Nothing is impossible for God, not even peace in Ukraine, pope says December 8, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Crisis in Ukraine, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis asked Catholics around the world to join him in entrusting to Mary “the universal desire for peace, especially for the martyred Ukraine, which is suffering so much.”
Russia bans Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Catholic ministries in occupied region of Ukraine December 8, 2023By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Crisis in Ukraine, Feature, News, World News Russian occupation authorities have banned the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and other Catholic ministries in occupied areas of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, according to the church’s main communications office in Kyiv.
Senate Republicans block Ukraine-Israel emergency aid over border, raising Catholic concerns December 8, 2023By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Crisis in Israel, Crisis in Ukraine, Feature, News, U.S. Congress, World News Senate Republicans Dec. 6 blocked an emergency spending bill to provide billions of dollars in wartime aid to Ukraine and Israel while calling for strict new policies at the U.S.-Mexico border opposed by some Catholic immigration advocates.
Baltimore City’s inclusive housing a triumph for Catholic activism December 8, 2023By Kurt Jensen Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Our Faith in Action, Social Justice Given the meandering pace at which building plans make their way through Baltimore city offices to final approval before construction begins, it should take at least two years before the new inclusionary – meaning, affordable – housing law, which finally passed in full on Dec. 7, will show an impact.
Texas judge grants exception to state abortion ban December 8, 2023By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News A Texas judge ruled Dec. 7 in favor of a pregnant mother who sued the state to seek an exemption to its abortion ban after she argued that continuing with her pregnancy would endanger her life and future fertility.
Despite losing leg in Ukraine explosion, volunteer returns to war-torn country December 8, 2023By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Crisis in Ukraine, Feature, News, World News As the world celebrated International Volunteer Day Dec. 5, Grazyna Slawinska, a young Polish volunteer who left her comfortable job to aid people with disabilities in Ukraine, was in eastern Ukraine to spend another December in the war-torn nation.
Magic is not ‘harmless fun,’ priest says as British university plans occult studies program December 8, 2023By Michael Kelly OSV News Filed Under: Colleges, Feature, News, World News While at first glance an interest in magic or even the occult might look like just harmless fun, Catholics should be aware of what the church teaches about such things and the real dangers associated with what Pope Francis often refers to as “bad spirits.”
Cardinal Gregory discusses pope’s synodal vision, need for a welcoming church December 7, 2023By Kurt Jensen OSV News Filed Under: Black Catholic Ministry, Feature, News, Synodality, World News At The Catholic University of America to discuss the need for a diverse and welcoming church, Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory fielded a wide range of audience questions while also reflecting on his own faith journey from childhood.
Las Vegas archbishop is ‘holding close’ victims of university mass shooting December 7, 2023By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, World News Archbishop George Leo Thomas of Las Vegas said he is “holding close” those affected by a mass shooting on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus.
Pope gives Syro-Malabar Catholics Christmas deadline to end dispute December 7, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Eucharist, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Telling Syro-Malabar Catholics in India’s Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly that he does not want to see anyone excommunicated, Pope Francis pleaded with the priests and faithful to end their dispute over the way the Eucharist is celebrated.
Pope encourages oratories to help form good Catholics, good citizens December 7, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News, Youth Ministry Catholic oratories and youth groups that provide after-school activities, religious education and a place for children and teens to gather should be loud, joyful places that help form good Catholics and good citizens, Pope Francis said.
Hospital close to Christ’s birthplace in Bethlehem struggles to operate amid war December 7, 2023By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Crisis in Israel, Feature, News, World News The Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, located just 1,500 steps from the birthplace of Christ, is confronting significant challenges amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip 45 miles away.