Catholic News
- Pope, at weekday Mass, prays for those serving unjust sentences (Zenit)
At a Mass celebrated in the chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae on April 7 (video), Pope Francis preached on the firs reading of the day. The Pope invited those watching the Mass to pray the act of spiritual communion by Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val (1865-1930). The Mass concluded with adoration and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament and the chanting of the Ave Regina Caelorum. - Pope Francis, in new interview, says pandemic can be a 'place of conversion' (The Tablet)
In an interview with Austen Ivereigh, author of a 2019 papal biography, Pope Francis called for attentive concern for the poor, adding that “we have to slow down our rate of production and consumption and to learn to understand and contemplate the natural world.” Decrying a throwaway culture, the Pope praised Humanae Vitae and lamented the abortion of unborn children with Down syndrome. - 'In loneliness the coronavirus kills more': Vatican publishes message for the elderly (Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life)
“Saving the lives of the elderly who live within residential homes or who are alone or sick, is a priority as much as saving any other person,” the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life said in its message, published April 7. - Pontifical Academy for Life publishes 'Pandemic and Universal Brotherhood' (Pontifical Academy for Life)
The text’s sections are entitled “Solidarity in vulnerability and in limitations,” “From de facto interconnection to chosen solidarity,” “Science, medicine and politics: the social link is put to the test,” “The obligation to protect the weak: Gospel faith put to the test,” and “Intercessory prayer.” - 'Christ is risen': leading EU cardinal offers Easter message (COMECE)
The president of the Conference of European Churches (a fellowship of over 100 Orthodox and Protestant communities) joined Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, SJ, president of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU, in signing the statement. - Italian priest kidnapped in Niger shown in jihadist video: report (AFP)
Father Pierluigi Maccalli, SMA, was abducted in 2018. “The news [that the priest is alive] fills us with joy and hope,” said the superior general of the Society of African Missions. “However, we must all remain very cautious.” - Chaldean patriarch offers Holy Week directives in light of CO19 (Chaldean Patriarchate of Babylon)
Born in 1948, Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako has led the Chaldean Catholic Church since 2013. The church is among the Eastern Catholic churches in full communion with the Holy See. - 'We have missed so many opportunities': Zimbabwe's bishops reflect on 40 years of independence (Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference)
The southern African nation of 14.3 million (map, Encyclopaedia Britannica article) is 72% Protestant and 11% Catholic, with 15% adhering to ethnic religions. - Brazilian bishop resigns at 54 (Gazeta de Araçuai (Portuguese))
Citing physical and psychological health problems, Bishop Marcello Romano, 54, resigned as bishop of Araçuaí after eight years in office. The National Conference of Brazilian Bishops praised his work (Portuguese text), and the prelate said he looked forward as bishop emeritus to assisting the needy, hearing confessions, and visiting churches, families, and the sick. - Cardinal Pell freed from prison after High Court of Australia unanimously overturns sex abuse conviction (CNN)
“I have consistently maintained my innocence while suffering from a serious injustice,” Cardinal Pell, 78, said in a statement following the decision. “I hold no ill will toward my accuser, I do not want my acquittal to add to the hurt and bitterness so many feel; there is certainly hurt and bitterness enough.” - 'Welcomed by many, devastating for others': Australian bishops react to Pell decision (Australian Catholic Bishops Conference)
“Today’s outcome will be welcomed by many, including those who have believed in the Cardinal’s innocence throughout this lengthy process,” Archbishop Mark Coleridge, president of the bishops’ conference, said following the Australian High Court decision that overturned Cardinal George Pell’s sex abuse conviction. “We also recognize that the High Court’s decision will be devastating for others.” Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney struck a different tone: “I welcome today’s exoneration of Cardinal George Pell in a unanimous decision of the High Court of Australia. The Cardinal has always maintained his innocence and today’s decision confirms his conviction was wrong.” - Lessons to be Learned from Cardinal Pell's Case (News Analysis) (CWN)
Sometime early this morning, Australia time, Cardinal George Pell should have been praying the Liturgy of the Hours. The first psalm in today’s Morning Prayer (43) begins: “Vindicate me, Lord; judge my case against an unholy nation.” - Pope establishes emergency CO19 fund, donates $750,000 (Vatican News)
“This fund has the aim of supporting the presence of the Church in mission territories, which also suffers the consequences of coronavirus,” said Archbishop Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, president of the Pontifical Mission Societies. “Through the Church’s activity of preaching the Gospel and of practical aid through our vast network, we can show that no one is alone in this crisis.” - 'Mercy does not stop,' Vatican cardinal emphasizes in letter to confessors (Apostolic Penitentiary (Italian))
Vatican News published an English-language summary of the letter by Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, the Vatican’s Major Penitentiary. - At weekday Mass, Pope prays for prisoners, preaches on the new 'hidden poor' (Zenit)
At a Mass celebrated in the chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae on April 6 (video), Pope Francis preached on John 12:1-11, the Gospel reading of the day. The Mass concluded with adoration and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament and the chanting of the Ave Regina Caelorum. - Chinese authorities imprison priest, cut off bishop's water, utilities (AsiaNews)
“After the signing of the provisional agreement between the Vatican and China, the government launched a campaign to eliminate the unofficial communities by requiring each priest to sign a document with which they adhere to the ‘independent Church,’ [and] refuse relations with foreigners, prohibit religious education to young people under the age of 18,” the report notes. - In Easter message, Cardinal Tagle calls for global unity in the face of the pandemic (Caritas Internationalis)
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, president of the Catholic Biblical Federation, and president of Caritas Internationalis, the Church’s federation of relief and development agencies. - Colombia: 19 priests suspended, suspected 'network of abusers' (CNA)
Archbishop Oscar Urbina of Villavicencio, Colombia, has suspended 15 priests who were suspected of sexual abuse. A local radio station reported that those priests, and four priests from other dioceses, “apparently formed a network of abusers.” - 'Powerful nations are brought to their knees,' leading Asian prelate says (Catholic Outlook)
“This angel of death, like the Seventh Seal of the Book of Revelation, brings a shattering message,” Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar, president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, said in his Easter message. “World powers that arrogantly negate all transcendent powers, learn with humility that life is fragile and that we all need one another. More than anything, all powers can learn to acknowledge the presence of a Power that is above all.” - Spanish police disrupt rooftop Mass (Periodista Digital (Spanish))
Police in Seville, Spain, broke up an attempt by “at least nine” Catholics to celebrate Mass on the rooftop of a building in the city on Palm Sunday. - More...