One of the archdiocese's most highly respected priests and esteemed auxiliary bishops, Bishop Francis X. Irwin died on Oct. 30, 2019, at his home in Dennis. He was one of the seven children of the late John and Mary (Conry) Irwin. The Irwins were raised in Medford's St. Joseph Parish; Francis attended the parish grammar school, Boston College High School and Boston College. He entered St. John's Seminary and Cardinal Richard Cushing ordained him to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Feb. 2, 1960.

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Four Catholic priests who serve in various ministries and are on the front lines facing the aftershocks of the abuse crisis in the Catholic Church gave their perspective on helping the church address the problem.

INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) -- At 20, Sophia Egold is part of a generation that communicates almost exclusively by text, Instagram, Facebook and other forms of social media, yet she has learned that none of them compares to the power of an old-fashioned, rapidly fading alternative.