Christians in Syria ask whether their rights will be preserved under new Islamic rule January 3, 2025By Dale Gavlak OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Religious Freedom, World News Although Christian leaders in Syria are trying to stay positive about the new Islamist interim government in Damascus, others are pointing to worrying concerns about what lies ahead for the country’s diverse population.
New Year, Sorta New Goal January 3, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window Now 2025 begins. I’m always a little sad to close the book on the past year, but I love the idea of a new beginning. What will this new year bring? What will we bring to this new year?
Controversy stirs over bar’s location in former sanctuary of closed Frederick chapel January 3, 2025By Katie V. Jones Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Uncategorized, Western Vicariate The Wye Oak Tavern at Visitation Frederick, the new hotel in Frederick, has made quite a stir since its opening on Dec. 19 and not because it is run by Frederick’s famous chefs, brothers Bryan and Michael Voltaggio.
Pope preaches ‘very strong bond’ between adoration and service January 3, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Jubilee 2025, News, Vatican, World News During the Holy Year 2025, Christians should deepen their spiritual lives through adoration and then transform their prayer into concrete acts of service, Pope Francis said.
Destination of Holy Year pilgrimage is encounter with Jesus, pope says January 3, 2025By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Jubilee 2025, News, Vatican, World News When Catholics come to Rome for the Holy Year, their journey should have the specific goal of encountering and listening to Jesus, Pope Francis said.
Ascension to sell 9 Illinois hospitals to for-profit health system January 3, 2025By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Uncategorized The largest Catholic health system in Illinois cleared a significant step in the process of trying to sell more than half of its hospitals in the state to a for-profit health system.
Religious freedom ‘getting worse’ in Russia, Belarus and central Asia, says expert January 3, 2025By Gina Christian Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, War in Ukraine, World News OSV News recently spoke with researcher Felix Corley of Forum 18 — a news service that partners with the Norwegian Helsinki Committee in defending freedom of religion, thought and conscience — on religious freedom in Russia, Belarus, occupied Ukraine and other nations in the region.
Breathing life back into the world January 3, 2025By Scott P. Richert OSV News Filed Under: Commentary This destruction wrought by the modern world has theological implications, because Christ, St. John the Evangelist tells us, is the ultimate Word, the fullness of Truth, who gives every other word its meaning and its life.
Catholic priest in Belarus convicted of treason, sentenced to 11 years in penal colony January 2, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News 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.
Surviving 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami ‘profoundly transformative,’ deacon says January 2, 2025By Ruby Thomas OSV News Filed Under: News, World News Looking back, Deacon Berghausen said he realizes God was present even in that time of great suffering. He reflects often, he said, on the date of the tsunami — the feast of St. Stephen, who was the first martyr and one of the first deacons of the early church.
Catholic high schools mourn alums among New Orleans victims January 2, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, World News Several Catholic high schools are mourning former students among the victims of a Jan. 1 terrorist attack in New Orleans.
In the Jubilee Year, feed the hungry, says Catholic charity January 2, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Jubilee 2025, News, Social Justice, World News 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.
