the North American Synod Team, led by bishops from Canada and the United States, wrapped up a weeklong retreat in Orlando, Fla., to synthesize the results of synod listening sessions throughout the two countries.
News
Pope marks anniversary of Russia’s ‘absurd, cruel’ war on Ukraine
A year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Pope Francis asked, “Can the Lord forgive so many crimes and so much violence? He is the God of peace.”
The Spirit helps the church avoid ‘ideological divisions,’ pope says
“It is very sad to see the church as if it were a parliament,” which is what happens when Catholics rely more on their personal opinions than on the Holy Spirit, Pope Francis said.
USCCB President praises Nicaraguans’ ‘courageous hope’ amid their country’s ‘dark hour’
Amid the “dark hour” besetting Nicaragua — with the imprisonment of a bishop, the expulsion of over 200 political prisoners and ongoing human rights violations — Nicaraguans’ “courageous hope, charity and solidarity are bearing witness” to their enduring faith, said the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Pope clarifies rules limiting celebration of pre-Vatican II Mass
Diocesan bishops must have Vatican authorization to allow the celebration of the pre-Vatican II Mass in a parish church, to establish a new “personal parish” for devotees of the old Mass or to allow its celebration by a priest ordained after July 2021 when Pope Francis issued rules restricting the celebration, he said.
Pro-life activist acquitted in federal court finds spiritual meaning in arrest, trial
Mark Houck, a pro-life activist and leader of The King’s Men, a nationwide Catholic men’s ministry, stood before 1,200 Catholic men Feb. 18 at a conference at East Central High School in St. Leon in southeastern Indiana.
Vatican U.N. ambassador, Ukrainian Catholic archbishop discuss Catholic teaching on peace in wartime
The church is called to pray, preach the Gospel and be attentive to God’s word in all circumstances, but even more so in the time of war, explained both the Vatican’s ambassador to the United Nations and the U.S. archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
New earthquake hits Turkey and Syria, killing 6; death toll from earlier quake rises to 47,000
A new earthquake struck the border area between Turkey and Syria the night of Feb. 20, sparking fear and anxiety for people already bereft and for those helping them since the Feb. 6 temblor. Six people were reported killed in the new quake.
Religious sisters, brothers and priests celebrate nearly 2,700 years of ministry
More than 40 women and men religious serving in the Archdiocese of Baltimore are celebrating milestone jubilees in 2023. Together, they have contributed nearly 2,500 years of ministry to the Catholic Church.
One year of war: Head of Ukrainian Catholic Church shares hopes, sorrows
With the first anniversary of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine just days away, the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church spoke about gratitude and powerlessness in the face of a “blind, absurd, sacrilegious war.”
U.S. bishops’ collection for Eastern Europe’s Catholics increasingly crucial as war rages in Ukraine
On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, faithful across the country are being asked to donate to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe.
Citing finances, N.Y. Archdiocese to close 12 schools at end of academic year
The Archdiocese of New York has announced that 12 of its Catholic schools will close at the end of the 2022-23 academic year and four others will be merged into two schools due to the schools’ financial outlook.