BrianFragaNCR
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bfragancr.bsky.social
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
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...
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
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-...
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
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
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...
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
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
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
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...
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
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
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...
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
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...
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

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
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
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
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-...
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
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-...
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
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
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-...
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
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...
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
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...
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
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
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...
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
🧵
A Kentucky couple that rents a home to a family of Syrian refugee families has filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' case against the Trump Administration's abrupt halt of refugee resettlement funding.
February 26, 2025 at 5:32 PM
My story today for @ncronline.bsky.social

The U.S. Catholic bishops' lawsuit that challenges the Trump administration's abrupt halt of refugee resettlement funding has been referred to mediation.

www.ncronline.org/news/us-bish...
US bishops' legal challenge to Trump's refugee funding halt goes to mediation
A settlement conference has been scheduled for Feb. 27 at U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. Representatives for both sides have been ordered to present proposals and ideas for how the case can b...
www.ncronline.org
February 25, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
New w. @bfragancr.bsky.social:

Jesuit Refugee Service's vital humanitarian work in 9 countries is in jeopardy, even after a judge's order to temporarily lift Trump's 90-day freeze on foreign aid.

Per JRS, $1.25mil is needed to maintain most critical programs providing food, medicine to refugees.
Trump's foreign aid pause hits Jesuit Refugee Service hard
Vital humanitarian activities that Jesuit Refugee Service leads in nine countries remain in jeopardy, JRS says, even after a judge's order to temporarily lift the Trump administration's freeze on fore...
www.ncronline.org
February 18, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
“We’re in no rush on it.”

US President Trump says he is in no rush to implement his plan to take over and redevelop Gaza, which has prompted widespread condemnation.

🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/ooog3i
February 7, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Reposted by BrianFragaNCR
Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago, responds VP Vance's suggestion that Catholic bishops are more concerned with their “bottom line” than humanitarian work.

Cites New York's Cardinal Dolan, calling the suggestion baseless and “scurrilous.” www.chicagocatholic.com/cardinal-bla...
Setting the record straight
www.chicagocatholic.com
February 7, 2025 at 2:26 PM