Gina Christian

In an Aug. 23 press release, the Catholic Medical Association — a professional organization headquartered in Philadelphia representing some 2,600 health care professionals — called for the immediate release of the students, who were traveling from two northern Nigeria universities to the southern city of Enugu for an annual convention by the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students of Nigeria.

Catholics in Connecticut are working to help those impacted by what one lawmaker described as "historic, unprecedented flooding" Aug. 18-19 that took two lives and forced hundreds to flee for safety. The southwestern part of the state was deluged by 6-10 inches of rainfall in as many hours Aug. 18, with more rain pummeling the region the following day.

The largest organization of religious leaders in Ukraine is backing a proposal by that nation's president — approved by Ukrainian lawmakers Aug. 20 — to ban the Russian Orthodox Church and its affiliates, which have openly supported Russia's decade-long war on Ukraine.

Ernesto struck Puerto Rico late Aug. 13 as a tropical storm, then strengthened into a hurricane the following day as it moved toward Bermuda. Winds in excess of 70 mph battered the island, which in some places saw as much as 9 inches of rain. Archbishop Roberto O. Gonzalez of San Juan, Puerto Rico, issued an Aug. 13 message, posted to the archdiocese's Facebook page, recommending the temporary suspension of liturgies and parish events for that day and the following.

On Aug. 11, a Russian rocket leveled the Church of the Holy Martyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina in Antonivka, located in Ukraine's Kherson region. News of the strike, which took place on a Sunday, was reported by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on its information website that same day. The UGCC did not specify if there had been casualties.

Bishop Joy Alappatt of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Chicago is among more than 300 signatories of an open letter to the U.S. State Department, asking Secretary Antony Blinken to designate India as a "country of particular concern," or CPC, due to significant violations of religious freedoms against Christians, Muslims, Dalits and Indigenous peoples.

A pastor of an Archdiocese of Cincinnati parish has resigned from his post following complaints from parishioners over his admitted effort to destroy evidence of a fellow priest's possession of pornographic images, including material that possibly involved the sexual abuse of children.

A retired FBI agent will head up the U.S. bishops' consultative safe environment body, while a clergy abuse survivor, a nursing professor and two clinical social workers are also among the board's Aug. 1 appointments.

Catholic immigration and anti-trafficking advocates are expressing grave concern over alleged systemic sexual abuse of unaccompanied migrant children by staff of a private contractor for the U.S. government. The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit July 17 against Southwest Key Programs, an Austin, Texas-based nonprofit that provides housing for unaccompanied minors, as well as services for youth, family and job seekers.

Apache Catholics at a New Mexico parish told OSV News more questions than answers remain after two pieces of art belonging to the community were suddenly removed from their church, then returned to tribal offices a few days later after public outcry — with no clear explanation from diocesan personnel, the now-former pastor and other individuals apparently connected to the matter.

Russian forces have driven out all Greek and Roman Catholic clergy from the occupied areas of Ukraine, said the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

For unspecified reasons, an Indigenous image of Jesus Christ was "taken in the middle of the night," says a parishioner of St. Joseph Apache Mission, located on tribal land in Mescalero, New Mexico.

A Massachusetts priest has been placed on administrative leave, following allegations of sexual misconduct involving an apparent adult victim — while an attorney for a separate alleged adult victim accused the diocese of having engaged in a "cover up" regarding the priest.

Father Rob Cole was dismissed effective June 12 from St. John the Apostle Parish in Virginia Beach by Bishop Barry C. Knestout of Richmond.

The launch of a mental health initiative by the U.S. bishops last year has "received a lot of traction," according to one of its leaders.

A national gathering will explore how Black Catholics can "embrace the gifts" they bring to the church, particularly to the Mass, according to organizers.

The U.S. Catholic bishops' latest annual report on child and youth protection shows abuse allegations are down, while safe environment protocols have taken root in the church — but guarding against complacency about abuse prevention is critical, as is providing ongoing support for survivors.

A Pennsylvania diocese has asked police to investigate after parish staff — overseen by a beloved pastor — possibly concealed a now-former employee's criminal record, which includes a recent arrest on charges involving sexual offenses against a minor, as well as charges dating back to 2001-2002 for lewdness, indecent exposure and drug possession.

Growth, undeniable tensions and "a deep desire to rebuild and strengthen" the body of Christ have emerged as key themes in the latest synod report for the Catholic Church in the U.S. released by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops May 28.

A group of Ukrainian youth have made a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, asking Mary to bring peace as Russia doubles down on its 11-year war in Ukraine and brutally targets civilians.