May 17, 2024 We are pleased that Governor Youngkin has vetoed SB 237/HB 609 and SB 238/HB 819. These bills threatened to compel organizations to provide and pay for contraceptives and even some abortion-inducing drugs and devices against their deeply and sincerely held beliefs. In SB 237/HB 609, the asserted “right” to contraception was alarmingly…

May 18, 2024 WASHINGTON – As the Catholic Church in the United States prepares to celebrate its first National Eucharistic Congress in over half a century, Pope Francis will send His Eminence Luis Cardinal Tagle as his special envoy. His Eminence currently serves as Pro-Prefect of the Section for the First Evangelization and New Particular…

May 17, 2024 The Catholic Diocese of Richmond recently learned of allegations of sexual abuse committed against students of St. John the Apostle School by an adult (now deceased). The appropriate civil authorities and law enforcement agencies are involved. The Diocese is also investigating to confirm whether the Diocese’s Safe Environment regulations or other policies…

May 1, 2024   WASHINGTON – Each year, National Maritime Day (May 22) recognizes the men and women who work or travel on the high seas. It is on this day the Catholic Church observes the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners and People of the Sea and highlights the ministry of Stella…

May 3, 2024 Bishop Barry C. Knestout has called to holy orders three seminarians from the Catholic Diocese of Richmond to serve in the transitional diaconate. As they continue in their vocational journey, seminarians Andrew Clark, Samuel Hill, and Matthew Kelly will be ordained as transitional deacons at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in…

April 29, 2024 RICHMOND, Va. – The Diocese of Richmond‘s Office of Catholic Schools honored educators from throughout the diocese at its annual Excellence in Catholic Education Awards Thursday, April 25, 2024. Earlier this spring, teachers representing each of the 23 diocesan schools were nominated for their dedication to Catholic education, their witness to the…

April 22, 2024 Bishop Barry C. Knestout and the Office of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Richmond will recognize educators on Thursday, April 25, at the seventh annual Excellence in Catholic Education Awards ceremony, held in Richmond. Administrators and colleagues at each diocesan Catholic school selected and nominated an educator based on their strong…

There is imagery in the scriptures that associates stones and bread. Jesus in the desert is tempted to transform the stones, that look something like baked bread on the desert floor, into food to sustain him during his 40 day fast in the desert. I heard it once said that the human body can only…

April 15, 2024 WASHINGTON – A newly-released study from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University, surveyed men who will be ordained to the priesthood in 2024. The data shows that families continue to be the seedbed of religious vocations: of the 392 respondents, 95% were raised by their biological…

April 11, 2024 Bishop Knestout Reaffirms Pope Francis’ Words During Child Abuse Prevention Month National Child Abuse Prevention Month is observed in April (RICHMOND, Va.) – In addressing the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors at the Plenary Assembly March 2024 in Rome, Pope Francis recognized the commission’s important work and its continued focus…