With much of Latin America in the throes of months of social and political unrest, the continent’s bishops have turned to the “Empress of the Americas” to lend a hand in the effort for peace.
International News
Vatican Calls Greta Thunberg ‘Great Witness’ of Church’s Environmental Teaching
On Dec. 11 top Vatican officials hailed Swedish teen Greta Thunberg, recently named TIME Magazine’s “Person of the Year” for her environmental advocacy, as a “great witness” of Church teaching on care for creation and the human person.
Kenyan Nun Uses Law Degree to Navigate Church Through African Society
Sister Leonida Katunge wears two hats – or habits, rather – spending her days alternating between teaching courses in liturgy and practicing law in her homeland of Kenya.
Syria’s Assad Says Pope Francis Has ‘Incomplete’ Picture of the War
In a new interview, Syrian President Bashar al Assad responded publicly to a letter he received from Pope Francis over the summer voicing concern about civilian casualties in the country’s ongoing civil war.
Immaculate Conception is Feast of Hope for Sinners, Pope Says
Mary, conceived without sin, is a “masterpiece” who reflects “the beauty of God who is all love, grace and self-giving,” Pope Francis said on the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Africans Warn Numerical Growth Has to be Matched by ‘Tools of Liberation’
A major African summit concluded on Dec. 9 with a warning that despite the continent enjoying the Catholic Church’s highest growth rate, unless theology and pastoral practice is “translated into tools of liberation” then “the growth of the Church will only be in number.”
Experts Say Pope’s Metaphor of a ‘Field Hospital’ has Special Punch for Africa
According to a range of scholars at a Pan-African Congress on Theology, Pastoral Life, and Society, the pope’s metaphor for the Church as a “field hospital” provides particular resonance for the African continent – and, they say, must guide pastoral practice in the realms of education, liturgy, and the laity.
Nun Warns African Catholics, ‘If You Want to Lead, Clean House on Abuse’
As the number of African Catholics continues to soar, one Kenyan nun is warning that they must first “clean house” when it comes to the issue of clergy abuse before exhibiting greater leadership in the global Church.
Pope Vents Frustration Over Lack of Political Will to Implement ‘Laudato Si’
A little more than four years after Pope Francis published one of his most provocative documents, not to mention perhaps his most political, in the form of his eco-encyclical Laudato Si’, the pontiff appears increasingly disappointed in the way the environmental manifesto been received.
Pan-African Summit Opens With Pleas for Justice for Africa and Its People
A much-anticipated Pan-African Congress opened Dec. 5 with a plea for justice, both for the continent and its people.