Latest news with #RomanCatholicArchdiocese
Los Angeles Times
25-07-2025
- Los Angeles Times
L.A. Catholic Church to deliver food, medicine to immigrants affected by ICE raids
Amid a wave of arrests and apprehensions of undocumented immigrants, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles announced plans to bolster delivery of hot meals, groceries and prescription medicines to parishioners living in fear of deportation and ongoing enforcement raids. The archdiocese's donation-funded Family Assistance Program seeks to assist some of its 4 million congregants throughout its 288 parishes in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Immigrants targeted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids are 'good, hard-working men and women' who are 'making important contributions to our economy,' Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez said in a statement. 'Now they are afraid to go to work or be seen in public for fear that they will get arrested and be deported,' he said. Money donated directly to the Family Assistance Program will be funneled to parishes with vulnerable members. Donations can be made online or at a local church. Catherine Fraser, the archdiocese's chief development officer, said every dollar contributed would go directly to helping families in need. Most churches already have programs to serve elderly and home-bound congregants that were developed during the interruptions and limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Yannina Diaz, a spokesperson for the archdiocese. 'We're tapping into what already exists and what already works,' Diaz said. Diaz noted that St. Patrick's Catholic Church in South L.A. boasts a robust program that helps with food, clothing and medicine delivery for homebound individuals. That church's pastor, Monsignor Timothy Dyer, helped come up with the Family Assistance Program. At St. Agatha Catholic Church, also in South Los Angeles, volunteer Azalie Nickleberry founded the St. Agatha's Hands Are Reaching Everywhere, or SHARE, program. The ministry opened in 1980, providing hot meals on Christmas Day, and serves around 2,000 people annually. SHARE typically provides 70 to 80 bags of groceries — containing cereal, pancake mix, canned goods and pasta — to clients monthly. So far in July, that number has already shot up to 150. 'There's a real need for this service, and we're happy for the help,' Nickleberry said. About 2,800 undocumented immigrants have been arrested since ICE began conducting widespread raids in Los Angeles in early June. Those arrests have included hundreds of undocumented immigrants without any criminal record. Some U.S. citizens and immigrants with legal status have also been detained. Many members of the Greater Los Angeles Catholic community are immigrants or have family members who were born outside of the United States, leaving the archdiocese particularly exposed to the raids' impacts. About 58% of people living in the United States who were born abroad consider themselves Christian, according to findings from the Pew Research Center. Of those, 30% identified as Catholics, the largest share of any denomination. In Los Angeles, 28% of all Christians consider themselves Catholic, the highest of any denomination by 12 percentage points, according to Pew. Gomez's announcement of the assistance program comes after Bishop Alberto Rojas of the diocese of San Bernardino issued a dispensation allowing parishioners fearful of deportations to stay home rather than attend Mass. Rojas' decision followed a series of arrests on church property, though the Department of Homeland Security insisted that churches were not targeted — saying those apprehended had fled onto parish grounds. Diaz said she was unaware of any arrests made on L.A. Archdiocese property. She also said Gomez was not considering issuing a dispensation for its congregants. She said she was uncertain if parishes were offering Eucharistic Communion — vital for a Roman Catholic service — to those too afraid to leave their homes. In an open letter, Gomez wrote that he was 'deeply disturbed' by the detentions and called on the government to reform the immigration process. As for the Family Assistance Program, it's already received its share of donations. Businessman Rick Caruso, a former mayoral candidate, donated $50,000 and offered to match another $50,000 in contributions. 'We need to help these families and, working with the archdiocese, we can provide much needed relief at a time when many are struggling to get by,' Caruso said in a statement. The Catholic Assn. for Latino Leadership has donated $10,000, while Vallarta Supermarkets contributed $10,000 in gift cards. The Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company donated an undisclosed amount, along with stuffed animals for children coping with raids, according to the archdiocese.
Daily Record
24-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Walking trail covering Edinburgh's historic churches and cathedrals unveiled
The route stretches from the Royal Mile to the New Town and West End, offering a self-guided tour of some of the city's most significant ecclesiastical landmarks. A new walking trail celebrating some of Edinburgh's most historic and iconic churches has officially launched, taking visitors on a journey through the city's spiritual and architectural heritage. Created by representatives of Scotland's three largest Christian denominations, the Edinburgh City Centre Historic Churches Walking Trail features ten churches across the capital. The route stretches from the Royal Mile to the New Town and West End, offering a self-guided tour of some of the city's most significant ecclesiastical landmarks. Among the highlights are all three of Edinburgh's cathedrals. St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile, where Queen Elizabeth II lay at rest in 2022, is one of the focal points. Founded in 1124, it was once the parish church of John Knox and has played a central role in Scottish history, including the announcement of Bonnie Prince Charlie's arrival in 1745. It is still used for civic services today and houses a modern Austrian-built Rieger Orgelbau organ installed in 1992. St Mary's Catholic Cathedral on York Place is another prominent stop. Originally opened in 1814 as the Chapel of St Mary, it became a pro-cathedral for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh in 1878. It was later enlarged in 1896, with a raised roof added in 1932. The cathedral features a Matthew Copley organ built in 2007, incorporating pipes from an 1882 Wilkinson instrument. Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral during his 1982 visit to Scotland. Also included is St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, near Haymarket. Consecrated in 1879, it is Edinburgh's tallest building and boasts a spire added between 1913 and 1917. Designed by architect George Gilbert Scott, the cathedral houses a Willis organ from 1879 and a Song School adorned with murals by Phoebe Anna Traquair, which can be viewed by appointment. Smaller but equally significant churches on the trail include Canongate Kirk, built in 1690 at the order of James VII/II to replace the Abbey at Holyrood. The church, which serves as the parish church for the Palace of Holyrood House, features a 1989 organ by Frobenius & Sons, the Danish firm's 1000th instrument. St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, originally an Episcopalian chapel from 1774 known as the 'English Chapel', was inspired by London's St Martin-in-the-Fields. The building features apse paintings by Alexander Runciman. In 1856, it was purchased by the growing Irish Catholic community after a brief period under the Presbyterian Relief Church. Greyfriars Kirk is another important site. Completed in 1620, it was the first church built in Scotland after the Reformation. The National Covenant was signed here in 1638. A second church was built in 1722 and joined to the original in 1929. The current organ was built by Peter Collins in 1990. Other featured churches include Old St Paul's, built in 1883 on the site of Scotland's oldest Episcopal church; The New Town Church, completed in 1784 with its tower added in 1787; and St John's Episcopal Church, a neo-Gothic structure designed by William Burn and consecrated in 1818. Inside, it features a plaster ceiling inspired by Westminster Abbey's Henry VII Chapel and a 1900 Willis organ. The final stop is the Parish Church of St Cuthbert, built on an ancient site. The present church was completed in 1894, incorporating the steeple of its 18th-century predecessor. Its interior includes Tiffany stained glass and a ring of ten bells. The Hope-Jones organ, installed in 1899, adds to the church's historical value.
New York Post
18-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Judge blocks Washington State law requiring Catholic priests to report abuse, even if disclosed in confession
WASHINGTON — A federal judge blocked Washington State Friday from enforcing a law that would require Catholic priests to report child abuse — even when disclosed in a confessional — or face nearly a year of jail time. Tacoma US District Chief Judge David G. Estudillo stayed the law that threatened clergy with a $5,000 fine and up to 364 days in prison for not disclosing child abuse and neglect heard during confessions. The legislation, SB 5375, was signed by Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson in May and would have taken effect July 27. In 25-page order, Estudillo — appointed to the federal bench by former President Joe Biden — determined the law was likely unconstitutional and violated First Amendment protections allowing for the free exercise of religion. 'The State arguably could have chosen a less restrictive means of advancing its interest in protecting children from abuse and neglect by adding members of the clergy to the list of mandated reporters while also permitting a narrow exception for the confessional, as approximately 25 other states have done,' he wrote. 3 A federal judge blocked Washington State on Friday from enforcing a law that would require Catholic priests to report child abuse — even when disclosed in a confessional — or face nearly a year of jail time. Emanuele Capoferri – 'Ultimately, Washington's failure to demonstrate why it has an interest of the highest order in denying an exemption to clergy while making such exemptions available to other professionals who work with underserved children … is likely fatal to SB 5375.' The Catholic Church views confession as among the holiest of activities and instructs priests to uphold their sacred obligation by keeping such disclosures confidential — on pain of excommunication. 'This ruling confirms what has always been true: In America, government officials have no business prying into the confessional,' said Mark Rienzi, the president and CEO of the religious freedom legal nonprofit Becket, which represented the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle. 3 The legislation, SB 5375, was signed by Washington State Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson in May and would have taken effect July 27. AP 'By protecting the seal of confession, the court has also safeguarded the basic principle that people of all faiths should be free to practice their beliefs without government interference.' Archbishop Paul D. Etienne, Bishop Joseph J. Tyson and Bishop Thomas A. Daly sued Ferguson May 29 and were represented by Becket, the First Liberty Institute and lawyers for WilmerHale. The US Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division sought to intervene in that lawsuit on the side of the diocese June 23. 3 The Catholic Church views confession as among the holiest of activities in the life of a believer and instructs priests to uphold their sacred obligation by keeping everything confidential — or face excommunication from the religious body. UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images 'Laws that explicitly target religious practices such as the Sacrament of Confession in the Catholic Church have no place in our society,' Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said at the time. 'The Justice Department will not sit idly by when States mount attacks on the free exercise of religion.' 'We look forward to protecting Washington kids from sexual abuse in the face of this 'investigation' from the Trump administration,' Ferguson responded to local outlet KIRO 7 at the time.
The Guardian
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Half of New Orleans clergy abuse claims could be tossed in US bankruptcy court
As New Orleans's bankrupt Roman Catholic archdiocese finalizes a plan to settle 633 clergy abuse claims filed against it, the church's investors are arguing in US bankruptcy court that about half of those survivors could have their claims thrown out. Church officials said on Wednesday they would not necessarily seek that, though the eligibility of claims will be determined by a court-appointed examiner. If the investors' arguments prevail, it could have major effects on whether the US's second-oldest Catholic archdiocese settles its expensive, five-year-old bankruptcy case – or if victims of abuse by its clergy will pursue their claims individually in civil court. Meanwhile, documents filed in court on Tuesday outlined how the church has agreed to pay at least $180m into a settlement trust, with the total growing to between $210m and $235m if a number of affordable apartment complexes owned by a church affiliate can be sold. After the eligible claimants are determined, they will get to vote to approve or reject the settlement by 29 October. If two-thirds of the voting claimants do not approve the settlement, Judge Meredith Grabill has said she will have no choice but to throw the church out of bankruptcy. Attorneys representing a bloc of about 180 claimants are already urging their clients to vote 'no'. That group alone would not be large enough to derail the settlement if there are more than 600 claimants voting on it. But it would be easily large enough to kill the deal if claims questioned by the church's bondholders are thrown out. The archdiocese has previously noted that 154 claims were filed after a March 2021 deadline set by the bankruptcy court. But it has not asked to have those claims thrown out. The church also argued in court filings that 142 more claims turned out to be duplicates, named abusers who were part of religious orders or other groups not under the archdiocese's authority or came from victims who were already paid individual settlements. If all those claims in question are thrown out, it would leave 337 claimants – not 633. While a smaller number of claimants would make it easier for opponents of the plan to muster enough no votes to get the church tossed from bankruptcy, it would also mean a higher average payout for each claimant. With 633 claimants, a $235m settlement would yield an average payout of about $370,000. With 337 claimants, the average would jump to almost $700,000. That would dwarf the average payment of $540,000 by the Catholic diocese in Rockville Centre on Long Island, New York, which many claimants pointed to as a fair standard for the New Orleans settlement terms. On Tuesday, the church and a committee that negotiated the settlement on behalf of abuse victims filed a joint settlement plan and disclosure statements. The central terms of the agreement were announced in May, but there were a few surprises. A key one is about what the church will disclose in a public archive of its files about child sexual abuse. The agreement says the archive will include claims against clergy already found by the archdiocese to be credibly accused of abuse – or clergy or church staff named in at least three verified claims. Those named by one or two claimants would not be included in the archive. Also, as WWL Louisiana and the Guardian first reported in June, archdiocesan bondholders accused the church of securities fraud for refusing to make $1m in interest payments to the investors after repeatedly promising all debts would be fully paid. In new court documents, the bondholders further alleged that the church set a cap of $20m on real estate sales as a measure to protect itself from being forced to sell property to pay abuse claims. The church took that step in 2020, back at a time when it believed most of the abuse claimants would have no standing to file lawsuits against the church in court because of how long they had waited to come forward. But the Louisiana state legislature passed a so-called lookback law that allows victims to file lawsuits no matter how long ago the abuse occurred, and the church's efforts to strike down the law failed. Ramon Antonio Vargas contributed reporting
The Guardian
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Half of New Orleans clergy abuse claims could be tossed in US bankruptcy court
As New Orleans's bankrupt Roman Catholic archdiocese finalizes a plan to settle 633 clergy abuse claims filed against it, the church's investors are arguing in US bankruptcy court that about half of those survivors could have their claims thrown out. Church officials said Wednesday they won't necessarily seek that, though the eligibility of claims will be determined by a court-appointed examiner. If the investors' arguments prevail, it could have major effects on whether the US's second-oldest Catholic archdiocese settles its expensive, five-year-old bankruptcy case – or if victims of abuse by its clergy will pursue their claims individually in civil court. Meanwhile, documents filed in court on Tuesday outlined how the church has agreed to pay at least $180m into a settlement trust, with the total growing to between $210m and $235m million if a number of affordable apartment complexes owned by a church affiliate can be sold. After the eligible claimants are determined, they will get to vote to approve or reject the settlement by 29 October. If two-thirds of the voting claimants do not approve the settlement, judge Meredith Grabill has said she'll have no choice but to throw the church out of bankruptcy. Attorneys representing a bloc of about 180 claimants are already urging their clients to vote 'no'. That group alone wouldn't be large enough to derail the settlement if there are more than 600 claimants voting on it. But it would be easily large enough to kill the deal if claims questioned by the church's bondholders are thrown out. The archdiocese has previously noted that 154 claims were filed after a March 2021 deadline set by the bankruptcy court. But it hasn't asked to have those claims thrown out. The church also argued in court filings that 142 more claims turned out to be duplicates, named abusers who were part of religious orders or other groups not under the archdiocese's authority or came from victims who were already paid individual settlements. If all those claims in question are thrown out, it would leave 337 claimants – not 633. While a smaller number of claimants would make it easier for opponents of the plan to muster enough 'no' votes to get the church tossed from bankruptcy, it would also mean a higher average payout for each claimant. With 633 claimants, a $235m settlement would yield an average payout of about $370,000. With 337 claimants, the average would jump to almost $700,000. That would dwarf the average payment of $540,000 by the Catholic diocese in Rockville Centre on Long Island, New York which many claimants pointed to as a fair standard for the New Orleans settlement terms. On Tuesday, the church and a committee that negotiated the settlement on behalf of abuse victims filed a joint settlement plan and disclosure statements. The central terms of the agreement were announced in May, but there were a few surprises. A key one is about what the church will disclose in a public archive of its files about child sexual abuse. The agreement says the archive will include claims against clergy already found by the archdiocese to be credibly accused of abuse – or clergy or church staff named in at least three verified claims. Those named by one or two claimants would not be included in the archive. Also, as WWL Louisiana and the Guardian first reported in June, archdiocesan bondholders accused the church of securities fraud for refusing to make $1m in interest payments to the investors after repeatedly promising all debts would be fully paid. In new court documents, the bondholders further alleged that the church set a cap of $20m on real estate sales as a measure to protect itself from being forced to sell property to pay abuse claims. The church took that step in 2020, back at a time when it believed most of the abuse claimants would have no standing to file lawsuits against the church in court because of how long they had waited to come forward. But the Louisiana state legislature passed a so-called lookback law that allows victims to file lawsuits no matter how long ago the abuse occurred, and the church's efforts to strike down the law failed. Ramon Antonio Vargas contributed reporting
