Since Hamas’ attack on Israel Oct. 7, 2023, and the immediate start of the Israel-Hamas war, Pope Francis has provided daily spiritual solace to Gaza Strip’s only Catholic parish.
Author: Christine
‘You Speak With a Heart’ for Human Dignity, Archbishop Tells Ukraine’s Zelenskyy
The head of Ukrainian Catholics in the U.S. told OSV News he personally thanked Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for speaking “with a heart” and being “a source of encouragement” worldwide.
Seven Things to Know About the Second and Final Session of the Synod on Synodality
The second meeting of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops begins Oct. 2 at the Vatican. Like last year’s meeting, it’s a four-week-long gathering of 368 voting delegates — with scores more of nonvoting participants — from six continents to address the theme “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission” and experience synodality, a posture of listening, accompaniment and communion in the church.
Georgia’s Abortion Ban Struck Down Again; Abortions Can Now Be Performed Up to 22 Weeks
Judge Robert McBurney of Superior Court of Fulton County in Atlanta ruled Sept. 30 that Georgia can no longer enforce its so-called “heartbeat law” on abortion, a six-week abortion ban that went into effect after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022.
Relief Efforts Underway in Western North Carolina; Flooding Caused by Helene Devastates Region
Relief efforts are under way to help communities across western North Carolina reeling from the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene.
Long Island Diocese Reaches Proposed $323 Million Bankruptcy Settlement Over Abuse Claims
The Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, has reached a preliminary settlement in what it called the “difficult ordeal” of its long-running — and at points contentious — bankruptcy case, while assuring the faithful that “no parishes are closing as a result of this process.”
Pope Francis Urges Bishops to Expose Abuse and End Cover-Ups During Belgium Mass
Calling on the world’s bishops not to cover up any instance or form of abuse, Pope Francis said the evil of abuse must be exposed.
Pope Talks Peace and Migrants, Skips Usual Journo Greetings
On a brief day stop in Luxembourg Thursday, Pope Francis appealed for peace and the integration of migrants as Europe continues to reel from the war in Ukraine and an ongoing migrant crisis.
Pope in Belgium Calls for Peace, Condemns Abuse, Forced Adoptions
After his arrival to Belgium in the rain on Thursday night, Pope Francis told civil authorities the next day to make peacemaking a priority, and voiced regret over recent scandals in the Belgian Church, including the crises of clerical sexual abuse and forced adoptions.
Catholic Death Penalty Abolition Group Condemns ‘Regressive’ Spate of Executions
Catholic Mobilizing Network, a group that advocates for the abolition of capital punishment in line with Catholic teaching, urged its supporters to speak out against what it called a “regressive” trend of five executions in five states in the span of one week.