Putin: Russia, Vatican should increase joint efforts to uphold ‘moral principles in international politics’ (The Kremlin)
The Kremlin announced that “in his Christmas and New Year greetings to His Holiness Pope Francis, the President [Vladimir Putin] noted that despite the pandemic-related challenges, Russia and the Holy See maintained a constructive dialogue based on similar approaches to key problems of the day. Putin also “expressed confidence that Russia and the Vatican would […]
Pope cancels traditional visit to Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square (Aleteia)
A Vatican spokesman announced on December 30 that Pope Francis would not visit the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square the following day, in order to “avoid gatherings and the consequent risk of contagion to Covid-19.” The Pope is still scheduled to celebrate Vespers in St. Peter’s Basilica on New Year’s Eve, as is customary.
Abortion, religious liberty, vaccine mandate cases top busy 2021 for court
WASHINGTON (CNS) — This past year was busy for the nation’s high court, particularly with issues of interest to Catholics regarding abortion, religious liberty, COVID-19 vaccine mandates and the death penalty. This fall, all eyes were particularly on the court with its two cases looking at abortion laws in Texas and Mississippi. After hearing oral […]
Syria: Jesuits supporting young people in Homs to give hope
The Order’s residence in Homs is located in the heart of the Syrian city. The Society of Jesus has paid a high tribute during the war, when Father Frans Van Der Lugt, SJ, was killed by jihadists in 2014. Today it is struggling to give local youth some chance of a better future. Read all […]
Open Letter to Confused Catholics: Chapter 23
“Building Up vs. Pulling Down” It Twenty years have gone by and one would have thought that the reactions raised by the Council reforms would have calmed down, that the Catholic people would have buried the religion in which they had been brought up, that the younger ones, not having known it, would have accepted […]
Colombian nun discusses 4-year captivity in Mali (Aid to the Church in Need)
Sister Gloria Cecilia Narvaez, a Colombian missionary sister in Mali (map), was kidnapped in 2017 and released in October. “They asked me to repeat bits of Muslim prayers, to wear Islamic-style garments, but I always let it be known that I was born in the Catholic faith, that I grew up in that religion, and […]
Metropolitan Hilarion: Catholic Church, Russian Orthodox Church should cooperate (Moscow Patriarchate)
“No secret negotiations are being held, no unification is planned, but the fact that the two largest Christian churches should interact is now quite obvious,” said Metropolitan Hilarion, the chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, who met with Pope Francis on December 22.
Polish archbishop forbids priests from receiving children in their homes (Notes from Poland)
Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski of Kraków has decreed that “priests as well as lay people working in the diocese must not be alone with a minor in the latter’s home without the parents’ permission, welcome minors into their own homes, or take them anywhere by car unless warranted by exceptional circumstances,” according to the report.
Christmas Season 2021: Rejoice in Christ’s birth – Archbishop Farrell
The birth of Jesus is the most powerful sign and message of hope in a world darkened by the shadows of fear and uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic. We bring you the voices of religious leaders and heads of Christian charitable organizations as they look to a future in which “No one is saved […]
Why the Coalition for Canceled Priests is fighting back against restrictions on the Latin Mass
‘An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.’ ~Winston Churchill