French bishops call for fasting, prayer as abortion is enshrined in country’s constitution March 5, 2024By Caroline de Sury OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News After several months of legislative process, the French Congress, a special body composed of both chambers of parliament, revised the country’s 1958 constitution to enshrine women’s “guaranteed freedom” to abort in Article 34, making France the first country in the world to explicitly include the right to abortion in its constitution.
France’s Catholic bishops strongly back farmers in their massive protest January 29, 2024By Caroline de Sury OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Social Justice, World News France’s bishops stand in solidarity with farmers protesting across the country. After days of protests in the local provinces, farmers were determined to block the main roads leading to Paris, with spectacular traffic jams of tractors and farm vehicles they formed Jan. 29 across the French capital.
Carpenters hail end of Notre Dame roof reconstruction; rector calls it ‘a work of Joseph and Jesus’ January 16, 2024By Caroline de Sury OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Feature, News, World News In a historic year for Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which the French capital and the whole world will see reopen Dec. 8, milestones will be reported on regularly, but this one made Parisians shed a tear or two: Reconstruction of the roof structure is now completed.
An iconic cockerel is once again watching over Notre Dame in Paris on top of its cross December 18, 2023By Caroline de Sury OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Feature, News, World News A new version of an iconic cockerel, or rooster, is once again watching over Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, symbolizing resilience amid destruction after a devastating April 2019 fire.
Dominican Father on Israel-Gaza peace possibilities: ‘too many wounds on both sides’ November 9, 2023By Caroline de Sury OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News For Father Pérennès, the human tragedy both in Israel and in Gaza is one thing that is difficult to cope with. The other is the loss of many projects that were running in the region — particularly in Gaza, preserving the Christian legacy — which causes the priest’s “immense grief.”
Like Thérèse, ‘be radical in love’ in the face of violence, says bishop of Lisieux October 31, 2023By Caroline de Sury OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, World News In these times of violence and hatred around the world, following St. Thérèse’s of Lisieux confidence is crucial to the world regaining balance, said the bishop of Lisieux as the month of October, the busiest one in the French northern Normandy town of the saint known as the “Little Flower,” comes to a close.
Reconstruction of Notre Dame is ‘sign of hope for everyone,’ cathedral rector says October 9, 2023By Caroline de Sury OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Feature, News, World News By the end of the year, Notre Dame Cathedral’s silhouette will be restored: Its entire 315-foot-high spire will once again crown the transept crossing, hidden beneath a 330-foot-high scaffolding.
France’s reactions to pope’s upcoming visit are mixed; some see ‘Fratelli Tutti’ momentum September 23, 2023By Caroline de Sury OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News In a rather unusual moment for secular France, the president of the country confirmed he will attend Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Marseille Sept. 23.