Report says Germany’s Catholic Church continues to shrink; over 400,000 left in 2023 July 2, 2024By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: News, World News The Catholic Church in Germany continues to shrink, a new study has found. More than 400,000 people in the European country left the church in 2023, according to statistics presented by the German bishops’ conference in Bonn on June 27.
Pope: Anointing of the sick offers strength to those seriously ill, elderly July 2, 2024By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News, Worship & Sacraments The sacrament of the anointing of the sick is not just for those who are nearing the end of their life, Pope Francis said.
National pilgrimage stops in Chicago reveal life-changing encounters with the Eucharist July 2, 2024By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Eucharist, News, World News A permanent pilgrim on the northern National Eucharistic Procession route heading toward Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress in July said at a stop in the Chicago area that before people can encounter the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist they first have to know who Jesus is.
Father Foley, pastor to retired priests, set to retire himself July 2, 2024By Christopher Gunty Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Retirement, Vocations For the last 12 years, Father William “Bill” Foley has served the 80 or so retired priests in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, which also included helping those priests who are about to retire adjust to the changes they can expect. Now, that group includes Father Foley himself as he will retire effective July 1 as the Director of Senior and Retired Priests.
‘Unflappable’ pastor who shepherded major parish projects ready to retire July 2, 2024By Gary Lambrecht Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Retirement, Vocations, Western Vicariate If you listen to people who work at Church of the Resurrection in Ellicott City and interact with Monsignor John A. Dietzenbach, its pastor since 2009, you hear of a dedicated Catholic who is the picture of work ethic, selflessness, humility, positivity and deep love for his parish and the Holy Trinity.
Texas Supreme Court upholds ban on some transgender interventions for minors July 2, 2024By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Health Care, News, Supreme Court, World News The Texas Supreme Court upheld a state law on June 28 banning certain types of medical or surgical gender reassignment procedures for minors who identify as transgender, allowing it to remain in effect.
Approaching retirement, Monsignor Barker reflects on shepherding one of the largest parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore July 2, 2024By Gerry Jackson Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Retirement, Vocations “A real pleasure,” says Monsignor Baker about his 43-year priesthood that has taken him from an associate pastor to the archdiocese’s director of vocations and for the last 23 years as pastor of bustling St. Ignatius in Hickory.
Founding pastor of Frederick parish to retire July 1, 2024By Emily Rosenthal Alster Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Retirement, Vocations, Western Vicariate The legacy of Father Keith Boisvert is tangible, especially on the site of an old farm in Frederick County. After 45 years in the priesthood, Father Boisvert, the founding pastor of St. Katharine Drexel in Frederick, will retire in July 2024.
Brother to teacher to pastor: Father Franken’s long and varied vocation July 1, 2024By Erik Zygmont Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Retirement, Vocations Father Franken, 75, who will retire as pastor of St. Joan of Arc in Aberdeen effective July 1, enjoyed his work with young people, but the call to the diocesan priesthood was strong.
Supreme Court rules presidents have immunity in core constitutional acts, not unofficial acts July 1, 2024By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: 2024 Election, Feature, News, Supreme Court, World News Presidents have immunity from criminal prosecution as it relates to core constitutional acts of their office, presumptive immunity for official acts, but none for unofficial acts, a divided Supreme Court ruled July 1.
Vatican sees slight increase in donations to pope’s charity fund July 1, 2024By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Giving, News, Vatican, World News Donations to the annual Peter’s Pence collection, which supports the work of the Roman Curia and funds the charitable activity of the pope, went up in 2023, with increased donations from dioceses, foundations, private donors and religious orders, the Vatican said.
Pope praises release of two Ukrainian priests from Russian captivity July 1, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News Pope Francis prayed in thanksgiving for the release of two Ukrainian Catholic priests who were held in Russian captivity for more than 19 months, calling on Christians to pray for the release of all prisoners of war.
