Catholicism Coverage

Full interview with Bishop Luis Zarama on how the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh is growing

The Catholic Diocese of Raleigh will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024. In advance, the diocese is planning a special event on Oct. 21, 2023, at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Raleigh bishop sees growth and diversity: 'It's just such a blessing'

Nearly 500,000 people and counting, the Diocese of Raleigh says the number of registered Catholics has increased more than 5% since 2019.

Debra Morgan, WRAL anchor/reporter

Catholics see growth and diversity, bishop says

The Catholic Diocese of Raleigh will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024. In advance, the diocese is planning a special event on Oct. 21, 2023, at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Pope says a strong U.S. faction offers a backward, narrow view of the church

ROME -- Pope Francis has expressed in unusually sharp terms his dismay at "a very strong, organized, reactionary attitude" opposing him within the U.S. Catholic Church, one that fixates on social issues like abortion and sexuality to the exclusion of caring for the poor and the environment.

Jason Horowitz and Ruth Graham, New York Times

2022: Bishop Zarama, Diocese of Raleigh

Luis Rafael Zarama Pasqualetto is the bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh, which encompasses all Catholic parishes in the eastern half of North Carolina.

Good Friday: Way of the Cross in Rome

The Way of the Cross recreates Jesus Christ's crucifixion and death. It is a traditional Good Friday remembrance for Christians around the world.

Vatican celebrates the Passion of the Lord, marking Good Friday

The Passion of the Lord marks the hours leading up to Jesus Christ crucifixions. Good Friday is among the most solemn of holy days for Christians.

Pope Francis presides over the Way of the Cross at Rome's ancient Colosseum

The Way of the Cross marks the journey of Jesus Christ to his crucifixion and takes on additional meaning on Good Friday, when Christians mark his death.

Pope Benedict denies allegations he helped cover up sexual abuse in the church

Pope Benedict made a public request for forgiveness amid allegations he failed to take decisive action against abusers decades ago. The Pope Emeritus denied any personal wrong doing, insisting he only served as archbishop of Munich for less than five years in the late 70s and 80s.

Christmas Mass at the Vatican

Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Mass at the Vatican

Up to 3,200 pedophiles worked in French Catholic Church since 1950, independent commission says

Between 2,900 and 3,200 pedophile clergymen have worked in the French Catholic Church since the 1950s, the president of an independent commission on sexual abuse told CNN Sunday.

By Simon Bouvier, Saskya Vandoorne and Sam Bradpiece, CNN

Gay teacher wins lawsuit against NC Catholic diocese after fired

A former teacher won a lawsuit against Charlotte Catholic High School and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte on Friday after he lost his job following an announcement on Facebook that he planned to marry his longtime partner, who is also a man.

Anders Hare (WCNC)

Holy Week celebrations take to the water in Nicaragua

From islet to islet, Catholics in Nicaragua recreate the Way of the Cross.

Fact check: Did Biden health nominee Becerra sue nuns?

Critics of Xavier Becerra, President Joe Biden's pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services, seized on a comment he made while testifying before the Senate Finance Committee. Becerra said: "I have never sued a nun -- any nuns. I have taken on the federal government, but I have never sued any affiliation of nuns, and my actions have always been directed at the federal agencies, because they have been trying to do things that are contrary to the law in California."

Louis Jacobson, PolitiFact reporter

Pope Francis appoints America's first Black cardinal, Wilton Gregory

Last year, Wilton Gregory made history as Washington, DC's first African-American archbishop.

By Kelly Murray, CNN

Fact check: Amy Barrett never said women shouldn't own property

A viral Facebook post falsely claims that Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett "has said that a woman should not be able to own property, buy or sell without the permission of her husband or a male relative."

Tom Kertscher, PolitiFact reporter

Wake Forest church opened its doors Wedensday for prayers

St. Catherine of Siena opened its doors Wednesday for parishioners to pray.

Prayers at Wake Forest church at odds with county limit on public gatherings

One Catholic church in Wake Forest opened its doors briefly for parishioners to pray on Wednesday, a step Wake County leaders say is in violation of the Wake County stay-at-home order. Through Thursday, Wake County limits gatherings only to immediate family, a stricter limit than the state order, which prohibits groups larger than 10.

Adam Owens, WRAL anchor/reporter

When church doors close: the last mass at St. Joseph's in Brooklyn

A Catholic Church in Brooklyn celebrates the last mass before shutting its doors due to coronavirus. NBC LX Storyteller Ngozi Ekeledo attended the church's final mass and captured the surreal and emotional experience.

Catholic Charities pantries reopen under new guidelines to protect volunteers, clients, staff

Catholic Charities food pantries in Raleigh and Wilmington reopened Friday under new operating procedures to keep staff, volunteers and clients safe from the spread of coronavirus. Pantries in Durham, Fayetteville and Greenville will reopen next week.

Pope begins Holy Week series of services without a crowd

It is the holiest week of the year for Christians, but Pope Francis celebrated Mass in front of an empty cathedral because coronavirus fears are keeping Catholics and others at home.

The Franciscan School in Raleigh celebrates its 20-year anniversary by looking to the future

Since opening in 2000, the Franciscan School has grown to become one of the largest private, K-8 institutions in the Raleigh area. With changes on the horizon, school leaders are plunging ahead while staying rooted in the school's original values.

Abbey Slattery, WRAL Digital Solutions

Friars' withdrawal leaves leadership questions for Raleigh Catholic parish

The Franciscan friars who have served at clergy at St. Francis of Assisi Church in north Raleigh will withdraw from the parish later this spring.

Friars' decision to leave St. Francis tests faith of Raleigh Catholic community

Parishioners found out - via email from Pastor Fr. Steve Patti and through sermons over the weekend - that the Franciscan friars who have served Raleigh's St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for 34 years are being ordered elsewhere.

Ken Smith, WRAL anchor/reporter

Friars, seeing numbers shrink, plan to pull clergy from Raleigh Catholic church

The pastor of a Raleigh's St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church told parishioners he was surprised by the decision Friday of his order to pull clergy from the parish.