Reflections on life, meaning and purpose

Gaza parish community example of ‘steadfast faith,’ cardinal says

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, described the small resilient community of the Holy Family Parish compound in Gaza City as one with “steadfast faith,” amid horrific destruction and constant bombardment following his return from a four-day pastoral visit during Pentecost. “Despite the everyday issues, I saw a community united, well-organized, concerned about […]

Cardinal Pizzaballa gives grim report after visit to Gaza (Crux)

“The scale of the destruction I witnessed is unbelievable,” Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, reported after a visit to Gaza. The cardinal told reporters that residents of Gaza are suffering from shortages of food and water, a lack of electricity, and constant fear as the war there conintues. Nevertheless he praised the […]

Young German priests unenthused with ‘Synodal Path’ (Pillar)

A survey of newly ordained Catholic priests in Germany has found little support for the liberal reforms that have been touted by Church leaders as part of their ‘Synodal Path.’ The survey of priests ordained between 2010 and 2021 found only minorities favoring the ordination of female priests (25.7%), the end of priestly celibacy (29.6%), […]

Pope lauds loyalty, perseverance of Chinese Catholics (Vatican News)

Speaking on May 21 to a conference on the Church in China, Pope Francis appealed to the faith and loyalty of Chinese Catholics, suggesting that past history could help guide the faithful through current Church-state tensions. This week’s conference, sponsored by the Pontifical Urban University, commemorates that Shanghai Council of 1924: the first council of […]

Controversial Chinese bishop headlines Vatican conference (AP)

Bishop Joseph Shen Bin of Shanghai headlined a Vatican conference on China this week, in a clear display of the Vatican’s strong desire to strengthen ties with Beijing. Bishop Shen was appointed to the Shanghai diocese by the Chinese regime, without the approval of the Holy See, in what Vatican officials acknowledged was a violation […]

Pope says No to female deacons (Crux)

Pope Francis dismissed the possibility of female deacons, in his interview with CBS 60 Minutes. When interviewer Norah O’Donnell asked whether a woman could ever become a deacon, the Pope answered simply: “No.” He went on to say: If it is deacons with Holy Orders, no. But women have always had, I would say, the […]

Harrison Butker’s Speech Wasn’t for Us

Consider a twenty-eight-year-old family man, a devoted Catholic, a handsome, celebrated NFL kicker, invited to offer words of encouragement for twenty-two-year-olds finishing college at a Catholic institution. He knows the cameras will be rolling. A commencement address is a public event—in a manner of speaking. But to whom is he speaking? To you, and to […]