Catholics Stand with Jews After Synagogue Attack; Haitian Migrant Protections at Supreme Court; Pope Leo XIV Urges Leaders to Examine Conscience Over War, and More

Hello, I'm Maggie Murray of OSV News, and this is your OSV newscast for Friday, March 13th,

2026.

The last time March 13th fell on a Friday was six years ago today in 2020, which became

widely known as the day the world shut down for the COVID-19 pandemic after a national

emergency was declared and most students and workers were sent home indefinitely to stop

the spread.

With that, let's catch you up on the Catholic News of the day.

Here we go.

In suburban Detroit, Catholic leaders are expressing solidarity with the Jewish community

after a violent attack on a synagogue in West Bloomfield Township.

Law enforcement said a gunman rammed a truck into Temple Israel and opened fire March 12th

before being neutralized by security.

Authorities identified the suspect as 41-year-old Iman-Mohamed Ghazali of Dearborn Heights,

a Lebanese-born U.S. citizen.

Federal officials are investigating the incident as a targeted act of violence against the

Jewish community.

Synagogue leaders said all 140 students at the nearby Susan and Harold Laws early Child

Head Center were safe following the attack.

Detroit Archbishop Edward Weisenberger responded within hours, offering prayers, and expressing

support for those affected.

On behalf of the Catholic community of Southeastern Michigan, I want to express my profound

sorrow over today's violent attack at Temple Israel, he said.

The Archbishop added that Catholics in the region stand in solidarity with our Jewish

brothers and sisters, holding in prayer those wounded, grieving, or shaken by the violence,

including the synagogue community, first responders, and the wider region.

The future of temporary deportation protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitians is now

before the U.S. Supreme Court.

On March 11, the Trump administration asked the High Court to pause a federal judge's

ruling that blocked the government from ending temporary protected status, or TPS, for

Haitians living in the United States.

The request, filed by U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer, argued that the administration's

efforts to end TPS for several nations require immediate resolution.

TPS allows migrants from countries facing war, disasters, or severe unrest to remain temporarily

in the United States without being deported.

More than 350,000 Haitians currently benefit from the program.

Catholic leaders of the United States have urged the government to extend the protections.

In a joint statement, Bishop Brendan Cahill and Bishop Elias Zaidan of the U.S. Conference

of Catholic Bishops pointed to the federal government's own warnings about life-threatening

conditions in Haiti.

They said the country's instability shows why TPS exists and stressed that there is no

realistic opportunity right now for a safe and orderly return.

At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV is urging Christian leaders responsible for armed conflicts to examine

their consciences and seek reconciliation with God.

Speaking March 13 in the Clementine Hall, the Pope addressed priests and seminarians attending

an annual course organized by the Apostolic Penitentiary on the Sacrament of Reconciliation,

reflecting on the moral responsibilities of those involved in war, the Pope asked whether

Christian leaders who bear grave responsibility for armed conflict have the humility to examine

their conscience and seek confession.

He warned that many Catholics today neglect the sacrament of reconciliation, leaving what

he described as the Church's infinite treasure of mercy unused.

The Pope said some believers remain in a state of sin for long periods rather than approaching

the confessional with faith and openness.

He emphasized that confession restores unity with God and helps foster reconciliation among

people.

Addressing the priests and seminarians, he reminded them of their mission in the Church, helping

restore people's relationship with God through the sacrament and guiding the faithful towards

spiritual healing and renewed unity.

Catholic leaders in Scotland are raising concerns about a proposed assisted suicide law and

the weakening of protections for those who oppose the practice on moral grounds.

In a March 10 statement, Bishop John Keenan of Paisley, President of the Scottish Bishop's

Conference, criticized the government's response to proposed amendments that would have

protected conscience rights for faith-based institutions, hospices, and other organizations.

The assisted dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill, introduced in March 2024, would allow

adults age 18 and older who are Terminally Ill to request medical help to end their lives.

The bill was recently amended to raise the minimum age from 16 to 18.

Two amendments sought to ensure that health care providers and institutions could refuse

to participate based on moral objections, but lawmakers approved a measure removing

those safeguards.

Government officials argued it was unclear how institutions could demonstrate a conscience

position.

Keenan responded that organizations operate according to guiding values that shape their

mission.

Pro-life advocates and medical groups warn the change could weaken oversight and ethical

protections.

After nearly three decades serving in Rome, Cardinal Conrad Krayewski, widely known for

his hands-on charity work, is returning to Poland to lead the Archdiocese of Lutz.

The Vatican announced March 12 that the long-time People Almenor has been appointed Archbishop

of his hometown.

Pope Francis first named him Almenor in 2013, placing him in charge of the Vatican's

charitable outreach.

Over the years, Cardinal Krayewski became known as the Pope's Robinhood for his direct

and sometimes unconventional efforts to help those in need.

His work included restoring electricity to a building housing migrants, creating shelters

and clinics, and converting a historic palace into aid centers for the poor.

The Cardinal often emphasized that charity requires presence, not paperwork.

Reflecting on his ministry, he said the gospel guided his actions and that his years in

Rome were shaped by encounters with the marginalized and by Pope Francis' encouragement to act

with evangelical imagination.

Asked by someone in need why he served the poor, the Cardinal simply replied, because

I represent Jesus.

And that's your OSV Newscast for today.

I'm Maggie Murray of OSV News.

Check out the show notes for direct links to the stories in this episode.

Make sure to subscribe to this podcast, follow us on social media, and bookmark OSVNews.com.

Thanks so much for listening and God Bless.