The Archdiocese of Baltimore ordained nine men May 21 to the diaconate, the final step for them before they expect to be ordained to the priesthood next year.

As part of a wide-ranging interview with Archbishop William E. Lori in advance of his 10th anniversary as 16th archbishop of Baltimore and 45th anniversary as a priest, we asked about his hobbies and other favorites.

Auxiliary Bishop Adam J. Parker blessed the new course at the Monsignor O’Dwyer Retreat House in northern Baltimore County April 3 and took one of the first rides down the 750-foot zip line, one of three zip lines on the property; the other two lines run 300 feet each.

As Archbishop William E. Lori solemnly consecrated Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Maya Lancaster stood with 1,000 others – all focused on an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary holding a rosary displayed in the cathedral’s sanctuary.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore recognized the Knights of Columbus for their ongoing ministry in support of the pro-life cause during the annual Life is Beautiful Mass Jan. 16 at St. Louis in Clarksville.

Archbishop William E. Lori joined a Jan. 12 panel in a spirited discussion on ways to reform Maryland’s youth justice system on the first day of the state’s annual General Assembly session.

More than 200 bishops and archbishops and six cardinals concelebrated the opening Mass for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops fall assembly, as the prelates gathered in person for the first time since November 2019.

A 2019 Pew Research Center study showed that 69% of all self-identified U.S. Catholics said they believed the bread and wine used at Mass are not Jesus, but instead are “symbols of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.” The other 31% said they believed in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

In discussing and voting on a document on the Eucharist during their meeting Nov. 15-18, he said, the tone should be pastoral, “not compromising our teaching, not denying that it is possible to exclude oneself from the table of the Lord,” but laying the foundation for the bishops’ multiyear project of helping Catholics better understand, appreciate and celebrate the sacrament.

Synodality refers to “habits of the heart” that allow for fruitful discussions, Archbishop Lori said.