Church must band together to fight evil of human trafficking, pope says May 25, 2024By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Social Justice, Vatican, World News Catholics fighting against human trafficking must work together in order to be truly effective against this “odious” crime, Pope Francis told an international network of religious working against human trafficking.
Military pilgrimage to Lourdes is ‘experience of fraternity,’ military bishop says May 25, 2024By Caroline de Sury OSV News Filed Under: News, World News Nearly 15,000 military personnel from some 40 countries will gather at the French Marian sanctuary in Lourdes May 24-26 for the International Military Pilgrimage. After the Bastille Day celebration July 14, France’s biggest national holiday, the Lourdes military pilgrimage is the most important gathering of its kind for the army.
Louisana Legislature approves bill to reclassify abortion-related drugs as controlled dangerous substances May 24, 2024By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News Louisiana lawmakers approved legislation May 23 that would classify drugs used for both early abortion and miscarriage as controlled dangerous substances, and would criminalize improperly possessing the pills, such as lacking a valid prescription or their use outside the context of a professional medical practice.
Polish church warns of widening conflict over ‘hostile reforms’ May 24, 2024By Jonathan Luxmoore OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News Poland’s bishops have warned of growing conflict with anti-clerical politicians if they press ahead with plans to remove public crosses and curb religious education in the traditionally Catholic country, as church leaders across Europe also cautioned against the “marginalization” of Christianity.
Carlo Acutis’ canonization news leaves U.S. devotees ‘over the moon’ with joy May 24, 2024By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, World News On May 23, Pope Francis formally recognized a second miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Carlo Acutis, clearing the way for him to be formally recognized as a saint of the Catholic Church.
‘All gifts from God’: Crowds, connection, conversion mark national pilgrimage’s first week May 24, 2024By Maria Wiering OSV News Filed Under: Eucharist, Feature, News, World News In their first week, pilgrims on the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage have faced blisters, a busted toe and thunderstorms, but those “hiccups” along the routes are “all gifts from God,” said Jack Krebs, a perpetual pilgrim on the pilgrimage’s St. Junipero Serra Route.
Vatican rules Carmelite nun can stay in order, overturning Texas bishop’s dismissal May 24, 2024By Maria Wiering OSV News Filed Under: News, World News An embattled nun in Texas at the center of a yearlong controversy can remain in the Carmelite order, according to a Vatican decree publicized May 21. The decree nullifies a decision issued last year by Bishop Michael F. Olson of Fort Worth to dismiss the nun from the Carmelites.
U.S. bishops sue EEOC over regulation adding abortion to pregnant worker protections May 24, 2024By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Feature, Health Care, News, Respect Life, World News The U.S. Catholic bishops’ conference, alongside other Catholic groups, filed suit May 22 against a federal agency for including abortion in regulations implementing a law meant to add workplace protections for pregnant workers.
Students bid fond farewell to Hagerstown school May 24, 2024By Katie V. Jones Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools, Western Vicariate The Archdiocese of Baltimore announced in September that St. Maria Goretti High School in Hagerstown would be closing. An independent committee organized by school supporters investigated keeping the school open as an independent Catholic school, but it concluded in November that it was not feasible, and the decision was made to close.
Pope signs decrees advancing several sainthood causes May 23, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Saints, Vatican, World News In addition to clearing the way for the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, Pope Francis signed decrees in seven other sainthood causes, including that of Blessed Giuseppe Allamano, founder of the Consolata Missionaries, who also is now ready to be declared a saint.
Catholic Charities Executive Director Bill McCarthy will retire in 2025 May 23, 2024By Christopher Gunty Filed Under: Catholic Charities, Feature, Giving, Local News, News Catholic Charities of Maryland Executive Director, William J. “Bill” McCarthy Jr. announced May 23 he will retire in July 2025. By that time, he will have led the State of Maryland’s largest private provider of human services for 16 years.
Former Annapolis and Baltimore pastor Father Thomas Siconolfi dies at 80 May 23, 2024By Kurt Jensen Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries Redemptorist Father Thomas Joseph Siconolfi, who died May 12 at age 80, was a former pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Annapolis, one of the largest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, where he served from 1993 to 1999.