The head of the Tuscan Bishops’ Conference said the passage of a new law in Italy allowing medically assisted suicide was “not an achievement, but a defeat for everyone.”
‘Martyr of the Amazon’: Recalling Sister Dorothy Stang’s ministry 20 years after her murder
In the lead up to the 20th anniversary of the death of Sister Stang, who is considered by many as a “Martyr of the Amazon,” a relic containing blood-soaked soil from the site of her murder was enshrined at the Basilica of St. Bartholomew on Tiber Island in Rome on Jan. 10.
Pope Francis, Sweden’s cardinal mourn victims of deadly mass shooting
Pope Francis said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragic shooting in a Swedish school, sending “assurance of his spiritual closeness to all affected by this traumatic incident,” in which 10 students of an adult education center lost their lives.
All Sodalitium-linked movements are ended, Vatican envoy confirms in Peru
An official of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith said Pope Francis’ decision to suppress Sodalitium Christianae Vitae was based on the fact that there was no authentic charism, or spiritual gifts, in the controversial lay movement founded by Luis Fernando Figari in 1971.
Sodalitium confirms its suppression after news of it leaks with no Vatican confirmation
The controversial lay movement Sodalitium Christianae Vitae was forced to confirm news that it was suppressed by Pope Francis after two of its members leaked the news to a Catholic news outlet.
Holy Land church leaders welcome ceasefire with relief, urge delivering critical aid
As news spread of a long-awaited ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, reactions from religious leaders in the region expressed hopes for peace in the Holy Land, concern for the safety of hostages as well as the people of the Gaza Strip for the past 15 months.
Christian persecution on the rise worldwide, new report says
A new report by Open Doors International said that more than 380 million Christians faced persecution and discrimination in 2024, an increase of 15 million from the year before.
As last major hospital lies in ruins, people of Gaza dying ‘slow death,’ Caritas rep says
With northern Gaza Strip’s last major hospital lying in ruins following a raid by Israeli forces, the director of Caritas Jerusalem said that with limited medical resources and basic supplies, Palestinians in the ravaged territory are running out of time.
For Catholics in Nicaragua, the year has been ‘tragic on every level’
For Latin American Catholics, December is an important month, not just in anticipation of the Christmas celebrations, but also for important Marian feast days, such as Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Immaculate Conception, that remain linked to their cultural history.
Gaza: For humanitarian workers, civilians, 2024 proves to be year of suffering, loss
With a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon barely holding, as both sides accuse each other of violations, hopes for even a fragile peace seem impossible for those living and aiding people in Gaza.
Nun accused of allegedly aiding mafia placed under house arrest
A Sister of Charity in northern Italy was placed under house arrest after a nearly four-month investigation by prosecutors revealed she allegedly used her prison ministry to connect local mafia bosses with inmates.
Cardinal: Church must embark on ‘very serious process’ before considering Sodalitium’s dissolution
The recent expulsions of members from Sodalitium Christianae Vitae are part of a long and serious process that is needed before the church can consider going the route of completely dissolving the controversial lay movement, said Peruvian Cardinal Pedro Barreto Jimeno.