Browsing News Entries
Two Federal Appeals Cases Could Reset the Religious Freedom Landscape
Posted on 11/20/2025 19:08 PM (The Daily Register)
Pontifical commission considers abuse in religious institutes (Vatican News (Italian))
Posted on 11/20/2025 05:11 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
Father Krzysztof Gierat, CMF, an office head of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life, warned that despite “impeccable protocols,” religious communities may have “ambiguous authorities, ‘informal’ hierarchies, aggression, unhealthy relationships, missed signals, and ignored conflicts,” according to Vatican News.
Sister Paola Panetta, president of the International Commission of Dominican Nuns, spoke about abuse in contemplative life and said that lack of email and the screening of mail makes it difficult for contemplative nuns to report sexual abuse, however rare.
“The lack of vocations can lead to blackmail or special concessions aimed at avoiding transfers,” she added. “Spiritual abuse can also occur from persons within, with dangerous sectarian tendencies.”
Report finds over 2,000 anti-Christian hate crimes in Europe in 2024 (OIDAC Europe)
Posted on 11/20/2025 05:11 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
“This figure includes a significant rise in personal attacks, which increased to 274 incidents, and a sharp spike in arson attacks targeting churches and other Christian sites,” the organization found.
Leading Pacific prelate warns of climate change (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
Posted on 11/20/2025 04:11 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
“Deep-sea mining is adding another layer of destruction,” said Archbishop Ryan Jimenez of Agaña, Guam. “Our communities are already feeling the impacts of climate change. Typhoons and ocean warming are also real threats.”
Archbishop Jimenez—misnamed and mistitled by the Vatican newspaper as “Cardinal Ryan Rimenes”—added that “we bishops of the Pacific region are committed to caring for our common home and the islands that are our home.”
Charlotte bishop calls for prayer, fasting amid immigration enforcement actions (Catholic News Herald)
Posted on 11/20/2025 04:11 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
“While I have no words to practically address the fear and uncertainty that many are feeling with the increased presence of federal immigration officials in the Charlotte metro area, I want to call upon all Catholics and people of goodwill to give witness to the message of Jesus,” said Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv.
Bishop Martin offered four suggestions: “reach out to those living daily with this uncertainty and assure them of our love and care for them”; pray and fast on November 21; “do not vilify federal agents who have been sent to our community”; and advocate for immigration reform.
“To those of you who are afraid to come to church, you are not obligated to attend Mass when you are inhibited from doing so by circumstances beyond your control, as the Church has always taught,” he added.
Ukrainian Catholic bishops in US issue letter for pre-Christmas fast (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church)
Posted on 11/20/2025 04:11 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
“Living through the fourth winter of a barbaric aggression, Ukrainians, members of our Church, bear witness to the profound woundedness of humanity, indeed, they’re experiencing it firsthand,” the prelates wrote. “We bear hidden grief and carry profound wounds. Into the midst of these wounds, Christ is born, and He brings with Him the promise that even in our anguish, hope can take root and healing can begin anew.”
The bishops added:
We are encouraged to fast not only from food but, importantly in our day, from the chatter of social media, those ‘likes’ and ‘shares’ that steal our inner peace, the pull of consumerism, and the endless distractions that fragment our attention ... We are called to return to the practices that attune our hearts to God’s closeness: personal prayer, attention to the Word of God, participation in the liturgical life of the Church, and silent contemplation.
Pray and practice humility, Cardinal Parolin tells Vatican diplomatic staff (Vatican News (Italian))
Posted on 11/20/2025 03:11 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
Cardinal Parolin preached that perseverance in prayer “allows us to look beyond all boundaries, both material and spiritual; it allows us to overcome obstacles of adaptation, coexistence, loneliness, misunderstanding, and disappointment, because it brings into play the power and mercy of God, for whom nothing is impossible.”
Cardinal Parolin also spoke of the importance of “humility, performing gratuitous and hidden acts of kindness, helping those experiencing difficult times at home or in the office, and not hurting others with harsh words or bad examples.”
Pope Leo: In health-care management, defend the dignity of every person (Dicastery for Communication)
Posted on 11/20/2025 03:11 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
Pope Leo warned against “a perverse manipulation that will classify [persons] according to the treatments they need and their cost, the nature of their illnesses, transforming them into objects, data, statistics.” Instead, he called for a twofold vision: first, consideration of the common good, rather than immediate profit; second, “the human relationship,” “the recognition [of] the real person, in his or her fragility and dignity.”
Nov. 20 Thursday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time, Weekday
Posted on 11/20/2025 00:00 AM (Catholic Culture Liturgical Year)
Cardinal explains seating of 'transgender' activist at papal luncheon (Catholic Herald)
Posted on 11/19/2025 23:11 PM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
At past luncheons the activists had been seated with Pope Francis. But on this occasion they were given other seats. Cardinal Krajewski, the papal almoner, explained that seats at the head table had been given to people who had attended a Mass before the luncheon; the activist had not.
Cardinal Krajewski stressed that the activists were welcome at the luncheon, “because they’re an integral part of the Church, that is all.”