Martin Barillas

Martin Barillas

Martin Barillas is a writer and translator, having once served as a U.S. diplomat in Europe and South America. A lifelong Catholic, he resides in Michigan with his wife Alice and their four children and grandchild. He has written on a variety of topics, including human rights, politics and religion. He is also a novelist.

Articles by Martin Barillas

Blessed Theodore Romzha. Left: A painting in the Basilian monastery of Glen Cove, New York, painted in the 1980s. Photo taken by Josaphat Vladimir Timkovic, OSBM. Right: An icon of Theodore Romzha, St. Anthony’s Church at Russicum. Credit: Misko3, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Vladimir, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The faithful servant of Christ and the Church who was assassinated by Soviet communists

Oct 22, 2023 / 05:00 am

Blessed Theodore Romzha of Mukachevo, beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2001, stayed with his people until the end.

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Biological Integrity Initiative arms parents against transgender ‘ideology’

Oct 20, 2023 / 09:00 am

Sponsored by the American College of Pediatricians, the initiative encourages physicians to speak out on gender dysphoria and assist policymakers.

Catholic families and other individuals share a common way of life on a five-acre property called Cottonwood Farm in Washtenaw County, Michigan. Credit: Lucas Larson

Judge rules against rural Catholic community in dispute with local authorities in Michigan

Sep 30, 2023 / 08:00 am

An attorney for families at Cottonwood Farm called the local government’s actions against the community “persecution.”

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Credit: Ministry of Culture of Mexico City (CC BY 2.0)

Catholic newspaper takes Mexican president to task for joking about murders

Sep 8, 2023 / 11:40 am

“He not only shows a lack of sensitivity but also perversion,” read an editorial in the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Guadalajara.

Dozens of Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan, stop at Merrill Whippy Dip in rural Michigan to celebrate a postulant member’s profession of vows for religious life with Bishop Robert D. Gruss of Saginaw, near Lake Huron, on Aug. 16, 2023. Photo courtesy of Rick Knapp

Why did dozens of religious sisters show up at this rural Michigan ice cream stand?

Sep 6, 2023 / 08:30 am

A group of Religious Sisters of Mercy recently enjoyed a “sweet celebration” at Merrill Whippy Dip in Michigan.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog visits the Stella Maris Monastery in Haifa on Aug. 9, 2023, following attacks by Jewish extremists against the site and other Christian places of worship in Israel. Credit: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Israeli president condemns violence against Christians

Aug 11, 2023 / 11:15 am

Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited the Stella Maris Monastery in Haifa following attacks by Jewish extremists against the site.

Jim Caviezel. DFree/Shutterstock

Jim Caviezel to join rosary rally for ballot measure that could impact Ohio abortion vote

Aug 4, 2023 / 11:45 am

Organizers of the “Rosary Rally” in Cincinnati hope to encourage all Christians in Ohio to vote “Yes” on Issue 1 on Aug. 8.

Actor Jim Caviezel; Tim Ballard, whom Caviezel portrays in the movie “Sound of Freedom”; and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy answer questions at a screening of the movie on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., July 25, 2023. Credit: Martin Barillas/CNA

‘Sound of Freedom’ screening on Capitol Hill sparks call to track missing children in U.S.

Jul 28, 2023 / 13:10 pm

Members of Congress recently viewed the popular anti-trafficking film, after which producer Eduardo Verástegui proposed draft legislation.

Incoming students at Wyoming Catholic College in Lander, Wyoming, are required to take a three-week wilderness trek that challenges them both body and soul. Credit: Photo courtesy of Aeja DeKuiper

Bach on a mountain: Wilderness experience informs faith at Wyoming Catholic College

Jul 16, 2023 / 07:00 am

Students at Wyoming Catholic College in Lander, Wyoming, begin their academic careers with a long mountain trek that challenges them body and soul.

S.O.S. Calvaires, a French lay group, restores a crucifix in France. The group says it aims to restore the artistic and religious heritage of France. Credit: S.O.S. Calvaires/Facebook

French lay group travels to build crosses and restore faith in Ireland

May 9, 2023 / 06:00 am

A lay Catholic movement that restores Catholic monuments in France is in Ireland May 5–13 to build crosses with the hope of restoring faith in that country.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega speaks to supporters during a rally in Managua, on Sept. 5, 2018. Inti Ocon/AFP via Getty Images)

United Nations equates Sandinista Nicaragua with Nazism

Mar 10, 2023 / 04:52 am

Amid ongoing reports of oppression of the Catholic Church and the Nicaraguan people under the regime of President Daniel Ortega, concerns grow about worsening persecution.