Amid Russian attacks, Ukraine’s religious leaders plead for Pope Leo’s help in returning abducted children August 28, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, War in Ukraine, World News Ukraine’s religious leaders have appealed to Pope Leo XIV for his continued help in returning thousands of Ukrainian prisoners of war, hostages and deported children, as deadly Russian attacks on Kyiv and other cities in that nation continue to claim civilian lives amid stalled global peace negotiations.
Experts: Churches, schools must act on ‘unique vulnerability’ in their security August 28, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, World News A security expert told OSV News that parishes and churches can take several key steps to reduce the threat of attacks such as the deadly Aug. 27 shooting during a school Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis.
Catholic leaders demand end to ‘barbarism in plain sight’ in Gaza August 26, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Catholic leaders from multiple organizations are calling for an immediate ceasefire and an end to attacks on Gaza, amid ongoing civilian casualties, famine and threats of forced population transfers.
Journalists killed in Gaza hospital strike, following global day of prayer for peace August 25, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Journalism, News, World News Days after the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem expressed hope that “hearts can change even in the Holy Land,” at least 20 people — including five journalists — have been reported killed in Israeli strikes on Nasser Hospital, located in southern Gaza.
‘Cruel Hoax’ active shooter alert disrupts Villanova’s Opening Mass August 22, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Colleges, Gun Violence, News, World News An active shooter at Villanova University reported late afternoon Aug. 21 was a “cruel hoax,” a university official said less than two hours after the initial scare that led to a campus lockdown.
Archbishop Gudziak on visit to Ukraine calls for unity to end Russia’s ongoing ‘barbarity’ August 20, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, War in Ukraine, World News As the Trump administration seeks to end Russia’s multiyear war on Ukraine, Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians continue, said Metropolitan Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia.
Archbishop Gudziak: Trump-Putin summit fails to advance peace, justice August 17, 2025By Gina Christian Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, News, War in Ukraine, World News The Alaska summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held on Aug. 15 has ultimately failed to address the “fundamental moral and geopolitical questions” of Russia’s multiyear war on Ukraine, said Metropolitan Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia.
Canadian court OKs priest’s abuse suit against prominent priest, religious order August 14, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, Feature, News, World News A Canadian court has ruled a Canadian diocesan priest can continue his civil suit against Basilian Father Thomas Rosica and the Basilian Fathers of Toronto, with the plaintiff, Father Michael Bechard, seeking damages for alleged sexual abuse by Father Rosica.
Catholic University of America Press to publish Pope Leo’s dissertation August 14, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV’s dissertation — which he defended in 1987 for his doctoral degree in canon law — will soon be widely available through The Catholic University of America Press in Washington.
Report: Christian church attacks down, but recent totals still higher than 2018-2022 August 13, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News Attacks on Christian churches in the U.S. last year totaled 415 — down from 485 in 2023 — although they are “significantly higher” than totals recorded from 2018 to 2022, according to a new report from the Washington-based Family Research Council.
Following deadly steel plant explosion, Pittsburgh bishop calls for prayer August 12, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Uncategorized Bishop Mark A. Eckman of Pittsburgh is calling for prayer, following a deadly explosion at a US Steel facility in Pennsylvania Aug. 11 that killed at least one and injured 10, with one person still unaccounted for.
Advocate pleads for Vatican aid as Russian adoption database shows Ukraine’s children August 12, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, News, War in Ukraine, World News Ukrainian child advocate Mykola Kuleba is pleading for the Vatican’s assistance, after publicly highlighting what he said was one of several databases used by Russian occupation officials to market abducted Ukrainian children to Russian foster and adoption families.
