WASHINGTON – “Deacons serve an invaluable role in bringing the hope of the Gospel to all members of society,” said Bishop Earl Boyea of Lansing. “By their witness in the parish, within their families, at the workplace, and while serving the poor, the life of a deacon displays the servant heart of Christ in their faithful, and often hidden, acts of charity.” 

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations has released its annual survey, A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate in 2025: A Study for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Since 2005, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University has conducted this survey which provides important statistics and forecasting trends on the state of the permanent diaconate in the Church in the United States.  

“With the release of this survey, I ask for continued prayers for deacons and for an increase in vocations to the permanent diaconate within the United States,” said Bishop Boyea, who serves as chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.  

The survey utilized contact information from the National Association of Diaconate Directors (NADD) and was sent to the Office of the Permanent Diaconate in the Latin and Eastern Rite (arch)dioceses and eparchies. In total, CARA received responses from 140 of the 185 (arch)dioceses/eparchies whose bishops are members of the USCCB and have an active Office of Deacons, for a 76% response rate.  

The full survey conducted by CARA may be accessed here. 

###

The risen Christ both gave us His Spirit and peace. His peace is ours only when we live according to the purpose for which He gave us His Spirit. At the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, the Holy Spirit visibly came down on Him in the form of a dove. Two things happened […]

The post Praising God by the Power of His Spirit appeared first on Integrated Catholic Life™.

A Daily Quote to Inspire Your Catholic Faith “Through the Holy Spirit comes our restoration to paradise, our ascension into the kingdom of heaven, our return to the adoption of sons, our liberty to call God our Father, our being made partakers of the grace of Christ, our being called children of light, our sharing […]

The post Daily Quote—Saint Basil the Great appeared first on Integrated Catholic Life™.

As parents raise children, they embark upon a road that begins with the children being utterly dependent on them for their very lives. Over the years, most children mature to a point where they are eager to make their own decisions and take care of themselves. As they become young adults a turning point in […]

Last week, I talked about how much healing we need due to our fragmented state caused by disordered appetites. This week, I will examine how the Lord guides us to overcoming these disordered appetites through purification in the dark night which allows the Lord to open our souls to contemplation where we find true healing […]

ENCOUNTERING THE WORD — YOUR DAILY BIBLE VERSES The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let him who hears say, “Come.” And let him who is thirsty come, let him who desires take the water of life without price. – Revelation 22:17 Please help spread the Gospel. Share this verse with family and friends […]

The post Your Daily Bible Verses — Revelation 22:17 appeared first on Integrated Catholic Life™.

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 11, 2025 / 18:18 pm (CNA).

Allegations of sexual abuse of minors within the Catholic Church in Ireland significantly spiked this past year, a newly published report has found.

The total number of allegations rose by more than 50% from 252 in 2023-2024 to 385 in 2024-2025, according to the latest report by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland. 

The figure represents the highest number since the organization began publishing annual reports on child sexual abuse in the Irish Church in 2009. 

The majority of these allegations, 73%, date to the period between 1960 and 1989, with only two cases relating to the period after 2000. Forty-seven cases had no time frame attributed to them. 

According to the report, which covers allegations from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, the increase in allegations took place predominantly in September 2024 immediately following the announcement of a government-sponsored investigation examining historical abuse in religious-run day and boarding schools in Ireland. 

“These events in September 2024 appear to have given individuals renewed strength to tell of their experiences,” National Board CEO Aidan Gordon said in a June 10 press release. 

According to the report, 291 of the allegations received by the National Board were categorized as sexual abuse as the primary complaint. The report records 55 additional allegations of physical abuse, four boundary violations, one count of neglect, one emotional abuse, one bullying, and 32 cases where the alleged abuse was not categorized.

The report indicates that 385 allegations were made against 376 people, including 318 male religious, 39 diocesan priests, 16 female religious, and three males of unknown affiliation.

Of the 39 diocesan priests accused of abuse, 20 (64%) are deceased, three are laicized, three are in prison, four are out of ministry, four are under a management plan, one remains in active ministry, and four are of unknown status.

Of the remaining accused, 221 of them are deceased, five are laicized, five are in active ministry, 31 are in prison, 21 are under a management plan, 12 have left the Church, 17 are out of ministry, and 22 are of unknown status.

The National Board received 287 requests for advice in relation to safeguarding children from abuse within the Church in 2024-2025.

Background

The announcement of the Irish government’s September 2024 investigation came after the government-backed scoping inquiry, published in March 2023.

The inquiry was initiated in the aftermath of a 2022 radio documentary called “Blackrock Boys,” which revealed extensive abuse at the Spiritan-run Blackrock College, a boys’ boarding and day school in Dublin. 

The scoping inquiry revealed that 2,395 allegations of abuse had been made in 308 schools between 1927 and 2013, including extensive accounts of sexual abuse, rape, and sexual assault.

Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin described the scoping inquiry as “a tragedy” at the time, lamenting not only the sheer number of allegations in the report but also “that so many of them had to carry their experience alone for so many years before they felt sufficiently free to tell someone else.”

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 11, 2025 / 18:18 pm (CNA).

Allegations of sexual abuse of minors within the Catholic Church in Ireland significantly spiked this past year, a newly published report has found.

The total number of allegations rose by more than 50% from 252 in 2023-2024 to 385 in 2024-2025, according to the latest report by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland. 

The figure represents the highest number since the organization began publishing annual reports on child sexual abuse in the Irish Church in 2009. 

The majority of these allegations, 73%, date to the period between 1960 and 1989, with only two cases relating to the period after 2000. Forty-seven cases had no time frame attributed to them. 

According to the report, which covers allegations from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, the increase in allegations took place predominantly in September 2024 immediately following the announcement of a government-sponsored investigation examining historical abuse in religious-run day and boarding schools in Ireland. 

“These events in September 2024 appear to have given individuals renewed strength to tell of their experiences,” National Board CEO Aidan Gordon said in a June 10 press release. 

According to the report, 291 of the allegations received by the National Board were categorized as sexual abuse as the primary complaint. The report records 55 additional allegations of physical abuse, four boundary violations, one count of neglect, one emotional abuse, one bullying, and 32 cases where the alleged abuse was not categorized.

The report indicates that 385 allegations were made against 376 people, including 318 male religious, 39 diocesan priests, 16 female religious, and three males of unknown affiliation.

Of the 39 diocesan priests accused of abuse, 20 (64%) are deceased, three are laicized, three are in prison, four are out of ministry, four are under a management plan, one remains in active ministry, and four are of unknown status.

Of the remaining accused, 221 of them are deceased, five are laicized, five are in active ministry, 31 are in prison, 21 are under a management plan, 12 have left the Church, 17 are out of ministry, and 22 are of unknown status.

The National Board received 287 requests for advice in relation to safeguarding children from abuse within the Church in 2024-2025.

Background

The announcement of the Irish government’s September 2024 investigation came after the government-backed scoping inquiry, published in March 2023.

The inquiry was initiated in the aftermath of a 2022 radio documentary called “Blackrock Boys,” which revealed extensive abuse at the Spiritan-run Blackrock College, a boys’ boarding and day school in Dublin. 

The scoping inquiry revealed that 2,395 allegations of abuse had been made in 308 schools between 1927 and 2013, including extensive accounts of sexual abuse, rape, and sexual assault.

Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin described the scoping inquiry as “a tragedy” at the time, lamenting not only the sheer number of allegations in the report but also “that so many of them had to carry their experience alone for so many years before they felt sufficiently free to tell someone else.”

Puebla, Mexico, Jun 11, 2025 / 17:44 pm (CNA).

The Catholic bishops of neighboring Mexico are reacting to the wave of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that are provoking unrest in various cities.

In a June 10 statement, the Mexican Bishops’ Conference expressed its concern about “the difficult situation that has arisen” as a result of the enforcement operations, saying that, although no one desires the presence of criminals, “it is necessary to distinguish that, although some undocumented migrants commit criminal acts, not all undocumented migrants are criminals.” 

They affirmed that most undocumented migrants “contribute to the good of the communities in which they live and work” and emphasized that this distinction “makes it possible to overcome confusion that leads to mistakes, allows us to see reality clearly and make appropriate decisions for the benefit of all.”

They also pointed out that the migration phenomenon cannot be addressed with isolated solutions, as it “requires multiple joint actions; among them, an immigration system that allows us to do things well without having to resort to other means that only end up complicating everyone’s lives.”

They also expressed their closeness to those suffering from the situation and, through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, asked that she “help us understand that we are all brothers and sisters and help us build a better world together.”

Mexican government’s response

During a June 10 press conference, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her support for immigration reform in the United States “that recognizes the role of migrants in the United States, especially those who have been working there for many years.”

She also called on those participating in the protests “not to engage in violent actions and to support each other as we as Mexicans have always done.”

Sheinbaum anticipated an upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump during the G-7 summit from June 15–17 in Canada, where Mexico will participate as a guest country. 

Within this framework, Sheinbaum said she will seek to advance agreements that go beyond immigration control, since recognizing that “Mexicans living in the United States and contributing to the U.S. economy must be part of the agenda.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 11, 2025 / 17:12 pm (CNA).

Results of a new Gallup poll reveal an increase in the number of Americans who support policies that prioritize sex over gender identity.

The polling firm surveyed 1,003 U.S. adults from May 1–18, asking them a number of questions related to sex and gender with a margin of sampling error of 4%. When compared with the 2021 and 2023 Gallup research surveys on sex and gender, the new study revealed an increase in the number of Americans who prefer using sex as an identifier rather than “gender identity.”

The most recent poll called “Values and Beliefs” focused on two specific policies related to which team transgender athletes should compete on and how they should identify themselves on government documents.

The results showed that 69% of U.S. adults surveyed believe that “trangender athletes should only be allowed to play on sports teams that match their birth gender.” Of the sample, 90% of Republicans agreed with this statement, 72% of independents, and 42% of Democrats.

Slightly fewer Americans agree that “people should be required to list their birth sex on government documents such as driver’s licenses or passports.” The research found that 66% of Americans agreed with this statement and this included 89% of Republicans, 66% of independents, and only 38% of Democrats.

Between 2021 and 2025, Democrats’ and independents’ support for transgender athletes playing on sports teams that align with their “current gender identity” fell by 10 points. The poll found that there was no significant change in Republicans’ support.

The questionnaire also examined Americans’ views on the morality of “changing one’s gender” and found an increase in the number of people who believe it is “morally wrong.” As of 2025, 40% of U.S. adults believe that is “morally acceptable” to change one’s gender, which is six points less than it was in 2021.

Participants’ answers on morality were significantly different based on their designated political parties.

Of those surveyed, 71% of Democrats, 45% of independents, and only 9% of Republicans said that changing one’s gender is “morally acceptable.” Since 2021, Republicans experienced the largest shift with a decline of 13 points of those who find it acceptable.

The poll also found that “Americans are more likely to view gay or lesbian relations as morally acceptable than changing genders.” About 64% said they agreed that being gay is more acceptable, which included 86% of Democrats, 69% of independents, and 38% of Republicans.

Gallup reported that this poll was the first time the survey asked participants what causes “transgender identity.” Half of the participants said they believe transgender identity is due to one’s “upbringing” and “environment” and 30% said people are “born with it.” The rest had no opinion or believe that both are factors.

Republicans are much more likely to agree that “nurture” over “nature” is what leads to someone being transgender. The majority of the party (76%) reported that upbringing and environment cause it, compared with 9% who reported it is “nature” or from birth.

Democrats had less of a drastic difference with 29% believing it is “nurture” and 57% reporting it is “nature.”

Every category studied by Gallup prior to the 2025 study revealed an increase in support of focusing on one’s sex at birth rather than the way a person might identify himself or herself in terms of gender.