Italian archbishop: Proclaiming Jesus is ‘the greatest urgency’ (CNA)
As the Synod of Bishops begins in Rome, “the greatest urgency, the truest reform is that of making Jesus our passion, our love, our everything,” Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino wrote in an October 4 letter. The prelate, who is not a Synod participant, added that “the world, without knowing it, is awaiting […]
Bishops’ ministry joins campaign in Brazil against privatization of prisons (Crux)
The bishops’ conference’s Prison Pastoral Ministry is part of a coalition that opposes President Lula da Silva’s efforts to build privately-run prisons. “The contracts signed with the private sector seem to favor mass incarceration, with the inclusion of contractual clauses that require minimum occupation rates for prison units, combined with the remuneration of the companies […]
Ecological activists at Vatican event respond to Laudate Deum (Vatican Press Office)
On October 5, ecological activists joined the director of the Vatican press office in discussing Laudate Deum (CWN analysis), the Pope’s new apostolic exhortation on climate change. Jonathan Safran Foer, an American novelist, asked, “What is ecological grace if not the sum of daily, hourly decisions, to take a bit less than our hands can […]
Congressman calls on Pope Francis to be ‘fearless on China’ (Washington Post)
Pope Francis “has the power to confront Beijing,” writes Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), chairman of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. “Truth, combined with the fearlessness to speak it, is fatal to every ideology of oppression.” “In 1979, John Paul knew that the power […]
Irish bishops urge lawmakers not to legalize assisted suicide (Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference)
“Our legislators are currently engaged in discussing the legalization of assisted suicide,” the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference said in an October 5 statement. “We appeal, in the strongest possible terms, to all our legislators, who are entrusted with the care of the common good, to respect the integrity of healthcare as a service to life […]
Grandma still uses cash, but updates when it’s truly necessary
It was a beautiful morning for a walk. As I made my way home, I spotted three young boys manning a lemonade stand. They were enthusiastic salesmen, loudly hollering “lemonade” at everyone who passed on foot or in a vehicle. It brought back memories. With three kids, I went through a lot of lemonade with […]
Catholic educators barely escape death in school attack amid ongoing conflict in Cameroon
YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon (OSV News) — A Catholic priest and three Catholic teachers in Cameroon’s troubled southwest region are recovering from bullet wounds after they were shot in what church authorities say was a targeted attack on a Catholic primary school Sept. 26. The attack comes amid the country’s struggle with seven years of separatist violence, […]
‘Module A’ of the Synod on Synodality
Participants in the Synod General Assembly are in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall this week are examining and discussing “Module A”, of which we offer the full text here below. Read all
New JRS International Director and his dream of a shared future
German Jesuit Brother, Michael Schöpf, is the new International Director of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) based in Rome. He reflects on current migration policies and narratives that he says create “political panic” and says his mission is permeated by hope for a shared future with our brothers and sisters on the move. Read all
Rome Is Falling! Rome Is Falling!
the social media platform, is all atwitter that men think about Ancient Rome every day. Well, yes, of course we do. Women, apparently, find that astonishing. Well, yes, of course they do, which is why the Roman Republic limited the franchise to men. You know what else men think about every day? (Clue: it also […]