BrianFragaNCR
@bfragancr.bsky.social
Staff reporter for
@ncronline, covering news in the Catholic Church. Portuguese-American, US Army veteran, Boston sports fan. News tips: bfraga@ncronline.org
@ncronline, covering news in the Catholic Church. Portuguese-American, US Army veteran, Boston sports fan. News tips: bfraga@ncronline.org
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
Via @bfragancr.bsky.social in NCR - Q&A with El Paso’s Bishop Seitz: Immigration crackdown shows 'total disregard' for human rights. “People are traumatized here.”
#ICE #immigration #Texas #Trump #Catholic
www.ncronline.org/news/qa-bish...
#ICE #immigration #Texas #Trump #Catholic
www.ncronline.org/news/qa-bish...
Q&A with Bishop Seitz: Immigration crackdown shows 'total disregard' for human rights
"People are suffering, and the effects of that suffering will have an impact on our country too, for many years to come," Bishop Mark Seitz told NCR in an interview at his office in El Paso.
www.ncronline.org
January 28, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Via @bfragancr.bsky.social in NCR - Q&A with El Paso’s Bishop Seitz: Immigration crackdown shows 'total disregard' for human rights. “People are traumatized here.”
#ICE #immigration #Texas #Trump #Catholic
www.ncronline.org/news/qa-bish...
#ICE #immigration #Texas #Trump #Catholic
www.ncronline.org/news/qa-bish...
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
Pope Leo XIV will travel to Angola in 2026, the Vatican's ambassador to the southern African nation said, adding yet another destination to the still-emerging slate of papal travel plans for the year.
Pope to travel to Angola in 2026, nuncio says
The Vatican has not officially confirmed the visit, but if the trip goes forward it would mark Leo's first visit to Africa as pope and could be his first international journey of the year.
bit.ly
January 14, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Pope Leo XIV will travel to Angola in 2026, the Vatican's ambassador to the southern African nation said, adding yet another destination to the still-emerging slate of papal travel plans for the year.
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
A criminal investigation of Jay Powell could test the limits of whether Trump can extend control over his party into a policy domain that matters deeply to his wealthy partisan allies, Jonathan Chait argues.
Trump’s Desperate Attempt to Bully the Fed
A criminal investigation of Jay Powell will test whether Republican loyalty to the president has any limits.
bit.ly
January 14, 2026 at 3:45 PM
A criminal investigation of Jay Powell could test the limits of whether Trump can extend control over his party into a policy domain that matters deeply to his wealthy partisan allies, Jonathan Chait argues.
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
via @bfragancr.bsky.social - Federal funds pulled from Catholic Charities on US/Mexico border. DHS alleges "incomplete and inaccurate" record keeping.
#ICE #Texas #border #Catholic #immigrants
www.ncronline.org/news/federal...
#ICE #Texas #border #Catholic #immigrants
www.ncronline.org/news/federal...
Federal funds pulled from Catholic Charities on US/Mexico border
The organization run by Missionary Sr. Norma Pimentel has previously attracted scrutiny from conservatives who have accused agencies of promoting illegal immigration.
www.ncronline.org
December 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
via @bfragancr.bsky.social - Federal funds pulled from Catholic Charities on US/Mexico border. DHS alleges "incomplete and inaccurate" record keeping.
#ICE #Texas #border #Catholic #immigrants
www.ncronline.org/news/federal...
#ICE #Texas #border #Catholic #immigrants
www.ncronline.org/news/federal...
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
Via @bfragancr.bsky.social - “It looks like blatant viewpoint discrimination.” Supreme Court justices seem skeptical of Colorado's ban on conversion therapy
#SCOTUS #LGBTQ
www.ncronline.org/news/supreme...
#SCOTUS #LGBTQ
www.ncronline.org/news/supreme...
Supreme Court justices seem skeptical of Colorado's ban on conversion therapy
A majority of the court's six conservative judges questioned arguments that the state law does not infringe on freedom of speech and the First Amendment by engaging in viewpoint discrimination.
www.ncronline.org
October 8, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Via @bfragancr.bsky.social - “It looks like blatant viewpoint discrimination.” Supreme Court justices seem skeptical of Colorado's ban on conversion therapy
#SCOTUS #LGBTQ
www.ncronline.org/news/supreme...
#SCOTUS #LGBTQ
www.ncronline.org/news/supreme...
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
Via @bfragancr.bsky.social - Yakima, WA bishop urges federal government to release misidentified immigrant.
"There was a kind of racial profiling here."
#ICE #immigration
www.ncronline.org/news/yakima-...
"There was a kind of racial profiling here."
#ICE #immigration
www.ncronline.org/news/yakima-...
Yakima bishop urges federal government to release misidentified immigrant
Bishop Joseph Tyson of Yakima, Washington, is calling for the release of José López, a local man who was arrested by immigration officers in mid-September. "There was a kind of racial profiling here,"...
www.ncronline.org
September 30, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Via @bfragancr.bsky.social - Yakima, WA bishop urges federal government to release misidentified immigrant.
"There was a kind of racial profiling here."
#ICE #immigration
www.ncronline.org/news/yakima-...
"There was a kind of racial profiling here."
#ICE #immigration
www.ncronline.org/news/yakima-...
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
Keep asking questions, keep digging, pursue the truth without fear or favor www.ncronline.org/vatican/excl... @bfragancr.bsky.social began this investigation and @McLellan_Js went to Peru to answer questions
Exclusive: Pope Leo critic now says her lawyer might have had a secret agenda
A lawyer seemed to have a conflict of interest when he represented sisters who claimed the future pope covered up their abuse allegations against two priests. Now, one sister says her lawyer "didn't r...
www.ncronline.org
September 29, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Keep asking questions, keep digging, pursue the truth without fear or favor www.ncronline.org/vatican/excl... @bfragancr.bsky.social began this investigation and @McLellan_Js went to Peru to answer questions
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
Via @bfragancr.bsky.social - Most US bishops offer typical statements after the Minneapolis shooting — but two Catholic leaders stand out for the forcefulness of their responses…
#Minneapolis #shooting #Catholic
www.ncronline.org/news/most-us...
#Minneapolis #shooting #Catholic
www.ncronline.org/news/most-us...
Most US bishops offer prayers, not calls for action, in wake of church shooting
The archbishops of Chicago and Detroit echoed the prayers and condolences of fellow bishops, but also called for action to rein in gun violence in America. The bishops' conference statement fell short...
www.ncronline.org
August 31, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Via @bfragancr.bsky.social - Most US bishops offer typical statements after the Minneapolis shooting — but two Catholic leaders stand out for the forcefulness of their responses…
#Minneapolis #shooting #Catholic
www.ncronline.org/news/most-us...
#Minneapolis #shooting #Catholic
www.ncronline.org/news/most-us...
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
NEW via @bfragancr.bsky.social - Archdiocese of Washington, DC, faces $50M deficit, plans layoffs
#Catholic #Washington
www.ncronline.org/news/archdio...
#Catholic #Washington
www.ncronline.org/news/archdio...
Archdiocese of Washington, DC, faces $50M deficit, plans layoffs
Cardinal Robert McElroy, installed as archbishop March 11, blames COVID-19, fallout from the Theodore McCarrick scandal, and an extended period of inflation and volatile financial markets for the shor...
www.ncronline.org
June 6, 2025 at 1:23 PM
NEW via @bfragancr.bsky.social - Archdiocese of Washington, DC, faces $50M deficit, plans layoffs
#Catholic #Washington
www.ncronline.org/news/archdio...
#Catholic #Washington
www.ncronline.org/news/archdio...
In the days leading up to the conclave, a bevy of wealthy American business leaders, philanthropists and conservative activists have descended on Rome and Vatican City to meet, fete and dine with churchmen in well-heeled settings.
Read more at @ncronline.bsky.social
Read more at @ncronline.bsky.social
US conservative Catholics wine and dine cardinal ahead of conclave to elect the pope
In the days leading up to the conclave to elect Pope Francis' successor, wealthy American business leaders, philanthropists and conservative activists have descended on Rome and Vatican City to meet, ...
www.ncronline.org
May 5, 2025 at 7:16 PM
In the days leading up to the conclave, a bevy of wealthy American business leaders, philanthropists and conservative activists have descended on Rome and Vatican City to meet, fete and dine with churchmen in well-heeled settings.
Read more at @ncronline.bsky.social
Read more at @ncronline.bsky.social
My coverage of today’s arguments at SCOTUS, regarding the case of a proposed Catholic charter school in Oklahoma. @ncronline.bsky.social
www.ncronline.org/news/supreme...
www.ncronline.org/news/supreme...
Supreme Court hears feisty arguments over tax funds for religious charter school
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments April 30 in a potential landmark case involving a proposed Oklahoma Catholic school that, if approved, would be the nation's first religious public charter schoo...
www.ncronline.org
April 30, 2025 at 11:25 PM
My coverage of today’s arguments at SCOTUS, regarding the case of a proposed Catholic charter school in Oklahoma. @ncronline.bsky.social
www.ncronline.org/news/supreme...
www.ncronline.org/news/supreme...
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
President Trump has issued a barrage of executive actions in the first 100 days of his term, seeking to expand the scope of his presidential power. Underlying those efforts is a nonstop distortion of basic facts. Here is a fact-check of Trump’s often-repeated claims. nyti.ms/4iIyfYe
April 29, 2025 at 4:29 PM
President Trump has issued a barrage of executive actions in the first 100 days of his term, seeking to expand the scope of his presidential power. Underlying those efforts is a nonstop distortion of basic facts. Here is a fact-check of Trump’s often-repeated claims. nyti.ms/4iIyfYe
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
Full story on the arrest of Rev. William Barber and two others as they prayed in the U.S. Capitol today:
“Just as Jesus turned over the tables of the money changers, so we have to be willing to put our bodies on the line,” Barber told me after he was released. religionnews.com/2025/04/28/w...
“Just as Jesus turned over the tables of the money changers, so we have to be willing to put our bodies on the line,” Barber told me after he was released. religionnews.com/2025/04/28/w...
Rev. William Barber arrested in Capitol Rotunda after praying against Republican-led budget
(RNS) — While arrests of protesters at the Capitol is not unusual, the response to Barber’s prayer was unusually dramatic: After issuing verbal warnings, dozens of officers expelled everyone in the Ro...
religionnews.com
April 28, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Full story on the arrest of Rev. William Barber and two others as they prayed in the U.S. Capitol today:
“Just as Jesus turned over the tables of the money changers, so we have to be willing to put our bodies on the line,” Barber told me after he was released. religionnews.com/2025/04/28/w...
“Just as Jesus turned over the tables of the money changers, so we have to be willing to put our bodies on the line,” Barber told me after he was released. religionnews.com/2025/04/28/w...
My story today for @ncronline.bsky.social. I’ll be covering oral arguments tomorrow at the SCOTUS.
“Some legal scholars anticipate that the outcome of this case might be a landmark ruling with far-reaching consequences for the separation of church and state…”
www.ncronline.org/news/us-supr...
“Some legal scholars anticipate that the outcome of this case might be a landmark ruling with far-reaching consequences for the separation of church and state…”
www.ncronline.org/news/us-supr...
US Supreme Court to weigh in on state taxpayer support for Catholic virtual school
Some legal scholars anticipate that the case, to be argued April 30, might result in a landmark ruling with far-reaching consequences for the separation of church and state.
www.ncronline.org
April 29, 2025 at 4:42 PM
My story today for @ncronline.bsky.social. I’ll be covering oral arguments tomorrow at the SCOTUS.
“Some legal scholars anticipate that the outcome of this case might be a landmark ruling with far-reaching consequences for the separation of church and state…”
www.ncronline.org/news/us-supr...
“Some legal scholars anticipate that the outcome of this case might be a landmark ruling with far-reaching consequences for the separation of church and state…”
www.ncronline.org/news/us-supr...
My story today for @ncronline.bsky.social
Due to frozen federal funding, at least a dozen Catholic Charities agencies from Florida to California since late January have laid off hundreds of employees. Some have begun to wind down their refugee resettlement programs.
Due to frozen federal funding, at least a dozen Catholic Charities agencies from Florida to California since late January have laid off hundreds of employees. Some have begun to wind down their refugee resettlement programs.
Catholic Charities agencies halt refugee programs in wake of US aid freeze
Due to frozen federal funding, at least a dozen local Catholic Charities agencies since late January have laid off hundreds of employees, and some have begun to wind down their refugee resettlement pr...
www.ncronline.org
March 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
My story today for @ncronline.bsky.social
Due to frozen federal funding, at least a dozen Catholic Charities agencies from Florida to California since late January have laid off hundreds of employees. Some have begun to wind down their refugee resettlement programs.
Due to frozen federal funding, at least a dozen Catholic Charities agencies from Florida to California since late January have laid off hundreds of employees. Some have begun to wind down their refugee resettlement programs.
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
Democrats need to flip three seats to take back the House next year – and the path to a majority likely runs through districts President Trump carried. Democrats who won alongside Trump offer their prescription for a party they say needs to make big changes.
Democrats in Trump-won districts call on party to rebrand
Democrats need to flip three seats to take back the House next year – and the path to a majority likely runs through districts President Trump carried. Democrats who won alongside Trump offer their pr...
www.npr.org
March 24, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Democrats need to flip three seats to take back the House next year – and the path to a majority likely runs through districts President Trump carried. Democrats who won alongside Trump offer their prescription for a party they say needs to make big changes.
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
“When I listen to Pope Francis, I can almost hear Romero speaking,” Julian Filochowski says in the article.
A rock solid long read on #MonseñorRomero from @bfragancr.bsky.social here. Read, learn and enjoy!
#OscarRomero #ArchbishopRomero #SanRomerodeAmérica
A rock solid long read on #MonseñorRomero from @bfragancr.bsky.social here. Read, learn and enjoy!
#OscarRomero #ArchbishopRomero #SanRomerodeAmérica
On this his feast day, I'm sharing this 2018 in-depth article I wrote for Our Sunday Visitor on the legacy of St. Oscar Romero.
"Because he so faithfully lived out the Gospel, there is no example closer to Jesus that I can think of in recent history...."
www.oursundayvisitor.com/the-miracle-...
"Because he so faithfully lived out the Gospel, there is no example closer to Jesus that I can think of in recent history...."
www.oursundayvisitor.com/the-miracle-...
The miracle of Oscar Romero
As attested to in the Scriptures, prophets do not arrive very often. Not too many people outside ecclesial…
www.oursundayvisitor.com
March 24, 2025 at 4:16 PM
“When I listen to Pope Francis, I can almost hear Romero speaking,” Julian Filochowski says in the article.
A rock solid long read on #MonseñorRomero from @bfragancr.bsky.social here. Read, learn and enjoy!
#OscarRomero #ArchbishopRomero #SanRomerodeAmérica
A rock solid long read on #MonseñorRomero from @bfragancr.bsky.social here. Read, learn and enjoy!
#OscarRomero #ArchbishopRomero #SanRomerodeAmérica
On this his feast day, I'm sharing this 2018 in-depth article I wrote for Our Sunday Visitor on the legacy of St. Oscar Romero.
"Because he so faithfully lived out the Gospel, there is no example closer to Jesus that I can think of in recent history...."
www.oursundayvisitor.com/the-miracle-...
"Because he so faithfully lived out the Gospel, there is no example closer to Jesus that I can think of in recent history...."
www.oursundayvisitor.com/the-miracle-...
The miracle of Oscar Romero
As attested to in the Scriptures, prophets do not arrive very often. Not too many people outside ecclesial…
www.oursundayvisitor.com
March 24, 2025 at 3:45 PM
On this his feast day, I'm sharing this 2018 in-depth article I wrote for Our Sunday Visitor on the legacy of St. Oscar Romero.
"Because he so faithfully lived out the Gospel, there is no example closer to Jesus that I can think of in recent history...."
www.oursundayvisitor.com/the-miracle-...
"Because he so faithfully lived out the Gospel, there is no example closer to Jesus that I can think of in recent history...."
www.oursundayvisitor.com/the-miracle-...
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
Via Baptist News: Despite a court injunction specifically barring ICE agents from conducting raids at Cooperative Baptist Fellowship houses of worship (along with several Quaker groups and a Sikh temple), ICE agents appear to have shown up at one anyway. baptistnews.com/article/desp...
Despite court injunction, immigration agents show up at CBF ministry – Baptist News Global
The situation began when a dozen law enforcement vehicles staged in the parking lot of a partner church where ESL classes are offered
baptistnews.com
March 21, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Via Baptist News: Despite a court injunction specifically barring ICE agents from conducting raids at Cooperative Baptist Fellowship houses of worship (along with several Quaker groups and a Sikh temple), ICE agents appear to have shown up at one anyway. baptistnews.com/article/desp...
My story today for @ncronline.bsky.social
Aswarm of angry, vitriolic comments on social media prompted organizers in Lexington, Kentucky, to postpone a parish event that was to feature a talk by Br. Christian Matson, a diocesan hermit who is transgender.
www.ncronline.org/news/parish-...
Aswarm of angry, vitriolic comments on social media prompted organizers in Lexington, Kentucky, to postpone a parish event that was to feature a talk by Br. Christian Matson, a diocesan hermit who is transgender.
www.ncronline.org/news/parish-...
Parish talk by transgender hermit rescheduled after negative comments
Angry, vitriolic comments on social media prompted organizers in Lexington, Kentucky, to postpone a parish event that was to feature a talk by Br. Christian Matson, a diocesan hermit who is transgende...
www.ncronline.org
March 21, 2025 at 5:44 PM
My story today for @ncronline.bsky.social
Aswarm of angry, vitriolic comments on social media prompted organizers in Lexington, Kentucky, to postpone a parish event that was to feature a talk by Br. Christian Matson, a diocesan hermit who is transgender.
www.ncronline.org/news/parish-...
Aswarm of angry, vitriolic comments on social media prompted organizers in Lexington, Kentucky, to postpone a parish event that was to feature a talk by Br. Christian Matson, a diocesan hermit who is transgender.
www.ncronline.org/news/parish-...
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
Oh: Episcopal Diocese of Rio Grande apparently received a letter from DHS suggesting they were involved in human trafficking.
In a video, Bishop Michael Hunn fervently rejects the claims and declares: "We …have been practicing our Constitutionally guaranteed faith." www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wl4...
In a video, Bishop Michael Hunn fervently rejects the claims and declares: "We …have been practicing our Constitutionally guaranteed faith." www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wl4...
Bishop Michael Hunn Responds to Department of Homeland Security: Defending Our Border Ministry
YouTube video by Michael Hunn
www.youtube.com
March 14, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Oh: Episcopal Diocese of Rio Grande apparently received a letter from DHS suggesting they were involved in human trafficking.
In a video, Bishop Michael Hunn fervently rejects the claims and declares: "We …have been practicing our Constitutionally guaranteed faith." www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wl4...
In a video, Bishop Michael Hunn fervently rejects the claims and declares: "We …have been practicing our Constitutionally guaranteed faith." www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wl4...
My story today for @ncronline.bsky.social
In a March 11 ruling, which the USCCB is appealing, a judge wrote that the federal courts lack the authority to order the government to honor its recently-terminated refugee resettlement contracts w/the bishops conference
www.ncronline.org/news/us-bish...
In a March 11 ruling, which the USCCB is appealing, a judge wrote that the federal courts lack the authority to order the government to honor its recently-terminated refugee resettlement contracts w/the bishops conference
www.ncronline.org/news/us-bish...
US bishops fight latest court ruling on federal refugee funding
The bishops' conference is appealing a recent court decision saying federal courts lack the authority to order the government to honor its recently terminated contracts with the bishops for refugee re...
www.ncronline.org
March 13, 2025 at 6:57 PM
My story today for @ncronline.bsky.social
In a March 11 ruling, which the USCCB is appealing, a judge wrote that the federal courts lack the authority to order the government to honor its recently-terminated refugee resettlement contracts w/the bishops conference
www.ncronline.org/news/us-bish...
In a March 11 ruling, which the USCCB is appealing, a judge wrote that the federal courts lack the authority to order the government to honor its recently-terminated refugee resettlement contracts w/the bishops conference
www.ncronline.org/news/us-bish...
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
Catholic refugee contracts canceled, risking life-saving aid in US and abroad | National Catholic Reporter www.ncronline.org/news/catholi... @bfragancr.bsky.social @brianroewe.bsky.social
Catholic refugee contracts canceled, risking life-saving aid in US and abroad
A federal judge is weighing a U.S. bishops' lawsuit to halt cuts temporarily. The U.S. government has stiffed the bishops on $13 million owed for care for refugees before Jan. 24.
www.ncronline.org
March 3, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Catholic refugee contracts canceled, risking life-saving aid in US and abroad | National Catholic Reporter www.ncronline.org/news/catholi... @bfragancr.bsky.social @brianroewe.bsky.social
My story today for @ncronline.bsky.social, reported w/@brianroewe.bsky.social.
"The U.S. State Department has terminated contracts for refugee-related programs with the USCCB and Jesuit Refugee Service, but attorneys for the bishops called the action unlawful...."
www.ncronline.org/news/catholi...
"The U.S. State Department has terminated contracts for refugee-related programs with the USCCB and Jesuit Refugee Service, but attorneys for the bishops called the action unlawful...."
www.ncronline.org/news/catholi...
Catholic refugee contracts canceled, risking life-saving aid in US and abroad
A federal judge is weighing a U.S. bishops' lawsuit to halt cuts temporarily. The U.S. government has stiffed the bishops on $13 million owed for care for refugees before Jan. 24.
www.ncronline.org
March 3, 2025 at 5:42 PM
My story today for @ncronline.bsky.social, reported w/@brianroewe.bsky.social.
"The U.S. State Department has terminated contracts for refugee-related programs with the USCCB and Jesuit Refugee Service, but attorneys for the bishops called the action unlawful...."
www.ncronline.org/news/catholi...
"The U.S. State Department has terminated contracts for refugee-related programs with the USCCB and Jesuit Refugee Service, but attorneys for the bishops called the action unlawful...."
www.ncronline.org/news/catholi...