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CNA Staff, Mar 25, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

Legislators in several states are moving to address the practice of "debanking" as part of an effort to stop what some critics say are anti-conservative measures employed by major U.S. financial institutions.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines debanking as "the act by a bank of closing someone's account because they are regarded as a risk legally, financially, or to the bank's reputation." Critics have claimed that the practice is used by banks to antagonize certain groups, including conservatives and other political activists. 

For example, the Trump Organization filed a lawsuit earlier this month against one of the largest banks in the United States. President Donald Trump claims he was a victim of debanking after Capital One allegedly closed hundreds of his organization's accounts soon after his supporters' Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol.

In her recently-released memoir, Melania Trump alleged that she and her son, Barron, were also debanked.

The Ruth Institute, a global coalition designed to equip Christians to defend the family, alleged it was debanked in 2017. Just two years ago, a Memphis-based Christian charity called the Indigenous Advance Ministries also claimed that it had been debanked by Bank of America.

In another high-profile case, in 2022 former U.S. senator and ambassador Sam Brownback announced that his nonprofit group the National Committee for Religious Freedom had been debanked.

Over the past decade, other high-ranking individuals and grassroots organizations have reportedly faced debanking, including Nigel Farage, who led the Brexit effort in the United Kingdom; evangelist and motivational speaker Nick Vujicic; Moms for Liberty, a parental rights advocacy group; Christian author and preacher Lance Wallnau; and Timothy Two Project International, a Christian ministry.

U.S. bishops 'monitoring' debanking; legislators move to address 

While it's unclear to what extent debanking has affected U.S. Catholics, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops acknowledged the phenomenon in its 2025 religious liberty report. 

"In recent years, individuals have raised concerns that banks are discriminating on the basis of political and religious viewpoints," the report read.

"In response to incidents like these, some states have begun passing laws intended to prevent politically motivated debanking," the bishops noted. "However, the U.S. government argues that these laws hamstring banks, who need to be able to account for potential customers' exposure to foreign actors. The lack of transparency, though, makes it difficult to ascertain why someone like Ambassador Brownback would be debanked."

According to the report, the USCCB is "monitoring this issue but has not taken a position on it." 

Taking action against debanking 

Some lawmakers are moving to address the controversy via legislation.

An anti-debanking bill in Idaho was sent to the state governor for signature last week.

The Transparency in Financial Services Act would prohibit "large financial institutions from discriminating against customers based on their political or religious views" and would give customers the right to request the reason for denial from an institution.

Montana's Republican-sponsored Equality in Financial Services Act and South Carolina's anti-debanking bill — similar to Idaho's bill — have made some progress in the state Legislature, while Georgia's Freedom of Speech and Belief Act failed to pass at the beginning of March.

Some see changes in bank policy, or even legal changes, as potential solutions to debanking.

Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) — a legal group committed to protecting religious freedom and freedom of speech — worked with Indigenous Advance Ministries to file a consumer complaint following its alleged debanking in 2022.

"No American should ever fear losing access to their bank account due to their religious or political beliefs," Lathan Watts, ADF's vice president of public affairs, told CNA.

In its 2023 Viewpoint Diversity Score Index, ADF found that 7 out of 10 of the largest commercial banks — including Chase — have "hate speech" or "reputational risk" policies that contribute to debanking.

JPMorgan Chase, a top American bank, recently adjusted its policy, agreeing to protect clients against political and religious debanking in its code of conduct after 19 attorneys general petitioned the bank to cease its debanking practices in 2023.

"Chase's policy change is a significant step by our nation's largest bank to uphold financial access for all Americans," Watts said. "This change provides necessary protections for customers like Ambassador Brownback, whose account at the National Committee for Religious Freedom was unexpectedly canceled in 2022."

Watts shared his hope that other banks will take similar measures.

"Alliance Defending Freedom actively engaged with Chase in these negotiations, and we are hopeful that other banks will follow suit in safeguarding fundamental financial freedoms," Watts said.

Jennifer Roback Morse, the founder and president of the Ruth Institute — an organization dedicated to combating the effects of the sexual revolution — recalled her own experience allegedly being debanked.

"In 2017, the Ruth Institute was one of the first organizations to be attacked in the banking arena," Morse told CNA. "In our case, our credit card processor cut us off with no notification, or explanation, except to say that we 'violated its standards.'"

While there was no clear explanation, Morse believes it was due to a leftist law center labeling the organization as a hate group. 

"We surmised this was because we were listed on the Southern Poverty Law Center's 'Hate Map' for our opposition to the redefinition of marriage and other LGBT-issues," Morse said. "Thankfully, we were able to secure another credit card processor fairly quickly." 

Morse told CNA that banking "is a highly regulated, semi-monopolistic industry, comparable in some respects to public utilities such as electricity and water."

"I am in favor of banks being legally required to be transparent and even-handed in their standards," she said.

"Alternatively, if banks are permitted to engage in viewpoint discrimination," she argued, "I would urge that bakers, florists, therapists, and other professionals also be permitted to refuse service to potential customers for any reason they choose."

"A disappointed customer can find an alternative photographer a lot easier than they can find an alternative bank," Morse noted. "And it is a lot easier to participate in the business world without a photographer or florist than to survive without banking services."

'A balanced approach' 

While conservative legislators are pushing these anti-debanking bills, support for this legislation is not entirely united within the conservative movement.

A recent poll found that while a majority of conservatives are concerned about debanking, nearly three-quarters of conservatives expressed support for banks having the right to choose their own clients. 

The poll by the Tyson Group found that conservatives "do not support broad government intervention that prevents financial institutions from making risk-based assessments when determining their customers." 

"When informed that legislation could force businesses to provide services to customers at odds with their values and the conservative movement, many expressed hesitations," the study noted.

"As conservatives push for greater accountability from regulators, they also seek a balanced approach to debanking that avoids unintended consequences and protects the rights of both consumers and businesses."

Some opponents of anti-debanking laws maintain that restrictions against debanking could have unintended consequences.

In South Carolina, for example, an anti-debanking bill under consideration, the Equality in Financial Services Act, would prevent financial institutions from discriminating when providing financial services.

But a Republican executive committeeman from Richland, South Carolina, is concerned that such an anti-debanking law could require pro-life banks to work with abortionists.

"Stopping abortion and protecting children requires winning hearts and minds but also cutting off the financial pipeline that enables these activities," Eaddy Roe Willard, Richland GOP executive committeeman, told CNA. "Misguided legislation at the state level will only make it harder to do that."

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ACI Africa, Mar 25, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

Church leaders in Zambia have denounced what they have termed "unpalatable remarks" against faith leaders who have reportedly criticized the Zambian government for various misdeeds, including unfair distribution of resources and poor infrastructure.

In a March 19 statement, the church leaders, including representatives of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), and the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), emphasized the churches' role as a voice for the voiceless. 

CCZ general secretary Rev. Emmanuel Chikoya; EFZ executive secretary Bishop Andrew Mwenda; and ZCCB secretary-general Father Francis Mukosa signed the statement. 

"We observe that church leaders, in the course of fulfilling their role of providing checks and balances, have been subjected to unpalatable remarks with no consequences," they lamented. 

"We strongly object to the demeaning language used against church leaders. We believe that it is essential to uphold the dignity of all people, regardless of their role in society," they said. "This incident exemplifies the ongoing tensions between political figures and religious leaders, especially when the church fulfills its responsibility to provide checks and balances."

Auxiliary Bishop Gabriel Msipu Phiri of Zambia's Chipata Diocese has reportedly been at the center of tensions with the country's United Party for National Development government for being vocal about gaps in governance. 

Phiri has criticized President Hakainde Hichilema's government of failing to realize promises — particularly regarding the rehabilitation of roads in Eastern Province, one of Zambia's 10 provinces. 

Phiri highlighted the dire state of roads leading to areas such as Vubwi, Chadiza, and Lundazi, adding that residents were compelled to use routes through Malawi, incurring additional border fees.

In his criticism, the bishop expressed concern about delays in fertilizer distribution, noting that agriculture is the primary livelihood in the region and that such a setback adversely affects farmers' welfare.

Reacting to the criticisms, chief government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa threatened Phiri. 

In his March 4 press release, Mweetwa said the Zambian government was going to isolate him and deal with him in person for challenging the government.

The president of the Association of Zambian Diocesan Catholic Clergy, Father Augustine Mwewa, is said to have defended Phiri, asserting that Phiri's homilies represent the broader Catholic Church and the Holy Father, not just personal opinion.

Mwewa cautioned the Zambian government against isolating and targeting the bishop for speaking truth to power. 

In their March 19 statement, the Church leaders in Zambia said: "We have a duty to speak to the moral conscience of the nation, a task that we are committed to do informed by our Scriptures and not coercion by any other forces."

They added: "The three church mother bodies have consistently and actively spoken on matters of public and national interest. We do not rush to comment on issues, as we strive to ensure that our messages are informed, thoughtful, and balanced."

In their statement, the leaders reaffirmed their responsibility to their respective congregants.

"The various churches and parishes continue to actively provide ongoing pastoral care, counseling, and sermons that speak directly or indirectly to issues promoting Christian values and principles in our society," they said.

The leaders of all three bodies — the ZCCB, CCZ, and EF — also weighed in on a couple of other issues, including what they describe as "the rushed and hasty constitutional amendment process" and "the ever-increasing cost of living for Zambians."

"Our repeated calls for constitutional amendments have largely gone unanswered. Why is the government drafting documents in isolation without public consultation?" they asked in their statement. 

The church leaders denounced the "growing culture of miscommunication" in the country as well as the "emergence of cadre militancy with the wearing of military regalia and the blatant disregard for traffic rules." They also called out "the lack of urgency and attention given to calls for national dialogue, reconciliation, and national unity."

In the statement, the church leaders reaffirmed their stance of autonomy, resisting any form of coercion.

"We reserve the right to speak or remain silent as we see fit, and we will not be dictated to by any political party or individual. We will not be coerced into speaking at your pace or on your timeline," they said.

Zambia's church leaders urged the government to "address the underlying causes of poverty, such as the need for sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective energy, as well as comprehensive poverty alleviation strategies."

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

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CNA Staff, Mar 24, 2025 / 17:15 pm (CNA).

Editor's note: This story contains graphic descriptions of an abortion procedure.

A woman is suing an abortionist for allegedly leaving more than half of her unborn child inside her after an abortion.

The 32-year-old woman, identified as "Jane Doe," was about five months pregnant with her fifth child when she traveled from Indianapolis to an abortion facility in Champaign, Illinois. 

Days later, she needed emergency care and surgery to remove remnants of her 22-week-old child from her body. 

Now, Doe is suing the abortionist for medical negligence.

Doe and her lawyers filed the lawsuit against Dr. Keith Reisinger-Kindle and his Equity Clinic last week in the Circuit Court of Champaign County. 

On April 1 and 2, 2023, Doe visited the Equity Clinic for a late-term abortion. The next day, she called the clinic to report heavy cramping. 

When Doe first reported something had gone wrong, the clinic told her to take Tylenol and laxatives, the lawsuit alleges. 

But by April 4, the clinic recommended she have an enema or go to the emergency room. That day, Doe checked into the Community Hospital South Emergency Room in Indianapolis. 

When Doe went to the emergency room soon after her abortion procedure, the days-old remains of the unborn child had to be surgically removed from her body, according to the suit. 

Reisinger-Kindle, the suit alleges, had perforated her uterus during the procedure, leaving a hole the size of a quarter. 

The emergency room surgeon found half of the remains of Doe's unborn child in her right pelvis as well as pieces of the child's skull adhered to her intestines, according to the suit. 

The lawsuit claims that on April 5, the emergency room general surgeon called Reisinger-Kindle, who refused to provide information about the abortion. 

The lawsuit alleges that Reisinger-Kindle did not adequately examine Doe after discharging her from the clinic. In a medical report included in the files, an obstetrician-gynecologist consulted on the matter said the remnants should have been obvious had the doctor performed an "adequate exam." 

The lawsuit states that Doe "will continue to experience irreversible suffering and emotional damages" as a result of the events. 

Reisinger-Kindle founded the Equity Clinic in response to the overturn of Roe v. Wade, according to a profile about the clinic published by the Chicago Tribune. 

According to the profile, Reisinger-Kindle has volunteered in abortion clinics as a medical assistant since he was 18.

"The only reason I went to medical school was to be an abortion provider," he told the Tribune.

A large percentage of the clinic's patients are out-of-state women, as abortion is legally considered a "fundamental right" in Illinois under the 2019 Reproductive Health Act.

The Equity Clinic provides surgical and chemical abortions as well as late-term dilation and evacuation abortions on unborn children in some cases up to 26 weeks old.

At 22 weeks, Doe's baby was nearing the age of viability — the age when an unborn child can survive outside of the womb, usually determined to be about 24-26 weeks. In Illinois, abortions are allowed up until fetal viability.

In some cases, prematurely-born babies have survived as early as 21 to 22 weeks.

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CNA Staff, Mar 24, 2025 / 17:50 pm (CNA).

Following an investigation into a possible Eucharistic miracle at a local parish, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis announced Monday that scientific analysis indicated that the cause was natural, not miraculous. 

Last month, a post on X drew attention to what the post called a "'potential' Eucharistic miracle" after a parish in southern Indiana discovered a host with red spots on it, which the parish sacristan thought could be blood. 

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis said in a statement shared with CNA that laboratory analysis of common bacteria had caused the discoloration. 

"A biochemical analysis of a host from St. Anthony Catholic Church in Morris, Indiana, that was displaying red discoloration revealed the presence of a common bacteria found on all humans," the statement read. "No presence of human blood was discovered." 

The host had fallen and was later discovered with red spots, and biochemical analysis found that the discoloration was due to common bacteria and fungus.

"The host had fallen out of a Mass kit used at the parish, and when it was discovered, red spots were present," the archdiocese stated. "Following policy established by the Holy See, the host was submitted for professional, biochemical analysis at a local laboratory. The results indicate the presence of fungus and three different species of bacteria, all of which are commonly found on human hands." 

The archdiocese noted that there have been many carefully-reviewed miracles in the history of the Church. 

"Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, there have been well-documented miracles and apparitions, and each has been thoroughly and carefully reviewed," the statement read.

Last year, the Vatican developed its practice regarding potential supernatural events, issuing new guidelines that give the Disastery for the Doctrine of the Faith the final say. 

Previous norms established by Pope Paul VI in 1978 left the discernment process for possible miraculous occurrences to local bishops. Under the new guidance, the task remains with the local bishop, but the dicastery must be consulted throughout the process.

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 24, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).

Three U.S. representatives have introduced a bill that supports American taxpayers who choose to participate in health sharing, a care option favored by Christians and pro-lifers for its religious freedom protections.

If passed, the Health Care Sharing Ministry Tax Parity Act would designate health sharing payments as tax deductable, alleviating costs for families who opt for health sharing over traditional health coverage, many of whom do so for religious reasons. The act was introduced by U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly, R-Pennsylvania; Greg Murphy, R-North Carolina; and Chris Smith, R-New Jersey.

"Unfairly, Americans have been historically penalized by the tax code when they chose to use faith-based health care sharing ministries to meet their health care needs. The Health Care Sharing Ministry Tax Parity Act will remedy this problem, ensuring Americans are no longer disadvantaged by the tax code for their religious beliefs," Smith said in a press release on March 14.

Health sharing became a popular alternative to mainstream insurance coverage over a decade ago with the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, which included a mandate from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requiring insurance plans to fund contraception, sterilizations, and early abortion pills.

The practice allows members to pool their money and pay for each other's health care costs, similar to traditional insurance plans.

Legal disputes over religious freedom violations that precipitated from the Affordable Care Act continue today, with the Supreme Court set to hear a case in June regarding a part of the law governing preventative care.

"Americans should have choices when it comes to their health care. For many families, traditional insurance is a great option. For some, however, particularly people of faith, alternative options such as health care sharing ministries more closely align with their values," Kelly said in the release.

"This legislation preserves that choice for families by allowing them to deduct payments made as part of their ministry membership in their taxes by classifying regular ministry expenses as medical care expenses," he added. "It's time we focus on initiatives that reintroduce freedom and dignity back to our health care system."

Solidarity HealthShare collaborated with the three congressmen on the legislation. Founded in 2012 in wake of the Affordable Care Act, Solidarity HealthShare facilitates health sharing among individuals and families across the country who are looking to opt out of traditional insurance for a more faith-centered option.

"Solidarity is grateful for the leadership and support of Congressman Mike Kelly and his team, who have consistently taken the lead in working for tax parity for health care sharing ministry members," Solidarity HealthShare President Chris Faddis and CEO Brad Hahn told CNA in a statement.

"His introduction of the Health Care Sharing Ministry Tax Parity Act has the potential to be a game changer for families who have chosen to escape the troubled landscape of traditional health insurance but have been unable to benefit from tax deductions available to other Americans," the executives added.

"This bill is the culmination of an industry-wide effort to provide tax relief to members of health care sharing ministries," they said, adding: "We are also thankful for the support of the Alliance of Health Care Sharing and other health care sharing ministry partners for advancing this effort."

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Madrid, Spain, Mar 24, 2025 / 10:45 am (CNA).

The confirmation, more than 15 years ago, of the sexual abuse of minors committed by the founder of the Legionaries of Christ, Marcial Maciel, marked a turning point for priests, consecrated men and women, and laypeople in the Regnum Christi movement. The revelation of these painful events led to a period of discernment and renewal that for many became a path of hope.

In 1998, nine victims filed formal charges against Maciel at the Vatican, but he denied the allegations. In 2004, the investigation was resumed, and the Holy See ordered him to withdraw from active ministry, although he was never expelled from the congregation. After his death in 2008, the Legionaries of Christ publicly apologized, confirming Maciel's double life, which also included fathering at least four children with various women.

According to a 2019 report by Regnum Christi, at least 175 minors between the ages of 11 and 16 were victims of abuse by 33 priests of the congregation, including at least 60 cases attributed to Maciel.

After what happened, many consecrated women embarked on new paths, rediscovering their vocation to marriage or other charisms within the Church. Others, however, chose to stay and begin anew, embracing with hope a process of renewal that, after years of work, continues to bear fruit in the life and mission of the movement. In 2005, Regnum Christi had 540 consecrated women, and in 2024 it had 484.

A process to heal the 'deep father wound'

Mary Patt Pirie, originally from the United States, is studying moral theology in Rome and is the director general of studies for consecrated women. In an interview with ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner, she reflected on her spiritual journey and acknowledged that, although at times it was "despite herself," she was able to confirm that the Lord had called her to follow him in Regnum Christi.

"He wasn't showing me a different path: Following his voice, I came here, and here he asked me to give my life," she shared.

"I realized that this renewal would likely last several decades, given the depth of the necessary reform and the difficulty of reaching agreement among so many, in a group that has experienced a deep father wound due to the life of our founder," she explained.

Now, she affirmed with hope that they have "moved in the right direction," although she doesn't rule out difficulties in the future: "This is part of the realism of what we have experienced. The Lord is with us and today he tells us 'courage; continue making my kingdom present in the world.'"

Called to participate in the renewal

Renée Pomarico from the United States trained in institutional communications and spiritual direction and is director of communications for consecrated women. After discernment, she felt God calling her to belong exclusively to him through the movement and after the apostolic visitation ordered by the Vatican, she said she received "an invitation from God to collaborate in the process of renewal."

In March 2009, the then-secretary of state of the Vatican, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, announced to the apostolate's director general, Father Álvaro Corcuera, that he would undertake an apostolic visitation to the Legionaries of Christ. Following the work of a team of five prelates, it was concluded in 2010 that Maciel's conduct had caused "serious consequences for the life and structure of the Legion, such as to require a process of profound reevaluation."

After the apostolic visitation, Pope Benedict XVI deemed it necessary to undertake a new revision of the constitutions and entrusted this task to the papal delegate, Cardinal Velasio de Paolis.

It was the archbishop emeritus of Philadelphia, Charles Chaput, one of the apostolic visitors, who gave Pomarico the confidence to continue. She said she was thus able to ascertain that she was not investing her energies "in a work destined to fail" and perceived that God was inviting her to collaborate on the "path of renewal," for which she is grateful today.

For Canadian Glory Darbellay, current director of the formation center for consecrated women in Madrid, the Lord encouraged her "to keep moving forward in the face of difficulties," so the call "always remained." For her, this process of renewal is a path guided by the Holy Spirit: "We have had many challenges, of forgiving one another and making room in hope for a new perspective," she said in a statement to ACI Prensa.

Greater recognition and presence in the academic world

One of the most significant institutional changes in recent years has been the growing recognition of consecrated women, collateral victims of an internal culture marked by the double life led by the founder.

"The change has been very radical," Spanish consecrated woman Marta Rodríguez, a professor at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, told ACI Prensa.

Rodríguez, who is also the academic director of the course on gender, sex, and education at Francisco de Vitoria University, pointed out that Maciel "talked a lot about excellent formation, but in practice, the time and resources dedicated to the formation of consecrated women were insufficient and this resulted in very superficial formation."

However, she emphasized that in the last 15 years there has been great progress, going from having only three or four consecrated women holding doctorates to about 20 or 25 today.

"A lot has been invested in serious formation, and this has allowed our mission to unfold," she said. Previously, with little education, their work was limited to the formation of girls, "a beautiful vocation," but there was no opportunity to serve in universities or in more cultural settings.

For Pirie, although human and spiritual formation "has been appreciated by the people whom we served at almost every moment in our history," she said the formation process is more demanding today.

Along these lines, she emphasized that consecrated women themselves have rediscovered the value of ongoing formation: "The vast majority of initiatives proposing personal formation paths come from consecrated women themselves, who perceive a need to be better formed in some area or sense that it is time to reinvent themselves and undertake formation for new areas of service," she noted.

This formation, according to Pirie, "better positions consecrated women to be in the world, in the way our vocation was originally intended," noting that the formation they received has allowed some to serve in ecclesiastical structures such as dicasteries, parishes, and dioceses.

"In all cases, the formation we receive and seek better enables us to 'give a reason for our hope' [1 Pt 3:15] and to share the love of Christ with people, regardless of their situation and stage of their lives," Pirie commented.

Darbellay noted that the formation of young consecrated women "is very different from the past" and emphasized that the Catholic Church "is strongly promoting these changes."

"I am seeing the fruits of this in the human and spiritual maturity of the consecrated women who are making their final vows," she observed.

Greater autonomy and freedom

Although Rodríguez assured that she was always happy, she lamented that in the past, they didn't decide anything and that decisions were imposed without discussion.

"Before, we would receive a letter and we went from one apostolate [to another] without any prior formation. The idea was to be highly available and for you to be useful for everything. Everything in our lives was regulated," she recalled. Now, however, she assured that decisions are made through dialogue, which is "totally new."

Another key change is the transformation in the exercise of authority. She explained that before, it was an "enormous and invasive" authority that controlled every aspect of their lives, from what they wore to with whom they spent their free time.

"All decisions about their lives were left to the [women] directors; you didn't choose anything," she said. She said she believes this erroneous conception of authority led to infantilization, with "sickening details" and "chronic stress," eliminating autonomy and originality.

"There were no reciprocal relationships," she concluded.

Challenges in Regnum Christi

Rodríguez emphasized that a major challenge for the movement is financial support and autonomy, which they have enjoyed since 2018 following one of the directives issued by the Holy See that stipulated that part of the apostolate's assets be transferred to the name of the consecrated women. 

"There are many consecrated women who have never worked, who have never paid into a retirement fund. How are we going to support them as they grow older?" she asked.

She also noted the challenge of reaching a certain maturity, since, she pointed out, "we have lived a childlike life; we weren't responsible for our own lives, we didn't make our own decisions, and that's the system's fault."

Regarding the fight against abuse, since the beginning of the process of change, Regnum Christi has developed specific protocols adapted to each country in which it carries out its pastoral work and established a universal code of conduct for consecrated women, which follows clear procedures for investigating any report of abuse.

The movement announced on March 11 that it will review its abuse prevention policies in Spain following five allegations of sexual abuse against Maciel's former secretary, Legionary priest Marcelino de Andrés Núñez, who worked at the Highlands El Encinar school in Madrid.

The Legion of Christ also publishes an annual report on the website 0abuse, which reports on the steps taken by the congregation to care for victims of abuse and develop safe environments.

The future of Regnum Christi

At the beginning of February, the Vatican definitively approved the statutes of the Regnum Christi Federation. The consecrated women agree that the new collegial approach to governance and a shared spirituality and mission, as well as unity in diversity, are some of the most notable changes.

"With the request for definitive approval, Regnum Christi wishes to tell the Church that we believe these statutes sufficiently safeguard the charism the Lord has entrusted to us and that, at least for now, we can continue to journey, serve, and carry out our mission with these statutes as our guide. I say 'for now' because only the Holy Spirit is the master of charisms, and a document written in human words will never capture the full richness of this gift," Pirie explained.

For Pomarico, the Vatican's decision represents "a confirmation of the action of God, who has been present and manifested his grace throughout this entire journey or process."

Darbellay, for her part, said that she is already seeing "the budding forth of new life that come from living out our statutes and a new enthusiasm for the common mission we share."

Both Pirie and Darbellay look to the future with hope and say they see "sound initiatives and proposals" highlighting "vocations ministry in a universal sense, the focus on strengthening marriages and families, and forming communities of apostles."

Pirie's "dreams" for the future of the movement are clear: "Greater participation and promotion of professional networks, a greater presence in the academic world, a truly comprehensive pastoral ministry, centered on the family and accessible to more people."

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 Staff, Mar 24, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

An ancient Catholic lay order with members worldwide is leading a campaign to renovate and modernize dozens of schools in the Holy Land, an effort the group says is an important and concrete step toward peace in the region. 

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (EOHSJ), a Catholic order of chivalry originally founded to protect pilgrims to the Holy Land, is aiming to raise $12 million to support 44 K-12 schools throughout Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Cyprus that collectively serve nearly 19,000 students.

The group's Ensuring the Future Campaign will dedicate $8 million to the renovation and modernization of classrooms and school facilities while dedicating a further $4 million to help pay teachers' salaries.

Tom Pogge, EOHSJ vice governor for North America, told CNA in an interview that the schools ensure a Christian presence in the Holy Land and promote interfaith dialogue. In addition to educating many Christians, the schools are popular among Muslim families — even though those families have to pay full tuition — because of the quality of education they offer. 

Pogge said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, "really sees that the Christian presence is going to be the source of peace in the Holy Land and that the schools in particular are going to be a pathway to peace." Going to school together and growing up together provides a foundation for a peaceful coexistence for the children of different faiths who attend the schools, Pizzaballa has said. 

Moreover, "we want to give those children the opportunity — like our children in the United States — to have a really good education and something for the future," Pogge said. 

"[T]he mission of the order is to help maintain the Christian presence, and the Church, in the Holy Land … And so what we're trying to do right now with this campaign really fits into that whole effort to help maintain the Christian presence in the Holy Land."

Amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas — with hostilities recently resuming after a two-month ceasefire — the physical state of the schools requires attention, Pogge said, with some in "deplorable" condition. The campaign aims to fund the renovations necessary to create a "modern learning environment," he said. 

But there's also the human element: Teachers, many of whom are Christian, are struggling financially, as are many parents of students. While the schools are getting some humanitarian aid, nothing is earmarked specifically for education, the EOHSJ said. 

"During this war, in most of our schools, we've been able to keep the schools going, which is a good thing," Pogge noted. 

"I think the Order of the Holy Sepulchre is probably needed more now than ever in the past, just because of the challenging situation that is there today. Hopefully, in the next couple of years, we'll have [done] all the renovations and updates, and we'll have our schools renovated and modern. And hopefully we will get more students who will want to come to our schools."

The Latin Patriarchate school system is the second-largest employer of Christians in the Holy Land, the EOHSJ said. So when the schools suffer, so do the Christians in the region, who are already reeling from a drop in pilgrimage groups — tourism being perhaps the most vital source of Christians' livelihoods. 

Decimated first by the pandemic, visits to the Holy Land by foreign pilgrims dropped sharply again following the October 2023 start of the present war, and Christians continue to suffer the effects of a greatly diminished number of visitors. 

Pogge said employing local talent for the renovations will create jobs and put money back into the local economy, reducing the need for humanitarian aid in the long run through empowerment.

Since formally initiating the campaign last September, the EOHSJ has already raised roughly $6.2 million with hopes to complete the campaign in 2025. Those interested in donating can do so here. 

"I would love to exceed our goal, because the needs are always going to be there," Pogge said.

"It would be nice if we could exceed our campaign and actually create some type of a maintenance fund for the future."

The EOHSJ is a lay institution under the protection of the Holy See whose first mention in historical records dates to 1336. Today, the charitable group has approximately 30,000 members in almost 40 countries. 

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Madrid, Spain, Mar 24, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

On March 28, the centennial of the priestly ordination of St. Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei, will be celebrated with liturgical and academic events in Zaragoza, Spain, and in Rome.

The Spanish saint was ordained a priest in Zaragoza in the chapel of the current St. Charles Borromeo seminary.

Escrivá entered the seminary in September 1920, transferring from the seminary in Logroño. In addition to studying theology at the Pontifical University of Zaragoza, he also studied law at the state university.

The newly ordained priest celebrated his first Mass on March 30, 1925, the Monday of Holy Week, in the chapel of Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral. The new priest offered the Mass for the repose of the soul of his father, José Escrivá, who had died in November 1924.

Various activities have been planned in Zaragoza to mark the anniversary. On March 27, an academic event will be held with the participation of the archbishop of Zaragoza, Carlos Escribano; priest and historian José Luis González Gullón; the prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik; and the prelate of Opus Dei, Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz.

In the afternoon, a Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Pillar Basilica to be followed by a prayer vigil for priestly vocations at St. Charles Borromeo Royal Seminary.

The following day, a solemn Mass will be celebrated in St. Charles Borromeo Church, and Ocáriz will hold various meetings with priests, families, and young people.

On Sunday, March 30, at the town of Perdiguera where the founder of Opus Dei served as parish priest, his first apostolic assignments after his ordination will be commemorated.

To celebrate the centennial, a commemorative holy card has been designed, available in 13 languages, with a photo of the saint during his years as a seminarian, requesting his intercession so that "holy and abundant vocations" may come to the seminaries.

In Rome, the auxiliary vicar of Opus Dei, Monsignor Mariano Fazio, will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving in the St. Apollinare Basilica on March 28. In the afternoon, Luis Cano, a member of the St. Josemaría Escrivá Historical Institute, will give a lecture for priests.

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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Vatican City, Mar 23, 2025 / 06:22 am (CNA).

Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Friday, Feb. 14, to undergo testing and treatment for bronchitis.

Follow here for the latest news on his health and hospitalization:

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CNA Newsroom, Mar 23, 2025 / 07:04 am (CNA).

Shortly before returning to his home in the Vatican on Sunday, Pope Francis made a brief appearance from a fifth-floor balcony of the Gemelli Clinic in Rome to a crowd of faithful gathered outside the hospital.

The moment marked his first public engagement in weeks. Waving and giving a "thumps-up" before blessing the faithful gathered outside Rome's Gemelli Hospital, the pontiff briefly thanked one well-wisher for bringing flowers for the occasion.

After the short interaction, the Holy Father was discharged from the hospital and taken to the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, where he delivered flowers to place before the icon of the Virgin Salus Populi Romani.

Afterward, he returned to the Vatican, according to the Holy See.

The pontiff prepared a written message published by the Vatican while briefly appearing at approximately noon to greet the faithful and impart his blessing.

"During this long period of hospitalization, I have had the opportunity to experience the patience of the Lord, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of doctors and health care workers as well as in the attentiveness and hopes of the patients' families," Francis noted.

"This confident patience, anchored in God's love that never fails, is truly necessary for our lives, especially to face the most difficult and painful situations."

In his written address, the pope reflected on this third Sunday of Lent's Gospel reading about the barren fig tree, drawing parallels between the patient farmer in the parable and God's merciful approach to humanity.

On the situation in Gaza, the pope called for a ceasefire and "that weapons be silenced immediately; and that there be the courage to resume dialogue, so that all hostages may be freed and a definitive ceasefire reached."

Francis emphasized that the humanitarian situation in Gaza "is once again extremely serious and requires the urgent commitment of the warring parties and the international community."

On a more positive note, the Holy Father expressed satisfaction with diplomatic progress in the Caucasus region.

"I am pleased, however, that Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on the final text of the peace agreement," he said. "I hope that it will be signed as soon as possible and can thus contribute to establishing a lasting peace in the South Caucasus."

Convalescing in Casa Santa Marta

Prior to his window appearance and return to the Vatican, Pope Francis briefly met with medical staff and the hospital leadership to thank them for his treatment.

Hospital officials indicated on Saturday that the pope will continue convalescing at his apartment in Casa Santa Marta for at least two months and will require ongoing oxygen therapy during his convalescence.

Doctors said at a Saturday press conference that Francis would undergo a "protected discharge" and would "still have to carry out" treatment "for a long time."

This story was updated on March 23, 2025, at 8:25 a.m. ET with additional information released by the Holy See Press Office.

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