world news
Court allows Idaho to temporarily ban some hormones, surgeries for transgender minors
The Supreme Court temporarily allowed Idaho April 15 to enforce a ban on certain types of medical or surgical gender reassignment procedures for minors who identify as transgender.
Experts: U.S. officials must aim to prevent ‘tit-for-tat’ escalation between Israel, Iran
As the White House responds to Iran’s attack against Israel, Catholic experts said U.S. officials should seek to prevent further escalation in the region.
Religious, civic leaders urge calm after second Sydney stabbing declared ‘terrorist attack’
Australian religious and political leaders have called for calm and unity after the attempted murder of an Assyrian Orthodox clergyman at his church’s altar in Sydney’s western suburbs, just days after a separate knife attack claimed six lives in Sydney’s Bondi Junction mall.
Encouragement, eucharistic adoration key to fostering priest vocations, report shows
The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University released the 2024 “Survey of Ordinands to the Priesthood,” a report made directly to the Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Bishop Seitz: U.S. thriving depends on a more Christian and loving treatment of migrants
As part of the immigration conference “Responding to Changing Realities at the U.S. Border and Beyond,” held April 11 at The Catholic University of America in Washington, Peter K. Kilpatrick, the university’s president, interviewed Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas.
New York bill expands hate crime criteria to help protect houses of worship
Legislation in New York state would expand the state’s criteria for a hate crime to include trespassing on houses of worship.
N.J. pastor says parish ‘heartbroken’ over arson fire at their church, prays for perpetrator
After an early morning fire April 4 reportedly set by a resident damaged the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Verona, the church could reopen its doors for Mass the weekend of April 20-21, said Father Peter G. Wehrle, pastor.
Catholic approach to migration seen as a chance to be ‘prophetic’
Continuing to minister to migrants at the border and beyond while advocating for policies that uphold people’s dignity is a way the U.S. Catholic Church follows God’s call, said experts during an April 11 migration conference at The Catholic University of America in Washington.
Pressure for abortion liberalization sparks Catholic protests in Europe
Tens of thousands of Poles have joined church-backed street protests after legislators pressed ahead with plans to liberalize abortion in the traditionally Catholic country.
Notre Dame’s reopening is ‘occasion of spiritual awakening for France,’ cathedral’s rector says
With the scaffolding removed from the newly installed spire of Notre Dame Cathedral and reconstruction work going full speed inside France’s most iconic church, the home of precious relics and a tourist site visited by millions of people yearly will be ready to reopen Dec. 8.