USCCB issues National Statutes for the Christian Initiation of Adults (USCCB)
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has published new National Statutes for the Christian Initiation of Adults, replacing statutes approved in 1986. The new statutes, which go into effect in December 2024, were approved by the US bishops in November and confirmed by the Dicastery for Bishops in January. The statutes, which discuss the […]
Pope to take part in Corpus Christi Mass, procession (Vatican Press Office)
The Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff has announced that Pope Francis will take part in Mass, a Eucharistic procession, and Benediction on the feast of Corpus Christi. The Pontiff was absent from Corpus Christi Mass in 2022 (because of knee pain) and 2023 (because of hernia surgery). The procession will begin […]
Ukraine is being crucified, Catholic leader says in Easter greeting (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church)
Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said in his Easter greeting that “Ukraine is undergoing its crucifixion on the cross together with Christ.” “The Savior Himself suffers in the body of the Ukrainian people,” he continued. “This gives meaning to our suffering and serves as a source of our […]
Vatican, French embassy to host international conference on sport and spirituality (Vatican News)
At a press conference on May 6, the prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education and the French ambassador to the Holy See discussed Putting Life into Play, an upcoming international conference on sport and spirituality. “If we look at the history of sport in parallel with the history of the Church, there have […]
Vatican message to Buddhists emphasizes peace through reconciliation, resilience (Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue)
The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue has issued its annual message to Buddhists for the festival of Vesak. The theme of the message is “Christians and Buddhists: Working together for Peace through Reconciliation and Resilience.” “The noble teachings of our respective traditions, and the exemplary lives lived by those whom we revere, bear witness to the […]
‘No to war, yes to dialogue’: renewed papal plea (Vatican Press Office)
At the conclusion of his May 5 Regina Caeli address, Pope Francis renewed his appeal for peace in the world’s war-torn areas. “And please, continue to pray for tormented Ukraine – it suffers a great deal! – and also for Palestine and Israel, that they may be peace, that dialogue may be strengthened and bear […]
Church promotes relief for victims of floods in Brazil
SÃO PAULO – Several days of heavy rains have caused floods in more than 400 cities and led over 200,000 people to leave their homes in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The catastrophe – already considered the worst climatic crisis in the state’s history – has killed at least 85 people since […]
Iowa bishops call on leaders to protect human rights of immigrants
NEW YORK – In response to the nation’s immigration crisis Iowa’s Catholic bishops have taken aim at both state and federal lawmakers, calling on the former to seek alternatives to a new law that allows the state to deport undocumented immigrants back to their home country, and calling on the latter to “do their job” […]
March for Life takes place in Ireland amid ‘soaring’ abortion rates
LEICESTER, United Kingdom – Crowds turned out in the Irish capital Dublin on Monday for the annual March for Life. EilIs Mulroy of the Pro Life Campaign addressed the event, saying the country’s legalized abortion has sent the numbers of unborn babies being killed in Ireland “soaring.” British pro-life doctor Calum Miller also spoke at […]
What would JFK think of Catholics and today’s US politics?
“It seems very much as though the U.S. bishops reject the position that won the election for John Kennedy and credibility for Catholics in U.S. politics,” writes Steven P. Millies.