Father Henrykh Akalatovich, pastor of the Catholic parish in Valožyn, was sentenced to 11 years in a penal colony in Belarus Dec. 30 in a move that highlights the growing persecution of Catholics in the Russia-aligned country.
In the Jubilee Year, feed the hungry, says Catholic charity
As the Jubilee Year picks up speed, the faithful must participate by sharing what we have with the disadvantaged, Catholic charity Mary’s Meals urged.
New Orleans archbishop, others offer prayer and support for victims of ‘evil’ deadly New Year attack; FBI investigating as terrorism
Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of New Orleans offered prayers for victims of what he described as a “sign of utter disrespect for human life” perpetrated by a man who drove a pickup truck through crowds celebrating the New Year in New Orleans’ French Quarter around 3 a.m. Jan. 1.
Pope Francis prays for families of those who perished in South Korean plane crash
A passenger plane arriving from Bangkok exploded after skidding off the runway at a South Korean airport of Muan Dec. 29, crashing into a concrete fence, claiming the lives of most of the 181 people on board.
Gunmen shoot Catholic priest dead in Nigeria on Boxing Day
In a dark sign of descending security in Africa’s most populous country, a Catholic priest has been shot dead on the open road in southeast Nigeria on Boxing Day.
OSV’s 2024 Catholics of the Year
Looking back at the year, editors at OSV, in their longstanding tradition of shining a light on exemplary signs of faith, have named the following 10 individuals Catholics of the Year for 2024.
Cardinal Pizzaballa tells Gaza Christians they are ‘the light’ of church
“You have become the light of our Church in the entire world,” Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa told Gaza Christians Dec. 22 during a pre-Christmas visit aiming to bring the joy of the season to the suffering Christian community in the Gaza Strip.
Pope, bishops, hundreds of faithful pray for victims of shocking Christmas market attack
Several hundred people gathered at Magdeburg Cathedral in the evening of Dec. 21 for an ecumenical prayer service to remember the victims of the Dec. 20 Christmas market attack in the central German city, which killed five, including a 9-year-old child, and injured over 40 people, leaving some in critical condition.
Archbishop Gänswein reflects on his new diplomatic role
Archbishop Georg Gänswein, appointed in June as apostolic nuncio to the Baltic states, has shared his insights on his new diplomatic and pastoral responsibilities.
Ten Commandments tablet, attributed to ancient Samaritans, goes up for auction
An inscribed tablet of the Ten Commandments — claimed to be the world’s oldest known extant example — will go on auction Dec. 18 with expectations of garnering as much as $2 million.
King Charles III attends Advent service of London branch of pontifical charity
King Charles III attended a special Advent service Dec. 17 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Mayfair, London. The event, co-hosted by Pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need, celebrated the resilience of Christian communities and marked the 10th anniversary of the Islamic State group invasion of Mosul and the Nineveh Plains in northern Iraq.
A beginner’s guide to prayer for Catholics
God loves us more than we can imagine. He wants us to get to know and love him as a Father. Like any loving parent, he wants to spend time talking with his children. The following are answers to commonly asked questions about prayer.