Pope condemns terrorism, expresses concern for civilians October 11, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis condemned Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel and pleaded with the militants to free their hostages unharmed, but he also expressed concern about Israel’s tightening siege on Gaza and its impact on innocent civilians.
Love, forgiveness liberate, break cycles of violence, pope says October 11, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, Vatican, World News The life of St. Josephine Bakhita, a former slave from Sudan who became a nun, demonstrates how love liberates people from oppression and frees them to forgive their oppressors and break cycles of hatred and violence, Pope Francis said.
Pilgrims pray as Israeli families mourn loved ones and Gaza undergoes retaliation attack October 10, 2023By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Pilgrims who were in Israel following a surprise terrorist attack by Hamas terrorists against civilian communities in southern Israel Oct. 7 lit candles and said prayers of peace at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as fighting continued in southern Israel.
Synod focus on welcoming is what Jesus would do, synod member says October 10, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News Finding better ways to live “like Jesus did” — reaching out, welcoming, healing and including others — was the focus of Sister Liliana Franco Echeverri’s small group discussions Oct. 9-10 at the assembly of the Synod of Bishops, she said.
Amid fears of decriminalization of abortion in Brazil, pro-life cause ‘stronger than ever’ October 10, 2023By Eduardo Campos Lima OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News Pro-life activists demonstrated in dozens of Brazilian cities Oct. 8 to celebrate the country’s Day of the Unborn Child and protest against the decriminalization of abortion, a possibility that was being analyzed by the Supreme Court in September.
War defeats human dignity, avoids finding solution, Vatican cardinal says October 10, 2023By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Terrorism, violence, barbarism and extremism undermine the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.
Hamas attack a catastrophe of ‘biblical dimensions,’ says Israeli ambassador October 9, 2023By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News The shock of the surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israel, in which hundreds were killed, wounded or kidnapped, has left a traumatic mark on Israeli citizens, said the country’s ambassador to the Vatican.
Synodal spirituality is at ‘heart of church’s renewal,’ cardinal says October 9, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Synodality, World News The Divine Liturgy, presided over by Melkite Catholic Patriarch Joseph Absi, was celebrated in the Byzantine rite at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica, as synod participants were about to begin the assembly’s second module, focusing on the theme of communion and the question, “How can we be more fully a sign and instrument of union with God and of the unity of all humanity?”
Earthquake kills 2000 in Afghanistan – a Taliban-run country with virtually no presence of church aid agencies October 9, 2023By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News he death toll in one of the deadliest earthquakes to strike Afghanistan in two decades has risen to 2,000, Taliban officials confirmed on Oct. 8.
Mary shows Christians they are all brothers, sisters, pope says October 9, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Mary is not only an “advocate,” helping Christians in need, she also is a “facilitator,” who helps them recognize that as her children, they are all brothers and sisters, Pope Francis said.
Synod call to communion can help a fractured world, theologian says October 9, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News The Catholic Church is called to be an instrument of communion with God and unity among all people, but it requires grace and “learning to ‘bear with’ reality, gently, generously, lovingly and courageously for the peace and salvation of the whole world,” a theologian told the assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
Pope names first woman secretary of dicastery for religious October 9, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Consolata Missionary Sister Simona Brambilla will be secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Vatican announced Oct. 7.
