News

Traditional Latin Mass ‘movement’ undermining Vatican II, archbishop says

An official previously involved in the Vatican's dialogue with the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X said the church movement "is working for objectives that are precisely contrary to what St. John Paul and Benedict XVI hoped for."

Pope offers his support to cartel-afflicted Mexican diocese

Pope Francis sent a letter of encouragement to residents of an area afflicted by battling drug cartels, underscoring the lawlessness across Mexico and the government's inability to pacify it.

Fires, graffiti, red paint are among ways Portland churches vandalized

Four Portland Catholic churches have been vandalized in the span of about six weeks. The acts can be traced to lone individuals, groups of teens and even some families.

U.S. bishops express solidarity with Cuban people, church leaders

A statement by two key bishops acknowledged "the ongoing protests in Cuba and among the diaspora in the United States" as perhaps the most significant unrest in decades.

Two statues destroyed outside N.Y. Catholic church

A statue of Mary and of St. Therese Lisieux were dragged across the street from the grounds of a Queens parish church and smashed with a hammer July 17, according to the Brooklyn Diocese.

Prayer, conversion, good works needed to win ‘freedom for the pre-born’

Ending "the greatest evil in our day and in any day" requires a renewed commitment to Christ, along with concrete acts of compassion, said participants at a July 17 Mass and rally sponsored by the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia.

Cardinal implores saint’s intercession to overcome Lebanon’s crisis

Cardinal Bechara Rai, the Maronite patriarch, pleaded for the intercession of Lebanon's beloved St. Charbel Makhlouf as the beleaguered country spirals deeper into collapse, further roiled by the resignation of the prime minister-designate.

Catholic Anti-Slavery Network in Australia becomes model for business

A document including statements from 33 Catholic entities such as hospitals and schools, which outline measures they are taking to become slavery-free in areas such as procurement and employment, will help organizations to comply with Australia's Modern Slavery Act.

Pope expresses closeness with Cuban people as unrest continues

A week after protests erupted on the island nation, Pope Francis told pilgrims in St. Peter's Square July 18 that he was "near to the dear Cuban people in these difficult moments." He prayed for a society that is "more just and fraternal through peace, dialogue and solidarity."

Spending bills without Hyde seen as move to expand abortion on demand

The congressional House Appropriations Committee voted July 15 to exclude the Hyde Amendment, which has barred federal funding for abortion since 1976, from the 2022 federal budget. A petition seeks to reinsert the provision before the full House votes on the spending measures.