Kate Scanlon

Our Sunday Visitor is a Catholic publisher serving millions of Catholics globally through its publishing and communication services. Kate Scanlon is a national reporter for OSV News covering Washington. Follow her on Twitter @kgscanlon.

Concerns raised over Washington state mandatory reporting bill that lacks confession exception

April 5, 2023
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News, Worship & Sacraments

A bill that would require clergy to report child abuse or neglect in Washington state is under consideration by the Legislature, but some have expressed concern that this bill could force Catholic priests to violate the civil law in order to uphold church law regarding the seal of confession.

Florida Senate advances six-week abortion ban with increased pregnancy center funds backed by DeSantis

April 4, 2023
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News Filed Under: 2024 Election, Feature, News, Respect Life, World News

The Florida Senate April 3 approved a bill to ban abortions after six weeks, a proposal supported by the state’s Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is widely expected to launch his bid for the Republican presidential nomination soon.

Assisted suicide, euthanasia an ‘incredibly slippery slope’ in the West, says CUA panel

April 1, 2023
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Health Care, News, Respect Life, World News

The reality of legalized euthanasia often doesn’t correspond to hypothetical debates over the practice, according to a panel of experts convened at The Catholic University of America.

Arrests made for ‘unruly conduct’ at Virginia university that disrupted pro-life meeting, injured student leader

March 31, 2023
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News

Two people were arrested March 29 after causing a disruption at a pro-life event on the Richmond campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, according to multiple local media reports.

Grand jury votes to indict former President Donald Trump, shaking up 2024 campaign

March 31, 2023
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News Filed Under: 2024 Election, Feature, News, World News

According to media reports, a Manhattan grand jury voted to indict former President Donald Trump on March 30 for his alleged role in paying hush money to an adult film actress in the closing days of the 2016 campaign, marking the first time in American history that a current or former president has faced criminal charges.

U.S. Catholic bishops call on faithful to pray for Pope Francis’ recovery during hospitalization

March 30, 2023
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Feature, News, Vatican, World News

After the Vatican said Pope Francis was hospitalized for a pulmonary infection March 29, Catholic bishops in the United States called on the faithful to pray for the Holy Father’s recovery.

West Virginia governor signs funding bill for pregnancy help centers

March 30, 2023
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News

Republican West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice March 29 signed into law a measure supporters say will help mothers both during and after pregnancy.

After Nashville school shooting, Biden renews call for assault weapons ban and universal background checks

March 28, 2023
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, World News

President Joe Biden called a March 27 shooting at a school in Nashville, Tenn., “sick,” “heartbreaking” and “a family’s worst nightmare,” in remarks from the White House. The president called on Congress to pass an assault weapons ban.

Wyoming abortion ban blocked over Obamacare-era amendment to state constitution

March 28, 2023
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News

A Wyoming judge on March 22 temporarily blocked a new state law prohibiting most abortions in the state just days after it took effect after opponents said an Obamacare-era amendment to the state constitution may void the ban.

‘We all need to do more’: House hearing demands action over Nicaragua regime’s anti-Catholic persecution

March 23, 2023
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, U.S. Congress, World News

A U.S. House hearing March 22 examined what it called Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega’s anti-Catholic persecution and called for action, just days after the Vatican said it closed its embassy in Nicaragua.

Jewish parents challenge California ban on special education funds at religious schools

March 23, 2023
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Schools, World News

A group of Jewish parents and schools filed a lawsuit in March challenging a California law that prohibits the use of special education funding for students to attend religious schools.

Federal judge’s pending ruling could block abortion drug from nationwide sale

March 22, 2023
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News

A still-pending ruling by a federal judge in Texas could pull an abortion drug from the market across the United States.