The Church in Indiana

Father Brent Bowman wept at the altar while celebrating Mass at St. Gabriel the Archangel Church in Hopkins, Minnesota, on September 14, 2026.

According to Vatican News, the Minnesota priest began crying during the consecration of the wine. After videos of the moment circulated online, Bowman explained that he experienced a personal spiritual encounter. He clarified that the event was not a Eucharistic miracle.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced on Sept. 16, 2026, the formation of a task force on artificial intelligence following meetings with technology leaders and lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Bishop Oscar Cantú of San Jose, California, will chair the group.

Bishop Cantú said the task force intends to carry out the vision of Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical on AI, Magnifica Humanitas. The group aims to convene, listen, and teach to ensure technology assists human dignity, families, and healthy societies. Bishop Cantú noted that the rapid development of AI affects everyone, including parishioners, teachers, and students, and the task force seeks to bring these voices to the public square to encourage responsible actions from technology companies and politicians.

Bishop Oscar Cantú of San Jose, California, will lead a new task force on artificial intelligence for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. The group was created to implement the vision of Pope Leo XIV as outlined in his encyclical on AI, Magnifica Humanitas.

Bishop Cantú said the task force intends to listen, teach, and remind the public that technology should assist human work, support individual and family dignity, and help build healthy societies. He noted that technology leaders want to engage with the Church because of its expertise in humanity.

The bishop urged the faithful, including parishioners, teachers, and parents, to learn about AI and use online resources from the USCCB to speak up about its use. He stated that involving the public in these conversations helps place pressure on politicians and technology companies to act appropriately.

Bishop Brendan J. Cahill is calling on U.S. lawmakers and officials to create policies that protect the dignity of migrants and prevent families from being separated. As chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, Cahill issued the statement on Sept. 16 ahead of National Migration Week, which runs from Sept. 21 to 27.

Cahill noted that current protections for migrants are being weakened by factors such as decreased access to legal representation and longer stays in detention. He urged governments and communities to maintain a high level of care for this population. The observance concludes with the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.

Cahill, who currently leads the Diocese of Victoria, Texas, was recently named by Pope Leo XIV as the new bishop of Joliet, Illinois, according to an announcement by Archbishop Gabriele G. Caccia, the apostolic nuncio to the United States. In his statement, Cahill also expressed gratitude to caregivers, social workers, pastoral staff, and law enforcement officers who work for the safety of migrants.

Archbishop Michael G. McGovern presided over a Mass of Thanksgiving for Venerable Edward J. Flanagan on Sept. 13 at Dowd Memorial Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at Boys Town. The Mass celebrated the recognition of Flanagan's heroic virtues by Pope Leo XIV.

Approximately 600 people attended the service, which included members of Flanagan's family and supporters from the Father Flanagan League Society of Devotion. Residents of Boys Town participated in the liturgy as lectors, ushers, and choir members. The Mass was also livestreamed to viewers in other locations, including Ireland.

In his homily, Archbishop McGovern thanked God for the way Flanagan lived, loved, and served. He noted that a Mass of Thanksgiving was appropriate for Flanagan because he lived a life of thanksgiving.

The Mass was concelebrated by several archdiocesan priests and retired archbishops George J. Lucas and Elden Francis Curtiss.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops established the Bishops’ Task Force on Preserving Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence to address the rapid development of AI technology. Bishop Oscar Cantù of San Jose, California, will chair the group, though the remaining members have not yet been determined.

The decision follows a meeting of the USCCB Administrative Committee with specialists and representatives from various technology firms at the conference headquarters in Washington. According to spokesperson Chieko Noguchi, the dialogue focused on keeping AI systems at the service of humanity and addressing the immediate dangers the technology presents. The bishops intend to identify how the Church can contribute to the moral foundations of AI models and encourage companies to implement human oversight and protections against misuse.

The task force aims to promote policies and practices that protect workers, families, vulnerable populations, religious liberty, democratic institutions, and human dignity. This action responds to the call for shared responsibility found in Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical, *Magnifica Humanitas*.

President Donald Trump has appointed Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The commission announced the appointment on September 16.

Bishop Barron joins former U.S. Domestic Policy Council Director Joe Grogan and former missionary Andrew Brunson as new appointees to the independent, bipartisan federal commission. The agency advises the president and Congress on defending and improving religious liberty globally. It monitors international religious freedom issues and publishes reports on countries that violate these rights.

In a statement, Bishop Barron said he was honored to accept the invitation and noted the commission's bipartisan nature, as members are selected by leaders from both major political parties. He also referenced previous Catholic members of the body, including Archbishop Charles Chaput, Bishop William Murphy, Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon, Father Thomas Reese, SJ, and Professor Robert George.

Bishop Barron already serves on the Department of Justice’s Religious Liberty Commission, which focuses on domestic issues. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was established by Congress over thirty years ago.

Advocates are calling on President Donald Trump to demand the release of Jimmy Lai, a Catholic media tycoon and pro-democracy campaigner from Hong Kong, during an upcoming summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the White House in late September.

Chris Smith, a co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, held a hearing on September 16 to examine Lai's imprisonment. Sebastien Lai, the son of Jimmy Lai, testified at the hearing. Smith told OSV News that the president must remain firm during the meeting, noting that Xi Jinping has the power to authorize a release through a single phone call.

Lai is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following a conviction on national security charges. US officials have previously described these charges as fabricated attempts to silence dissent. During a May summit in China, Trump requested the release of several political prisoners, including Lai and Ezra Jin Mingri, a pastor and founder of Zion Church. While Jin was released and reunited with his family in the US before Independence Day, Lai remains in prison.

A Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General report found inhumane conditions at the Florida Soft-Sided Facility, a detention center nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz.” The report, based on a January 2026 inspection, revealed that dozens of immigrants were held in 18-square-foot outdoor cages similar in size to telephone booths.

The watchdog report detailed several unhygienic practices at the facility, which closed in June. Inspectors found bug-infested showers and noted that detainees were only permitted to shower three times per week rather than daily as required by standards. Additionally, the report identified dirty drinking water and food stored at improper temperatures.

David Spicer, the director of policy and engagement for migration at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, called the findings disturbing. He noted that such violations of government detention standards are not surprising and emphasized that standards are only credible if they are consistently upheld across all facilities. Spicer stated that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has repeatedly requested regular oversight from Congress and federal agencies.

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Michael A. Saporito as the bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen. The Holy See announced the appointment on September 15, 2026.

Saporito currently serves as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Newark and holds the title of bishop of Luperciana. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Newark on May 30, 1992, and received his episcopal ordination on June 30, 2020. His previous roles in Newark included serving as a parochial vicar in West Orange, River Edge, Paramus, and Wyckoff, as well as a pastor in Maplewood and Westfield.

The Diocese of Metuchen covers 1,425 square miles in New Jersey. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, publicized the appointment in Washington, D.C.

Cardinal Tobin of Newark expressed support for the appointment, noting that Saporito served as the regional bishop for Bergen County and accompanied priests, parishes, and people in that area. Saporito stated that while leaving his current community is difficult, he welcomes the new mission with trust in the Holy Spirit.

Experts suggest that many online antisemitic attacks against Amy-Jill Levine, the first Jewish president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America, are part of coordinated social media campaigns. An analysis by OSV News indicates these attacks may be used to advance anti-Israel narratives and generate revenue for certain actors.

Archie Wright, the executive director of the Catholic Biblical Association, told OSV News that some social media posts attempt to link Levine to the Israeli government to express opposition to the war in Gaza. Wright stated that this approach lumps all Jewish people together, which results in antisemitism. Other posts against Levine use common antisemitic tropes or accuse her of heresy while maintaining traditionalist Catholic positions critical of Pope Leo XIV and various bishops.

Some individuals participating in these campaigns monetize their content through subscriptions, advertising revenue, paid posts, or merchandise. These actors are reportedly known to extremism experts.

Franciscan University of Steubenville held its sixth annual Truth of Love Conference from Sept. 4 to 6 in Gaming, Austria. Titled Toward a Theology of Healing, the event gathered Catholic educators from around the world to examine the meaning of Christian healing.

Katharina Westerhorstmann, a professor of theology and medical ethics at the university, chose the theme to address the need for healing within the Church and the world. The conference explored the topic through Scripture, the salvation journey of Jesus Christ, Church history, and the sacramental tradition. Westerhorstmann stated that she wanted to present these concepts as a pathway for the future, rooted in Christian tradition.

The conference took place at the Kartause Maria Thronus Iesu monastery, which houses the university's academic programs in Austria. While the event is traditionally held at the university's main campus in Ohio, this year's gathering focused on applying the theology of healing to the modern world.

The Arlington Diocese has begun an investigation into a potential sainthood cause for Tom Vander Woude, a Catholic father who died 18 years ago while saving his son from drowning. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge released an edict on Sept. 10 to initiate the information-gathering stage of the process.

Vander Woude, a farmer and airline pilot, died saving his youngest son, Joseph, from a septic tank. The diocese is now asking the faithful to submit any relevant information to Msgr. Paul deLadurantaye, the chancellor. According to deLadurantaye, the edict serves as the first public notification that the cause for canonization is being considered. He noted that this is the first cause the diocese has petitioned for.

The investigation includes examining any writings by Vander Woude to ensure they align with Church teaching and faith. The diocese has spent several years moving the case through the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in Rome, working alongside the Tom Vander Woude Guild, a nonprofit supporting the cause. One path to canonization, introduced by Pope Francis in 2017, involves offering one's life for another.

Bishops from Mexico, the United States, and Canada met in Cuernavaca, Mexico, from Aug. 30 to Sept. 4 to discuss ways to increase collaboration across North America. According to a joint statement, the leaders addressed shared challenges including migration, evangelization, human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence, and pastoral cooperation between the three nations.

The bishops noted that while the countries have different histories and realities, millions of Catholics across the region share a single faith and one Church. They stated that national borders should not become barriers between hearts. Migration was a primary topic of discussion, with the bishops identifying it as a common challenge for all three countries and discussing the experiences of migrants in countries of origin, transit, and destination.

The meeting included Bishop Ramón Castro Castro, president of the Mexican Bishops' Conference; Bishop Daniel E. Flores, vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; and Bishop Pierre Goudreault, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Also attending were Bishop Óscar Cantú, chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee on Hispanic/Latino Affairs, and Bishop Eugenio Lira Rugarcía, who leads the human mobility ministry for the Mexican bishops.

Jeff Anderson and Associates, a law firm based in St. Paul, Minnesota, has launched a national database of clergy members who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse. The firm unveiled the database on its website alongside the announcement of a new abuse settlement with the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The Archdiocese of Chicago reported that it has paid more than $400 million to survivors of abuse. The firm's new database tracks priests and other clergy members identified as having credible accusations against them.

President Donald Trump expressed support for Irish unification during a Sept. 12 meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Dublin.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians, a U.S. Irish Catholic fraternal organization, thanked the president for his remarks supporting a united Ireland. This position departs from several decades of precedent regarding the official neutral stance of the United States on the matter.

Chad Pecknold, an associate professor of systematic theology at The Catholic University of America, has joined the Department of Homeland Security as the principal director of cultural outreach. The agency confirmed his appointment to the role within the Office for Partnership and Engagement on September 11, 2026.

Pecknold is taking a leave of absence from the university to serve in this capacity. He stated that serving the country in this role is an honor.

Americans are increasingly concerned about rising costs of living as the midterm elections approach, according to a Washington Letter report published on September 14.

With 50 days remaining before the elections, polls indicate that these cost increases affect several areas of Catholic social concern.

Catholic leaders stated on Sept. 11 that participating in elections and advocating for free and fair elections are essential parts of faithful citizenship for Catholics in the United States.

During a press briefing that included theologians, religious orders, and representatives from Catholic advocacy organizations, Miami Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski identified the bishops' document, "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," as a guide for Catholic voters this November.

Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, has released a new documentary exploring the beauty of French gothic cathedrals. The film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on 20 September.

The documentary begins with the 2019 fire that destroyed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and takes viewers on a journey through various gothic cathedrals across France.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services celebrated Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. During his homily, Broglio called on Catholics to pursue reconciliation, dialogue, and the rebuilding of a common humanity.