This is an archive of Father Breighner’s most recent Catholic Review commentary preceding his 2023 retirement. Father Joseph Breighner Commentary FeatureNewsSaintsVaticanWorld News Pope Leo praises newly beatified Salesian martyrs killed for their fidelity to Christ Katarzyna Szalajko Jun 16, 2026 7 min read Nine Polish Salesian priests killed in German Nazi concentration camps during World War II were beatified June 6 at the Sanctuary of St. John Paul II in Kraków during a Mass that highlighted not only their martyrdom but also their lives as educators, pastors and mentors to young people. FeatureNewsReligious FreedomWorld News Pew: More governments cracking down on religion, with spikes in religious hostility in 2023 Gina Christian Jun 16, 2026 5 min read A new report shows more countries saw spikes in religious hostility by individuals and groups in 2023, the last year for which data is available — with the rise attributable in part to harassment of religious minorities and the ongoing impact of the Israel-Hamas war. CommentaryQuestion Corner Question Corner: Can a Catholic priest attend a non-Catholic wedding reception as a guest? Jenna Marie Cooper Jun 16, 2026 4 min read “Non-Catholic wedding” is a very broad term that can refer to a number of scenarios. In some of these scenarios, there is no reason why a Catholic, even a Catholic priest or deacon, should feel the need to decline an invitation to attend as a guest. But other “non-Catholic weddings” would be more of a concern. Conflict in the Middle EastFeatureNewsWorld News Trump and Iran reach tentative deal to end war, but obstacles to peace remain Kate Scanlon Jun 16, 2026 3 min read WASHINGTON (OSV News) — After President Donald Trump, Pakistani mediators, and Iranian officials said a framework has been reached for a deal to end the war in Iran, a Catholic expert in peacekeeping said that while there is cause for optimism, key obstacles remain. Trump said June 14 that an agreement had been reached, and […] FeatureLocal NewsNew Priests 2026NewsVocations Powerful experience at adoration helps lead Calvert Hall grad to the priesthood George P. Matysek Jr. Jun 16, 2026 3 min read After graduating from Tulane University with a degree in chemistry, Deacon Kulik put aside medical school acceptance to serve two years as a missionary with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. The experience deepened his sense of purpose and pointed him toward seminary. Previous 1 … 34 35 36 … 3140 Next