In the 25 years since the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act became law, “restrictions on religious freedom have been steadily increasing for several years” around the globe, said the chairmen of the U.S. bishops’ religious liberty and international policy committees.
Author: Christine
Vatican Nativity Scene to Honor 800th Anniversary of St. Francis’ Creche
On the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi setting up the first Nativity scene, the creche in St. Peter’s Square in 2023 will come from the Diocese of Rieti, Italy, and pay tribute to the scene set up in the diocese in 1223.
Ouija Boards ‘Dangerous, Dangerous’ Tools of Evil That Deny God’s Love, say Catholic Experts
Thinking of having a little “fun” on Halloween by grabbing an Ouija board and ringing up Aunt Edna in the afterlife? Think again.
Rome’s Chief Rabbi Warns Prayer for Peace Must Not ‘Cancel Moral Evaluations’
In response to Pope Francis’s repeated pleas for an end to the war in Gaza and his recent day of prayer for peace, Rome’s chief rabbi has said that while armed conflict is always “an offense against human dignity,” at times it’s necessary to defeat evil.
‘God is Always With Us’; Portland, Maine, Bishop at Mass for Shaken Lewiston Community
“Evil is part of the world in which we live,” said Bishop Robert P. Deeley of Portland, Maine during a Mass Oct. 27 in Lewiston, Maine. “It’s how we deal with it which is important.”
Assembly Suggests Steps to Increase ‘Synodality’
While some of the issues discussed at the synod on synodality were judged to require further study, members came up with a list of things that can or should happen immediately and others that should be considered.
Pope Closes Synod Urging Detachment From ‘Personal Agendas’
Pope Francis closed this month’s Synod of Bishops on Synodality on Oct. 29 by telling participants that the process is not yet over, and urging them to prioritize love of God and others, things he said would free them from selfishness and attachment to personal agendas.
Synod Members Deny ‘Authentic Divisions,’ but Acknowledge Missing Voices
Participants in Pope Francis’ Synod of Bishops on Synodality have reiterated that there are no hostile divisions in the process despite differences of opinion, while also calling for a greater participation of women in leadership and for stronger ecumenical efforts to be made.
Mexican Bishops Call for Solidarity After Hurricane Otis Devastates Acapulco
Mexico’s bishops expressed “closeness” with the affected populations and urged generosity after a monster Category 5 hurricane tore through Acapulco, leaving 27 dead and four people disappeared.
Abortions Provided by Virtual-Only Clinics Spike 72% in Year Since Dobbs
The number of legal abortions provided by virtual-only clinics via abortion pill prescriptions spiked 72% in the year following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade, according to a report by #WeCount, a research project by the Society of Family Planning, a group that supports legal abortion.