Democracy Forward wants to know if the Trump administration’s cancellation of an $11 million grant to a Catholic organization resulted from the president’s spat with Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war. Critics of the president believe the award was…
Supreme Court sides with Catholic Charities in tax case
The Wisconsin Supreme Court erred in not granting a Catholic social agency the same exemption from state unemployment assistance taxes enjoyed by churches, religious schools and other faith groups, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 5. The unanimous opinion written…
High court appears sympathetic to Catholic Charities case against Wisconsin
As anticipated, the U.S. Supreme Court appeared sympathetic with Catholic Charities of Wisconsin March 31 in its case against the state of Wisconsin that could have national repercussions for other faith-based nonprofits. In oral hearings for Catholic Charities Bureau v….
MAGA ramps up attacks on US Christian groups
Donald Trump and his allies are widening their attacks on religious groups compassionate toward immigrants, refugees, the poor and LGBTQ people. The Catholic and Episcopal churches have faced the heat from the MAGA movement for some time and are again…
Catholic leaders and JD Vance spar over immigration doctrine
Vice President JD Vance and the Catholic Church — of which he is a member — are at odds over U.S. immigration policy. With less than a week in office, President Donald Trump has begun swiftly implementing anti-immigrant and anti-refugee…
At the border, Catholic Church will still support immigrants, bishop says
Immigration advocacy and ministry groups must band together with renewed courage and resolve to meet the anti-immigrant initiatives expected during Donald Trump’s second presidency, activists said during a post-election webinar. “There will definitely be policies to limit asylum at the…
Sister Norma sees God in the crying eyes of migrant children — and wants you to as well
Sister Norma Pimentel wants Americans to see children held in detention centers along the U.S.-Mexico border as human beings. Although she has been persecuted by other conservative Christians and even her fellow Catholics — like Texas Gov. Greg Abbott —…
Another Paxton attack on migrant ministries in El Paso stopped by a judge
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s investigation of faith-based migrant shelters suffered another blow when a state judge exempted a Catholic Charities director from having to give a deposition. Paxton sought to question Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities…
Pope Francis calls Ken Paxton’s attack on Annunciation House ‘sheer madness,’ and Texas judge agrees
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s effort to shutter a faith-based migrant shelter violates the U.S. Constitution’s Fourth Amendment prohibition against unreasonable search and seizure, an El Paso judge ruled. Paxton had sued Catholic-run Annunciation House earlier this year, demanding access…
Supreme Court says cities may fine or arrest homeless people for sleeping
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling frees municipalities to fine or arrest homeless people who camp on sidewalks or in parks and other public spaces. Justices ruled 6-3 along ideological lines that an ordinance in Grants Pass, Ore., prohibiting public…
Texas attorney general sets off religious liberty alarms by attacking a Catholic charity in El Paso
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s effort to shutter a Catholic nonprofit helping migrants in El Paso is intended to intimidate other church-based groups engaged in compassionate ministries throughout the state, immigration advocates say. This week, Paxton filed suit against Annunciation…
Fellowship Southwest joins bridge walk to draw attention to broken asylum system
A procession of ecumenical walkers supporting asylum rights offered prayers and solidarity for migrants and a shot in the arm for weary immigration advocates last weekend at the Texas-Mexico border. “It was encouraging to my faith and to my work…