Saint Paul Catholic Parish, Athens

St. Augustine of Hippo. / Credit: Cathopic

CNA Staff, Aug 28, 2025 / 04:00 am (CNA).

The Catholic Church honors St. Augustine of Hippo, an early Church Father, doctor of the Church, and foundational theologian, on Aug. 28.

Augustine was brought up as a Christian in his early childhood but drifted from the Church, fathering a child out of wedlock and falling into the heresy of Manichaeism. His mother, Monica, a woman of deep faith who was later canonized herself, never stopped praying for his return to the Church.

Of the more than 5 million words that St. Augustine wrote during his lifetime (A.D. 354–430), his “Confessions” have had a particularly lasting influence as a philosophical, theological, mystical, and literary work. Written in about A.D. 400, “Confessions” details how God worked in Augustine’s life and reads not just as a story but as a prayer.

Here are five powerful quotes from St. Augustine’s “Confessions”:  

1. “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee” (Book I).

2. “To Carthage I came, where there sang all around me in my ears a cauldron of unholy loves. I loved not yet, yet I loved to love, and out of a deep-seated want, I hated myself for wanting not … For within me was a famine of that inward food, Thyself, My God” (Book III).

3. “But what am I to myself without Thee, but a guide to mine own downfall?” (Book IV).

4. “I cast myself down I know not how, under a certain fig-tree, giving full vent to my tears; and the floods of mine eyes gushed out an acceptable sacrifice to thee” (Book VIII).

5.  “Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would have not been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace” (Book X).

This story was first published on Aug. 28, 2024, and has been updated.

Law enforcement vehicles sit parked outside a reported residence of a suspect following a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School on Aug. 27, 2025 in Richfield, Minnesota. / Credit: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 27, 2025 / 20:15 pm (CNA).

The man who killed two children and injured 17 other people in the Minneapolis Catholic church shooting posted a YouTube video before the attack, which showed an anti-Christian motivation for the murders and an affinity for mass shooters, Satanism, antisemitism, and racism.

Robin Westman — who was born “Robert” and identified as a transgender woman — died by suicide on Wednesday, Aug. 27, after shooting through the windows of Annunciation Catholic Church during a weekday Mass. Most of the worshippers were children who attend the parish elementary school next to the church.

Mocking Christ and giving nod to Satanism

In a video posted ahead of the attack, which YouTube has since removed from its website, the shooter showed a written apology to his friends and family but clarified “that’s the only people I’m sorry to” and then disparaged the children he planned to shoot.

Westman wrote that he has “wanted this for so long” and acknowledged: “I’m not well. I’m not right. I am a sad person, haunted by these thoughts that do not go away. I know this is wrong, but I can’t seem to stop myself.”

During the video, Westman zooms in on an image of Jesus Christ wearing the crown of thorns that he attached to the head of a human-shaped shooting target. The photo of Christ displayed the text “He came to pay a debt he didn’t owe because we owe a debt we cannot repay” below the image.

Westman laughed while pointing the camera at the shooting target, and then moved the camera to show anti-Christian messages and drawings on his guns and loaded magazines.

One message read: “Where’s your God?” and another: “Where’s your [expletive] God now?” A third read: “Do you believe in God?” while another stated “[expletive] everything you stand for.”

Another message on a rifle stated “take this all of you and eat,” which mocks the words Jesus Christ said at the Last Supper and the words said in the Eucharistic prayer during every Mass. 

Westman drew an inverted pentagram on one of the magazines, which is a symbol often used to promote Satanism but is sometimes used in other occult practices. The number “666” was also written on the magazine. He also drew an inverted cross on the barrel of one of the rifles, which is a traditional Christian symbol that has since been co-opted by Satanists.

Affinity for mass shooters, antisemitism, and racism

Westman wrote the names of about a dozen mass murderers on his weapons, including largely writing “Rupnow” on one of his guns, referencing Natalie Rupnow, the Abundant Life Christian School shooter.

One mass murderer that Westman wrote on his magazines and rifles more than once was the Norwegian neo-Nazi Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people and injured 319 others in two mass casualty attacks.

Most of the names were written on magazines, while some were written on the rifles. This also included the New Zealand Christchurch mosque shooter Brenton Harrison Tarrant, the Sandy Hook shooter Adam Lanza, and the Aurora movie theater shooter James Holmes written on a loaded magazine.

Several written messages were antisemitic, such as “6 million wasn’t enough,” in reference to the number of Jewish people killed during the Holocaust. A smoke grenade he showed had “Jew gas” written on it, which is another Holocaust reference. There were also several anti-Israel messages.

Other messages targeted several ethnic and racial groups. One message used a slur for Hispanic people and another said “Nuke India.” One message read “remove kebab,” which is a reference to a meme disparaging Arab and Muslim people. Another written message referenced a meme mocking Black people.

Several messages also disparaged and threatened to kill President Donald Trump. 

One message on a loaded magazine read “for the kids” and another read Mashallah, which is Arabic for “God has willed it.” Others referenced various memes and two of them referenced the movie “Joker.”

Concerning Satanic and racist association in other shootings

In his video, Westman flashed the “OK” hand symbol one time when showing his weapons. This appeared to be a reference to the Abundant Life Christian School shooter, Rupnow, who posted an image of herself displaying the same symbol before her attack.

Although use of the “OK” hand symbol is usually benign, it has also been used by some white supremacists as a sign of their ideology.

Researchers who tracked Rupnow’s social media activity found that the 15-year-old shooter was deeply involved in online networks that espouse neo-Nazi, racist, and Satanic beliefs, according to a joint report from Wisconsin Watch and ProPublica. These communities also promote violence and some have praised mass shootings.

One of the communities noted in the joint Wisconsin Watch and ProPublica report was “764,” which is a Satanic neo-Nazi community associated with the Order of Nine Angles, another Satanic neo-Nazi community. Several people involved in these communities have been arrested for grooming and sexually exploiting children online. In several examples, community members have urged people to harm or kill themselves.

In April of this year, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that two “764” leaders were arrested for allegedly running a “global child exploitation enterprise.” The DOJ alleges that they “ordered their victims to commit acts of self-harm and engaged in psychological torment and extreme violence against minors

Although Westman directly referenced Rupnow and used rhetoric promoting both Satanism and neo-Nazi ideology, so far there is no direct evidence that connects Westman to these communities.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul-Minneapolis. / Credit: Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 27, 2025 / 16:57 pm (CNA).

Archbishop Bernard Hebda, who leads the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, released a statement following the deadly shooting that took place on Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic School in southern Minneapolis.

“My heart is broken as I think about students, teachers, clergy and parishioners and the horror they witnessed in a church, a place where we should feel safe,” Hebda wrote in a statement Wednesday afternoon, hours after police confirmed two children were killed and 17 injured in the shooting.

Hebda expressed gratitude to Pope Leo XIV, who sent his condolences to Hebda after the attack, and all those around the world who have offered prayers following the shooting that occurred during a Mass for the K–8 school early Wednesday morning.

“I beg for the continued prayers of all of the priests and faithful of this archdiocese, as well for the prayers of all men and women of goodwill,” Hebda continued, “that the healing that only God can bring will be poured out on all those who were present at this morning’s Mass and particularly for the affected families who are only now beginning to comprehend the trauma they sustained.”

The Twin Cities archbishop further pledged the souls of the two children who lost their lives to God through the intercession of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, and called for an end to gun violence, which he described as “far too commonplace.”

He noted the Annunciation School shooting comes just 24 hours after another shooting near Cristo Rey Jesuit High School that reportedly left one dead and six injured on Tuesday.

“Our community is rightfully outraged at such horrific acts of violence perpetrated against the vulnerable and innocent,” Hebda wrote. “While we need to commit to working to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies, we also need to remind ourselves that we have a God of peace and of love, and that it is his love that we will need most as we strive to embrace those who are hurting so deeply.”

Hebda revealed that archdiocesan staff are currently working with the parish and school to “make sure they have the support and resources they need at this time and beyond.” 

A prayer service is set to take place at 7 p.m. CT at the Academy of the Holy Angels in Richfield, Minnesota. 

We have to be men and women of hope,” Hebda also said at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. While he was speaking, a church bell rang in the background.

“A bell in the Catholic Church is always a call to prayer,” he continued, adding: “And we have to recognize that it’s through prayer … that we can indeed make a difference. That has to be the source of our hope.”

FBI Director Kash Patel announced in a social media post Wednesday afternoon that the FBI is investigating the shooting “as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.” He also confirmed the identity of the shooter as Robin Westman, a trans-identifying male born as Robert Westman.

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered American flags at the White House, across the country, and at all U.S. embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad to be flown at half staff until sunset on Aug. 31 “as a mark of respect for the victims” of the deadly shooting. 

null / Credit: Deemerwha studio/Shutterstock

CNA Staff, Aug 27, 2025 / 16:18 pm (CNA).

Two children were killed and multiple victims injured in a shooting during an opening school year Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis on Wednesday.

In times of tragedy, the Church turns to prayer. The Catholic Church believes that prayer can effect real change — not just in the heart of the person praying but in the world. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Prayer and Christian life are inseparable” (CCC, 2745) and that prayer is a “vital necessity” (CCC, 2743).

The popular global prayer app Hallow has launched a prayer campaign for “healing for the injured, comfort for students, staff, and families, and the peace of Christ to be with all who were present.”

The Church also calls on the prayers of Mary and the saints to intercede for us. Below is a litany written specifically to be prayed after a school shooting.

Litany of prayer after a school shooting

Our Lady, Help of Christians, we turn to you, who watched your Son give his life for us, and stood strong at the foot of his cross, to ask for your consolation, your guidance, your motherly arms to embrace us. We stand in silence, praying beside you.

St. Joseph, great protector, pray for us.

Archangel Michael, defend us in every battle.

Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, parents who lost four children, pray for us.

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, missionary to the United States, pray for us.

St. Emilia, mother of saints, pray for us.

St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine, pray for us.

Servant of God Dorothy Day, defender of all who lack protection, pray for us.

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, mothers who left their infants to die for Christ, pray for us.

St. Junipero Serra, lover of peace, pray for us.

Blessed Lucien Botovasova, a dad, a teacher, and a martyr, pray for us.

St. Rita of Cascia, mother, patron of impossible causes, pray for us.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, who lost two children and is the first saint of the United States, and patron of educators, pray for us.

Sts. Jacinta and Francisco, sweet children, pray for us.

Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Girogio Frassati, soon to be declared saints and inspiring examples for all young people, pray for us.

Virgin Mother, we know that as a mother, you never took your eyes off of your children in Annunciation School, especially in those moments of dramatic confusion and fear; you accompanied them with your tenderness. 

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

May the souls of the departed rest in peace. Amen.

This litany was first published at Aleteia. It is reprinted here with permission and has been adapted by CNA.

Skyline of Minneapolis. / Credit: Michael Hicks, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

CNA Staff, Aug 27, 2025 / 15:10 pm (CNA).

After a shooter killed two children and injured 17 other people on Wednesday morning during Mass at a Minneapolis Catholic school, the community is reeling as leaders call for prayer.

The shooter opened fire from the parking lot through the church window during a school Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. The local Catholic school of almost 400 students has grades pre-K through eighth grade.    

The shooter killed an 8- and 10-year-old and injured 17 other people before killing himself. Fourteen children were injured and at least two are in critical condition.

Jeff Cavins, a Minneapolis-based Catholic author with close ties to the parish, said that in the “vibrant Catholic community” of the Twin Cities, everybody is affected by the tragedy. 

“Everyone heard about it within minutes, and it’s in the heart of our city,” Cavins told EWTN News’ Abigail Galván. “So what happens to one person in our Catholic community, everybody else is affected.” 

Cavins, who attended the parish for several years when he was growing up, said the parish priest has “a pastor’s heart and love for children.” 

“My pastor is the pastor there, Father [Dennis] Zehren, who is one of the most outstanding priests in America, truly is, and probably one of the best homilists I’ve ever heard,” Cavins said. 

Cavins, who went to school at Annunciation as a kid, said that “what’s going through my mind is the vulnerability of these children in their first week of school.” 

Many of the children had likely just attended the state fair before the school year started, Cavins said. 

“But also, what’s going on in my mind is the responsibility of pastors and leaders in Catholic schools, and that they’re vulnerable as well,” Cavins said. “They’re putting their lives on the line to teach children in a world that we’re living in today, which, as we can see, anything can happen in your own backyard — and suddenly the world knows about it.”

Auxiliary Bishop Kevin Kenney said the parents are “in shock.”

“Unbelievable that this could happen,” Kenney told the local KSTP 5 News. “It’s very sad for the community. It’s very sad for the families that have lost loved ones.”

The shooting took place at Mass during the responsorial psalm, according to local priest Father Paul Hedman.

“It was the opening school Mass, is my understanding,” Kenney said. “It’s a horrible, horrific way for all the students to begin the school year.” 

Police identified the shooter as a man in his early 20s. He had posted several disturbing videos with anti-religious messaging on social media on Wednesday morning before the shooting. He reportedly had ties to the parish through his mother, who had retired from a job at the parish several years ago. 

The Catholic community across the United States is uniting in prayer for the parish and local community.

Soon after the shooting, Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, called for prayers “for all those who were injured or lost their lives — along with their families” as well as “for the students, faculty, and entire parish community.”

Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver said “the pain of this tragedy is present in our hearts.” 

“At a time when young hearts were turned toward the Lord in prayer, violence entered the sanctuary, leaving wounds, fear, and deep sorrow,” he said in a statement Wednesday morning. 

“Let us lift every child, teacher, and family of Annunciation Catholic School to the Father, especially those who have been injured, asking Christ the Divine Physician to bring healing to them,” Aquila said. 

“We entrust the school and parish community to the maternal intercession of Our Lady of Sorrows, who stood faithfully by the cross of her Son and knows the anguish of a grieving heart,” he said.

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ vice president Archbishop William Lori said the Church is following the tragic news with “heartbreaking sadness,” adding that “whenever one part of the Body of Christ is wounded, we feel the pain as if it were our very own children. Let us all beg the Lord for the protection and healing of the entire Annunciation family.”

On Wednesday afternoon, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin relayed to Minneapolis Archbishop Bernard Hebda a message from the Holy Father, which reads: “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was profoundly saddened to learn of the loss of life and injuries following the shooting that took place at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis” and “sends his heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child.”

“While commending the souls of the deceased children to the love of Almighty God, His Holiness prays for the wounded as well as the first responders, medical personnel, and clergy who are caring for them and their loved ones,” the message added.

Police and first responders work at the scene of a shooting near Annunciation Church and Catholic School in Minneapolis on Aug. 27, 2025. / Credit: TOM BAKER/AFP via Getty Images

CNA Staff, Aug 27, 2025 / 10:41 am (CNA).

Law enforcement on Wednesday said two children had been killed at a shooting incident during a Mass held at a Minneapolis Catholic church, with the gunman reportedly taking his own life after the deadly attack.

During a press conference around noon local time, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described the incident at Annunciation Catholic Church as an “unthinkable tragedy.”

The shooting took place during the opening Mass of the parish’s parochial school, O’Hara said.

“During the Mass, a gunman approached the building on the outside and began firing a rifle, [and] shooting through the windows,” the chief said. “He struck children and worshippers that were inside the building.”

The shooter was armed with a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol, O’Hara said. He reportedly fired all three of the weapons during the incident.

The suspected gunman took his own life after the shooting, the police chief said.

“This deliberate act of violence is a sign of cruelty that is beyond comprehension,” O’Hara said. “Our hearts are broken for everyone that has been affected by this tragedy.”

Also at the press conference, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said there were “no words that can capture the horror and the evilness of this unspeakable act.”

“You cannot put into words the gravity, tragedy, or absolute pain of this situation,” Frey said, pointing out that the victims of the shooting were “literally praying” when they were attacked.

National, Church leaders offer prayers, support

O’Hara at the press conference said the suspect was a lone shooter in his 20s.

“He does not have a known criminal history,” the chief said. “We are looking through information left behind to try and determine some type of motive.”

Multiple victims, including nine children, had reportedly been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, with several of the children in critical condition, according to media reports.

The shooting generated headlines around the world and led to an outpouring of support from civic and religious leaders around the country.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday morning said the White House was monitoring the situation. “Please join me in praying for everyone involved!” he wrote.

Vice President JD Vance similarly offered prayers after the shooting, as did Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

“I am heartbroken by the horrific violence [at the school],” Klobuchar wrote on X. “My prayers are with the students, teachers, and families, and I am grateful for the first responders who are on the scene.”

Church leaders also responded with support and prayers. “Please join me in praying for all those who were injured or lost their lives — along with their families,” Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, Bishop Robert Barron wrote on X. “Let us also pray for the students, faculty, and entire parish community.”

Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila also called for prayers for the victims. “We entrust the school and parish community to the maternal intercession of Our Lady of Sorrows, who stood faithfully by the cross of her Son and knows the anguish of grieving hearts,” he said in a statement.

The New York State Catholic Conference, meanwhile, wrote that the state’s bishops were “devastated” by the shooting.

“We join the bishops of [Minnesota] and all Americans in praying for all who are impacted and for an end to gun violence,” the conference wrote.

The tragedy comes just one day after another mass shooting at Minneapolis’ Cristo Rey Jesuit High School located just a few miles from the Annunciation parish. Authorities on Wednesday did not indicate that the two shootings were related.

Mass shooting events at Catholic churches in the U.S. are exceedingly rare.

Notably, on June 10, 2002, a 71-year-old gunman entered Conception Abbey in rural Conception, Missouri, and opened fire, killing three monks before taking his own life. The motive for that shooting remains unclear.

This story was updated Aug. 27, 2025, at 1:11 p.m. ET with new information from the police chief and mayor. Follow here for live updates.

Father Alan Sanchez with parishioners at St. Joseph Church in La Pryor, Texas. / Credit: Photo courtesy of Father Alan Sanchez

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 27, 2025 / 09:30 am (CNA).

A Mexican-born Catholic priest who has served in the Diocese of Laredo, Texas, for nine years must leave the United States because his application for residency was denied and his religious worker visa is expiring.

Father Alan Sanchez, the pastor of St. Joseph Church in La Pryor and St. Patrick Mission in Batesville, will return to his native country of Mexico on Wednesday, Aug. 27, amid the visa issues. He will be received into the Archdiocese of Monterrey in northeastern Mexico when he arrives.

“Originally, I was hopeful … [this would] be resolved,” Sanchez told CNA.

“I was sad [when I got the news] because of the community I was serving,” he said. “This is a very small and poor community in Texas and this was my first role as a pastor.”

Sanchez applied for residency two years ago but said the process was repeatedly delayed and then his application was eventually denied in November 2024. He appealed the denial and later applied for a different visa but said he ultimately “ran out of time.” He still hopes the matter can be resolved so he can return to his parish at some point.

“I spoke to my bishop about it and the attorney, but there’s nothing else that [I] can do except return to Mexico,” he said.

Sanchez said the delay was caused by a backlog of applicants and that he was denied because of a lack of available spots for visas. He noted that asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors were given priority and that priests cannot have a “change of status for residency, because the spots are already taken.”

He said the prioritization is “understandable” and “certainly fine” but added that many foreign-born priests also need to transition to residency.

“Because there is no availability, they are just denying it,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez explained that “I don’t think this is political” but rather “this is the process — this is what’s going on.”

“It’s just like the process, the way it is, and of course it’s heartbreaking to see that happening but it seems that it’s out of my hands,” he added.

Sanchez asked the faithful to pray for him and expressed hope that “this can be resolved.” He also said he hopes this raises awareness about issues with the current immigration system and warned that other priests are facing the same struggle, which could ultimately exacerbate the priest shortage if it is not addressed by Congress.

“It’s a call to make awareness that the immigration system needs to be expanded [to] a point and I think there is room for everybody as long as we can do it in a good way,” Sanchez said.

Bishop James Tamayo of the Diocese of Laredo appointed Father Heleodoro Lozano — who is the parochial vicar of St. Jude Church in Laredo — to take over Sanchez’s role beginning on Thursday, Aug. 28.

The diocese told CNA in a statement that Sanchez “will temporarily return to Mexico … until this process is resolved” and that the diocese helped him obtain legal counsel and will “continue to walk with him in prayer and assistance.”

“We are profoundly grateful for the generosity of spirit, pastoral care, and joy [Sanchez] has brought to the people of St. Joseph and St. Patrick,” the diocese said.

“His presence is deeply cherished, and we remain hopeful that he will soon return to continue his mission of faith and service among us,” the statement added. “Like all dioceses, we long to keep our priests serving their communities, and we will continue to pray and work diligently so that Father Sánchez may once again minister among the faithful of our diocese.”

Sanchez noted that some lawmakers are trying to address the concern with the bipartisan Religious Workforce Protection Act. The proposed legislation would ease the process for extending religious visas.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview earlier this month on EWTN’s “The World Over with Raymond Arroyo” that President Donald Trump’s administration is “committed” to fixing the backlog.

“I’ve been in touch with a number of our cardinals here in the United States and bishops about that as well,” Rubio said, “and it’s not only the Catholic Church — I mean there are other places that are being impacted, but we’re trying to streamline that process.”

Several bishops have endorsed the Religious Workforce Protection Act and have expressed concerns that without some type of action, the number of foreign-born priests being forced out of the United States will continue to increase.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops headquarters in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Washington D.C., Aug 27, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

As lawmakers prepare to return next week from their August recess, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) wants them to get to work on immigration reform and bolstering federal safety net programs, among other issues, framing its advocacy work around protecting human dignity and supporting the most vulnerable.

“As a nonpartisan organization, the USCCB is engaged with members of Congress, their staff, and the White House and the administration to advance the common good for all and uphold the sacredness of human life and the God-given dignity of the human person,” Chieko Noguchi, the USCCB’s executive director for public affairs, told CNA.

“This means that the care for immigrants, refugees, and the poor is part of the same teaching of the Church that requires us to protect the most vulnerable among us, especially unborn children, the elderly, and the infirm,” Noguchi noted.

Addressing the conference’s ongoing public policy priorities, Noguchi referenced a letter to members of Congress earlier this year from USCCB President Archbishop Timothy Broglio that in addition to immigration reform called for legislation that supports vulnerable communities, especially children and low-income families.

But following this summer’s passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act spending package, Broglio faulted that measure for including “unconscionable cuts to health care and food assistance, tax cuts that increase inequality, immigration provisions that harm families and children, and cuts to programs that protect God’s creation.”

A recently emerging issue for the bishops is digital safety. In a joint letter this July with other faith-based and family organizations, the USCCB voiced support for the Kids Online Safety Act. The measure would place greater responsibility on technology companies to design platforms that protect minors from harmful content and addictive features. The bishops described the legislation as consistent with their commitment to safeguarding children and promoting environments where families can thrive.

This fall, immigration remains central to USCCB advocacy efforts. The bishops continue to press Congress to provide permanent protections for so-called “Dreamers,” referring to people who were brought to the U.S. as children.

“The continued uncertainty associated with the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program is untenable and unjust, depriving hardworking people the ability to be fully recognized members of our society,” the conference maintains.

The bishops also oppose changes to social safety net programs that would limit eligibility for mixed-status families (those with both legal and unauthorized members). They cite, for example, the Child Tax Credit, which currently only requires the benefiting child to have a Social Security number.

“This is consistent with the goals of such programs, which exist to empower families and to prevent them from falling into poverty,” the USCCB asserts.

Religious Workforce Protection Act

The bishops are also urging passage of the Religious Workforce Protection Act, which as of Aug. 22 had 10 Democrat and three Republican lawmakers cosponsoring the House bill and would authorize the continuation of lawful nonimmigrant status for certain religious workers affected by the current backlog for religious worker immigrant visas.

A similar bill in the Senate now has five Republicans and one Democrat cosponsoring. Numerous Catholic institutions such as parishes and schools depend on international clergy. In an Aug. 7 interview with EWTN, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration is committed to fixing the ongoing backlog of religious worker visas.

Despite the fact that earlier this year the USCCB ended its decades-long partnership with the federal government to resettle refugees due to funding cuts and suspended agreements that made the program unsustainable, the bishops continue to call for generous resettlement policies and humane border enforcement.

Housing is also an increasing policy focus. In an Aug. 8 letter, the bishops pressed Congress to strengthen funding for affordable housing and community development in the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process.

Meanwhile, the USCCB’s advocacy around health care policy remains linked to the Church’s pro-life stance. The bishops have been strongly supportive of congressional efforts to ensure that federal programs such as Medicaid do not fund abortion. In July, a federal judge blocked a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that was aimed at defunding Planned Parenthood for one year and ordered the federal government to resume Medicaid reimbursements to the abortion giant while litigation over the law continues.

The USCCB also supports expanding access to maternal health services, pediatric care, and palliative care. Broadly on fiscal policy, the USCCB has called for a federal budget that prioritizes the poor and reflects Catholic principles of solidarity centered on the common good.

The bishops also continue to press for robust support for international humanitarian aid. As global crises intensify, the bishops have asked Congress to provide funding for humanitarian and development assistance in the fiscal year 2026 budget. Funding for the current fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. The USCCB frames these legislative priorities as connected parts of a single mission. 

“The decisions you make in your important work on behalf of our nation will have a lasting impact on the well-being and common good of many people,” Broglio wrote. Congress returns from its summer break on Sept. 2.

Monsignor Stephen Rossetti is the keynote speaker at the 2025 National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors conference. / Credit: Photo courtesy of Monsignor Stephen Rossetti

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 26, 2025 / 17:27 pm (CNA).

This week hundreds of vocation directors, staff, and collaborators are gathering to draw closer to Christ, grow in brotherhood, and learn best practices for creating a culture of vocations at the annual National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors (NCDVD).

Every year members of the NCDVD organization travel from across the United States and from at least 10 different countries to gather for what many describe as “one of the highlights of their year.” They not only receive spiritual renewal and practical knowledge but also enjoy activities and community with brother priests.

The NCDVD is a fraternity of vocation directors who provide one another support as they help guide men discerning priesthood. The organization encourages priests to collaborate on projects and offer insights from their personal experiences. It also welcomes religious brothers and sisters, vocation office personnel, and laypeople to collaborate in the ministry.

NCDVD focuses on a number of key aspects including community, regional gatherings, the annual convention, fundraising, and its Vocare Institute for New Vocation Directors — an in-depth training held for new directors held before the conference.

Vocation directors have a tremendous responsibility that can often draw a lot of pressure. The overall goal of the conference is to provide knowledge to help them feel properly equipped to tackle such an important role.

This year the conference, held at the Retreat and Conference Center of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, New York, welcomed Father Stephen Rossetti as the keynote speaker on Monday, Aug. 25. The well-known exorcist, psychologist, and author held a talk titled “Deliverance Ministry for Priests.” He discussed how priests can “safely and effectively assist” the laity who come to them for guidance. 

On Tuesday, Aug. 26, priests also had the opportunity to hear from Father Boniface Hicks, OSB, about “the impact of the spiritual direction relationship on personal discernment and prayer.” The discussion tapped into the importance of the formative relationship between a spiritual director and directee.

Throughout the week attendees also participate in workshops held by priests, sisters, and other Catholic leaders. They will address topics including how to operate an effective vocation office, strengthen campus ministries, and encourage younger generations to serve the Church.

Bishop Edward Lohse of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, Michigan, will also join to offer needed guidance for vocation directors as many often struggle to decipher “what can or should be asked of candidates and what should not.”

While many aspects of the conference focus on resources and roles of the directors, a number of workshops also tackle hot topics that are relevant to the changing times.

This year Tanner Kalina will lead a workshop called “Create Digitally, Connect Personally” focused on social media. Kalina, who stars in EWTN’s online series “James the Less,” will discuss how to utilize the tool of social media “in a way that Jesus would if he were in our shoes.”

Another workshop will be led by Miguel Naranjo, who is the director of the Religious Immigration Services section of Catholic Legal Immigration Network. He will address immigration issues in the United States with “attention to the religious worker immigration law programs.”

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 26, 2025 / 16:57 pm (CNA).

President Donald Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) warned states and American territories that they must remove references to “gender ideology” from K–12 education materials or they will lose federal funding.

HHS sent letters dated Aug. 26 to 40 states and Washington, D.C., as well as five territories, that say any state or territory that fails to end the promotion of gender ideology in its implementation of the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) within the next 60 days will lose federal PREP funding.

The states and territories cumulatively receive more than $81.3 million from PREP annually, with most taking in a few million dollars and others receiving several hundred thousand dollars in funding.

The letters document numerous examples of “gender ideology” embedded in the curricula of several Democrat-led and Republican-led states.

For example, the letter to Vermont cites program materials that define gender as “the ideas in a culture or society about the appropriate ways for men and women to dress, behave, think, and feel.” It calls gender identity “peoples’ inner understanding of what gender they identify with,” which could be a man, a woman, or “something that doesn’t fit these labels.”

The letter to Washington points to course material that says a child’s “gender identity” may be different from “their sex assigned at birth.” It asserts that children begin to articulate aspects of their gender identity “between the ages of 18 months and 2 to 3 years” and “have a clear sense of their gender identity by age 4 or 5.”

In South Dakota, the HHS letter references a “frequently asked question” in one of the course materials, which asks: “Why would someone with a penis not identify as a boy/man?” This is answered with the assertion that body parts reference “sex assigned at birth, which is different than gender” and calls gender “how people identify and express themselves.”

Many of the examples cited in the letters are the same in dozens of states because several states use the same course materials.

In the letters, HHS acknowledges that these curricula and programs had previously been approved under President Joe Biden’s administration, which it says “erred in allowing PREP grants to be used to teach students gender ideology.” It states that these materials are now “out of compliance” with HHS regulations.

HHS instructed officials in each state that received a letter to modify their curricula and course materials by Monday, Oct. 27, for the department to review.

“Accountability is coming,” Acting Assistant HHS Secretary Andrew Gradison said in an Aug. 26 statement.

“Federal funds will not be used to poison the minds of the next generation or advance dangerous ideological agendas,” he said. “The Trump administration will ensure that PREP reflects the intent of Congress, not the priorities of the left.”

The warnings come just five days after HHS ended $12 million in PREP funds to California for failing to halt its promotion of gender ideology through its curriculum. HHS had warned the state in June that it would lose funding if officials refused to make the necessary changes.

HHS is enforcing Trump’s Jan. 29 executive order on “ending radical indoctrination in K–12 schooling.” The administration defines gender ideology as a belief system that “replaces the biological category of sex with an ever-shifting concept of self-assessed gender identity.” 

According to the administration, gender ideology permits “the false claim that males can identify as and thus become women and vice versa.” It includes “the idea that there is a vast spectrum of genders that are disconnected from one’s sex.”