(OSV News) — The newly named leader of the Archdiocese of New York, Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks, introduced himself to the faithful of his new home Dec. 18 with a pledge to become familiar with its challenges and uphold human dignity. He also highlighted his Chicago-area background, which is similar to Pope Leo XIV’s. In […]
US Church
Posted inVatican Dispatch
Pope Leo picks Chicago-born Ronald Hicks to follow Dolan in New York
In naming Bishop Hicks for this high-profile post, Pope Leo chose a man whom he already knew; they met in 2024 when the then-Cardinal Robert Prevost gave a talk at a parish in the Joliet diocese.
Posted inNews
California bishops celebrate ‘very powerful’ Mass for detainees in ICE facility
With Communion bowls in hand, a group of California bishops walked through the barbed wire gates of the ICE Processing Center and offered Jesus to the men locked inside.
Posted inNews
Pew: Why some Americans—including Catholics—leave their childhood faith
For Catholics, retention rates tend to be significantly lower than for other faiths, while former Catholics cite varying reasons for leaving the church, depending upon their current religious affiliation—or lack thereof.
Posted inNews
Trump administration threatens Sister Norma Pimentel’s migrant aid with 6-year funding ban
The Department of Homeland Security has moved to bar Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley from receiving federal funds for six years, targeting one of the nation’s most prominent Catholic Charities affiliates.
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
Review: The U.S. church today—and tomorrow
‘Reclaiming American Catholicism,’ coming in at nearly 400 pages, is a comprehensive and meticulous synopsis of many of the ills that are plaguing the church in the United States.
Posted inNews
Boston archdiocese tells church to remove ICE message from Nativity, but pastor refuses for now
In a Dec. 6 statement, the archdiocese said, “The people of God have the right to expect that, when they come to church, they will encounter genuine opportunities for prayer and Catholic worship—not divisive political messaging.”
Posted inNews
NY archdiocese to negotiate settlements in abuse claims, to fund them
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan announced Dec. 8 that the Archdiocese of New York would be entering into mediation and taking steps to raise more than $300 million for sexual abuse settlements.
Posted inNews
Pew: Decline of religion remains stalled. But there’s no revival yet.
Religion in America might be best described in the words of rap artist LL Cool J: Don’t call it a comeback. At least not yet.
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
Archbishop Lori: Lessons from the Jesuits for the United States at 250
The history of the Society of Jesus in America mirrors that of the nation: full of promise and contradiction; always being redeemed through conversion.