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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 28, 2025 / 17:37 pm (CNA).

Here is a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed:

Ancient cross discovered in Abu Dhabi points to deep Christian roots in region

The Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, has announced a new archaeological discovery: a 30-centimeter (11.8-inch) plaster cross unearthed in an ancient monastery on Sir Bani Yas Island about 106 miles southwest of Abu Dhabi, ACI MENA, CNA's Arabic-language news partner, reported.

The artifact was uncovered during excavation work that began earlier this year. According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, the cross was found in the courtyard of one of the monastery's houses. The cross is believed to date back to the seventh or eighth century A.D. Its eastern-style design resembles crosses found in Iraq and Kuwait, reflecting the historic connections of the Eastern Church and its spread across the gulf in the early centuries of Christianity.

Church in Thailand equips seminarians to minister to the Deaf 

The Catholic Church in Thailand has launched a training program for seminarians at Fatima Minor Seminary in the Archdiocese of Thare-Nongseng to help strengthen their ability to minister to the Deaf, according to Vatican News.

The program kicked off with training sessions on Aug. 22–24 led by Father Peter Bhuravaj Searaariyah, director of pastoral ministry for the Deaf of the Diocese of Chanthaburi and of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand. The sessions included an introduction to religious sign language terminology, participation in a Thai Sign Language (TSL) Mass, and the recitation of the Liturgy of the Word in sign language, Vatican News reported.

Nigerian priest: Surge in child trafficking a 'national emergency' 

A Nigerian Catholic priest is sounding the alarm over the growing trafficking of secondary school children — most often young girls who live in poverty across the west African nation who are taken during and after school hours.

"This is a national emergency. We are dealing with a crisis that threatens the future of our children and the soul of our nation," Father George Ehusani told ACI Africa, CNA's news partner in Africa, in an interview on Monday. "When teenagers who should be in classrooms are lured, moved, and exploited by criminal networks, the entire community is diminished."

Armenian Catholics launch website for St. Maloyan's canonization

The Armenian Catholic Patriarchate of Cilicia has announced the official launch of a website dedicated to the upcoming canonization of Blessed Ignatius Maloyan, ACI MENA reported Thursday. 

The site provides detailed information for the faithful who wish to participate in the celebration, including visa instructions for Lebanese citizens and comprehensive travel packages covering flights, accommodations, and local transportation. The platform also offers specialized services for the Armenian diaspora to facilitate participation in this historic event at the heart of the universal Church.

Climate activists convene in Kenya for interfaith prayer against fossil fuel expansion

Climate activists and faith leaders from across Africa gathered in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, on Aug. 24 for an interfaith prayer session to push for an end to fossil expansion on the world's second-largest continent.

Convened by the continental Laudato Si' Movement at the Holy Family Basilica, the prayer vigil was grounded in prayer and moral witness, ACI Africa reported. The movement's programs manager, Ashley Kitisya, told ACI Africa: "Our goal is to increase moral and spiritual pressure on decision-makers to halt fossil fuel expansion and instead invest in a just and sustainable transition."

Summit cross in Swiss Alps uprooted in act of vandalism

In the Swiss Alps, a cross and a statue of Mother Mary were torn out of the ground in an act of vandalism, CNA Deutsch, CNA's German-language news partner, reported earlier this week. The cross and statue were located in the Basòdino mountain, the second-highest peak in the canton of Ticino.

Roberto Iori, who runs a mountain hut in the area, said: "What also torments me is the fact that the perpetrator of this abominable act probably passed our hut and maybe even slept here. The cross and the Madonna were symbols for mountain lovers … It could be religiously motivated vandalism. It's not the first time someone has destroyed religious symbols on a summit."

British MP: Catholic support for Palestinians in Gaza 'extremely powerful' 

Independent British member of Parliament Shockat Adam said in an interview with Crux this week that support from the Catholic Church for people in Gaza has been "extremely powerful" and emphasized the Church's unique role to play in ending the conflict.

"The Vatican has been doing it, but other Christian denominations and even Muslim leaders haven't been as vociferous and clear on this," Adam said. "The Vatican has a role to play, have played a role, and should continue to do so … The leadership of the Church addressing parliamentarians and legislators and world leaders is a really powerful avenue of making change."

7 Christians jailed after Hindu groups say they violated anti-conversion laws 

A group of seven Christians in the Uttar Pradesh state in India have been jailed following accusations made by "Hindu vigilante groups" that they violated the northern Indian state's anti-conversion laws by "converting gullible people to Christianity," according to a UCA News report.

The arrests took place on Aug. 24 in three separate locations where Sunday prayer services were taking place. Six prayer services were interrupted in total that same day, an anonymous church leader told UCA.

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CNA Staff, Aug 28, 2025 / 15:53 pm (CNA).

A rising senior at a high school in Grand Island, New York, Sabrina Steffans, is now allowed to decorate her school parking space with Christian messages after her high school reversed course after initially rejecting her faith-based artwork.

Grand Island High School allows seniors to paint their parking spots "to encourage students to express themselves through positive artwork, to beautify the campus, to build school spirit, and to create a new and exciting radiation to support senior class activities and events."

When Steffans, a Christian who leads a Bible club at her school, proposed three drawings for her parking space, the school rejected the first two, which had Christian themes.

Steffans said the school approved the third design, "which had no Bible verses, no crosses, or anything."

Steffans said after the school rejected the second proposed drawing, "that's when we kind of decided to take charge and move forward with this [legal action]."

Steffans hired lawyers from First Liberty Institute, a nonprofit religious liberty law firm, who wrote a demand letter to the Grand Island school district insisting she had a constitutionally-protected right to freely express her religious beliefs at school.

Days later, attorneys for the school district responded to the demand letter stating that Sabrina could proceed with her original design.

"We are pleased that the school district changed course and will allow Sabrina to truly express her deeply held beliefs in her design," said Keisha Russell, senior counsel for First Liberty Institute. "The First Amendment protects students' private expressions of faith in public schools."

In response to the threatened lawsuit, Grand Island Central School District Superintendent Brian Graham issued a statement last week saying the district takes "seriously our responsibility to uphold constitutional principles, including the First Amendment."

He continued: "While we strongly dispute any assertion that our policies or decisions violated the rights of any student, the board of education and district leadership, after careful consultation with legal counsel, have decided that the student in question will be permitted to proceed with her original senior parking space design."

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ACI Prensa Staff, Aug 28, 2025 / 16:23 pm (CNA).

The Holy See Press Office has published a series of decisions by Pope Leo XIV to bring about unity in the Syro-Malabar Church of India, which has been at serious risk of schism in recent years due to liturgical disputes.

The Syro-Malabar Church is one of the 23 Eastern Churches in full communion with the bishop of Rome and follows the Chaldean liturgical tradition. It is the largest Eastern Church after the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and its origins date back to the preaching of St. Thomas the Apostle.

Since 1999, the Church has undergone a long period of division as a result of liturgical reforms that were later confirmed by the synod of the Syro-Malabar Church in 2021.

In July, Pope Leo XIV terminated the 2023 appointment of Archbishop Cyril Vasil' as papal delegate to the Syro-Malabar Church after an internal agreement was reached without his mediation.

Appointments of new bishops

The Vatican reported Aug. 28 that it had accepted resignations, made several episcopal appointments, and created several ecclesiastical provinces in the Syro-Malabar Church.

First, the synod of bishops of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church accepted the resignation of the bishop of Belthangady, Mar Lawrence Mukkuzhy, and elected as new eparch Claretian Father James Patteril, "to whom the Holy Father had granted prior assent," according to information provided by the Holy See.

Patteril, 63, is a native of Mangalore in the Indian state of Karnataka. He professed his vows in the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1988 and was ordained a priest in 1990.

After completing his studies in philosophy and theology, he was sent to Germany to study pastoral theology at the Pastoral-Theologisches Institut of the Pallottine Fathers in Friedberg. He has exercised his pastoral ministry in India and Germany.

Carmelite Father Joseph Thachaparambath has been elected bishop of the Eparchy of Adilabad. Born in 1969 in Nalumukku, India, he entered the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate congregation in 1985.

After completing his studies in philosophy and theology, he was ordained a priest in 1997. His pastoral work has focused on parish life and teaching at various educational institutions within his religious institute. Since 2023, he has served as superior of the Mar Thoma Province.

His Beatitude Mar Raphael Thattil, major archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, with the consent of the synod of bishops, has accepted the resignation of Thomas Elavanal of the Missionary Congregation of the Most Holy Sacrament as bishop of the Eparchy of Kalyan.

New ecclesiastical provinces of the Syro-Malabar Church

Regarding the territorial organization of the Syro-Malabar Church, the Holy See has announced the establishment of several ecclesiastical provinces and the assignment of the corresponding metropolitan archbishops.

The ecclesiastical province of Faridabad will be composed of the dioceses of Faridabad, Bijnor, and Gorakhpur. The Diocese of Faridabad will become an archdiocese, with its current bishop, Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, designated as archbishop.

The ecclesiastical province of Kalyan will have the Eparchies of Chanda and Rajkot as suffragans, with Kalyan remaining as the archiepiscopal see. Its first archbishop will be Sebastian Vaniyapurackal, currently bishop of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia.

The ecclesiastical province of Shamshabad, named after the see that is being elevated to a metropolitan archdiocese, will have the Eparchy of Adilabad as its suffragan. Its first archbishop-designate will be Bishop Prince Antony Panengaden, currently the prelate of the same see.

Ujjain is the fourth ecclesiastical province created, taking its name from the Diocese of Ujjain. Its suffragan sees are Jagdalpur, Sagar, and Satna. The current bishop of Ujjain, Sebastian Vadakel, a member of the Missionary Society of St. Thomas the Apostle, was appointed metropolitan archbishop.

Finally, the Eparchy of Hosur has been designated a suffragan of the Metropolitan Archeparchy of Trichur.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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CNA Staff, Aug 28, 2025 / 11:30 am (CNA).

The leaders of the Minneapolis Catholic school where two children were shot and killed during a mass shooting incident on Wednesday say the school will remain closed for the time being as the community continues to deal with the "unfathomable" deadly incident.

The shooting took place during the all-school Mass at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis on Aug. 27. The gunman, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, born Robert Westman, shot through the church's stained-glass windows with a rifle, killing the two children and injuring nearly 20 children and adults before taking his own life.

The shooting generated global headlines and drew prayers and support from leaders including Pope Leo XIV and President Donald Trump.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday evening, Annunciation Catholic School Principal Matthew DeBoer and parish pastor Father Dennis Zehren described the crisis as an "impossible situation."

"No words can capture what we have gone through, what we are going through, and what we will go through in the coming days and weeks," they wrote. "But we will navigate this — together."

The leaders indicated the school would remain closed for at least the rest of the week and possibly longer. "As we process and navigate this unfathomable time together, we will be in touch this weekend regarding when school will resume," they said. 

The statement noted that law enforcement are still carrying out "essential work" on the school's campus, located several miles south of downtown Minneapolis.

Families in the parish will have access to support services, they said.

"In this time of darkness, let us commit to being the light to our children, each other, and our community," the statement said. "We will rebuild our future filled with hope — together."

Pope Leo XIV after the shooting sent his "heartfelt condolences and the assurance of spiritual closeness" to the victims of the shooting, while Catholic bishops and leaders from around the country likewise called for prayers and support for the school community.

The deadly shooting came after Minnesota's bishops had implored state lawmakers to provide security funding for local nonpublic schools.

Those appeals from the bishops came after deadly school shootings at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee.

The prelates had argued that students at Catholic and other nonpublic schools should receive the same level of protection as their public-school peers, though bills to that effect stalled in the state Legislature.

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CNA Staff, Aug 28, 2025 / 12:00 pm (CNA).

A federal bankruptcy court has accepted the Diocese of Syracuse, New York's massive $176 million abuse settlement plan, Bishop Douglas Lucia said this week.

The decision comes after a yearslong negotiation process between the diocese and victims of clergy abuse as well as between the diocese and insurers that will pay into the settlement fund.

Lucia said in an Aug. 27 letter that the diocese will contribute $100 million to the fund, as diocesan leaders first announced in 2023.

Fifty million dollars will come from the diocese itself, with $45 million from parishes and $5 million from "other Catholic entities" associated with the Syracuse Diocese.

The remaining $76 million will be contributed by diocesan insurance companies, the bishop said.

Further "nonmonetary items" in the agreement include provisions such as strengthening diocesan safe environment policies.

The diocese initiated the bankruptcy process in 2020. In his letter, Lucia thanked his fellow Catholics "who throughout these five years have prayed for this resolution and for those whose hearts were broken by the betrayal that came at the hands of Church members."

"Together I now pray we will grow ever more as the body of Christ in this part of the world community," he said.

The Syracuse decision comes amid a wave of high-value abuse settlement payouts from U.S. dioceses, including throughout New York.

Abuse victims in New York last month agreed to a massive settlement from the Diocese of Rochester, which is set to pay $246 million to survivors of clergy abuse there.

The Diocese of Buffalo, New York, earlier this year agreed to pay out a $150 million sum as part of its own abuse settlement.

The largest diocesan-level bankruptcy settlement in U.S. history thus far has been from the Diocese of Rockville Centre — also in New York — which last year agreed to pay $323 million to abuse victims.

The largest Church abuse payout total in U.S. history thus far has been at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which last year agreed to a near-$1 billion payment to abuse victims.

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ACI Prensa Staff, Aug 28, 2025 / 12:30 pm (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday encouraged Catholic politicians to live coherently as Christians and follow the Gospel, even when performing their public duties in a secular polity. 

During an Aug. 28 meeting with a delegation of political representatives and civic leaders from the Diocese of Créteil, France, accompanied by Bishop Dominique Blanchet, the Holy Father stated that "a more just, more human, more fraternal world" can only be "a world more imbued with the Gospel."

Thus, he added, "in the face of the various deviations present in our Western societies, we can do nothing better, as Christians, than to turn to Christ and ask for his help in carrying out our responsibilities."

For this reason, the pope highlighted the importance of political and social leaders being committed to acting in coherence with their faith, because "beyond mere personal enrichment, it carries great importance and usefulness for the men and women they serve." 

In this regard, he underlined that such determination "is all the more praiseworthy considering that, in France, due to a sometimes-misunderstood secularism, it is not easy for an elected representative to act and decide consistently with their faith." 

'Christianity cannot be reduced to a mere private devotion' 

Because the Christian message embraces every dimension of the human person, Leo XIV stressed that "Christianity cannot be reduced to a mere private devotion, since it entails a way of living in society infused with love for God and neighbor, who in Christ is no longer an enemy but a brother." 

To face social challenges, the Holy Father said Catholic politicians must rely "on the virtue of charity that dwells within them since baptism," a gift of God that, as he cited from the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, constitutes a "force capable of inspiring new paths to address today's problems and to renew profoundly from within structures, social organizations, and legal norms," bringing charity from the personal realm into the social and political one because "it makes us love the common good and leads us to effectively seek the good of all." 

Pope Leo XIV also noted that the Christian politician "is better prepared to face the challenges of today's world, provided, of course, that he lives and bears witness to his faith in him, to his personal relationship with Christ." 

In this sense, he warned against the temptation to promote values "however evangelical they may be, but 'emptied' of Christ, their author," since they will be "incapable of changing the world." 

Responding to Blanchet's request for advice to Catholic politicians, Leo XIV replied: "The first and only one I will give you is to unite yourselves more and more to Jesus, to live and bear witness to him." 

Coherence in public life 

"There is no split in the personality of a public figure: There is not, on one side, the politician and, on the other, the Christian. Rather, there is a politician who, under God's gaze and before his conscience, lives his commitments and responsibilities as a Christian!" he added.

To achieve such coherence of life, the pope recalled the call for Catholic politicians "to strengthen themselves in faith, to deepen their knowledge of doctrine — especially social doctrine — that Jesus taught the world, and to put it into practice in carrying out their duties and in drafting laws." 

He also affirmed the enduring validity of natural law, a norm "that all can recognize, even non-Christians. Therefore, we should not fear proposing it and defending it with conviction: It is a doctrine of salvation that seeks the good of every human being, the building of peaceful, harmonious, prosperous, and reconciled societies."

Courage in the face of difficulties 

At the end of his address, the pope acknowledged that "an openly Christian commitment by a public official is not easy, especially in certain Western societies where Christ and his Church are marginalized, often ignored, and at times ridiculed." 

Such a commitment also means facing political pressures, including that of "ideological colonization," Leo said, using a term coined by his predecessor Pope Francis to refer to campaigns by wealthy countries and organizations to influence the values of developing nations.  Leo said that Christian public officials "need courage: the courage sometimes to say 'no, I cannot,' when the truth is at stake." 

"Only union with Jesus — Jesus crucified! — will give you that courage to suffer for his name," the pontiff declared, recalling Christ's words: "In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage: I have overcome the world." 

In conclusion, the pope expressed his support for Catholic politicians and encouraged them not to lose hope in a better world: "Remain certain that, united to Christ, your efforts will bear fruit and receive their reward."

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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National Catholic Register, Aug 28, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

After a pair of out-of-state school shootings in 2022 and 2023 shocked the nation, Minnesota's bishops implored state lawmakers to provide security funding for local nonpublic schools. 

Now, two years after their appeals went unheeded, tragedy has struck one of their own.

On the morning of Aug. 27, a gunman opened fire during an all-school Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, killing two students, aged 10 and 8; 14 other students and three adults were injured.

The tragedy comes after the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC), the public policy voice of Minnesota's six dioceses, made requests to state officials to extend funds for security upgrades and emergency-response training to nonpublic schools in both 2022 and 2023.

The appeals, which came after deadly school shootings at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, argued that students at Catholic and other nonpublic schools should receive the same level of protection as their public-school peers.

"We need to ensure that all our schools have the resources to respond to and prevent these attacks from happening to our schools," wrote Jason Adkins, MCC's executive director, in an April 14, 2023, letter to Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who are both Democrats. The letter was also signed by Tim Benz, president of a Minnesota independent school organization.

If MCC's request had been granted, Catholic schools like Annunciation would have been able to use state funds for enhancements like secure entries to facilities or even to hire school resource officers. 

But the Minnesota bishops' appeals were rebuffed in both years, as related bills stalled in the state Legislature, resulting in no additional funding for nonpublic school security. Meanwhile, for the 2023 legislative session, Minnesota enjoyed a historic $17.6 billion surplus.

In the aftermath of the Annunciation school shooting, the issue will assuredly be revisited — including why lawmakers failed to act on the bishops' request.

Responding to a request for comment, Walz's office underscored that the governor "cares deeply about the safety of students" and has "signed into law millions in funding for school safety." The National Catholic Register, CNA's sister news partner, confirmed, however, that none of the previously signed funding bills applied to nonpublic school safety.

"We remain committed to working with anyone who is willing to work with us to stop gun violence and keep our students safe," said the spokesman, noting that Walz meets with MCC on a regular basis.

Meanwhile, Republican state Sen. Julia Coleman told the Register that the tragedy is prompting her to reflect on her "responsibility as an elected official."

"There are no easy answers, but I know our children — our most precious assets — must be protected," said Coleman, a Catholic. "Now is the time to make school security funding a priority."

In his first public remarks following the shooting, Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis begged for prayers for those affected. He also called for an end to gun violence.

"Our community is rightfully outraged at such horrific acts of violence perpetrated against the vulnerable and innocent," he wrote in a statement. "They are far too commonplace."

Adkins declined to comment at this time.

Previous requests

The Minnesota bishops' efforts to secure school security funding came after state lawmakers had passed "Safe Schools" legislation in 2019 that provided money for security enhancements to public schools but not to nonpublic ones.

In 2022, after a bill to expand the funding to nonpublic schools stalled, Minnesota's bishops urged Walz to call a special session and pass an expansion to Safe Schools. The measure would have provided $44 per student for security costs, regardless of their school's affiliation.

"Although no legislation can stop the manifestation of evil, this Safe Schools legislation is an important, commonsense first step to establishing an ongoing funding source for schools to increase security staff, enhance building security, and strengthen violence prevention programs and mental health initiatives," Hebda wrote in a May 2022 letter.

The House version of the bill was supported by multiple members of the Democrat-Farmer-Labor Party, the Minnesota affiliate of the national Democratic Party, indicating bipartisan support. However, Walz did not call a special session to pass the legislation.

The following year, MCC implored Minnesota's lawmakers to make nonpublic schools eligible recipients of a $50 million security grant program included in the state's education finance bill. 

The 2023 letter cosigned by MCC described "the exclusion of one sector of schools" from security funding as "a discriminatory act against our students."

An attack on any school, whether it is a public, nonpublic, charter or another school site, cannot be tolerated or allowed to happen in Minnesota," the letter writers said.

Meeting, but no funding

According to comments Adkins made to The Daily Wire, Minnesota's bishops had raised their concerns with Walz, a former public school teacher, in a meeting. 

"He communicated his belief that people should feel safe in their schools and places of worship," Adkins said. "But the appropriation was not created."

As governor, Walz exerts significant influence over the budget process, including by proposing the initial biennial budget legislators are tasked to work with.

The Daily Wire article suggested that Walz focused on other priorities that year, such as securing Minnesota's status as a "trans sanctuary" state.

MCC's support for nonpublic school security in 2022 and 2023 is part of a more comprehensive effort to reduce gun violence. The bishops have also supported "red flag" orders, which temporarily restrict firearm access to individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others, and expanded background checks.

The Minnesota bishops did not take a public stance on security funding for Catholic schools in 2024 or 2025. Instead, MCC's Catholic school-related efforts in those years included opposing the exclusion of religious colleges from postsecondary enrollment programs and securing religious exemptions from new legislation that included "gender identity" as a protected class under state law.

This story was first published by the National Catholic Register, CNA's sister news partner, and has been adapted by CNA.

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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.

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

At least two victims are reportedly dead, with multiple injuries reported, after a mass shooting incident at a Minneapolis Catholic church and school.

A massive police presence descended on Annunciation Church in Minneapolis on Wednesday morning, with emergency responders having initiated a "mass casualty response" in response to a shooting incident. The K-8 Annunciation Catholic School is located next to the parish.

The active crime log on the city's website showed dozens of responses to a "shooting" near the parish on Wednesday morning. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday confirmed the shooting, saying he had been briefed on the incident.

Media reports said at least two individuals had been killed at the shooting, with numerous injuries reported.

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said he had been briefed on the incident and the White House would "continue to monitor this terrible situation."

And Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said on Wednesday that he had received "reports of horrific violence" and was monitoring the situation as well.

A spokesman with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis declined to immediately comment on the shooting when reached via email.

This is a developing story.

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CNA Staff, Aug 27, 2025 / 11:13 am (CNA).

Authorities and media reports on Wednesday morning said a mass shooting had taken place at a Catholic parish and school in Minneapolis, one that police were reportedly treating as a "mass casualty" incident.

The local crime watch outlet Minnesota Crime said on Wednesday morning that police reported 20 victims of an "active shooter" at the site of Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, with emergency responders having initiated a "mass casualty response." Annunciation Catholic School is located next to the parish.

Follow here for live updates.

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