March 13, 2020 WASHINGTON – Earlier today, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), issued a reflection and prayer on Coronavirus (COVID-19). His statement is part of the USCCB’s ongoing engagement on the issue over the last several weeks. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City,…

March 13, 2020   WASHINGTON- Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19): With the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus, we are confronted once more with the fragility of our lives, and again we are reminded of our common humanity —…

For Immediate Release: March 11, 2020 Bishop Knestout Authorizes Further Safety Guidelines in Response to the Coronavirus   The Most Rev. Barry C. Knestout, bishop of Richmond, approved additional directives for the Catholic Diocese of Richmond as a result of the rapidly changing circumstances involving the coronavirus (COVID-19) affecting the United States. The Virginia Department…

With no members of the General Assembly in the congregation, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington told the more than 200 people who attended Virginia Vespers at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, “They are where they’re supposed to be, and we are where we’re supposed to be — praying for them.”…

February 28, 2020 Following up on a plan announced at last year’s Meeting for the Protection of Minors in the Church, Pope Francis has launched a task force to help Bishops’ Conferences prepare and update child protection guidelines. By Vatican News Pope Francis has established a task force “in order to assist the Episcopal Conferences…

February 18, 2020 WASHINGTON – Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace; Sean Callahan, president of Catholic Relief Services; and Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, president of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, issued a statement addressing the Catholic response…

For Immediate Release: February 27, 2020   The Catholic Diocese of Richmond is monitoring the latest information as it relates to the coronavirus (COVID-19), a respiratory illness that has spread internationally. The Virginia Health Department has stated it is investigating reports of illnesses associated with the coronavirus, however, at this time there are no confirmed…

 En Español For Immediate Release: February 17, 2020 Catholic Diocese of Richmond Announces Independent Reconciliation Program Today, the Catholic Diocese of Richmond announces the establishment of the Independent Reconciliation Program (“Program”) which aims to assist in the healing of those who were sexually abused as minors by Catholic clergy. The Program is independently administered by…

For Immediate Release: February 14, 2020 Notice Regarding Rev. Msgr. Raymond A. Barton, Retired A representative of a deceased victim has come forward with a report sharing allegations of child sexual abuse by Rev. Msgr. Raymond Barton. The report identified the victim and described details of the abuse. The incident is alleged to have occurred…

Brian T. Olszewski, The Catholic Virginian   More than 1,500 people attended Mass at the Richmond Convention Center, Thursday, Feb. 13, prior to the second annual Virginia March for Life at the state capitol. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington and Bishop Barry C. Knestout of the Diocese of Richmond concelebrated the…