianapolis, as delegate to the sodality. Among his duties was to help make decisions "about the accusations made against the founder."

In February 2017, the Holy See sanctioned Figari, among other things prohibiting him from returning to Peru and having contact with any member of the organization he founded. The Vatican indicated that it had determined that while he was superior general, the founder of the sodality was authoritarian and committed "acts contrary to the Sixth Commandment."

Days later, the sodality presented its report, which identified Figari, Germán Doig (vicar general who died in 2001), and others as alleged abusers.

Regarding the criminal proceedings against him in Peru, the Vatican stated in June 2018 that Figari "has never been covered up, hidden away, or protected in any way by the Apostolic See" and is therefore not prevented from "defending himself or responding to the accusations made against him in Peru."

Figari currently resides in Italy.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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ACI Prensa Staff, Aug 14, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).

In a letter to his brothers and sisters in Christ, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, appealed for peace in the Holy Land and included a prayer to Our Lady on the feast of her Assumption to be recited by all Christians on Aug. 15.

Pizzaballa said that "these days seem to be important" in order to change the course of the war in Gaza, "whose impact on the lives of our people is greater and more painful than ever before."

The patriarch noted that "It is becoming increasingly difficult to find people and institutions with whom a dialogue about the future and peaceful relations is possible" and thus invited all Catholic faithful to pray to the Blessed Virgin for peace in the region on the solemnity of her Assumption into heaven.

"On this day, before or after the celebration of the Eucharist or at another suitable time, I invite everyone to a moment of intercession for peace to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I hope that the parishes, the contemplative and apostolic religious communities, and even the few pilgrims who are among us will unite in the common desire for peace that we entrust to the Blessed Virgin," Pizzaballa requested.

The cardinal said that the patriarchate has done everything possible "to help and be close to everyone," but in the face of words of hatred and the continuation of the war, "we would like to offer our prayer, which consists of words of reconciliation and peace."

"Let us pray that in this long night that we are living through, the intercession of the most holy Mary will open a glimpse of light for all of us and for the whole world," Pizzaballa concluded.

Friar Francesco Patton, custos of the Holy Land, joined Pizzaballa's request and in a letter addressed to all the Franciscans of the Custody also asked them to pray for peace.

"I seem to see a hopeful sign in the fact that the parties involved have agreed to resume talks for the cease-fire in Gaza, the liberation of the hostages and that of political prisoners on the very day in which we celebrate Mary assumed into heaven in body and soul, a sign of sure hope and consolation for us pilgrims on earth," Patton told the friars. 

The Franciscan Custody will dedicate the celebrations for the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary "to prayer for peace in the Holy Land and throughout the world."

"All those who can, on the 14th and 15th August, should participate in the celebrations at Gethsemane according to the programme sent by the Custodial Secretariat; the others should value the celebrations in fraternity and include the appropriate "Supplication for peace to the B.V. Mary Assumed into heaven," the custos of the Holy Land concluded.

Supplication for peace to Our Lady assumed into heaven

O most glorious Mother of God,

raised above the choirs of angels,

pray for us with St. Michael the Archangel

and with all the angelic powers of heaven

and with all the saints,

to your most holy

and beloved Son, Our Lord and master.

Obtain for this Holy Land,

for all his children

and for all humanity

the gift of reconciliation and peace.

May your prophecy be fulfilled: 

the proud are scattered

in the imaginations of their hearts;

the mighty are overthrown from their thrones,

and finally, the humble are raised;

Let the hungry be filled with good things,

the peaceful be recognized as children of God

and that the meek may receive the earth as a gift.

May Jesus Christ, your Son, grant us this,

He who exalted you today

above the choirs of angels,

who crowned you with the diadem of the kingdom,

and has placed you on the throne of eternal splendor

To him be honor and glory forever. Amen.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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CNA Newsroom, Aug 14, 2024 / 10:32 am (CNA).

An Australian archbishop is urging the government to maintain existing religious freedom protections after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed he would not proceed with expected religious discrimination legislation this term.

Melbourne Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli expressed disappointment over the news, saying in a statement: "It is regrettable that such important legislation is not proceeding. However, I trust that the prime minister will be true to his word that protections for people of faith will not go backwards under his leadership."

The archbishop emphasized that in the absence of new protections, existing safeguards should remain intact. Monica Doumit, Sydney Archdiocese's director of public affairs and engagement, echoed this statement, according to the Catholic Weekly. 

Albanese, speaking at a press conference in Perth on Friday, cited a lack of bipartisan support as the reason for not moving forward with the bill. "The last thing that Australia needs is any divisive debate relating to religion and people's faith," Albanese told reporters.

The decision has been criticized as a broken election promise, with opposition legal affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash accusing the prime minister of letting "Australians of faith down," the Australian reported.

Other religious leaders have also voiced their concerns. Rateb Jneid, president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, urged all political parties to intensify efforts to find common ground and advance "necessary" reforms.

The apparent shelving of the legislation comes amid broader concerns from Catholic leaders about threats to religious liberty in Australia.

In June, Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher warned of an "incremental erosion of religious freedom" occurring in health care, education, and society at large.

"If we consider life issues, recent years have seen the complete decriminalization of abortion, with some states requiring medical professionals with a conscientious objection to nonetheless refer a patient to an abortion provider," the prelate told CNA.

The Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference had engaged in discussions about the draft religious discrimination bills over many months, providing both the government and opposition with detailed suggestions.

Christian Schools Australia noted that a broad range of faith leaders had provided the government with detailed line-by-line amendments to the draft reforms three months ago, arguing it was too soon to give up on "long overdue protections."

With legislative protections now unlikely in the near term, Fisher has called on Catholics "to be serious about being saints for our time, committing ourselves to prayer, service, and the sacramental life" as a way to safeguard religious freedom.

The government's decision leaves the future of religious discrimination legislation uncertain, with faith leaders and opposition politicians calling for continued efforts to protect religious freedoms in Australia.

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 14, 2024 / 06:00 am (CNA).

Following the release of their new album, titled "Marigold," the Hillbilly Thomists performed in Washington, D.C., as part of their ongoing Marigold Tour on Aug. 8, the feast of St. Dominic.

Playing at St. Francis Hall to a sold-out crowd of more than 150 people, the band of Dominican friars played various songs from all four of their albums, including their latest album, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard bluegrass charts after its July 26 release.

"Our music is influenced by the bluegrass genre, but it's become our own thing because we're all Dominicans," shared Father Peter Gautsch, who plays the guitar. "Bluegrass has a tradition of the Gospel, but we bring a Catholic twist to it."

For example, band members spoke of their song "Marigold," sharing how the "marigold flower is associated with Our Lady" and citing their inspiration to write the tune as a "prayer for growing in patience, especially for the good things, and asking [the Blessed Virgin Mary], who is most patient, to pray for us."

The concert's crowd consisted of many young people and families who danced and sang along to songs such as "Marigold" as the Dominican brothers interacted with those in attendance before, during, and after the show.

"I first heard about the Hillbilly Thomists when I was involved in college and the Thomistic Institute, which had an annual leadership conference where Father Jonah Teller and Father Thomas Joseph White spoke," shared Celia Hadjin, a 23-year-old concertgoer. "They played a mini set from their new album at the time, 'Holy Ghost Power,' and I really liked their music, so I looked them up afterwards and became a fan."

Many followed the Dominican brothers throughout their summer tour, which has so far included stops in Knoxville, Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Savannah, Georgia. In Savannah, band members were able to visit the birthplace of Flannery O'Connor, a popular Catholic novelist who has inspired many lyrics of the Hillbilly Thomists' songs — as well as the band's name.

"Flannery O'Connor said in one of her letters, 'I am not a hillbilly nihilist, I am a hillbilly Thomist,'" shared Father Thomas Joseph White. "One of her famous stories was called 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find,' so we said that a good band is hard to find."

The band began in 2016 at the Dominican House of Studies (DHS) in Washington, D.C., where the friars often sang as part of their community life and formation.

"As many of you probably know, we don't perform full time. We do this two weeks out of the year and are blessed to be able to share it tonight with you all," the band told concertgoers. "We recorded our first album in the DHS just down the street as a homemade project."

Since then, the Hillbilly Thomists have gone on to engineer-record and release four albums consisting of both original and cover songs as well as perform on tours following each album's release.

Usually consisting of about 15 shows, the Dominican friars often enjoy ending each concert with night prayer. Having reemerged on stage for an encore at St. Francis Hall, the band acknowledged that they are "first and foremost priests and religious," sharing that they had been "praying for [the concert attendees] over the past year."

They then chose to pray by singing the Christian hymn "Just As I Am," which, according to the band, gets "to the real beauty of our faith, which is that God loves us unconditionally. That oftentimes we can fool ourselves and get confused, thinking that we have to do something to prove our worth to Jesus."

"But the reality is that God loves us in the good and the bad times, that he doesn't wait for us to fix our lives to love us, but rather loves us just how we are in the messy, complicated state that we exist in," they shared.

Similar to this hymn, the Hillbilly Thomists' music often delves into the themes of Christian suffering, hope, and determination.

"Music is another way to preach. It's a way into the heart, as you can communicate some beautiful truths about the faith and life through storytelling and music," Father Justin Teller told CNA. "So there's kind of authentic, real-life themes that are taken up in the bluegrass, folk-type music. People respond well and really appreciate that we're singing about maybe some kind of tragedy or suffering that one can go through but also the hope that is given to us as Christians."

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ACI Africa, Aug 13, 2024 / 18:58 pm (CNA).

The number of Catholic priests serving Nigeria's Diocese of Nsukka has surpassed 400 following the ordination of 23 new priests on Aug. 10.

In remarks at the end of the ordination, Bishop Godfrey Igwebuike Onah expressed gratitude and joy for the growing number of priests serving in his diocese. 

"I must render one apology to all the Nsukka priests who are not in the sanctuary. With the ordination today we are now 417 priests in this diocese," Onah said during the Mass at St. Theresa Cathedral. "Now you understand why some of you for the past 10 years have not been able to impose hands on your newly ordained brothers, because if all of us were to impose hands, we would still be [doing it]."

"But in the future, we will find a way to [allow] as many of you as possible to exercise this gesture," the bishop said.

In his homily, Onah issued a caution about the use of social media platforms in a priest's ministry.

"There are certain places priests must avoid, certain websites they must not visit, certain apps they must not download, and certain networks they must not engage with. Even their attire must reflect their sacred calling," he said.

"As priests, they must be discerning about where they go and what they do. They must remember that they are earthen vessels carrying a precious treasure, and they must guard it carefully," the bishop added.

Onah reiterated the importance of priests living lives that reflect their sacred calling, not only in their ministry but also in all aspects of their behavior.

"Priests are called to stand between the people and God, to offer prayers on behalf of the Church, and to convey God's message to the people. While the temptation for priests to become activists is great, their true calling is to be men of prayer, leading the faithful in holiness," Onah said.

He further highlighted the global context of their calling, reminding the 23 deacons being ordained to the priesthood that they belong not just to their local diocese but to the worldwide Catholic Church. 

"Although every priest is ordained for a particular diocese or religious institute, every priest belongs to the Catholic Church and for the whole world. From this moment on, their personal ideas, interests, and charisms will be put in the service of God's word," he said.

Drawing parallels to the prophet Jeremiah, who was called to prophesy to the nations, Onah urged the new priests to see their mission as one that transcends borders and to be prepared for the difficult tasks ahead.

"As long as they are faithful to this mission, they need not fear. In Christ, the roles of shepherd, priest, and prophet are combined, and your brothers and friends are now assuming this responsibility," Onah said.

Onah, who has led Nigeria's Nsukka Diocese since July 2013, told the newly ordained priests that they are now "profoundly transformed and configured to Christ." He reminded them that the grace they receive through ordination equips them to fulfill their sacred duties.

"[They will draw people away from sin through baptism, reconcile them through the sacrament of penance, strengthen them in Christ through the Eucharist, and heal them through the sacrament of anointing. Satan will not be pleased with their work. Therefore, they must be cautious, mindful of their fragility as earthen vessels and the preciousness of the treasure they carry," Onah said.

He told the 23 new clergy that they are not the "result of an accident, no matter what science suggests. Every human being is a unique expression of God's love — unique and irreplaceable."

Onah called on the faithful to support the new priests with prayers and to allow them to exercise their ministry without interference. 

He expressed gratitude to "families, parish communities, and all who contributed to the formation of these young men, recognizing the collective effort required to prepare them for their lifelong commitment."

This article was first published by ACI Africa, CNA's news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 13, 2024 / 19:18 pm (CNA).

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Superior, Wisconsin, has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a decision to remove its religious organization designation and bar it from receiving a religious tax exemption.

The agency, which operates under the purview of the Diocese of Superior and has programs for the disabled, elderly, and impoverished, argued caring for those in need is part of its religious mission. 

"Catholic Charities Bureau carries out our diocese's essential ministry of caring for the most vulnerable members of our society," Bishop James Powers of Superior said in a statement released on the day of Catholic Charities' appeal to the Supreme Court.

"We pray the court will recognize that this work of improving the human condition is rooted in Christ's call to care for those in need," Powers added.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Superior is appealing a March ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court that said the organization isn't entitled to receive a religious exemption and must pay into the state unemployment system. The 4-3 ruling said that because Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Superior's activities are not "primarily" religious the group does not qualify as a religious organization.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court also said that to successfully challenge the state's primarily religious standard, Catholic Charities would have to prove it was unconstitutional "beyond a reasonable doubt."

On Aug. 9 Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Superior appealed the March ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. The group is being represented by Becket, a firm that specializes in religious liberty cases and has been involved with several high-profile Supreme Court cases.

In its appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, Catholic Charities called the Wisconsin court's ruling "absurd" and argued that it curtails its First Amendment rights by "penalizing Catholic Charities for engaging in critical parts of its ministry" including "serving those in need without proselytizing."

"The state denied Catholic Charities an exemption precisely because its religious beliefs and exercise differed from what the Wisconsin Supreme Court thought were 'typical' religious activities," Catholic Charities wrote in its appeal. "That wrongly disfavors those religious traditions that ask believers to care for the poor without strings attached."

The appeal states that a ruling by the Supreme Court would resolve religious liberty questions impacting churches and faiths beyond just Wisconsin.

The questions Catholic Charities, represented by Becket, are posing to the Supreme Court are: 1) whether a state violates the First Amendment by denying tax breaks to one religious group while denying them to another; and 2) whether a state can impose a beyond a reasonable doubt standard for constitutional challenges.

According to the appeal, the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision "deepens a split among lower courts over whether federal constitutional violations must be proven 'beyond a reasonable doubt.'"

The appeal argues that this case is the "ideal vehicle" to resolve the split and to "set this important area of law onto a firmer — and constitutionally sounder — footing."

"It shouldn't take a theologian to understand that serving the poor is a religious duty for Catholics," Eric Rassbach, vice president of Becket, said in a statement. "But the Wisconsin Supreme Court embraced the absurd conclusion that Catholic Charities has no religious purpose. We're asking the Supreme Court to step in and fix that mistake." 

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 13, 2024 / 11:42 am (CNA).

Vice President Kamala Harris' selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 presidential election last week was met with concern from Catholic leaders, some of whom cited his "extreme" views that they say put him at odds with Catholic teaching. 

Based on his record as governor, here's a look at where he stands on issues that matter to Catholics.

Gender ideology

During Walz's tenure as governor, he has supported the promotion of gender ideology in the classroom setting, backed laws to ensure doctors can perform sex-change operations on minors, and supported a ban on counseling services that discourage minors from changing their gender.

In March 2023, Walz signed an executive order that directed that state agencies must "protect" people who seek sex-change operations, including children, and must refuse to cooperate with other states that are trying to penalize anyone for facilitating a sex-change operation on a minor.

The following month, he signed a bill that allows Minnesota courts to take temporary emergency jurisdiction over child custody disputes if one parent takes a child into the state to obtain a sex-change operation or sex-change drugs. The bill prohibits Minnesota courts from cooperating with court orders from other states if the other parent is trying to prevent the child from obtaining the drugs or the operation.

In April 2023, Walz also signed a bill that prohibits mental health professionals from providing "conversion therapy." The bill's definition of conversion therapy includes counseling services that help children with gender dysphoria become more comfortable with their biological sex. Rather, the law explicitly protects counseling that seeks to socially transition a child's gender. 

Walz's support of gender ideology also extended to the classroom.

He signed legislation that prohibits local school boards from removing books from school libraries that promote gender ideology and contain controversial material that some parents believe are sexually explicit. The law also prohibits public libraries and colleges from restricting such material. The law states that only professional librarians or someone with certain qualifications can determine what books are provided in the libraries.

Another law signed by Walz requires that schools make tampons and other menstrual hygiene products available in both male and female bathrooms. Republicans sought an amendment to limit the requirement to only female bathrooms, which failed.

Abortion and IVF

Minnesota has some of the most pro-abortion laws in the country: Elective abortions are legal through the entirety of pregnancy, until the moment of birth. Abortionists can also perform an abortion on a minor of any age and at any stage of pregnancy without notifying the child's parents.

In January 2023, Walz signed the Protect Reproductive Actions Act, which ensures those standards remain in place. The bill states that every person has a right to "obtain an abortion" and prohibits local governments from imposing limits on that right.

Walz signed another bill in April 2023 that prohibits the extradition of someone who is accused of performing an illegal abortion in another state. The law also states that Minnesota won't recognize civil or criminal subpoenas from other states related to investigations into illegal abortions.

In March, Walz joined Harris during her visit to a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Minnesota. Harris' visit was the first time a sitting vice president visited an abortion clinic.

Walz has also been a strong supporter of in vitro fertilization (IVF), which the Catholic Church opposes because it separates the marriage act from procreation and destroys embryonic human life. In his first rally as the Democratic candidate for vice president, Walz spoke about his and his wife's struggle with infertility and his support for IVF.

Religious freedom

As governor of Minnesota, Walz backed several policies that drew the ire of religious freedom advocates. However, in some of those cases, the governor ultimately made changes to those policies after religious groups took legal action.

When Walz began to scale back some COVID-19 restrictions in May 2020, he issued an executive order that reopened some elements of the economy but maintained harsh restrictions on religious services. Under the order, retail stores could open at 50% capacity, but churches were limited to only 10 people.

Catholic bishops and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod sent letters to Walz, informing him they would reopen for religious services despite the restrictions. Both groups argued that the unequal treatment violated the First Amendment. Less than a week later, Walz reached an agreement with the churches and issued a new executive order that permitted them to open at 25% capacity. 

In May 2023, Walz again faced legal action from religious groups — this time from Christian schools. The schools challenged a law he signed that would have prevented any school that requires students to submit a statement of faith from participating in a program that allows high school students to earn college credits. A month later, the state agreed it would not enforce the law while the litigation is ongoing but has continued to defend the law in court.

Walz also signed a bill in 2023 that amended the Minnesota Human Rights Act to include a ban on discriminating against a person's "gender identity." The Minnesota Catholic Conference and other religious groups were critical of the law because it did not contain exemptions for religious institutions. About a year later, Walz signed another amended version, which added religious exemptions to the law.

As governor, Walz has also consistently opposed school choice policies such as education savings accounts. A law establishing education savings accounts would allow parents to use public funds to support private education costs, such as home schooling or sending their child to a private or Catholic school. In an interview in August of last year, Walz criticized those proposals, saying: "[What] we end up doing is subsidizing folks who are already attending private religious schools … or home schooling."

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CNA Staff, Aug 13, 2024 / 12:12 pm (CNA).

A measure to enshrine abortion into the Arizona Constitution will appear on the November ballot.

"The Arizona Abortion Access Act is on the ballot as Proposition 139!" Arizona for Abortion Access announced on its Facebook page on Monday. "This is Arizona's chance to restore and protect the right to access abortion care, once and for all."

The pro-abortion activists were required to collect about 380,000 signatures to place the measure on the ballot; they reportedly collected more than 575,000 signatures.

The proposal, if passed, would create "a fundamental right to abortion under Arizona's constitution." The government would "not be able to interfere with this fundamental right" prior to "fetal viability" absent a "compelling reason."

Either before or after viability, meanwhile, the state "will not be able to interfere with the good-faith judgment of a treating health care professional that an abortion is necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant [woman]."

Arizona currently bans abortion after 15 weeks. 

Nearly a dozen states are considering pro-abortion measures ahead of the November elections. 

Abortion advocates have made gains in recent weeks to place pro-abortion measures on their respective state ballots. 

In June, activists in Nevada succeeded in placing a proposal on the 2024 ballot that would expand abortion by establishing it as a "fundamental right" to be exercised up until fetal viability "without interference from the state." That amendment will have to be approved by a simple majority of voters in two consecutive elections.

In New York in June, meanwhile, an appellate court ruled in favor of putting a proposed abortion amendment on the Nov. 5 ballot after a lower court had ordered it removed. 

And in Arkansas in July, a pro-abortion group announced that it obtained the necessary signatures to put an abortion proposal on the state ballot. The proposal was rejected by the Arkansas secretary of state; the pro-abortion group is contesting the decision. 

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CNA Staff, Aug 13, 2024 / 14:25 pm (CNA).

The Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board on Monday unanimously rescinded the contract for what would have been the nation's first religious charter school. 

St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School would have been the first religious charter school in the nation, but in late June the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled against its establishment and ordered the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board to drop the Catholic institution's contract. A charter school is a privately run, publicly funded school. 

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, a Republican who has opposed the school on religious freedom grounds, requested the Oklahoma school board rescind the contract or face contempt charges. 

"While it is appalling that the Statewide Charter School Board took so long to recognize the authority of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, I am pleased that board members finally fulfilled their duty," Drummond said in a statement Monday.

St. Isidore has appealed the decision to the United States Supreme Court and requested a stay of the court order for the duration of the legal process, but the request was denied last week. 

Meanwhile, the Virtual Charter School Board — which has since been incorporated into the Statewide Charter School Board — delayed rescinding the contract pending the outcome of the appeal. The school board had met two times previously without complying with the court order to rescind the contract.

The board rescinded the contract on Monday but voted that St. Isidore's contract would be immediately reinstated if a court were to reverse or nullify the current orders.

While Drummond and others argue that funding the school with taxpayers' money would violate religious freedom, proponents of St. Isidore argue that rescinding its contract violates religious freedom. 

"The proposed state-sponsored religious charter school, funded by our tax dollars, represents a serious threat to the religious liberty of all Oklahomans," Drummond said. 

A 2022 Supreme Court ruling found that Maine couldn't exclude religious schools from a tuition aid program because it violates the free exercise clause. Other states have established voucher systems allowing tuition aid for students to attend private religious schools.

One proponent of St. Isidore's, Oklahoma state superintendent Ryan Walters — who recently mandated using the Bible as a historical document in schools  — called the decision "shameful."

"The Oklahoma Supreme Court has failed Oklahomans in their latest dismal ruling against parents and kids," he said in a statement Monday. 

"They have chosen the path of liberal extremism and Marxism by depriving parents of a choice," Walters continued. "It's shameful but predictable from a failed judicial system. They do not represent conservative Oklahoma values."

St. Isidore is currently working with attorneys from the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Clinic, part of the Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Initiative, to appeal the decision. 

St. Isidore was initially set to launch in August as an online, tuition-free, Catholic K–12 charter school managed by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa, with 200 students registered to start in the fall.

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