Catholic News
- Pope sketches vision for Europe's future (Vatican News)
Pope Francis writes of his hope for an “inclusive and generous” Europe, in a letter marking the 50th anniversary of Vatican diplomatic relations with the European Union. In the letter the Pontiff says that Europe a “family of peoples,” respectful of human dignity, open to international cooperation, and marked by a healthy secularity in which “God and Caesar remain distinct but not opposed.” - Pope announces creation of 13 new cardinals, including Archbishop Gregory of Washington (Vatican News)
Pope Francis has announced a consistory for the creation of 13 new cardinals, including the new Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops (Bishop Mario Grech) and the new Prefect for the Congregation of the Causes of Saints (Bishop Marcello Semeraro). Four of the 13 are over 80 and thus ineligible to take part in a papal election; among the four are Capuchin Franciscan Father Raniero Cantalamessa, since 1980 the preacher of the papal household. - Federal court rules Indianapolis archdiocese may be sued for discrimination on basis of sexual orientation (Religion Clause)
“This case places in stark relief the difficult questions that may arise when applying civil rights laws to religious institutions,” the district court’s ruling begins. “At issue is a religious school’s decision to not renew the contract of a guidance counselor because of her marriage to another woman.” - Police in Gabon prevent churches from holding Mass (La Croix)
“Bishops in the Central African nation had announced Oct. 25 resumption of public worship after six months of lockdown, but security forces intervened,” the report begins. The nation of 2.2 million (map) is 57% Catholic, 29% Protestant, and 10% Muslim, with 3% adhering to ethnic religions. - Benedict XVI distances himself from embattled Catholic Integrated Community (CNA)
The retired Pontiff, when Archbishop of Munich, granted canonical recognition to the Katholische Integrierte Gemeinde (Catholic Integrated Community), which has been accused of spiritual abuse. - Pope Francis appeals for end to unrest in Nigeria (Vatican News)
The nation’s bishops criticized the government amid continued protests against police brutality. - Archbishop Gomez: Decision to name Archbishop Gregory a cardinal is 'powerful message of hope and inclusion' (USCCB)
On October 25, Pope Francis announced the creation of 13 new cardinals, including Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington. - Man arrested after allegedly vandalizing altar of Louisville parish (WAVE-TV)
“The first thing I ask of you is to pray for this poor soul who committed these acts, who is so obviously troubled,” said Father Paul Beach, who added that the suspect “appeared to be experiencing the effects of drug intoxication” as he vandalized the altar at St. Martin of Tours Church. - Popular movements meeting supported by Francis presents proposals for new economic system (Crux)
The World Meeting of Popular Movements met virtually with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development on October 24 to discuss land, housing, work and Fratelli tutti. - Benin's bishops, in election statement, decry 'insidious promotion' of homosexuality (Fides)
Benin, a West African nation of 11.3 million (map), is 28% Muslim, 26% Catholic, and 14% Protestant, with 12% adhering to the traditional regional Vodun religion. Benin’s bishops lamented “the insidious promotion and gradual introduction of homosexuality and sexual orientation as human rights in the legislation of the countries of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OEACP) in exchange for the renewal of bilateral and multilateral agreements on international aid.” - China continued religious crackdown during renewal of Vatican deal (CNA)
Chinese government officials continued to tighten restrictions on religious institutions, even while negotiating the renewal of a secret agreement with the Holy See, the Italian magazine Bitter Winter reports. The crackdown included new bans on unauthorized religious texts and the destruction of tombstones of Christian missionaries. - Texas diocese shuts down churches again (El Paso Times)
The Diocese of El Paso, Texas, has suspended public celebration of Mass once again because of a reported spike in the number of people testing positive for Covid. Bishop Mark Seitz said that the shutdown—which will include a ban on church baptisms, weddings, and funerals—shows that the diocese “will do our part to ensure the safety of nor only our Catholic faithful, but all members of our El Paso community.” - DR Congo bishops lament politicians' 'revolting indifference,' receive death threats (Fides)
The nation of 87.3 million (map) is 52% Catholic and 43% Protestant, with 3% adhering to ethnic religions. - Colorado ballot initiative would end most late-term abortions (Colorado Catholic Conference)
“If passed, it would prohibit doctors from performing abortions after 22 weeks gestation, except in cases to save the life of the mother,” according to the Colorado Catholic Conference. “While abortion is always wrong, voting Yes on Prop 115 would end the savage practice of late pregnancy abortions.” - Treaties do not apply to nations that have not ratified them, Vatican diplomat emphasizes at UN (Holy See Mission)
“Any effort to extend a treaty obligation upon a State that has not ratified the relevant instrument would both undermine the sovereignty of each State,” Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, apostolic nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, said at an October 22 UN meeting. “Imprecise or overly broad language that suggests universal applicability of treaty provisions per se is unhelpful and blurs the line between what is binding on States as a matter of treaty law and what is not.” - Asian bishops' solidarity with jailed Indian Jesuit (Vatican News)
India’s bishops have called for the release of Father Stan Swamy; the 83-year-old Jesuit has been arrested on charges of Maoist terrorism. - Syria: Friars are caring for Christians living under Sharia law (Aid to the Church in Need)
Two villages in Idlib Governorate (map) “are still under the control of jihadist groups,” according to the report. “Here fearsome Islamic rule still holds sway; Sharia, Islamic religious law, is in force; women are forced to wear veils, Christian properties have been confiscated and Christian symbols such as crosses have been torn down.” - French cases lead Focolare to promise investigation of handling abuse claims (CNS)
The Focolare Movement was founded during World War II by the Servant of God Chiara Lubich (1920-2008). - There is no international right to abortion, US and 31 other nations affirm (US Department of Health and Human Services)
Signatories of the Geneva Consensus Declaration, released on October 22, include Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan, Poland, and the US. - Love of God and neighbor are inseparable, Pope tells pilgrims (Vatican Press Office)
“Adoring God is precisely the heart of prayer, Pope Francis said during his October 25 Sunday Angelus address (video) as he reflected on Matthew 22:34-40, the Gospel of the day. “And love for neighbor, which is also called fraternal charity, consists in closeness, listening, sharing, caring for others. And so often we neglect to listen to others because it is boring or because it takes up our time.” - More...