Diocese of Fargo Archives - KVRR Local News

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Fargo Bishop meets Pope Leo XIV while leading church group to Rome

May 29, 2025

Jim Monk,

Courtesy, Diocese of FargoFARGO (KVRR) – Diocese of Fargo Bishop John Folda met for the first time with Pope Leo XIV Wednesday. Diocese spokesman Paul Braun says Folda is leading a group of young adults on a pilgrimage to Vatican City, where the group also had a chance to see the pope. The group has been away since May 21,…

Fargo’s Catholic bishop says immigration was a ‘hallmark’ of Pope Francis

Pope Francis died Monday following a lengthy battle with health issues. He was 88.

April 21, 2025

Jim Monk,

FARGO (KVRR) – Diocese of Fargo Bishop John Folda says the plight of immigrants is among the most prominent issues Pope Francis will be remembered for. Pope Francis died Monday following a lengthy battle with health issues. He was 88. “”There’s no question that he has certainly given a lot of attention to the plight of immigrants and the homeless…

St. Philip’s Church Parishioners Hopeful For Future After Fire

December 17, 2024

Juliana Pelaez,

HANKINSON, N.D. (KVRR) — At around 4:00 p.m. Monday, neighbors called 911 to report smoke coming out of a window in the west bell tower of St. Philip’s Church. “Somebody called in and said they saw smoke coming out of that window from up there of the attic area of that church. And fire officials were on the scene pretty…

Fargo, Crookston bishops say okay for Catholics to eat corned beef on St. Patrick’s Day, but not in Bismarck

March 13, 2023

Jim Monk,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Catholics aren’t typically supposed to eat meat on Fridays during Lent. But Friday March 17, they’ll be getting a break, depending on where they live. The bishops of the Fargo Diocese and the Crookston Diocese are dispensing with the order this year so Catholics can celebrate a traditional St. Patrick’s Day with corned beef and cabbage….

Jamestown Priest Removed During Investigation Into Inappropriate Conduct

January 15, 2023

KVRR Staff,

JAMESTOWN, N.D. — An investigation is underway into allegations of inappropriate conduct by Father Neil Pfeifer of the Basilica of St. James in Jamestown. A statement released Saturday by the Catholic Diocese of Fargo says the allegations involve inappropriate conduct with adults. Father Pfeifer has been removed as pastor in Jamestown, at St. Margaret Mary in Buchanan and St. Mathias…

Fargo Bishop: Abortion ruling means North Dakota will be ‘sanctuary for all children’

June 24, 2022

Jim Monk,

Bishop John FoldaFARGO (KVRR) – Diocese of Fargo Bishop John Folda says Friday’s Supreme Court ruling that overturns Roe v. Wade allows states like North Dakota “to once again be a sanctuary for all children, born and unborn.” “Over the last decades, millions of children lost their lives to abortion, and untold numbers of women and men suffered from the…

Bishop of Fargo discusses abortion

The Supreme Court releases some opinions but not the one that has everyone talking: the possible overturn of abortion rights.

May 16, 2022

Site Staff,

WEST FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The Supreme Court releases some opinions but not the one that has everyone talking: the possible overturn of abortion rights. We talked to Bishop John Folda at the groundbreaking for the new Holy Cross Catholic Church in West Fargo. While we all await the decision of Roe V Wade, rallys were held over the weekend….

Armacost defends UND gender inclusion policy

January 14, 2022

Site Staff,

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR) – The University of North Dakota president responds to what he calls misleading statements from the North Dakota Catholic Conference on its draft gender inclusion policy. The plan would require the use of a transgender person’s preferred pronouns and the use of facilities that align with their gender identity. Andrew Armacost says the gender inclusion policy aims…

Sex abuse claims against ex-Fargo bishop credible, Sullivan Middle School renamed

July 2, 2021

Jim Monk,

FARGO (KVRR) – The Diocese of Fargo says an investigation has found that sexual misconduct allegations against former Bishop James Sullivan have been deemed credible. The investigation was conducted by the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan. The allegation involves victims who were minors and took place several decades ago when Sullivan was a priest in Lansing. There have been no allegations made…

NDSU to allow freshmen to live off campus for religious reasons

June 28, 2021

Jim Monk,

NDSU Newman CenterBISMARCK (KVRR/KCND) – A subcommittee of the state Board of Higher Education says North Dakota State University must treat requests from freshmen for an exemption from its on-campus housing policy on religious grounds the same as it does any other requests. NDSU requires freshmen to live on-campus, but there are exemptions. The NDSU Newman Center, which provides housing…