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CNA Staff, Jan 30, 2025 / 18:25 pm (CNA).

Since last week, Catholic bishops across the country have publicly responded to President Donald Trump's recent executive orders on immigration, with many calling for a more comprehensive and humane approach to immigration policy that respects the dignity of migrants and refugees. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, newly empowered to make arrests at places like churches and schools without needing to seek a superior's approval, have reportedly already begun ramping up arrests in some major cities after Trump promised "the largest deportation operation in American history" focusing primarily on "the most dangerous criminals." 

Trump's other first-day orders, following through on numerous campaign promises, included a declaration of a national emergency at the southern U.S.-Mexico border, a reinstatement of the controversial "Remain in Mexico" border policy from his previous term, and a designation of drug cartels as "foreign terrorist organizations."

Another Trump-signed order set in motion a process to end birthright citizenship for individuals born within U.S. territory irrespective of the legal status of their parents, though a judge has already blocked that order amid a significant legal challenge led by a coalition of states. 

The Catholic Church teaches that countries, especially wealthier ones, should try to welcome migrants "to the extent they are able" but that nations also have the right to regulate migration.

Trump's immigration plans, many now coming to fruition, have attracted criticism from Catholic leaders at the national level, with U.S. bishops' conference president Archbishop Timothy Broglio saying Jan. 22 that "some provisions" of the immigration orders are "deeply troubling and will have negative consequences, many of which will harm the most vulnerable among us." 

Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, chairman of the U.S. bishops' committee on migration, on Jan. 23 decried "sweeping generalizations to denigrate any group, such as describing all undocumented immigrants as 'criminals' or 'invaders' to deprive them of protection under the law." Doing so, he wrote, "is an affront to God, who has created each of us in his own image."

Many individual bishops' statements have been addressed directly to immigrants, seeking to offer words of encouragement and support and assurances that the Church welcomes them. 

The Catholic bishops of Michigan in a recent statement expressed concern over "mass deportations and harmful rhetoric that broadly demeans our immigrant brothers and sisters." They pledged "unyielding support and respect for the human dignity of all migrant people" and urged elected officials to support policies that keep immigrant families safe and united. 

The Michigan bishops clarified, however, that Catholic teaching on immigration rejects the idea of completely "open borders" in favor of a balanced approach that prioritizes both border security and compassionate welcome. They called for a "humane immigration system that welcomes refugees and immigrants by providing a fair pathway to citizenship."

The bishops of Maryland released a joint statement Jan. 27 to express their solidarity with immigrants and recommitting to advocating for policies that protect rights and uphold their dignity. Quoting Pope Francis, they called for people to see in every migrant "not 'a problem to be solved but ... brothers and sisters to be welcomed, respected, and loved.'"

"The Church has always been a home for those in search of refuge and peace, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to welcome the stranger and embrace the vulnerable," the Maryland bishops wrote. 

Texas is at the epicenter of the immigration debate due to its lengthy and highly contested border with Mexico. The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, criticizing the use of sweeping generalizations to refer to immigrants, stated that the bishops of Texas "will continue to work with governmental officials and other people of goodwill to implement policies that recognize the dignity of every person, prioritize family unity, and address the root causes of forced migration while respecting the right and responsibility of our country to secure its borders." 

The Texas bishops said they "urge President Trump to pivot from these enforcement-only policies to just and merciful solutions."

The bishops of Colorado, another state with a large Latino population, said the rhetoric of mass deportations has "created genuine fear for many we shepherd." The bishops committed "to walking in solidarity with you, our migrant brothers, sisters, and families" and advocated for "comprehensive immigration reform... that respects human dignity, protects the vulnerable, and ensures safety and security for all people." 

The bishops of New Mexico had in December articulated a strongly worded statement against a policy of mass deportation of unauthorized immigrants, saying such a policy "will not fix the broken immigration system but, rather, create chaos, family separation, and the traumatization of children." They called for Trump to instead "return to bipartisan negotiations to repair the U.S. immigration system."

Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe, building on the New Mexico bishops' earlier statement, said on Jan. 21 that "overly simplistic solutions" to the immigration issue don't tend to work and that comprehensive reform is needed. 

He further stated that as Catholics, "we firmly believe that all human beings are children of God, brothers and sisters created in God's image." 

"We must not treat [migrants] as mere pawns in a game of chess nor politicize them. Instead, we must place their needs and concerns at the forefront of our debates, considering both the citizens of our nation and those seeking refuge at our borders. Our Christian faith urges us to care for the resident and the stranger," Wester said. 

"The truth is that immigrants are a benefit to our country. They help the economy by increasing the labor force, creating jobs, and boosting productivity. It is a fact that immigrants are often among the most law-abiding, religious, hardworking, and community-minded individuals in our country. They have a lower incarceration rate than the native-born population, and research shows that as the immigration population grows, the crime rate declines."

Archbishop Jose Gómez of Los Angeles invoked the maternal protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe, expressing in a statement his solidarity with undocumented migrants facing potential deportation. Emphasizing the Gospel's message of human dignity, he criticized fear-based policies and said any enforcement actions should be "matched by immediate action in Congress to fix our immigration system, which has been broken for decades now."

"For Catholics, immigration is not a political issue. It is a matter of our deeply held religious beliefs. Jesus Christ commanded us to love God as our Father and to love our brothers and sisters, especially the most vulnerable, and regardless of what country they came from or how they got here. Our love for Jesus compels us to continue our works of love and service in our parishes, schools, and other ministries," Gomez said. 

Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, prior to Trump's inauguration, condemned reports of planned mass deportations, saying they are "not only profoundly disturbing but also wound us deeply." He stated that "if the reports are true, it should be known that we would oppose any plan that includes a mass deportation of U.S. citizens born of undocumented parents." 

He affirmed that while the government has a responsibility to secure borders, it is also "committed to defending the rights of all people and protecting their human dignity."

Bishop James V. Johnston of Kansas City-St. Joseph urged members of his diocese to "embody the Gospel values of love, mercy, and justice" in light of the recent executive orders. He also called on people to "understand the teachings of the Church on migration and the rights of individuals, articulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2241, and as outlined by the USCCB's Migration and Refugee Services."

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Vatican City, Jan 30, 2025 / 12:15 pm (CNA).

Pope Francis sent his condolences to the Orthodox Church in Albania on Monday following the recent death of Archbishop Anastasios Yannoulatos, who led that church for nearly 33 years. 

Praising Anastasios for his "profound dedication to the Gospel," the Holy Father expressed his fraternal esteem for the 95-year-old prelate who helped revive Christianity in the former communist country and who died on Jan. 25.

"The faith of the Orthodox community of Albania was certainly embodied in the life of our dear brother, whose zealous pastoral service helped the people rediscover its richness and beauty following the years of state-imposed atheism and persecution," the pope said in his Jan. 27 message. 

Anastasios, who died on the feast of the conversion of St. Paul, was widely respected by Francis and other religious leaders for his decades-long ministry dedicated to peace and ecumenical dialogue with other churches and religions in Greece, Africa, and Albania.  

"He did so by following the example of St. Paul, who dedicated himself so much to Christ that he could say, 'I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some' (1 Cor 9:22)," the Holy Father said. 

Recalling his first meeting with Anastasios during his apostolic journey to Albania in 2014, the 88-year-old pope said he cherished "the fraternal embrace and words exchanged on that occasion" and was impressed by the Orthodox leader's love for the country's poor and suffering.  

"Now that his earthly life has come to an end, I pray that, through the mercy of God the Almighty Father, His Beatitude may eternally praise the Blessed Trinity, together with all the confessors of the faith and the pastors who have proclaimed the word of salvation to peoples everywhere and at all times," the pope wrote at the end of his message.

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CNA Staff, Jan 30, 2025 / 13:30 pm (CNA).

The archbishops of Washington and Baltimore offered prayers on Thursday after a deadly plane crash near downtown Washington, D.C., claimed dozens of lives on Wednesday night. 

Up to 67 people were feared dead on Thursday after the overnight crash in which American Eagle Flight 5342, which flew in from Wichita, collided with a U.S. Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. 

The wreckage of the two aircraft plunged into the Potomac River, where first responders were struggling to recover bodies and debris. 

In a statement on Thursday, Washington archbishop Cardinal Wilton Gregory said Catholics "throughout the Archdiocese of Washington today join men and women of goodwill here and around the world in praying for those who perished" as well as "for their grieving families and loved ones." 

"We praise God for the generous assistance of our courageous first responders," the archbishop said. "May this disaster serve as an impetus to strengthen our unity and collaboration."

Baltimore Archbishop William Lori also offered prayers on Thursday, saying in a statement: "Our hearts go out to those who lost their lives in the tragic collision at Reagan National Airport." 

"Let us pray for them and for their loved ones who mourn them. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the first responders during this very difficult time," Lori said. 

The archbishops' remarks come after Pope Francis also offered prayers and condolences following the crash.

"In commending the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, I offer my deepest sympathies to the families who are now mourning the loss of a loved one," the Holy Father said in a telegram to President Donald Trump. 

"I likewise pray for those involved in the recovery efforts and invoke upon all in the nation the divine blessings of consolation and strength," the pontiff said. 

Wichita Bishop Carl Kemme on Thursday also issued a statement in which he noted that the crashed airliner originally departed from Wichita.

"My heart, and the hearts of the faithful of the Diocese of Wichita, go out to the families and loved ones of all those lost in this devastating accident. We pray for the souls of those who perished, including the brave members of our military, the passengers, and the crew," Kemme said.

"We also pray for comfort and strength for those who mourn, and for the first responders and recovery teams as they continue their difficult work," the prelate added. "I encourage all to pray for those affected by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace."

Arlington, Virginia, Bishop Michael Burbidge also offered his condolences in a post on X. The seat of the Arlington Diocese is located just a few miles from the D.C. airport.

"May we be united in prayer for all those tragically impacted by the accident near Reagan airport. We ask God to embrace them in his love; to grant strength to their families; and to watch over all first responders," Burbidge said.

This story was updated on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 2:20 p.m. with a statement from Wichita Bishop Carl Kemme

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Vatican City, Jan 30, 2025 / 14:00 pm (CNA).

Bishop Richard Williamson, a former English bishop of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), died on Wednesday at the age of 84 after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage.

The Priestly Society of St. Pius X announced the former bishop's death Thursday morning on its website. Williamson's office shared an email with the Catholic Herald stating: "He was surrounded by clerics and faithful who have been keeping vigil with him for his final journey … They were praying right to the end."

Born in London in 1940, Williamson belonged to the Church of England before being received into the Catholic Church in 1971. Soon after becoming Catholic, he joined the traditionalist Catholic movement founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and entered the SSPX seminary in Switzerland.

Lefebvre ordained Williamson as a Catholic priest in 1976 and, without the Vatican's permission, consecrated him and three other priests — Bernard Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, and Alfonso de Galarreta — as bishops in 1988.

Subsequently, Lefebvre, Williamson, Fellay, Tissier de Mallerais, and de Galarreta were excommunicated from the Catholic Church following the illicit 1988 ordinations. 

In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunication of the SSPX members with the hope of reconciliation with the schismatic traditionalist group that strongly opposed Vatican II and liturgical reforms of the Church's sacraments. 

Williamson's public denial of the Jewish Holocaust became an additional roadblock to full communion with the Catholic Church as well as a source of deep tension within the SSPX.

Following a 2009 television interview in which Williamson expressed his disbelief that Jews were killed in gas chambers in Nazi extermination camps, the SSPX took action and removed him as head of the society's seminary in Argentina.  

Williamson was eventually expelled from the society for disobedience in 2012 after conducting confirmations in Brazil without his superior's permission.  

Prior to his expulsion from the SSPX while carrying out pastoral ministries in South America, Williamson had held teaching positions at the society's seminaries in the U.S. and in Europe and also served as the society's second assistant general from 1988–1994. 

"Sadly, his path and that of the society separated many years ago," the Jan. 30 SSPX statement reads. "We recommend the eternal rest of his soul to your fervent prayers."

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Vatican City, Jan 30, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

Those making a pilgrimage today to any sacred place such as the major papal basilicas in Rome or the venerated sites in the Holy Land to obtain the graces of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope enjoy many conveniences. They have GPS as well as a complete guide downloaded on their smartphones; the roads are free of thugs and thieves and there are even volunteers on every street to kindly answer all their questions.

But in the past, traveling to Jerusalem or Rome was fraught with danger.

"In the Middle Ages, pilgrims were victims of looting, robbery, or all kinds of violence. Many died in the attempt. For example, if they arrived at night, they found [the gates to] the city walls closed and were exposed to all kinds of threats," Daniele Borderi told ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. Borderi is the secretary of Templari Oggi APS (Templars Today), a private association of lay faithful founded in March 2021.

The organization, present in 15 countries including South America and the United States, signed an agreement with the Vatican's Dicastery for Evangelization to provide volunteer services in three of the basilicas in Rome where a plenary indulgence can be obtained: St. Peter's, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. John Lateran.

"During the entire jubilee, every weekend, between 30 and 40 members of our organization will travel to Rome to serve the Catholic Church. Each one pays for the cost of the trip and, for its part, the Dicastery for Evangelization provides them with a place to sleep in addition to ensuring their lunch and dinner," Borderi explained.

These volunteers — dressed in a white tunic and the unmistakable cross pattée — are like the heirs of Friar Hugone de' Pagani, the first master of the ancient Order of the Poor Knights of Christ, commonly known as the Templars, whose origins date back to the 12th century. 

At that time "they were friars, knights, and soldiers, and for 200 years they were the pope's sword," Borderi said. In fact, they were directly under the pontiff, enjoyed certain privileges such as not paying tithes, and were also the first bankers: "They invented what we know today as the bank check. In the documents they used for this function to lend money they cleverly placed a deliberate error to avoid fraud," the Templar secretary added.

However, Philip IV of France tried to destroy them in 1307. "He also took their properties. It was a punishment imposed because he had contracted debts with the Templars that he could not pay off," Borderi said.

Today the Poor Knights of Christ, called Templars, are laymen and laywomen from many countries who take up the original charism of accompanying and defending pilgrims who arrive at the holy places.

From fruit seller to Templar

Achille Ticini, 68, is a Templar who comes from the Italian region of Emilia Romagna, and before he retired he had a fruit stand at a local market.

He volunteers where the Via della Conciliazione starts, one of the busiest streets leading up to St. Peter's Basilica and the Holy Door. When ACI spoke to him, a storm had already passed, but it had been raining all morning. "Let's hope it doesn't rain anymore," he said, looking at the still cloudy sky.

He had just assisted a group of pilgrims from the Philippines who asked him in English where they could get something to eat without having to pay too much. "Besides Italian, I am good at English and Spanish. In the end, [pilgrims] ask us very simple questions and almost always the same ones," he explained.

Ticini also gives information to pilgrims about where they can obtain the jubilee cross to carry on their way to a Holy Door. The cross is kept at 7 Via della Conciliazione and is the official reference point for pilgrims and tourists.

"We have it easier than our predecessors. In the Middle Ages, pilgrims had to be defended with swords not only from bandits but also from the animals that roamed around. Now the Italian police and army take care of security issues," he commented.

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, Jan 30, 2025 / 08:45 am (CNA).

The German Catholic bishops' conference on Wednesday distanced itself from a controversial statement against tougher migration policies issued by its Berlin office just before Parliament approved a motion on stronger border controls with support from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

In a 348-345 vote on Jan. 29, Germany's Parliament approved a nonbinding motion calling for stronger border and asylum rules.

The measure passed with support from the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU), Free Democrats (FDP), and the Alternative for Germany (AfD).

A source within the German bishops' conference confirmed to CNA Deutsch, CNA's German-language news partner, on Wednesday evening that an internal letter from Beate Gilles, general secretary of the bishops' conference, said majority opinion among bishops had been to avoid public intervention in the election campaign.

The letter distanced the bishops from a document issued by the Catholic office in Berlin on Jan. 28, which strongly criticized proposed migration legislation.

The revelation came after Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer of Regensburg publicly disavowed the Berlin document, telling Communio magazine: "The current position statement against a CDU/CSU draft law does not speak in my name. I distance myself from it in every way."

CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who introduced the motion, said the move was "necessary" despite criticism from Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who called the cooperation with AfD an "unforgivable mistake."

Merz now plans to propose binding legislation on Friday aimed at curbing illegal immigration numbers in the wake of the most recent fatal stabbing attack in Germany, one of a spate of violent crimes by migrants that have inflamed public debate.

Divisions within German Catholicism

The controversy has highlighted divisions within German Catholicism regarding migration policy.

While the Berlin Church office warned of ''damage to democracy," others like theologian Ludger Schwienhorst-Schönberger, recipient of the 2021 Joseph Ratzinger Prize, offered a different perspective.

"We are not obligated to do good to all people — simply because we cannot," Schwienhorst-Schönberger told Cicero magazine, citing traditional Catholic moral theology principles about practical limits to charitable obligations.

Election context

With federal elections due on Feb. 23, polling has shown the AfD as Germany's second most popular party. The party is variously described in the media as a populist, right-wing, or far-right extremist outfit.

The German bishops' conference has previously declared the AfD "unelectable" for Christians, citing the party's "ethnic nationalism" ideology — a finding the party has categorically rejected, according to CNA Deutsch.

Catholic members of the party have come under pressure.

The rise of the AfD reflects broader European trends, where parties critical of illegal migration, Islam, and leftist ideologies have gained significant ground, such as Marine Le Pen's National Rally in France and Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom in the Netherlands.

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Vatican City, Jan 30, 2025 / 11:15 am (CNA).

Pope Francis extended his condolences after an American Airlines jet carrying 64 people collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C.'s Ronald Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night.

The pope sent a personal message to President Donald Trump on Jan. 30 as search efforts continued in and around the Potomac River where the aircraft crashed. Officials indicated on Thursday morning that they did not believe there were any survivors.

"After learning of the mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, I express my spiritual closeness to all those affected by this tragedy," the pope said.

"In commending the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, I offer my deepest sympathies to the families who are now mourning the loss of a loved one. I likewise pray for those involved in the recovery efforts and invoke upon all in the nation the divine blessings of consolation and strength."

Pope Francis chose to sign the message personally, departing from the usual protocol of sending it via the Vatican secretary of state.

The collision occurred around 9 p.m. on Jan. 29 as American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas, was approaching Reagan National Airport. 

The jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The military helicopter was on a training mission with three soldiers on board. 

Emergency response teams have recovered at least 28 bodies from the Potomac River, where wreckage from both aircraft was found. With all passengers feared dead, the accident is likely the deadliest plane crash in the U.S. in more than 20 years. 

Passengers on the flight included a group of figure skaters, coaches, and their family members  returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, according to the U.S. Figure Skating association. 

Russian former world ice skating champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were among those on board, according to Russian state media.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collision. Preliminary reports suggest that the helicopter crew was aware of the approaching jetliner, as indicated by radio communications with air traffic control, according to Reuters. The Pentagon has also initiated its own inquiry into the incident.

Bishop Michael Burbidge, the bishop of nearby Arlington, Virginia, also offered his condolences in a post on the social media platform X.

"May we be united in prayer for all those tragically impacted by the accident near Reagan airport. We ask God to embrace them in his love; to grant strength to their families; and to watch over all first responders," the bishop said.

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CNA Staff, Jan 29, 2025 / 15:20 pm (CNA).

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York strongly criticized comments Vice President JD Vance made on Sunday questioning the motives of U.S. Catholic bishops in their efforts to serve migrants and resettle refugees, in which Vance suggested financial incentives were their driving force rather than compassion.

Vance, a Catholic who took office last week, was asked Jan. 26 about the bishops' criticism of the Trump administration's various new directives on immigration, specifically the government's rescinding of a policy that previously restricted immigration arrests at "sensitive locations" such as churches.

"I think that the [U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops] needs to actually look in the mirror a little bit and recognize that when they receive over $100 million to help resettle illegal immigrants, are they worried about humanitarian concerns? Or are they actually worried about their bottom line?" Vance replied. 

Asked if he believed the U.S. bishops are "actively hiding criminals from law enforcement," Vance argued that the USCCB has "not been a good partner in commonsense immigration enforcement that the American people voted for, and I hope, again, as a devout Catholic, that they'll do better."

Dolan on Tuesday expressed frustration over Vance's implication that the bishops' pro-immigrant stance was merely a financial calculation, calling the comments "scurrilous" and "very nasty."

"I was really disappointed with what he said on 'Face the Nation' the other day. And I don't mind telling you, somewhat hurt. This was not only harmful, this was inaccurate. You heard what he said: 'Oh, the bishops, they're pro-immigrant because of the bottom line, because they're making money off this.' That's just scurrilous. It's very nasty, and it's not true," Dolan said, speaking on his weekly SiriusXM show "Conversations with Cardinal Dolan."

Dolan said the Church's involvement in migration and refugee services is frequently at the behest of secular leaders such as mayors and governors, who he said recognize the Church's ability to manage resources efficiently and transparently.

"You want to come look at our audits, which are scrupulously done? You think we make money caring for the immigrants? We're losing it hand over fist … we're not in a money-making business," he continued. 

Some political leaders and commentators have accused the U.S. bishops of complying with or facilitating illegal immigration through their refugee resettlement program, a charge the bishops have strongly denied. Critics have also scrutinized the large sums of money that the USCCB receives each year from the government to resettle refugees, which in recent years has been over $100 million a year.

The USCCB recently defended its long-standing refugee program as a "work of mercy," pointing out that every person they help to resettle "is vetted and approved for the program by the federal government while outside of the United States" and reiterating that despite the large sums of money involved, the costs of refugee resettlement often exceed the government's reimbursement.

In 2023, the latest year for which figures are available, the USCCB spent nearly $131 million on migration and refugee services, with nearly $130 million of that cost being covered by government grants, primarily from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of State.

Despite his disappointment, Dolan expressed hope that Vance's comments were uncharacteristic and not reflective of Vance's usual thoughtful demeanor. Dolan also acknowledged, with appreciation, Vance's supportive stances on Catholic family life and education.

"[From] a guy who has struck me as a gentleman and a thoughtful man, and from whom I'm still expecting great things — I hope it was an uncharacteristic moment. I thought it was a letdown," the cardinal concluded.

The work of the U.S. bishops and the major humanitarian agency Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) as related to migrants and refugees has been vigorously debated in recent days amid the U.S. Office of Management and Budget's new — and now-rescinded — spending freeze on federal grants to nonprofit organizations, first announced Jan. 27. 

Catholic Charities, which is composed of 168 diocesan agencies, serves millions of people in need each year across the country by providing affordable housing, food, and disaster relief, as well as immigration services. In addition to donations and other sources, some Catholic Charities agency programs are partially funded through federal aid. 

The president of CCUSA had this week urged the Trump administration to "rethink" its pause on federal funding, noting the "millions of Americans who rely on this life-giving support."

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CNA Staff, Jan 29, 2025 / 15:40 pm (CNA).

The White House on Wednesday pulled back on a directive that had ordered federal agencies to pause federal grants and loans amid a flurry of executive actions from President Donald Trump.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) had issued a memorandum on Monday that directed all federal agencies "to the extent permissible under applicable law … [to] temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance" that could conflict with recent executive orders from Trump.

The memo specified that funding for programs "including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal" would be paused.

But on Wednesday OMB walked back the directive. Multiple news outlets reported that the office had "rescinded" the memorandum without comment. 

The apparent walkback added another layer of whiplash to what was already a chaotic week in Washington. On Tuesday U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan had temporarily blocked the order just minutes before it was scheduled to take effect, with the block scheduled to last until Monday. 

On Wednesday afternoon White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X that the OMB walkback was "NOT a rescission of the federal funding freeze." 

"It is simply a rescission of the OMB memo," she wrote. "Why? To end any confusion created by the court's injunction."

"The president's [executive orders] on federal funding remain in full force and effect, and will be rigorously implemented," she wrote.

AliKhan's injunction against the freeze came after several states and nonprofits filed lawsuits against the Trump administration regarding the pause. 

On Tuesday Catholic Charities USA President and CEO Kerry Alys Robinson released a statement arguing against the proposed halt in federal financial assistance.

"For more than a century, the Catholic Charities network has worked with the government to care for poor and vulnerable people in every community in the U.S., and we continue to be eager to work with government to care for our neighbors in need," Robinson said. "We strongly urge the administration to rethink this decision."

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jan 29, 2025 / 16:10 pm (CNA).

A study published last week found that the active ingredient used in a common morning-after "emergency contraceptive" can be used to induce a chemical abortion at least up to the ninth week of pregnancy.

The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine on Jan. 23, found that ulipristal acetate is an "effective" drug for causing an abortion. This drug is the active ingredient in the morning-after pill commonly marketed as "ella" or "ellaOne," which is advertised as a non-abortive contraception used only to prevent pregnancy.

Researchers gave 133 pregnant women from Mexico City each a dosage of 60 milligrams of ulipristal acetate to induce an abortion. The women were then given misoprostol, which expels an unborn child from the mother by inducing contractions.

The study was conducted by Gynuity Health Projects and the National Autonomous University of Mexico and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Mexico City Health Secretariat. 

Gynuity Health Projects — an organization that seeks to increase access to chemical abortions — has in the past been criticized by pro-life groups for conducting clinical trials on pregnant women around the world to test the effectiveness of second-trimester chemical abortions. 

The organization has received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and many other wealthy donors.

According to the recent study, the drug combination of ulipristal acetate and misoprostol completed an abortion in 129 cases — a success rate of 97%. This is about equal to the success rate of the abortion pill mifepristone — which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to abort an unborn child up to 10 weeks into a pregnancy in conjunction with misoprostol to expel the child.

The 60-milligram dose of ulipristal acetate used in the study is double the dose recommended for using the same drug as an "emergency contraceptive." The study did not test whether lower doses could induce abortions.

Gynuity Health Projects President Beverly Winikoff, the lead researcher, told CNA she believes "this is the first study that shows the possibility of using [ulipristal acetate] for abortion" but that "just looking at the chemical structure, it has a structure very similar to mifepristone," which is already used for abortion.

Aaron Kheriaty, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, told CNA that a similar chemical structure does not necessarily mean both drugs will have the same effect but added that "it should have been investigated" in the FDA approval process.

Ulipristal acetate, he said, "makes the environment in the womb inhospitable to continue life." He said whether someone takes it shortly after sexual intercourse or several weeks later, "it is doing the same thing" and in the cases documented in the study, "causing an abortion rather than preventing the conception of a human being in the first place."

Kheriaty noted that even if taken soon after sexual intercourse, the drug can prevent a fertilized egg, which is already "a new human being," from attaching to the uterus, ensuring the "early embryo can't survive."

"It's long been known that the mechanism of action of the morning-after pill … is to produce an early abortion," Kheriaty said.

Joseph Meaney, a senior fellow at the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), told CNA that the study indicates that ella "can be abortifacient in its mode of action."

"Ulipristal acetate clearly works as an abortion pill," Meaney said. "The question is how often does it abort very early pregnancies when used as so-called 'emergency contraception?'"

The Vatican and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have warned for years that emergency contraceptives could induce abortions in early pregnancies, which pharmaceutical companies have consistently denied.

Ella still marketed as a non-abortive drug

Pharmaceutical companies market ella or ellaOne as a non-abortive drug that only prevents a pregnancy and will not end an existing pregnancy or harm a child in the mother's womb. It is prescribed for women up to five days after sexual intercourse.

Ellarx.com, operated by HRA Pharma America — a subsidiary of the Perrigo Company plc — claims ella is not an "abortion pill," adding: "It won't end an existing pregnancy."

"Emergency contraceptives like ella [work] by delaying or preventing ovulation, which stops pregnancy from occurring in the first place," the website states in its section for frequently asked questions.

Similarly, ellaOne.co.uk lists among its morning-after pill "myths" that "the morning-after pill is a form of abortion" and adds "if the morning-after pill is taken by someone who is already pregnant, emergency contraception will not interrupt this pregnancy." This website is also operated by Perrigo. 

Perrigo issued a statement to the New York Times standing by that position, saying the study gave women a higher dose of ulipristal acetate than what is in one pill of ella, asserting "there continues to be no evidence to show that, on its own, ella causes an abortion." One ella pill has 30 milligrams of ulipristal acetate, which is half of what the study used.

"Ella is an FDA-approved emergency contraception pill that acts before pregnancy can occur," the statement added.

Winikoff, however, told CNA: "The study we published could make it possible for people to use [ulipristal acetate] for abortions," adding that "the drug is FDA approved, and this is just another use for it."

Kheriaty told CNA he believes the findings "place the medication in the same category as other drugs used for chemical abortions like mifepristone." He said advertising it as a non-abortive drug is "clearly misleading, and it's something the FDA should investigate."

Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, an NCBC senior ethicist, told CNA the study "reveals that [ulipristal acetate] can also be used in higher doses for the first step of a chemical abortion, again reminding us how closely connected contraception and abortion really are — 'two fruits of the same tree,'" quoting St. John Paul II's encyclical Evangelium Vitae. 

"In broad terms, we can see how contraceptive acts enable a couple to 'quench the possibility' of a family by doing away with the prospect of a child even before that life is conceived," Pacholczyk added.

"The logic behind 'quenching our offspring' can now be extended further, as the active ingredient in ella will now likely become part of the regimen for initiating many early chemical abortions around the globe and directly ending countless unborn lives," he said.

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