IDF says Gaza Holy Family Parish hit was errant mortar round that veered off course July 23, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News An Israel Defense Forces investigation concluded that the strike on the Holy Family Parish compound on July 17 was the result of an accidental mortar round that veered off course during “operational activity” by IDF troops in the area of Gaza City, the IDF said in a July 23 statement.
Holy See at the UN urges sustainable development as U.S. pulls out of UNESCO July 23, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: News, Social Justice, World News Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, delivered a statement at the general debate of the U.N. Economic and Social Council’s High-Level Political Forum July 22, the same day that the Trump administration said the U.S. would withdraw from the United Nations’ cultural agency UNESCO.
Peace by force is a ‘troubling’ idea, Iran cardinal says July 23, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News The recent 12-day war between Israel and Iran has brought about fear and anxiety in the country and tested the faith of its small Catholic community, said Belgian Cardinal Dominique Mathieu of Tehran-Isfahan.
U.S. to withdraw, again, from UNESCO over Palestine and UN development goals July 23, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News The Trump administration on July 22 said the United States would withdraw from the United Nations’ cultural agency UNESCO, a group that has partnered with the Holy See on human development and cultural heritage projects.
Judge blocks defunding of some, but not all, Planned Parenthood groups July 23, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News A federal judge on July 21 extended an order blocking enforcement of a provision in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which President Donald Trump signed into law July 4, that would have stopped Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid payments for a year.
Catholic Church mourns deaths in Bangladesh military plane crash July 23, 2025By Stephan Uttom Rozario OSV News Filed Under: News, World News In Bangladesh, grief and shock gripped the capital, Dhaka, after a military jet crashed into Milestone School and College on July 21, killing at least 31 and injuring more than 170.
Former Irish bishop’s remains removed from cathedral amid abuse allegations July 23, 2025By Sarah Mac Donald OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, News, World News The remains of former Bishop Eamonn Casey of Galway, who resigned from office in 1992 after it was revealed he had fathered a child in 1974, have been removed from their burial place in Galway Cathedral in the wake of a number of allegations of child abuse that came to light in 2024.
Christ is not absent from Gaza, but crucified in the wounded, patriarchs say after visit July 22, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Amid the destruction witnessed during their July 18–20 pastoral visit to Gaza, following the Israeli shelling of the Holy Family Parish church compound that killed three people and injured 10, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III said they found something more enduring — “the dignity of the human spirit.”
Construction underway on new north addition to St. Joseph’s Nursing Home July 22, 2025By Katie V. Jones Catholic Review Filed Under: Consecrated Life, Feature, Local News, News, Seniors The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate officially began the final phase of their 21-year-old renovation plan for St. Joseph’s Nursing Home in Catonsville June 14 when the walls of the facility’s oldest wing came tumbling down.
Prince of Peace merges with St. Francis de Sales in Harford County July 22, 2025By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News Faced with a growing financial crisis and a steady decline in parishioners, Prince of Peace Parish in Edgewood officially merged with nearby St. Francis de Sales Parish in Abingdon July 1. As a result, Prince of Peace is no longer serving as a regular worship site.
Syrian Christian leaders say Islamist government can’t protect them or Druze July 22, 2025By Dale Gavlak OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Syrian Christian leaders say they cannot trust the Islamist-led Syrian government of Ahmed al-Sharaa to provide the safety they need after a week of deadly clashes that claimed the lives of 1,000 people in the southern region of Sweida and urged international protection.
Kidnapped Nigerian priest who served in Alaska freed July 22, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Missions, News, Religious Freedom, World News A Nigerian priest kidnapped by Boko Haram in June has been released, OSV News has learned.
