world news
Polish church warns of widening conflict over ‘hostile reforms’
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
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
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
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
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.
Pope signs decrees advancing several sainthood causes
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.
Pope recognizes miracle needed for church’s first ‘millennial’ saint
Pope Francis formally recognized a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian teenager whose birth in 1991 will make him the first “millennial” to become a saint.
Texas school’s unexpected candlelit Mass is stark contrast to Gulf Coast’s deadly storms
Just minutes before St. Cecilia Catholic School’s eighth-grade graduation Mass and ceremony began, the power to the west Houston parochial school cut out, plunging the large sanctuary into disturbing darkness.
U.S. bishops to decide whether to affirm opening the cause for Marian visionary Adele Brise
The U.S. bishops will soon hold a consultation on a petition to open the cause for canonization of Adele Brise, to whom the Blessed Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared in northeast Wisconsin in 1859.
‘Even in bad times, God is good,’ says pastor after devastating Iowa tornado
An Iowa parish is working overtime to help its storm-battered community, providing food and aid to both body and soul, while assuring residents of God’s presence even amid life’s darkest moments.