White House creates Easter furor with annual transgender message, contest rules April 2, 2024By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News A proclamation from the nation’s second Catholic president on a transgender-themed occasion is causing consternation among some faithful, as the date coincides this year with Easter — and as the annual White House Easter egg art contest bans, among other things, religious symbolism.
Shrine’s Divine Mercy Sunday weekend to focus on Eucharist, ‘spiritual fatherhood’ April 2, 2024By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Divine Worship, Feature, News, World News, Worship & Sacraments Some 15,000 pilgrims are expected at the annual Divine Mercy Sunday Weekend, which takes place April 6-7 at the National Shrine for the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
Report: U.S. Catholics say environmental justice important, but most unaware of ‘Laudato Si” April 1, 2024By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Environment, Feature, News, World News A new study shows most Catholics in the U.S. believe environmental justice is an important issue — but only a third of them have heard of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the topic, with Mass attendance key to familiarity with church teaching on the care for creation.
US ambassador to three popes says the church needs lay assistance at every level March 29, 2024By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Books, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Mary Ann Glendon — who served under St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis — recounts her Vatican experiences in her new book, “In the Court of Three Popes,” providing particular insight into how laypeople can more fully embrace their vocation and life in the Catholic Church.
Gallup: Just 3 in 10 U.S. adults regularly attend religious services March 28, 2024By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News, Worship & Sacraments The pews may be a bit more crowded at Mass this Easter — but on balance, regular church attendance in the U.S. continues to decline across the board, particularly among Catholics.
Russian occupation forces close more Catholic churches in Ukraine March 27, 2024By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, War in Ukraine, World News Russian occupation forces in Ukraine continue to crack down on Catholics, with one militant group sealing off Ukrainian Greek Catholic churches in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
Ahead of Good Friday, Chicago parish unveils statue of Christ mourning gun victims March 27, 2024By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, World News Ahead of Good Friday, a Chicago parish unveiled a statue of Jesus Christ commemorating that city’s victims of gun violence.
U.S. Catholic, other Christian leaders condemn Russian strikes on Ukraine energy grid March 26, 2024By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, War in Ukraine, World News Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and other Christian leaders in the U.S. have denounced Russia’s massive recent attack on Ukraine’s energy system.
After son’s abuse, Louisiana deacon and family join Anglican church, incurring excommunication March 25, 2024By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, Feature, News, World News A permanent deacon in the Diocese of Lafayette, La., whose then-teenage son was molested by the priest he once served alongside, is now excommunicated after leaving his ministry, because he formally left the Catholic Church, according to the recent decree written by his bishop.
Paulists revamp ministries, showing need to ‘triple the ask’ for religious vocations March 24, 2024By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vocations, World News The Paulist Fathers, a missionary society of Catholic priests, announced March 13 that it would wind down its presence at two universities and three parishes in the U.S., while folding three other initiatives.
England’s halt of routine puberty blockers ‘important news,’ say two U.S. experts March 22, 2024By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Health Care, News, World News England’s decision to halt routine prescriptions of puberty blockers following a review is “absolutely very important news” — and shows that research is a “game-changer” in the debate over gender transitioning for children, two U.S.-based experts told OSV News.
Led by love and the Spirit, U.S. priests ready for Rome synod meeting March 22, 2024By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, World News The group — selected by the USCCB as part of a 300-member worldwide delegation — will also speak with Pope Francis during the April 28-May 2 meeting.
