world news
Pope, in document on climate crisis, criticizes science ‘deniers’
After warning the world against ignoring the cries of the earth and the poor with his 2015 encyclical, “Laudato Si’, On Care for Our Common Home,” Pope Francis intensified his critique with “Laudate Deum” (“Praise God”), warning against the selfish obsession with human power and the “irresponsible derision” of the reality of climate change.
House ousts McCarthy as speaker, setting stage for contentious debate over successor
Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker of the House of Representatives Oct. 3, after eight House Republicans joined with Democrats to remove him from the role in a historic vote, setting the stage for a contentious process to elect a new speaker.
Pope addresses fears around synod: ‘Not a political gathering’
Members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops are not gathered in Rome to implement a “plan of reformation” but to walk together as a church that discerns God’s will for the present moment, Pope Francis said at the assembly’s opening Mass.
Pope gives Curia assignments to new cardinals
Four days after creating new cardinals, Pope Francis gave an extra job or two to the 18 prelates who are under the retirement age of 80.
U.S. delegates say prayer is key to preparation for synod
Bishop Rhoades is one of 14 U.S. bishops participating in the synod’s Oct. 4-29 general assembly meeting. Ten other voting nonbishop delegates appointed by Pope Francis also are attending from the United States and Canada.
Cardinal Burke says his concerns about synod are sign of faith
U.S. Cardinal Raymond L. Burke said when he and four other cardinals formally asked Pope Francis to respond to questions related to the synod on synodality, they were seeking reassurances about the “perennial truths” taught by the church and not attacking the person of Pope Francis.
Nicaraguan priests kidnapped from parishes amid continued crackdown on church
A pair of priests have been reported abducted from their parishes in Nicaragua as the country’s increasingly totalitarian regime continues cracking down on the Catholic Church and silencing all dissenting voices.
Lawmakers seek FACE Act repeal, say law weaponizes federal power against pro-lifers
Legislation recently introduced by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and 25 of his fellow House Republicans and a companion bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, in the Senate, seeks the repeal of the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances, or FACE, Act, calling it an unconstitutional weaponized use of federal power.
‘Hard work’ of standup comedy a labor of love, faith for Jen Fulwiler
The “hard work” of making others laugh is a labor of love and faith for standup comic Jen Fulwiler, a former atheist and Catholic convert delivering a “fresh take on modern life as a woman” to audiences throughout the nation with her 2023 “Maternal Instinct” comedy tour.
U.S. bishop commends refugee allocations, urges bipartisan support for resettlement
Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, commended the Biden administration’s refugee admissions allocations for fiscal year 2024 as “an ambitious and meaningful goal as we reflect not only on the global need but also the challenges facing American communities, including labor shortages, a lack of affordable housing, and high inflation.”