What to expect in the world of US politics in 2022
Michael Sean Winters: If last year began with the hope that normalcy might return, this year U.S. politics are marked by a fear that the signs of decline in the very fabric of our democracy might become dominant.
Remembering Desmond Tutu, a fearless truth-teller who preached nonviolence and forgiveness
During the 1983 World Council of Churches’ Sixth World Assembly, Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu said that during interrogations and while under house arrest, “I have been physically buoyed by your prayers.”
US Catholic clergy shortage eased by recruits from Africa
Nigerian-born Fr. Athanasius Abanulo has filled various chaplain and pastor roles across the United States, epitomizing an ongoing trend of international clergy recruits as fewer American-born men enter seminaries.
Catholic Relief Services says 2022 will see humanitarian challenges (Crux)
The US bishops founded Catholic Relief Services in 1943, and the majority of the members of its board of directors are bishops. “As the planet gets hotter, Western nations, which have more resources, will be able to cope with the changes to the weather,” said Kim Pozniak, the charity’s senior director of global communications. “However, […]
A Vatican library shortens the distance between its works and its scholars (New York Times)
The digitization of the 200,000-volume library of the Pontifical Oriental Institute has begun, through the collaboration of American and German companies. Many of the books, which focus on the Eastern Christian churches, “come from countries like Syria, Lebanon or Iraq, where war or other turmoil put entire collections at risk,” the Times notes. “Others come […]
US dioceses investigate their role in boarding schools for Native Americans (Wall Street Journal)
In November, Archbishop Paul Coakley (chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development) and Bishop James Wall (chairman of the Subcommittee on Native American Affairs) encouraged their brother bishops to cooperate with a federal Indian boarding school investigation announced by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.
Peace is a gift and commitment, Pope tells pilgrims (Vatican Press Office)
On January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the 55th World Day of Peace, Pope Francis delivered an Angelus address to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “Contemplating Mary who lays Jesus in the manger, making him available to everyone, let us remember that the world can change and everyone’s life can […]
International aid essential for Christians to survive in Syria
Like Catholic communities of other rites and other Christian Churches in Syria, the Catholic Greek Melkite Archdiocese of Homs suffered heavily during the war. In this context international aid to support the reconstruction of religious buildings has been, and remains, fundamental. Indeed, without churches, it is difficult to envisage the return of Syrian Christians to […]
Students for Life releases report featuring Catholic schools with ties to Planned Parenthood (National Catholic Register)
Students for Life “initially found that 103 Christian schools, including 22 Catholic schools, were connected with Planned Parenthood. After Students for Life reached out to schools with links to the abortion giant, a third of them cut those ties and the number dropped to 69 schools total, including eight Catholic institutions.”
Controversial Nigerian priest alleges assassination plot, warns bishop against ‘pushing him to rebellion’ (Premium Times (Abuja))
In May 2021, followers of Father Camillus Ejike Mbaka, who leads an adoration ministry, reacted violently after Bishop Callistus Onaga of Enugu ordered him to leave his parish.