Diocese of Arlington

The Latest

When Pope Pius IX declared the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary on December 8, 1854, he had a golden crown added to the mosaic of Mary, Virgin Immaculate, in the Chapel of the Choir in St. Peter's Basilica.

‘Mary, Explained’ series addresses Marian devotion in Arlington Diocese and beyond

Jun 11, 2023

By Bridget McCartney Nohara

In preparation for its upcoming golden jubilee, the Virginia diocese has created a seven-part series to explain why the Church... Read more

Scott A. Asalone, 65, a former priest at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Purcellville, pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a minor.

Former priest convicted of sexually abusing a minor in Virginia court

Dec 14, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

Scott A. Asalone, 65, was arrested in Asbury Park, New Jersey, in 2020 on a felony charge of carnal knowledge... Read more

In commemoration of All Souls' Day, Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge celebrated Mass at a Fairfax cemetery and blessed the gravesites of the priests buried there on Nov. 2, 2022.

At All Souls’ Day Mass, Arlington bishop implores prayers for the faithful departed

Nov 2, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

The Mass, attended by about 750 people, was followed by Bishop Michael Burbidge's blessing of the gravesites of deceased priests. Read more

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Former Arlington director of child protection office acquitted on sexual battery charge

Oct 10, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

The Diocese of Arlington, Virgina’s former director for the Office of Child Protection, Father Terry Specht, was found not guilty... Read more

Parishioners of Holy Cross Church in Garrett Park, Maryland, learned in a Sept. 30, 2022, email that their pastor was suspended over allegations of sexual abuse of minors.

Maryland priest accused of sexual abuse of minors placed on administrative leave

Oct 4, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

A priest at a parish in Garrett Park, Maryland, has been placed on administrative leave after he was accused of... Read more

A Traditional Latin Mass.

Arlington bishop curtails Traditional Latin Masses

Jul 30, 2022

By Shannon Mullen

Thirteen parishes must stop offering Traditional Latin Masses come Sept. 8. Read more

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington.

Nancy Pelosi's Communion ban will apply in Diocese of Arlington, bishop says

May 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone's direction "is not limited to just a geographical area,” Bishop Michael J. Burbidge of Arlington said. Read more

Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship, delivers the commencement address at Christendom College in Front Royal, Va., May 14, 2022.

Read Cardinal Sarah's commencement address at Christendom College

May 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

Addressing the graduates of Christendom College this month, Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship, focused... Read more

Alexandria, Virginia City Hall

After outcry, city scraps plan for Abortion Provider Appreciation Day

Mar 7, 2022

By Christine Rousselle

The Alexandria City Council will no longer be considering a resolution to honor abortionists, after the city’s mayor pulled the... Read more

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington.

Abortionists Appreciation Day? That can't happen, bishop says

Mar 4, 2022

By Christine Rousselle

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington spoke out against a proposed proclamation that would establish March 10 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation... Read more

Removal of the remains of statues destroyed at the grotto of Nativity parish in Burke, Va., Jan. 25, 2022.

Justice Department must take church vandalism seriously, Catholic group says

Feb 8, 2022

By Christine Rousselle

A Catholic organization says the Department of Justice is not doing enough to combat the recent incidents of vandalism at... Read more

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington.

2,800 Catholics sign Traditional Latin Mass petition delivered to Arlington bishop

Jan 31, 2022

By Katie Yoder, Christine Rousselle

Nearly 2,800 supporters of the Traditional Latin Mass have signed a petition addressed to Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington. The... Read more

Removal of the remains of statues destroyed at the grotto of Nativity parish in Burke, Va., Jan. 25, 2022.

Grotto vandalized at parish in Northern Virginia

Jan 27, 2022

By Christine Rousselle

Police are investigating after a grotto at a Catholic parish in Burke, Virginia was vandalized Tuesday evening. Read more

Priest celebrating the traditional Latin Mass at the church of St Pancratius, Rome

'Devastated' Traditional Latin Mass devotees petition Arlington bishop to ease restrictions

Jan 18, 2022

By Christine Rousselle

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington has prohibited baptisms and weddings in the Extraordinary Form, citing Pope Francis' new directive curbing... Read more

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Arlington priest who oversaw child protection office indicted for sex abuse

Dec 30, 2021

By Joe Bukuras

The Diocese of Arlington’s former director for the Office of Child Protection, Father Terry Specht, was indicted last week on... Read more

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Virginia youth leader arrested on sexual battery charges

Nov 7, 2021

By Katie Yoder

A child’s tip led police to arrest a Catholic youth leader in McLean, Virginia, on nine counts of aggravated sexual... Read more

Afghan refugees are being processed inside Hangar 5 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Sept. 8, 2021.

USCCB, Catholic Charities ramp up efforts to welcome Afghan refugees

Sep 23, 2021

By Autumn Jones

Over the next several months, the USCCB and Catholic Charities locations across the U.S. will welcome upwards of 7,500 refugees... Read more

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Christian response to transgender conflicts needs charity and clarity, Arlington diocese says

Aug 19, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Catholics need to show charity for self-identified transgender people without compromising their faith or adopting “simplistic” solutions offered by activists... Read more

Department of Health and Human Services at the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building.

Catholic diocese worked with HHS to get priests to COVID patients

Oct 20, 2020

By Matt Hadro

The Diocese of Arlington helped intervene on behalf of a dying COVID patient when he needed a priest to offer him... Read more

Diocese of Arlington announces Bishop’s Advisory Council on Racism  

Oct 4, 2020

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, has formed an advisory council on racism, the diocese announced this week.  Read more