Catholic News

The Diocese of Buffalo, New York, will contribute an extra $10 million to its abuse settlement fund while lightening the contribution requirements for some parishes, Bishop Michael Fisher said this week.

The diocese announced a $150 million abuse settlement in April 2025. Insurance contributions have upped the total amount to around $315 million, though the diocesan contribution will remain the same.

The diocese was originally projected to pay $30 million into the settlement, with parishes asked to contribute $75 million. Controversially, parishes that were slated for closure or merger were to be required to contribute up to 80% of their "unrestricted cash" to the settlement.

In a March 23 letter obtained by EWTN News, Fisher told diocesan priests the diocese would up its contribution to $40 million while dropping the 80% cash requirement for merging parishes.

"The requested contribution of parishes will be based on the total available cash for those parishes that are being merged," the bishop wrote.

The prelate said the diocese regards the plan "as a more equitable approach in keeping with essential canonical considerations."

Fisher said the revised plan was developed after discussions with the Vatican, including a meeting with the Dicastery for the Clergy in Rome in October 2025.

The adjusted settlement plan comes after protracted and at times bitter disputes between Fisher and local parishioners who have opposed the diocese's plans to close or merge struggling parishes.

In February the preservation group Save Our Buffalo Churches announced that it would appeal to the Vatican over what it claimed has been "ineffective and harmful" leadership from Fisher.

Save Our Buffalo Churches has been at the forefront of opposition to diocesan efforts to close and merge parishes as part of the diocesan "Road to Renewal" program.

Opposition to proposed closures and mergers has gone so far as to reach the New York Supreme Court, which in mid-2025 considered a lawsuit challenging the diocese's payment requirements for merged parishes. The state court ultimately tossed the suit out, ruling that it did not have jurisdiction over Church governance disputes.

In December 2025, after appeals from parishioners, the Vatican ordered the reversal of several parish closures in the Buffalo Diocese.

Around the same time, Fisher said he would allow Catholics to meet at diocesan parishes while they work to oppose the parish closures, reversing an earlier rule he had established in October 2024.

In addition to merging parishes, the Buffalo Diocese in March 2024 announced the sale of its headquarters in downtown Buffalo.

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Pope Leo XIV on Thursday said organ donation is a noble act that should be governed by fair and transparent criteria, avoiding "any form of commodification of the human body."

He also encouraged the safeguarding of the well-being of patients in his comments to participants of an event organized by the Italian National Transplant Network at the Vatican on March 26.

The Holy Father thanked those who serve human life "in its moments of greatest fragility."

The first donation by Blessed Carlo Gnocchi

In his speech, the pope recalled the first organ donation carried out in Italy, when Blessed Carlo Gnocchi asked for his corneas to be donated after his death.

The pontiff explained that the gesture "sparked widespread reflection within Italian society and helped to set in motion a process of legislative clarification."

Soon afterward, he noted, Pope Pius XII offered early moral guidance on these questions, "recognizing the legitimacy of removal for therapeutic purposes, respecting the dignity of the human body and the rights of the people involved."

Leo emphasized that since then, the Church's reflection has accompanied the development of transplant medicine, "recognizing its value and at the same time setting out the necessary ethical criteria."

The papal audience with the transplant network took place the same week the Vatican published a document addressing ethical issues connected with xenotransplantation, the use of animal organs in human patients.

A noble and meritorious act

The Holy Father then stated that organ donation is "an act that combines the generosity of giving with the moral responsibility that accompanies it."

He also recalled that the Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms that "organ donation after death is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged as an expression of generous solidarity."

For this reason, he warned that "vigilance is always necessary to avoid any form of commodification of the human body and ensure that transplants are governed by fair and transparent criteria."

Leo also stressed that transplantation medicine highlights how "the relationship of care, trust, and mutual responsibility constitutes an essential condition for a transplant to take place."

He added that "the very possibility of saving lives through transplants depends, in fact, on the generosity of donors."

Recalling the teaching of Pope Francis, he emphasized that donation "must remain a gratuitous act, capable of bearing witness to a culture of help, giving, hope, and life."

Scientific progress and human dignity

At the end of his address, the pope encouraged the development of scientific research, which is "called upon to develop ever more effective solutions to meet the need for organs and the needs of patients, in a context where demand still far exceeds supply."

He stressed that "it is essential that this commitment always goes hand in hand with responsible reflection, so that scientific progress remains oriented towards the integral good of the person and respect for their dignity."

Leo thanked members of the Italian National Transplant Network for their "demanding and often unseen" work and urged them to continue "always keeping the well-being of the patient as your guiding principle."

He also encouraged institutions and volunteers to continue their efforts in information and awareness so that "a culture of donation may grow that is ever more informed, free, and shared, capable of recognizing in this gesture a sign of solidarity, fraternity, and hope."

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Asian Catholics paid tribute to Venerable Francis-Xavier Nguy?n Van Thu?n to mark the 50th anniversary of his spiritual writings compiled in the book "The Road of Hope: The Gospel from Prison."

To honor the legacy of the late Vietnamese prelate, the Vatican held the "Cardinal Van Thu?n: Witness of Hope" conference at the Apostolic Palace of the Lateran in Rome on Wednesday. The event was attended by hundreds of people including members of Van Thu?n's family.

While imprisoned by the communist government in Vietnam during the 1970s and 1980s, Van Thu?n, who was coadjutor archbishop of Sài Gòn at the time, wrote a series of spiritual reflections on scraps of paper that were clandestinely sent out to persecuted Christian communities.

"These 1,001 meditations [traveled] from family to family, from prison cells to prison cells, to reeducation camps to reeducation camps, and finally they crossed oceans with the 'boat people' and arrived in different countries in the world," Van Thu?n's sister Élisabeth Nguy?n Th? Thu H?ng said at the March 25 conference.

"In a spirit of faith, joy, and gratitude, we all witness the power of God's presence in the story of this shepherd who, while separated from his flock, remained intimately united with all of them through the word of God," she said.

Both Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle spoke at the event and shared personal stories and impressions of the prelate decreed "venerable" by Pope Francis in 2017.

Describing Van Thu?n as a man of "great gentleness, serenity, and inner freedom," You Heung-sik praised him for being "a true model of Christian and priestly life."

"His life was marked by extremely harsh trials, but it was precisely in those trials that the greatness of his faith was revealed," the Dicastery for the Clergy prefect said.

"He drew strength every day from Jesus in the Eucharist when, while in prison, he celebrated holy Mass in secrecy with three drops of wine and a drop of water in the palm of his hand," he added.

Tagle, who recalled first meeting Van Thu?n at a 1995 Federation of Asian Bishops' Conference meeting in Manila, said he was immediately struck by his kindness and warmth.

"There was not a trace of bitterness and hatred in him. I could not get my eyes off his radiant and smiling face," the Filipino cardinal said. "Before going our separate ways, he said, from now on, call me 'uncle.'"

When Van Thu?n died in Rome at the age of 74 due to stomach cancer, Tagle said he attended the funeral at St. Peter's Basilica in the presence of St. John Paul II in September 2002.

"His suffering did not prevent him from making others happy," he said with emotion. "Sadness was palpable in the air but also gratitude for the gift of this servant of God and the Church."

Vietnamese communities abroad also paid tribute to Van Thu?n to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his prison meditations, including from Australia — the country his family fled to as refugees in the 1970s.

Father John Nguyen, OFM Cap, the first Australian-born priest of Vietnamese heritage in the country, told EWTN News Van Thu?n's love for the priesthood and the Eucharist continues to be a source of inspiration for him.

"One of Cardinal Van Thu?n's writings that stood out for me, since I came across it in late 2008 when I just entered postulancy with the Capuchin Franciscans, was 'If you lack everything or have lost everything, but still have the Blessed Sacrament, you actually still have everything,'" he said.

"It is a constant reminder that if one day, despite losing everything around me, be it people, material things, or plans that have fallen through, as long as I have Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, I actually have everything since God is our everything," he added.

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When people talk about the transformation of religious broadcasting in the late 20th century, one name stands out: Mother Angelica.

A cloistered nun with no formal media training, she built a global communications network from scratch and reshaped how millions engage with the Catholic faith.

Here are eight powerful ways Mother Angelica shaped modern Catholic media — and why her influence still matters today.

1. She founded a global Catholic media empire.

Mother Angelica launched the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) in 1981 from a garage studio in Alabama. What began as a small operation grew into one of the largest religious media networks in the world, reaching hundreds of millions of households.

2. She made Catholic programming accessible.

Before EWTN, Catholic content was limited and often hard to find. Mother Angelica brought the Mass, devotions, teaching series, and discussions directly into people's homes — especially benefiting those unable to attend go to church physically.

3. She revolutionized religious broadcasting style.

Unlike traditional, formal religious programming, Mother Angelica's shows felt conversational and authentic. Sitting in a rocking chair on "Mother Angelica Live," she answered questions with humor, candor, and deep conviction — making theology and Christian spirituality approachable.

Mother Angelica connected personally with viewers. She also broke stereotypes about nuns being distant or overly solemn. Her humor, storytelling, and emotional honesty made religious life relatable and compelling to modern audiences.

4. She embraced technology early.

At a time when many religious institutions were slow to adopt new media, Mother Angelica leaned in. She expanded into satellite broadcasting, radio, and eventually digital platforms, setting the stage for today's powerful Catholic presence online.

5. She empowered lay Catholics.

EWTN didn't just feature clergy — it gave a platform to lay voices, theologians, and everyday believers. This broadened participation helped create a more engaged and informed Catholic audience, and helped launch and grow the ministries of many Catholic leaders.

6. She defended Catholic orthodoxy in media.

Mother Angelica was known for her unwavering commitment to Church teaching. She used media not just to inform but to defend Catholic doctrine clearly and boldly — something that resonated with many viewers seeking clarity.

7. She built a 24/7 faith experience.

EWTN wasn't just a show — it was a continuous stream of Catholic life: daily Mass, the rosary, Eucharistic adoration, catechesis, documentaries, and more — all available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This "always-on" model influenced how religious content is delivered across platforms today.

8. She created a legacy beyond her lifetime.

Even after her passing in 2016, EWTN Global Catholic Network continues to grow. Today, EWTN's 11 networks broadcast in multiple languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week to over 435 million television households in more than 160 countries and territories. EWTN also recently launched its first streaming platform, EWTN+, which offers viewers access to Catholic movies, daily Mass, news, and original series without subscriptions.

EWTN News is the global news division of the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and oversees electronic and print news services across the world.

Mother Angelica's vision laid the foundation for a digital-era Catholic media presence that today spans television, radio, websites, and social media.

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The second season of the new hit series "House of David" will be released globally on Prime Video on March 27.

The new season picks up where the last one left off — the battle against the Philistines after David kills Goliath. After this triumph, viewers see David rise from shepherd boy to commander in King Saul's army.

"It's epic and it's thrilling and it's violent and adventurous and filled with romance and politics and everything you can imagine," Michael Iskander, the actor who portrays David, told EWTN News in an interview.

Producer, writer, and director of the series Jon Gunn told EWTN News that the creators of the show felt "a great responsibility" to deliver another great season of the show after the overwhelming response Season 1 received with over 50 million people watching the show.

"The beautiful thing is Season 1 is really just the beginning — David slaying Goliath; no one thinks about what happens the moments after that. He's on a battlefield with 250,000 to 300,000 people crashing into each other and he's not a warrior," he said. "We talk a lot about the show being about the cost of destiny. And so he slays the giant, he's now a hero, but that's just really the beginning of his journey."

A major theme seen in the second season is the friendship between David and Jonathan — King Saul's eldest son.

"This brother bond that he makes with Jonathan, which is this wonderful friendship — and such a complicated one because Jonathan knows he's teaching and training the very man who's going to replace him — and yet, does it because he believes it's God's will. It's a beautiful friendship and a beautiful arc for Jonathan," Gunn shared.

Iskander called the relationship between David and Jonathan "one of the few and greatest examples of friendships in the Bible."

The actor also highlighted the importance of David's love for King Saul.

"David, regardless of who Saul had become, never let go of that love for Saul," Iskander said. "And, obviously, remembering that God chose Saul just like he chose him so because of that he could never raise his hand against the king."

He added: "It's a good reminder for us today [because] God looks at all of us in the same way. He loves us all and wants us all to be with him. And so as Christians we're called to love our enemies… In the same way that David loved Saul, we're called to love each other today."

Iskander shared that portraying Israel's famous king has deeply impacted him, and he has come to see David as a guide for us all.

"David, I think, is one of the best biblical examples of someone who was chosen by God and yet fell so hard to a point where I think nobody would imagine that God would have any forgiveness for this man," he said. "And yet, David's repentant heart and his love for God shows us that there is no limit to God's mercy. There's no limit to his grace. So he's a guide for us when we fall and stumble."

He added: "He is that proof for us and a reminder to us to seek forgiveness, to seek reconciliation with Christ, and that through him we know how far God can reach. We know how far he's able to transform somebody and bring them back home."

Iskander pointed out that through his portrayal of David, he has come to realize that "all of these people in the Bible, all of these saints that we read about, they were all people, just like us. And that it's really about submitting to God and to be humble."

"In every aspect of our life — whether it's through our friendships, in our families — we're called to be humble and we're called to show love and to show Christ to everyone and I think in that way, David has really been transforming my life."

For Gunn, being a part of this show and seeing "how much it's moved audiences [and] how many people tell me that they're reading the Bible more" has had a deep impact.

Iskander shared that he has both believers and nonbelievers reach out to him often to tell him how the show has impacted them and has inspired them to "want to grow closer to God as David is."

With this in mind, he shared a message for viewers: "To those who already know Christ, purify your hearts for the Lord. And to those who don't know Christ, he is calling you. And he has an amazing plan for you and he's got treasure that is waiting for you to open it."

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The administration of euthanasia for 25-year-old Noelia Castillo Ramos took place in Spain on March 26 — an event occurring after she faced immense life challenges since childhood and following nearly two years of a legal battle waged by her parents to preserve her life.

According to Spanish law, to request euthanasia, an individual must be of legal age and be both mentally capable and fully conscious at the time of the request; they must also hold Spanish citizenship or have maintained legal residency for more than 12 months and "be suffering from a serious and incurable disease or a serious, chronic, and disabling condition, as certified by the attending physician."

On March 24 it was reported that the European Court of Human Rights rejected the interim measures requested by Castillo's family to halt her euthanasia, bringing an end to a legal battle spanning nearly two years.

The following day, an interview with Castillo aired on the Spanish television network Antena 3 in which she described how she feels: "I have no desire to do anything — not to go out, not to eat, not to do anything at all. ... Sleeping is very difficult for me; furthermore, I suffer from back pain as well as leg pain."

"I have always felt alone, because I have never felt understood; no one has ever empathized with me, and I have always struggled with interpersonal relationships," she recounted.

"Even before requesting euthanasia, I viewed my world as very dark; I saw a very dark ending ahead of me. I had no goals, no objectives — nothing at all — and I still have no goals, no objectives," she acknowledged.

Life challenges

Castillo's life has been full of many challenges. While under the guardianship of public services following her parents' separation, she was subjected to multiple sexual assaults.

According to Abogados Cristianos (Christian Lawyers) — the organization representing Castillo's father in his efforts to prevent his daughter's euthanasia— at that time, the young woman had been officially recognized as having a 67% disability due to mental illness.

In October 2022, she attempted suicide by throwing herself from a balcony, sustaining injuries that left her in a wheelchair; this increased her disability rating to 74% — a fact that, according to the Christian Lawyers organization, "demonstrates that the underlying issue is psychiatric."

"This is key: The Constitutional Court itself (Ruling STC 94/2023) makes it clear that euthanasia cannot be administered when the source of suffering is a mental illness and that the state has an obligation to protect these individuals from the risk of suicide," Christian Lawyers emphasized to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News.

Although reports have circulated claiming she was left paraplegic, Castillo herself refuted this: "I am not bedridden or anything of the sort; I get out of bed. I shower all by myself. As you have seen, I apply my own makeup and manage my own affairs," she stated.

According to her own testimony, Castillo had been admitted to psychiatric facilities at least twice previously, and during those stays, she made several suicide attempts. She was discharged in June 2023.

In April 2024, she requested euthanasia in accordance with the procedure established by law, and it was approved for August 2024. This marked the beginning of a legal battle waged by her father, supported by the Christian Lawyers organization.

During the proceedings, they succeeded in halting the procedure and securing recognition of the family members' right to object to the euthanasia request.

Concurrently, Christian Lawyers filed a criminal complaint against the physician and the lawyer who had initially evaluated Castillo's request in accordance with the protocol.

The organization alleged that, despite agreeing to authorize the euthanasia, the two "feigned disagreement in order to refer the decision to the Guarantees and Evaluation Commission, thereby 'forcing' a supposedly higher level of assurance in the decision-making process" — a point noted by the Supreme Court in a ruling.

In September 2025, Christian Lawyers also filed a complaint against seven members of the guarantees commission for conflict of interest as well as against the former Catalan minister of health, Josep María Argimón, for having appointed them.

Subsequently, in January of this year, the Supreme Court upheld the request for euthanasia — a decision that was appealed to the Constitutional Court, which rejected the appeal in February.

The Christian Lawyers organization also took the case to the European Court of Human Rights, which rejected the request for interim measures without ruling on the merits of the case on March 24.

Following this, it was announced that the euthanasia procedure would be carried out on March 26 at 6 p.m. local time. The procedure lasts approximately 15 minutes and involves the use of three chemical substances. Per Castillo's decision, her parents were not permitted to be present.

'This case exposes the failure of the euthanasia law'

According to Christian Lawyers, "this case exposes the failure of the euthanasia law. It facilitates suicide without the individual having received prior mental health treatment."

Consequently, the legal organization emphasized that "it is imperative to establish protocols mandating an attempt at psychological and psychiatric treatment before authorizing euthanasia. Without treatment, there is no free decision; there is abandonment."

Finally, they hold the health authorities of the Catalan regional government responsible: "Before offering death, they must ensure that they have offered every alternative for life. In cases of mental illness, they should be investing in the most advanced psychiatric treatments and in recovery."

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Bishops and other members of the Catholic Church in Spain called for prayers and offered reflections in light of the euthanasia of 25-year-old Noelia Castillo Ramos following a two-year legal battle by her family to try to obtain treatment for her psychiatric issues rather than having her death induced.

Since it became known that Castillo was scheduled to undergo euthanasia on March 26 at 6 p.m. local time, the Catholic Church in Spain expressed its views on the case in various ways. Prayer vigils were held outside the hospital where she was injected with a lethal cocktail of drugs.

In a statement, members of the Spanish Bishops' Conference's Subcommittee for the Family and Defense of Life expressed that they view "with deep sorrow the situation of Noelia — this 25-year-old young woman whose story reflects an accumulation of personal suffering and institutional failings that challenge the whole of society."

Her situation, the prelates added, "cannot be interpreted solely through the lens of individual autonomy; rather, it demands a deeper perspective — one capable of recognizing the weight of psychological suffering, loneliness, and hopelessness."

The Spanish bishops underscored that "euthanasia and assisted suicide are not medical acts but rather a deliberate rupture of the bond of care; furthermore, they constitute a societal defeat when presented as a response to human suffering."

In Castillo's specific case, "we are not dealing with a terminal illness but rather with deep wounds that cry out for attention, treatment, and hope," they added.

Secondly, the prelates recalled that "the dignity of the human person does not depend on their state of health, nor on their subjective perception of life, nor on their degree of autonomy" but rather is "an intrinsic value that demands to be recognized, protected, and promoted under all circumstances."

Consequently, the response to suffering "cannot be to bring about death but rather to offer closeness, accompaniment, appropriate care, and comprehensive support."

The bishops further expressed their closeness to Castillo and her family members, assuring them of their "prayers, affection, and commitment to a culture of care that abandons no one."

Finally, they issued "an appeal to society as a whole to strengthen resources for psychological care, human accompaniment, and support networks — especially for the most vulnerable."

"When life hurts, the answer cannot be to cut the journey short but rather to walk it together. Only in this way can we build a truly just society, where no one feels alone or cast aside," they concluded.

Archbishop Argüello: 'Your true relief is not suicide'

The president of the Spanish Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Luis Argüello, stated via his personal account on X that "if induced death is the solution to problems, then everything is permitted."

"A physician cannot serve as the executing arm of a death sentence, no matter how legal, empowering, or compassionate it may appear. Let us pray for Noelia; her suffering is harrowing, but her true relief lies not in suicide," he emphasized.

Through their account on the same social network, the country's Catholic bishops summarized the case by noting: "Today in Spain, death is presented as the solution to suffering — an infinite dignity consigned to death by a 'welfare society' incapable of caring and loving. In contrast to this stands the hope that springs from an encounter with life."

Meanwhile, Bishop José Ignacio Munilla of Orihuela-Alicante shared three reflections "in the face of Noelia's euthanasia, which has been turned into a spectacle," to which he added a prayer.

The prelate noted that "when the law sanctions the taking of a life, something essential within the law has been broken" and offered another consideration he deems fundamental: "While the matter is being debated on social media, Jesus Christ draws near to everyone and offers his mercy... It is our duty to embrace it and to pray that it may be embraced by others."

Consequently, he invited the faithful to join in a prayer asking for the Lord's merciful gaze upon Castillo, her parents, the politicians and social workers involved, the judges who ruled in favor of her death, and the health care professionals involved in carrying it out.

He also prayed for those who "wounded this young woman's heart throughout her life — especially those who raped her"; for the media outlets "that view this news story as an opportunity to boost their ratings"; and, finally, for "all of us, who run the risk of becoming frivolous spectators, forgetting that we, too, will soon stand before you."

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, expressed its approval of a plan for military chaplains to display insignia on their uniforms that reflects their religious faith as opposed to their military rank.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on March 24 that he will sign a memo that directs military chaplains, all of whom are officers, "to replace the rank insignia on their uniforms with their religious insignia." Chaplains will retain their rank, but it will not be shown.

"This speaks to the difficult balance of the duality of a military chaplain," Hegseth said in his announcement, posted on X.

"A chaplain is first and foremost a chaplain and an officer second," he said. "This change is a visual representation of that fact specifically unique to the role of a chaplain. They are first and foremost called and ordained by God, and while they will retain rank as an officer to those they serve, their rank will not be visible."

Following the announcement, Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services told EWTN News that the archdiocese "favors facilitating authentic pastoral care to those for whom it is responsible."

"If the decision to eliminate the rank insignia for chaplains so as to favor the insignia indicating religious affiliation contributes to making chaplains more approachable, the archdiocese favors it," he said. "More importantly, the chaplain serves as a reminder of the holy and the dignity of the human person and leads worship. Any other question is secondary to those purposes."

In his announcement, Hegseth said the intention is "to uplift and celebrate the chaplain's role as a chaplain." He said the change would also remove "any unease or anxiety" a military member may feel about approaching a chaplain with a higher rank, who may be a senior officer, "for guidance on sensitive matters such as addiction, relationships, or struggles with faith."

"Instead, they will be seen among the highest ranks because of their divine calling," Hegseth said.

"Theirs is a high and sacred calling, but they can only be successful if they're given the freedom to boldly guide and care for their flock," he added. "And to our chaplains, you have a sacred calling. So preach the truth, be steadfast in your faith, and shepherd the flock entrusted to you."

The shift is still in its early stages and it remains unclear what role the specific denominations will have in creating the insignia, or whether or how separate religious denominations will be identified on the insignia.

EWTN News reached out to the Department of Defense to ask how it will manage situations in which chaplains are in conflict zones or overseas bases where displaying certain religious faiths could make them a target but was referred back to the video announcement.

In January, Broglio praised Hegseth for other steps to strengthen the chaplain corps, such as the elimination of the official spiritual fitness guide, which both the archbishop and the defense secretary believed downplayed the religious role of chaplains. The archbishop said Hegseth is trying to emphasize the chaplaincy's responsibility for religious services, religious instruction, and advising the commanders.

Alternatively, Broglio has objected to a few of President Donald Trump's military decisions, such as when the military struck alleged drug boats near Venezuela and then killed the survivors. Broglio said in December 2025 that intentionally killing survivors that pose no imminent threat is "illegal and immoral."

The archbishop has also said chaplains should advise decision-makers in the military on the importance of adhering to just war doctrine.

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a new policy to protect women in sports, under which only "biological women" — and not "biological men" who self-identify as women — will be permitted to compete in the women's category.

The new policy, announced on March 26, will take effect starting with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and, according to the organization's website, "will not be retroactive."

Kirsty Coventry, an IOC member and two-time Olympic swimming champion, stated in a video that she is "aware that this is a very sensitive issue" and that, as a former athlete, she "firmly believes in the right of all Olympic athletes to participate in fair competition."

Coventry emphasized that "the policy we have announced is based on science and has been developed by medical experts, taking into account — above all — the interests of the athletes."

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"The scientific evidence is very clear. Male chromosomes provide performance advantages in sports that rely on strength, power, or endurance," she underscored.

"At the Olympic Games, even the slightest differences can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Therefore, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the women's category. Furthermore, in some sports, it simply would not be safe," the IOC member said.

Testing of athletes

The IOC further indicated that Olympic athletes will be tested to detect the presence or absence of the SRY gene, which demonstrates that an athlete has undergone male sexual development — something that can be verified using a saliva or blood sample.

Those who test negative on this test, the IOC emphasizes, "permanently meet the eligibility criteria of this policy to compete in the female category."

"Unless there are grounds to believe that a negative result is erroneous, this test will be performed only once in a lifetime," it adds.

No athlete who tests positive will be permitted to participate in the female category, with the "rare exceptions" of those holding a "diagnosis of Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) or other rare differences/disorders of sex development (DSD) who do not benefit from the anabolic and/or performance-enhancing effects of testosterone."

Those who test positive — "including androgen-sensitive XY transgender and XY-DSD athletes" — may participate in the categories for which they qualify, the IOC clarifies, pointing to male or mixed categories, "or in sports and events that do not classify athletes by sex."

This policy, the IOC explains, was guided by its objectives "regarding equality (equal opportunities for female athletes in finals, on podiums, and in championships); enhancing Olympic value (including both women's and men's finals in all sports); and visibility and inspiration (celebrating female athletes on the Olympic podium to inspire and represent women and girls worldwide)."

How was this new policy developed?

The new policy is the result of an IOC review — conducted between September 2024 and March 2026 — of the IOC's policy objectives concerning the women's category. Within this framework, a working group was established in September 2025 to "specifically examine scientific, medical, and legal advancements made since 2021."

The members of the working group hail from five continents and include "specialists in sports science, endocrinology, transgender medicine, sports medicine, women's health, ethics, and law."

Olympic athletes also participated through more than 1,100 survey responses, in-depth individual interviews with "affected athletes from around the world," and a presentation and discussion with members of the IOC Athletes' Commission.

The results of the consultation revealed that "while there are nuances depending on sex, gender, region, and the athlete's status (active or retired), there was a strong consensus that fairness and safety in the women's category require clear, science-based eligibility rules, and that protecting the women's category is a shared priority."

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The EWTN Global Catholic Network will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of its foundress, Mother Angelica, with a Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on March 27.

According to a press release, the memorial Mass will be celebrated by Father Michael Baggot, LC, at the basilica's Choir Altar at 11 a.m. ET, marking a decade since the death of the Poor Clare nun who founded what would become the world's largest Catholic media network.

"Mother Angelica loved the beauty and grandeur of St. Peter's Basilica and wanted only the best for her beloved Jesus Christ," said Michael P. Warsaw, EWTN chair and CEO. "It's fitting that we honor her memory and commitment to sharing truth, beauty, and goodness with the world at the place that points all people toward the transcendent."

Special programming

In addition to the Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, EWTN is marking the anniversary with special programming throughout the day, including "Remembering Mother Angelica, 10 Years Later." Coverage will consist of events from the EWTN chapel, including:

• Mass in remembrance of Mother Angelica from the EWTN chapel at 8 a.m. ET
• Holy rosary in memoriam of Mother Angelica's passing from the EWTN chapel at 9 a.m. ET
• Stations of the Cross for Mother Angelica from the EWTN chapel at 3 p.m. ET

The network will air these events across its television and digital platforms, including its YouTube channel, the EWTN+ streaming platform, and live and on demand at www.ewtn.com, making the commemorations of Mother Angelica's life and legacy accessible to viewers worldwide.

Mother Angelica

Born Rita Antoinette Rizzo in 1923, Mother Angelica entered religious life in Ohio as Sister Mary Angelica of the Annunciation and later founded a monastery of Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Our Lady of the Angels in Irondale, Alabama. From there, she launched the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) in 1981, beginning with a small television studio built in the monastery's garage. 

What began as a small local broadcasting effort developed into a global Catholic media network spanning across television, radio, publishing, print, and digital platforms.

EWTN now operates 11 television channels broadcasting 24 hours a day in multiple languages, reaching audiences in more than 160 countries and territories. Its content is also distributed through hundreds of AM and FM radio affiliates worldwide, satellite radio services, and a range of digital platforms, including one of the most widely visited Catholic websites in the United States.

Warsaw said the nun's legacy continues to resonate across those platforms and with new generations of viewers.

"While we all still miss her every day, her deep love of Our Lord resonates in the walls of the studios in Irondale still, as much as her laugh on YouTube, social media, and the new EWTN platforms inspire new audiences that encounter her story and advice," he said.

Mother Angelica died on March 27, 2016 — Easter Sunday — at the age of 92 after long suffering the aftereffects of a stroke. Her funeral was held at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama, drawing thousands of mourners.

Her life was marked by a combination of contemplative religious devotion and entrepreneurial initiative. In the early years of her community, Mother Angelica and her fellow sisters supported their work of evangelization through small fundraising efforts, including selling fishing lures and roasted peanuts, before expanding into media production.

EWTN's founding in the early days of satellite television made it a pioneer in religious broadcasting in the United States. Over four decades, the network expanded its global footprint and established EWTN News, a multilingual news service, alongside its television and radio programming.

Kathryn Jean Lopez, religion editor at National Review, described Mother Angelica as a "joy and inspiration — a gift to the United States and the world over."

"I was blessed and honored to be at her funeral Mass at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama," she said. "The Eucharist was her reason for living — holding on for so long in reparation for her sins and the sins of the whole world."

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