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null / Credit: Stephen Kiers/ShutterstockCNA Staff, Oct 8, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).A New Jersey teacher's dismissal from her Catholic school classroom over her role as a surrogate mother has raised the question of just when Catholic employers can dismiss workers for not adhering to the faith. The teacher, Jadira Bonilla, was put on paid administrative leave after school officials discovered that she had agreed to serve as a surrogate for another couple. She told a Philadelphia news station that she had previously served as a surrogate for the same couple without incident while working at another Catholic school.Administrators at St. Mary Catholic School in Vineland "said I was possibly in violation of my contract and that I would be suspended or placed on administrative leave," the teacher told the news outlet. Bonilla "is a valued teacher and one we hope will one day again teach in our school with the full knowledge of our faith, which guides our educational principles...
Virginia State House. / Credit: Sean Pavone/ShutterstockRichmond, Virginia, Oct 8, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).Virginia's two Catholic bishops are urging voters to "form [their] consciences and vote" in the state's upcoming gubernatorial election that could also see the state poised to pass a far-reaching pro-abortion constitutional amendment.The Virginia Catholic Conference at its "Election 2025 Resource Hub" tells voters that every seat in the state House of Delegates is up for vote, while the state's top-ranking executive positions of governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general are also in play. "While every year in Virginia is an election year, this November's elections are poised to have an outsized impact on our Commonwealth," the bishops said. They pointed to the state government's ongoing consideration of an "extreme constitutional amendment" that would establish a so-called "right" to abortion. A letter from Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge and Richmo...
Pope Leo XIV shakes hands with Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly during an audience with Knights of Columbus leadership at the Vatican on Oct. 6, 2025. / Credit: Vatican MediaVatican City, Oct 6, 2025 / 12:24 pm (CNA).Pope Leo XIV on Monday met with leaders of the Knights of Columbus, whom he thanked for their generosity to the Vatican and their dedicated service to local communities in the United States. He also expressed his "profound gratitude" for the Knights' funding of the restorations of Gian Lorenzo Bernini's baldacchino and monument of the Chair of St. Peter in St. Peter's Basilica, completed last year. Such contributions are "a visible sign of your continued devotion to the vicar of Christ," the pontiff said, addressing members of the board of directors and their families in the Apostolic Palace's Hall of the Consistory. "Throughout its history, the order has supported the charitable work of the Roman pontiff in a variety of ways, includi...
Faithful take part in the "Walking Towards You" procession in Lebanon to honor Father Bechara Abou Mrad in Joun on Oct. 4, 2025. / Credit: Noelle El Hajj/ACI MENAACI MENA, Oct 6, 2025 / 12:54 pm (CNA).In Lebanon, thousands of Christians filled the streets on Saturday, Oct. 4, in a solemn procession honoring Father Bechara Abou Mrad, a Melkite priest whose cause for sainthood is underway. In a country often marked by hardship and unrest, the glow of candles and sound of hymns offered a moment of peace as the faithful carried icons and flags in tribute to a man remembered for his quiet life of prayer, humility, and service.Born Salim Abou Mrad in Zahle in 1853, the young man entered the Basilian Order of the Most Holy Savior at age 21, taking the religious name "Bechara," which means "Annunciation" in Arabic. Known for his humility and dedication, he spent his life in prayer and service until his death in 1930. In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI recognized his heroic virtue, declari...
Young girls hold posters that translate to "Every Life is Important and Precious" at the March for Life in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Oct. 4, 2025. / Credit: Erlendas BartVilnius, Lithuania, Oct 6, 2025 / 13:32 pm (CNA).The heart of Lithuania's capital came alive with music, speeches, and powerful personal stories as thousands gathered on Saturday for the "Žygis už gyvybe" ("March for Life"), an event dedicated to celebrating the sanctity of life and raising awareness about the necessity of its protection.The march drew participants from across Lithuania as well as from neighboring countries including Latvia, Estonia, and Poland.Participants march along Gediminas Avenue toward Vilnius Cathedral Square at the March for Life in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Oct. 4, 2025. Credit: Erlendas BartThe event on Oct. 4 began in the early afternoon near the Martynas Mažvydas National Library, drawing a diverse crowd of families, students, activists, artists, and clergy. Promoted by a range of c...
Cathedral of St. Matthew, Washington, D.C. / Credit: Ron Cogswell via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 6, 2025 / 14:06 pm (CNA).A New Jersey man was arrested on Sunday outside of the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C., on charges of unlawful entry, threats to kidnap or injure a person, and possession of a molotov cocktail, according to authorities.The cathedral held its Red Mass on Sunday, Oct. 5, "to invoke God's blessings on those responsible for the administration of justice as well as on all public officials," St. Matthew's reported. Supreme Court justices and lawmakers usually attend the annual Mass.The Mass is traditionally held on the Sunday before the first Monday in October, which marks the opening of the Supreme Court's annual term. Due to the expected high-profile attendees, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were surveilling the area ahead of the 9 a.m. Mass.Shortly before 6 a.m., officers noticed an individual who se...
Sister Norman Pimentel, "the immigrants' nun," participated in an Oct. 2, 2025, meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. / Credit: Victoria Cardiel/EWTN NewsVatican City, Oct 5, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).Sister Norma Pimentel is known as "the immigrants' nun." For over a decade, she has directed the Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley (CCRGV) Humanitarian Respite Center, a humanitarian aid center located in McAllen, Texas, on the border with Mexico. From there, she has provided assistance to people who arrive in the United States seeking asylum.According to Pimentel, the increase in arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to expel immigrants who lack legal status in the country has unleashed a climate of fear in communities.'Raids are taking place everywhere'"People are extremely afraid ... they know that nowhere is safe, they pick you up anywhere, and you can't even go to the supermarket because raids are taking place everywhere," the religious explained...
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on October 5, 2025. / Daniel IbañezVatican City, Oct 5, 2025 / 07:50 am (CNA).Pope Leo XIV on Sunday condemned the resurgence of antisemitic hatred and appealed for renewed commitment to peace in the Middle East, while also assuring prayers for victims of a devastating earthquake in the Philippines."I express my concern about the rise of antisemitic hatred in the world, as unfortunately we saw with the terrorist attack in Manchester a few days ago," the pope said from St. Peter's Square, before leading the Angelus prayer. He added that he "continue[s] to be saddened by the immense suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza."The pope said that "in the dramatic situation in the Middle East, some significant steps forward have been taken in peace negotiations," and urged all leaders "to commit themselves to this path, to bring about a ceasefire and to release the hostages." He also invited the faithful "to rem...
Pope Leo XIV greets a member of the Swiss Guard during a swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 / Credit: Vatican MediaCNA Staff, Oct 4, 2025 / 13:05 pm (CNA).Pope Leo XIV on Saturday attended the swearing-in of the Swiss Guard at the Vatican, the first time a pope has attended the pomp-filled ceremony since the pontificate of Pope Paul VI in 1968.The event took place in the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard. The Holy Father was joined by a crowd of spectators watching as the 27 new members were sworn into the ranks of the papal guard. The swearing-in ceremony, when the new guards promise to protect the pope, if necessary with their lives, was postponed from the traditional date of May 6 due to the conclave that saw Leo elected. Pope Leo XIV observes the Swiss Guard during a swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaPope Leo XIV observes the Swiss Guard during a swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025...
Pope Leo XIV signs his first apostolic exhortation, 'Dilexi te', at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 / Credit: Vatican MediaCNA Staff, Oct 4, 2025 / 14:39 pm (CNA).Pope Leo XIV on Oct. 4 signed the first apostolic exhortation of his pontificate, the text of which is expected to be released next week. The Vatican said in a press release that Leo signed the exhortation "Dilexi te" in the library of the Apostolic Palace. The Holy See did not reveal the text of the document, which it said will be presented on Oct. 9 by the Holy See Press Office. The focus of the document was also not officially announced, though it is reportedly expected to focus on the poor. It was signed on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. On the morning of Saturday, October 4, the Holy See Press Office announced that Pope Leo XIV signed his first Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te, at 8:30 a.m. in the private library of the Apostolic Palace.The signing took place in the presence of Archbishop Edgar...
