Saint Joseph Catholic Church

Archbishop Edward Weisenburger of Detroit has appointed Father Kevin Creagh, CM, the new rector and president of St. John’s Major Seminary.

“Many young people turn to betting in the hope of earning a living, especially at a time when unemployment is high, and some have no reliable source of income beyond support from their parents,” Bishop Peter Adrian Chifukwa said at the closing Mass of the National Annual General Meeting of Young Christian Workers.

The prelate warned that gambling “can lead to behaviors such as stealing, because one becomes obsessed with always having money available for betting, driven by the hope of winning more.”

Malawi, a southeastern African nation of 22.2 million (map), is 79% Christian (40% Catholic), 15% Muslim, and 5% ethnic religionist.

“Ten guided bombs fell near our chapel,” said Father Petro Maika. “In fact, there were strikes from all sides.”

Father Maika said that “although the shelling caused damage, prayer continues. People need the presence of a priest and his support.”

“Catholic priests, religious, and others who hold religious worker (R-1) visas are generally required to depart the United States upon reaching the maximum period of stay for that visa (five years) and then can possibly return to the country on a subsequent R-1 visa,” the USCCB explained. “Previously, they were required to spend at least one full year outside of the United States between R-1 visas,” but the policy change “amends federal regulations to require no minimum time outside of the country ... provided they meet all other requirements.”

“We are tremendously grateful for the Administration’s work to address certain challenges facing foreign-born religious workers, their employers, and the American communities they serve,” said Archbishop Paul Coakley and Bishop Brendan Cahill. “This targeted change is a truly significant step that will help facilitate essential religious services for Catholics and other people of faith throughout the United States by minimizing disruptions to cherished ministries.”

The General Secretariat of Christian Educational Institutions in Jerusalem called for the suspension of classes after Israeli authorities decided not to renew the work permits of 171 teachers from the West Bank.

John Dayal said that the United Christian Forum documented 706 incidents between January and November and that “the Evangelical Fellowship of India reported 183 incidents of violence in Uttar Pradesh and 156 in Chhattisgarh during 2025: assaults, disruptions of worship, vandalism, and false accusations of forced conversions.”

“We saw posters calling for a boycott of Christmas,” Dayal continued. “We recorded disruptions of at least 60 events across the country, beatings of Christmas carolers in Kerala, and harassment of worshippers during prayer.”

Dayal added that “hate speech by various government leaders and Hindu extremist groups like the Sangh Parivar has contributed to creating this climate. Propaganda labeling Christians as ‘outsiders to India’ has encouraged such actions.”

“Consistent with our longstanding policy, we have taken extraordinary measures to ensure that this assistance reaches the Cuban people directly, without interference or diversion by the illegitimate regime,” Rubio said of the US aid for victims of Hurricane Melissa.

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher made his remarks in a public conversation with Eugenia Maria Roccella, Italy’s Minister for Family, Birth Rate and Equal Opportunities. The conversation took place on January 13 in the Italian Embassy to the Holy See.

L’Osservatore Romano devoted the most prominent article in its January 14 edition to government repression in Iran.