Catholic Culture Overview
Catholic Culture Overview

Stories for September 2023

Ordered from most to least recent.

Released Friday, Sep. 22

 Ratzinger students to hold first meeting since his death
 Archbishop of Milan issues pastoral guidance for same-sex unions
 Argentine bishops object to government accord with ‘sex workers’
 In Marseille, Pope raps ‘fanaticism of indifference’ toward migrants
 Vatican archbishop pushes for universal health care
 European court rules that Greek Orthodox prelate’s comments about homosexuals are not protected free expression
 Russian invasion aims for ‘elimination of the Ukrainian Catholic Church,’ archbishop warns
 VP Kamala Harris launches pro-abortion tour on college campuses
 Cardinal Dolan: Are Sunday Masses just too long?
 Cardinal Sako appeals for Vatican support as he seeks to regain formal recognition in Iraq
 Kidnapped Nigerian priest regains freedom
 Synod schedule: Holy See releases program for Oct. 4-29 event
 Vatican newspaper calls for renewed international commitment to peace
 Cardinal Parolin previews papal journey to Marseille

Released Thursday, Sep. 21

 In UN speech, Archbishop Gallagher condemns Russian invasion of Ukraine
 Vatican archbishop speaks at UN meeting on ‘pandemic prevention’
 Two Chinese bishops, Archbishop Paglia added as Synod participants
 Australian premier appeals to Vatican for copy of canonical investigation into Bishop Saunders
 Angolan archbishop cautions faithful against sects, superstition
 Catholic peace entity condemns rampant sexual enslavement of Mozambican Christians
 Vatican, Lutheran officials call for joint study of Augsburg Confession
 Archbishop’s retirement signals end of era for Liechtenstein’s Catholics
 Bishop who will attend synod: We must address issue of women deacons and priests
 Priests defy Cardinal Woelki, bless same-sex couples outside Cologne Cathedral
 Human rights commission calls on Nicaragua to cease persecuting the Church
 Attorney General Garland: ‘Catholics are not extremists, no’
 Under Pope Francis, the College of Cardinals has become less European

Released Wednesday, Sep. 20

 Evangelicals more likely than Catholics to worry about decline in marriage, family size
 The Rupnik scandal, deeper and deeper [News Analysis]
 Papal appeal for peace in Nagorno-Karabakh
 Cardinal mourns Russian attack on charity warehouse in Lviv
 GOP senators press FBI director on anti-Catholic memo
 Vatican ‘foreign minister’ urges sustainable development at UN forum
 Blood of St. Januarius ‘completely liquefied’ on feast day
 Synod office announces plan to reduce assembly’s carbon footprint
 Burgeoning Catholic youth movement spreads from Spain to other countries
 Holy See prods international community to ensure religious freedom in Jerusalem
 In Chile, justice eludes victims of clergy sex abuse
 English diocese divests from fossil fuels
 Late German cardinal accused of abuse
 Pope, at general audience, pays tribute to St. Daniel Comboni
 Vatican astronomer helps NASA in historic mission to study asteroid
 US bishops’ pro-life chairman asks for ‘radical solidarity’ with mothers in Respect Life Month statement
 National Migration Week highlights ‘overlooked right’ not to migrate

Released Tuesday, Sep. 19

 Kenyan archbishop decries government recognition of gay-rights group
 Sin is suicidal, says Peruvian prelate
 Pope repeats: nuclear weapons are immoral
 Papal encouragement for Vatican Pharmacy staff
 Researcher discovers 1942 letter to Pope Pius XII’s secretary on Nazi war crimes
 Citing safety concerns, early music ensemble cancels concerts at Cleveland parishes
 Cardinal Cupich challenges Jesuit universities to offer course on Jesus, go beyond diversity, equity, and inclusion
 New Russian ambassador to the Vatican meets with Pontiff
 Australian bishops raise alarm about online misinformation bill
 Syriac Catholic bishops’ ordinary synod in Iraq called ‘unprecedented historical event’
 Historic twin marches for life in Germany face disruptions and defiance
 Canada’s bishops address ongoing search for Indigenous graves amid calls for greater accuracy
 Bishops of Panama: Catholics must not attend SSPX Masses
 Basilica, 2 other churches vandalized in Maine city
 Leaked Vatican investigation: Australian bishop preyed on vulnerable men and boys
 Be ‘specialists in prayer and charity,’ Pope tells Rogationists
 Priest kidnapped in southeast Nigeria
 Arrests made in theft of tabernacle from Texas parish

Released Monday, Sep. 18

 At Clinton forum, Pope decries ‘globalization of indifference’
 Rome diocesan inquiry questions charges against Rupnik
 Russian bishops see Catholicism as ‘creative minority’
 Marseille’s cardinal seeks balance in arguments on migration
 Indian priest apparent suicide; filmed violence against Christians
 Chinese priest convicted of failure to register
 Trump says abortion restriction is ‘a terrible thing’
 Sunday Angelus address: papal reflection on forgiveness
 President Biden: ‘The message of Rosh Hashanah is universal’
 Canadian Catholic hospital under fire for naming euthanasia provider as palliative care director
 US community organizers meet with Pope
 Catholic advocates decry federal judge’s ruling declaring DACA unlawful
 Legal attacks mount against Massachusetts crisis pregnancy centers
 Be ‘animated by the passion for good’ and close to the people, Pope tells Italian police agency
 Papal tribute to St. Andrew Kim Taegon, encouragement for Korean Catholics
 Harmony and creativity are first found in Christ, Pope tells young musical contest participants

Released Friday, Sep. 15

 Kansas bishop, in pastoral letter, seeks renewal of sacred music
 Cardinal Zuppi, in Beijing, discusses Russian wheat exports
 Church seeks to act as mediator in Cameroon
 Pope to speak for Clinton Global Initiative
 Pope meets with Rupnik colleague and defender
 Benedictine spirituality should expand the heart, Pope says
 Jesus statue beheaded at Louisiana Catholic school
 Cleveland mayor denounces diocese’s sexuality, gender, and identity policy
 Ukrainian Catholic leader: Pope Francis has ‘very low approval numbers’ in Ukraine
 California priest charged with child pornography
 Consecrated hosts stolen from hospital chapel tabernacle in Spain
 French bishop under investigation for attempted rape was appointed in 2016 despite ‘multiple warnings’
 New round of USCCB funding for Church in Africa includes 5 solar-power grants
 Cardinal-designate Fernández, in new interview, outlines his vision as the Vatican’s doctrinal chief

Released Thursday, Sep. 14

 Seattle archbishop rescinds request for all pastors to resign
 Belgian royals meet with Pontiff
 Bishop Strickland will not voluntarily resign
 Vatican denies private papal meeting with controversial Iraqi
 Pope sees Pauline route to ecumenical unity
 Pope seeks change at Pontifical Urban University
 Cardinal Müller speaks of ‘false prophets,’ fears for the Synod
 Allen: Synod secrecy could encourage media manipulation
 Pope Francis appoints Father Spadaro to Vatican post
 Holy See appeals for end of use of cluster munitions in Ukraine war
 USAID announces ‘religious engagement policy’ aimed at partnering with faith groups
 Catholic leader in Morocco: It may take years to rebuild after earthquake
 Libya needs our solidarity, Pope says
 Swiss bishops pledge action after damning abuse report
 Pope warns against ‘tyrant bishops,’ hails Africa’s ‘virgin thought’
 USCCB announces mental health novena
 Papal approval for permanent diaconate in Philippines

Released Wednesday, Sep. 13

 New Mexico archbishop backs governor’s ban on firearms
 A personal prelature for Filipino migrant workers?
 Spanish bishop defends appointment of new rector for Opus Dei shrine
 Abortion figures up in 2023
 Vatican to inaugurate ‘House of Sport’
 Pope, at general audience, pays tribute to Blessed José Gregorio Hernández
 College student in Philadelphia among lay voting members of Synod
 Ukrainian Catholic archbishop announces covering of Nazi monument in Pennsylvania cemetery
 Pope Francis sends envoy to China to discuss Ukraine war
 Appeals court says Catholic group can install Stations of the Cross prayer trail
 Swiss bishops’ study finds more than 1,000 cases of clergy sexual abuse
 Let’s ‘individually, collectively’ work for lasting peace, Ethiopian bishops say in new year’s message
 Swedish cardinal, Lutheran leader make joint DC visit for ecumenical dialogue
 USCCB weighs in on Biden administration’s emergency spending request
 Be ‘beggars for peace,’ Pope says

Released Tuesday, Sep. 12

 European bishops criticize proposed rules on ‘substances of human origin’
 Massachusetts priest faces charges for stealing parish funds
 Vatican bank rejects charge of supporting Russia
 Papal delegate rejects proposal to end Syro-Malabar liturgical dispute
 No penalty for Swiss priests who ‘concelebrated’ with woman
 Cardinal-designate Fernández, new DDF prefect, warns against bishops who think they can judge ‘doctrine of the Holy Father’
 Nicaraguan police arrest priest who requested prayers for imprisoned Bishop Álvarez
 Cleveland diocese issues sexuality, gender, and identity policy
 Cardinal Zuppi pays tribute to pro-abortion political figure, author of ‘God Save the Queer’
 South African bishops recall Mandela rival Buthelezi as ‘committed Christian’
 Ukrainian Catholic leader thanks Pope for humanitarian aid
 US bishops’ international committee chairman urges humanitarian access for Nagorno-Karabakh
 Pope Francis: Marriage and Holy Orders are ‘signs of God’s spousal love for us’

Released Monday, Sep. 11

 Silent prayer is not a crime: British Home Secretary
 Pope to ask for Bishop Strickland’s resignation?
 California law would require parents to accept child’s gender change
 Pope faults capitalist excesses for workers’ injuries
 Might Opus Dei need new canonical framework?
 Australian archbishop defends responses to abuse inquiries
 Syrian Orthodox primate, Pope discuss synodality
 ‘Let us be close to the people of Morocco,’ Pope says following earthquake
 New Orleans archbishop: local Catholic institutions must help with cost of clergy abuse claims
 California’s rising assisted suicide rate alarms Catholics
 Choose fraternal correction, not gossip and resentment, Pope urges
 Biden administration asks Supreme Court to reject limits on popular mail-order abortifacient
 Kerala bishop slams Indian PM Modi for turning blind eye to Manipur violence victims
 Vatican orders investigation into Swiss bishops who allegedly covered up abuse
 Writer sees ‘growing wave of young women’ opting out of hormonal contraception
 Nigeria’s fate hangs in the balance in Supreme Court election decision, leading prelate says
 Catholic peace entity allays fears of possible coup in Cameroon
 Ulma family, murdered by Nazis for sheltering Jews, is beatified

Released Friday, Sep. 8

 Michigan priest charged with theft from elderly clerics
 Exposed: the immoral (but lucrative) business of ‘assisted reproduction’
 Papal endorsement for new book on Polish martyr family
 Another Russian Orthodox priest jailed for protesting Ukraine war
 Pope to meet Indian Orthodox primate
 Literacy is central to development, Pope says
 Nigerian seminarian dies as attackers burn rectory
 Nigerian Catholic Church launches campaign to plant 5.5 million trees
 Jacksonville Catholic bookstore now free to speak, operate consistent with beliefs
 Cardinal Cupich: Synod critics mischaracterize the Synod’s aim
 Argentine priests celebrate reparation Mass after presidential candidate calls Pope Francis an ‘imbecile’
 The Synod is about evangelization, apostolic nuncio to US says
 Zagano accuses DDF staff of ‘ridiculous’ heresy
 Tabernacle stolen from Texas parish, then found
 Vatican Secretary of State praises Ukrainian Catholic leader’s statements

Released Thursday, Sep. 7

 German lay leader: bar right-wing politicians from Church office
 God includes, never excludes, Pope says
 Solution possible in Syro-Malabar liturgical dispute?
 New Vatican documents detail efforts to save Jews from Holocaust
 Mass attendance plummets in Italy after lockdown
 Archbishop protests lack of Catholic chaplain at US air force base
 Seattle archdiocese asks all pastors to resign ahead of parish consolidation
 Vatican diplomat recalls harm done by nuclear tests
 Cardinal Marengo: Pope’s visit to Mongolia sows seeds of harmony
 Papal prayer for fire victims in South Africa
 National day of remembrance mourns aborted children
 Postulator discusses Ulma family ahead of beatification
 California Catholic college sells campus to stay afloat
 Ukrainian Catholic bishops rebuke Pope over his Russia comments
 Archive shows how Church defended human rights during Chile’s dictatorship

Released Wednesday, Sep. 6

 Armenian prelate warns of a new genocide
 ‘Is there something wrong in Rome?’
 Manila archdiocese dropping investments in ‘destructive’ firms
 Italian Catholic hospitals agree to pool resources
 US commission sees setbacks for religious freedom in Vietnam
 Pope hears bishops’ reports, urges prayers for Ukrainian people
 Pope, at general audience, recalls apostolic journey to Mongolia
 Laicization looms for priest who fled to Italy with recent high school graduate
 Mexico’s high court overturns state’s abortion ban
 In Northern Ireland, data breach leaves Catholic police officers at risk
 Australia: archdiocesan chancellor slams government takeover of Catholic hospital
 Brazilian archbishop distributes Holy Communion to Muslim sheikh at funeral Mass for cardinal
 Ukrainian Catholic leader: ‘The world begins to rediscover the criminal past of the Russian empire’
 USCCB responds to proposed HHS LGBTQI+ nondiscrimination rule

Released Tuesday, Sep. 5

 Columnist sees irony in Ortega’s campaign against Nicaraguan Jesuits
 Vatican clarification: newborn son among Polish martyrs to be beatified
 Pope visits Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
 Leading central Asian bishop: Pope’s Mongolia visit shows unity despite differences
 Pope Francis thanks Our Lady for Mongolia visit
 Vatican diplomat warns against overreliance on digital technologies
 China says it is positive on improving relations with Vatican
 Ukrainian Catholic synod begins in Rome
 Papal telegrams to Xi Jinping, Mongolian president, other leaders
 New Orleans archdiocese plans sales of vast real estate holdings to pay abuse claims
 Catholic school vandalized in California

Released Monday, Sep. 4

 Pope rues ‘ideological’ criticism of Synod [News Analysis]
 Pope Francis rehabilitating Teilhard de Chardin?
 Baltimore archdiocese weighs bankruptcy filing
 Ukrainian Catholic Synod to meet in Rome in September
 Non-religious US voters trend heavily Democratic
 Retired Irish archbishop stirs controversy with interview
 Ecumenical Patriarch rips Russian Orthodox ‘theology of war’
 Polish family’s beatification highlights debate over Church’s wartime role
 Chapel in Argentina vandalized; bishop calls for acts of reparation
 Christians in Burkina Faso going back to church amid persecution
 South African bishops laud whistleblowers who expose corruption
 Jesus is the answer to human longing, Pope says at Mass in Mongolia
 Pope encourages little Mongolian flock in faith, unity, witness, Eucharistic adoration
 Pope encourages Chinese Catholics to be ‘good Catholics and good citizens’

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