Joshua J. McElwee

National Catholic Reporter • 3rd August 2023

Politics, conspiracies and peace: Pope Francis' visit to Fátima is complicated

For decades, a popular expression in Portugal has referred to the country's "three F's." Futebol, or soccer, and fado, a folk musical genre with cross-generational appeal, are as popular as ever in Portugal. And more than 100 years after the reported events at the Cova da Iria, Fátima remains a distinct feature of Portuguese culture and Catholicism.

National Catholic Reporter • 25th July 2023

In Portugal for World Youth Day, pope will find a Catholic Church that 'is losing influence'

While the primary aim of World Youth Day is to energize a new generation of young Catholics for the future, Pope Francis will likely be unable to do so without a serious reckoning with the church's past.

National Catholic Reporter • 19th July 2023

Concern lingers among Ukrainians after Vatican's peace mission to Moscow

Weeks after Pope Francis sent Cardinal Matteo Zuppi as a peace envoy to Moscow, Ukrainians express doubt about the Vatican's attempts to settle a conflict whose outcome looks set to be decided on the battlefield.

National Catholic Reporter • 13th July 2023

Cardinal Tobin, Newark Archdiocese back program to reduce opioid-related deaths

A new partnership between the Archdiocese of Newark and the New Jersey Reentry Corporation, backed by Cardinal Joseph Tobin, aims to assist those struggling with various forms of addiction.

National Catholic Reporter • 5th July 2023

'National icons': Catholics praise Mexicans feeding migrants on dangerous train route

Since 1995, a group of women has given food to passing migrants on a dangerous train crossing from Mexico to the U.S. Las Patronas are committed to "knowing God through the migrant."

National Catholic Reporter • 26th June 2023

Portland archbishop closes schools office amid gender document backlash

Portland Archbishop Alexander Sample has closed his archdiocesan Department of Catholic Schools following backlash over a new gender identity document for students. One parent called the decision "alarming and strange."

National Catholic Reporter • 26th June 2023

Vatican launches investigation of firebrand Texas Bishop Strickland, diocese confirms

The Vatican has launched a formal investigation of the east Texas diocese led by Bishop Joseph Strickland, who has accused Pope Francis of undermining the Catholic faith, the diocese confirmed.

National Catholic Reporter • 20th June 2023

Synod document sets stage for wide-ranging debate on women, Catholic ministries and structures

When prelates and lay delegates gather in October for the Synod of Bishops, they will be asked to directly confront pressing questions — including the possibility of women deacons, access to the priesthood for married men, the integration of LGBTQ+ Catholics, and penance for sexual abuse and the abuse of power, conscience and money.

National Catholic Reporter • 19th June 2023

Assembly of US Catholic priests discusses calls for women's ordination

Among issues discussed during the June 12-15 assembly of the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests was the call for women's ordination to both the diaconate and priesthood. Theologian Cecilia González-Andrieu told the hundreds of clerics gathered in San Diego for the event that the issue causes Catholic women "a level of grief that is difficult to describe."

National Catholic Reporter • 12th June 2023

US bishops to consider banning transgender care at all American Catholic hospitals

The U.S. Catholic bishops will vote on whether to amend their official directives for Catholic health care institutions to mandate that they cannot provide gender-affirming medical treatment.

National Catholic Reporter • 30th May 2023

Removal of 4 teachers at New Hampshire Catholic school pushes community into LGBTQ culture war

Four Catholic school teachers' contracts were not renewed. Alumni, parents, students and teachers claim it's because the educators support or belong to the LGBTQ community. School and diocesan leaders refute the claim.

National Catholic Reporter • 23rd May 2023

Many Catholic schools quit 'painful tradition' of Native mascots, but holdouts remain

Many Catholic schools are abandoning sports mascots that use Native American nicknames or imagery. But as the principal at one school in Indiana told NCR, "There are really mixed feelings."

National Catholic Reporter • 11th May 2023

Lingering Vatican investigation of Tennessee bishop leaves diocese demoralized

Bishop Richard Stika of Knoxville, Tennessee, is being investigated by the Vatican over his leadership style and possible mishandling of abuse cases. As the investigation has lingered for months, lay Catholics tell NCR the diocese is a "hot mess." Stika says he has helped the diocese grow and points to his fundraising success.

National Catholic Reporter • 3rd May 2023

Member of Boston Archdiocese's gender identity committee resigns

Maureen DiMilla has resigned from the committee charged with drafting gender identity guidelines for students in Boston Catholic schools, citing concerns about transparency and lack of input from transgender people.

National Catholic Reporter • 26th April 2023

Catholic lawmaker filibusters in Nebraska Legislature to block bill targeting trans youth

For almost two months, state Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, who is Catholic, has successfully filibustered nearly every bill in Nebraska's unicameral legislature as a way of stopping passage of a ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth.

National Catholic Reporter • 6th April 2023

Indigenous call Vatican's repudiation of Doctrine of Discovery 'only a step'

Critics say the Vatican statement that the 15th-century documents "were manipulated for political purposes by competing colonial powers" sidesteps its responsibility in legitimizing exploitation of Indigenous peoples.

National Catholic Reporter • 3rd April 2023

Debate over clergy exemption pits sanctity of confession against child safety

Some canon lawyers, sacramental theologians and priests say that the pope cannot amend canon law to require that priests report sexual abuse that they hear about in confession.

National Catholic Reporter • 24th March 2023

Catholic colleges cut humanities programs, citing student interest in other fields

Questions about the future of humanities at two Catholic universities reflect those being confronted throughout higher education as officials weigh reshaping their academic offerings amid changing student interests.

National Catholic Reporter • 21st March 2023

Critics say US bishops' new statement on transgender health care lacks sound science and trans voices

U.S. bishops' new document rejects gender-affirming medical treatments for transgender individuals, reasserting that Catholic providers must not perform such procedures. Critics warn of the document's far-reaching consequences.

National Catholic Reporter • 20th March 2023

Pope Francis faces chance to radically reshape US Catholic hierarchy

At least 13 U.S. archdioceses and 21 dioceses could have new leaders by February 2025. That gives Pope Francis the chance to reshape the U.S. hierarchy by appointing bishops who better reflect his priorities.