Catholic Culture Overview
Catholic Culture Overview

Stories for September 2013

Ordered from most to least recent.

Released Monday, Sep. 30

 St. Egidio community earns Pope's praise for peace efforts
 German bishop cleared of 'lavish spending' charges
 Scottish archbishop foresees need for two separate wedding ceremonies, secular and religious
 Pope renews plea: pray for peace in Syria
 Imitate Christ in service to others, Pope urges catechists
 Vatican bank may close accounts of foreign embassies
 Pope to meet with Council of Cardinals, weigh Vatican reforms
 Canonization next April 27 for Popes John Paul II, John XXIII
 Violence against Christians in Egyptian town
 India: pastor beaten in Karnataka
 Vietnam: thousands of Catholics protest imprisonment of lawyer
 Priest removed for lewd texting; bishop faces criticism
 USCCB: statement for Respect Life Sunday
 Croatian priest beatified

Released Friday, Sep. 27

 Top Vatican diplomat challenges UN members to take real steps toward nuclear disarmament
 Following Christ means accepting suffering, Pope says in homily
 Orthodox patriarch pleads for negotiated peace in Syria, grateful for Pope's help
 Orthodox bishops kidnapped in Syria in April reported still alive
 A sign to the Pope from St. Therese?
 8-cardinal commission is advisory, Vatican reminds press
 Ohio Catholic health-care agency restructuring deal after bishop declines to approve partnership
 Action urged on conscience-protection legislation
 Alberta: Catholic woman forbidden to run for public school board
 Providence College invites proponent of same-sex marriage to debate
 Syrian rebels burn statues, crosses in Catholic parishes
 Archbishop Gomez urges House to consider immigration reform legislation
 USCCB committee chair calls for full US diplomatic relations with Cuba

Released Thursday, Sep. 26

 Vatican conference to mark 50th anniversary of Pacem in Terris
 Catholic church in Kenya attacked; Al Shabaab suspected
 Holy See, Palestinian Authority move toward diplomatic accord
 Christian witness is alternative to Islamic violence in Somalia, bishop says
 Pope will be invited to address European Parliament
 US bishops ask Friday prayers for families suffering economic difficulties
 Little Sisters of the Poor file class-action lawsuit against HHS mandate
 Archbishop Chaput: ‘Pope Francis and the interview’
 California homemaker, reported mystic being considered for sainthood
 USCCB committee: statement on 50th anniversary of Vatican II’s liturgy constitution
 Report: Turkish military linked to murders of priest, other Christians
 Catholic hospital in Ireland to perform abortions

Released Wednesday, Sep. 25

 Coadjutor's appointment not related to abuse charges, Archbishop Myers says
 Laos: officials say Christians must renounce faith or leave district
 Protect Church unity, Pope Francis urges the faithful
 Polish prosecutors ask Dominican Republic for information on nuncio accused of abuse
 Philippine bishops emphasize: Pope has not changed Catholic teaching
 Minnesota Catholic college president calls for more supportive attitude toward gays, transgendered persons
 Orphans, nuns trapped in historic Syrian Christian town
 Jerusalem patriarch rues imams’ preaching of violence against non-Muslims
 Neocatechumenal Way now has 100 seminaries
 Ontario legislature affirms religious expression

Released Tuesday, Sep. 24

 Philadelphia archdiocese sets up independent fundraising foundation
 Austrian diocese fined for illegal text messages to spur 'church tax' payments
 Italian Cardinal Farina turns 80, number of cardinal-electors dips to 110
 Vatican Museums to waive entry fee for European Heritage Day
 Indian bishop raps Pakistan for failure to protect Christians
 Pope confirms 2 more leaders of Roman Curia
 Coadjutor appointed for embattled Archbishop Myers in Newark
 Benedict XVI breaks silence, addresses Italian non-believer
 Providence College rescinds invitation to proponent of same-sex marriage
 New Testament-era town discovered along Sea of Galilee
 Putin criticizes Europe’s secularization
 European bishops commemorate Edict of Milan
 Montreal prelate criticizes proposed ban on religious garb
 ‘Ordinariate Use’ Mass text to debut in October

Released Monday, Sep. 23

 New archbishop will stress 'mercy' in troubled Scottish archdiocese
 Brazilian rancher convicted, sentenced for 2005 murder of American nun
 Kenyan Muslims, Christians join in condemnation of mall terrorism
 Australian dissident priest excommunicated
 Peruvian bishop removed after sex-abuse charges
 Vietnamese authorities step up campaign to control Catholic Church
 No Sunday events at Catholic schools, New Orleans archdiocese rules
 Minnesota archdiocese knew of abusive priest's homosexual cruising, report charges
 Dominican prosecutor: strong evidence of abuse by apostolic nuncio
 Another personnel decision for Pope Francis: Italian bishops' leadership post
 Use internet to bring people to Christ, Pope urges Catholic communicators
 Canonization date for Popes John XXIII, John Paul II will be made public next Monday
 On visit to struggling Sardinia, Pope decries idolatry of money
 Bishops welcome proposed Marriage and Religious Freedom Act
 Grenades found at cathedral in Central African Republic
 Brazilian prelates denounce attacks on indigenous people
 Archbishop’s office attacked in Syria
 Suicide bombers kill over 80 at church in Pakistan
 Italian Franciscan friar beatified

Released Saturday, Sep. 21

 Pope makes several key appointments to Roman Curia

Released Friday, Sep. 20

 Pope meets with presidents of Honduras, Hungary
 Vatican archbishop sees Charter of the Rights of the Family as 'prophetic'
 Trial for Vatican monsignor in financial scandal set to begin December 3
 Protect all human life, Pope urges doctors
 Ukrainian Catholic leader laments same-sex marriage, European secularism
 Legal victory for fired transgendered teacher in suit against Catholic school
 Nigeria: kidnapped Anglican prelate freed
 Buddhist radicals attack Christian church in Sri Lanka
 Jerusalem patriarch calls upon Mideast nations to recognize right to convert
 2 converts from Islam freed from Iranian prison

Released Thursday, Sep. 19

 US bishops ask Friday prayers, fasting for Christian minorities in Syria, Egypt
 Papal condolences for Mexican hurricane victims
 Annual miracle repeated: blood of St. Januarius liquefies
 Shun ecclesiastical careerism, Pope asks new bishops
 Pope, in sweeping interview, compares Church with 'field hospital' for wounded society
 Vatican sees progress in Vietnam despite conflict in Vinh diocese
 US Catholic military chaplains cannot officiate at same-sex unions, archbishop says
 Lithuania premier, Pope discuss Church-state affairs, European policies
 Archbishop Nichols urges support for Anglican ordinariate
 Pope Francis exchanges greetings with Imam of Al Azhar University
 US Catholic scholars explain opposition to intervention in Syria
 New Australian archbishop opts not to have women as altar servers
 Abortion clinics closing at ‘unprecedented rate’
 Large numbers of Syrian rebels are ‘hardline Islamists’
 Ukrainian cardinal lashes out at opponents of international adoption
 Federal appeals court rules against Catholic business owners in HHS mandate case
 India: Christian school looted, Catholic cemetery vandalized
 New papal almoner pledges to be a ‘priest of the basin and the towel’

Released Wednesday, Sep. 18

 Nun in Congo wins top UN prize for work with refugees
 Israeli Holocaust memorial recognizes Vatican support for efforts to protect Jews
 Papal commission member says her social media accounts were hacked to create controversy
 US bishops remain firmly committed to fight against HHS mandate: Cardinal Dolan
 Cardinal Wuerl leads prayers for Navy Yard shooting victims
 Zanzibar: priest's condition remains serious after acid attack
 Pope renews call call to prayer for peace
 Like a mother, the Church always supports her children, Pope tells audience
 Australian prelate asks for pause on legislation, calm debate on same-sex marriage
 Viet bishop asks international help to counter government propaganda campaign

Released Tuesday, Sep. 17

 Vatican releases eBook of World Communications Day statements by Benedict XVI
 Vatican official confirms Church desire to abolish nuclear weapons
 California abortion bill promises a windfall for Planned Parenthood
 Minnesota lay group protests exclusion from priests' meeting on finances
 Pope encourages Roman priests to show 'courageous creativity'
 Syrian bishop to President Obama: ‘please leave us alone’
 Cohabitation rate leveling off
 Bishop participates in ceremony for Slovenia’s 1st mosque
 Court overturns rule limiting Bible distribution at gay pride festival
 USCCB, CRS: call Congress on September 18 to stop cuts to international aid
 Cuba’s bishops call for political reforms
 Nigeria’s bishops blast foreign attempts to promote abortion, homosexual unions

Released Monday, Sep. 16

 Dissident religious thinks Pope may be 'teachable'
 Italian abortion rate down 55% over past 30 years
 Pray for political leaders, Pope urges faithful
 Chaldean Catholic Patriarch urges Assyrian counterpart: restore full unity
 Pope welcomes Knights of the Holy Sepulchre on pilgrimage to Rome
 Vatican journalist: Pope Francis planning 'collegial' reform on his own
 Pope stresses evangelization at meeting with priests of Rome
 Find joy in God's mercy, Pope urges Sunday audience
 Architects remodel 'Crystal Cathedral' for Catholic worship
 Hong Kong diocese asks UN investigate Chinese violations of religious freedom
 Suspended Vatican official says his office acted as banker for secret clients
 Pope Francis makes many unexpected phone calls, Vatican official reveals
 Scottish archbishop says disgraced predecessor should stay abroad
 Rome's chief rabbi welcomes Pope's praise for Jewish fidelity
 India: mob of 100 surrounds Christian couple, beats woman
 Ecumenical Patriarch decries persecution of Christians in Middle East
 Court rules against Michigan company in HHS mandate case
 California bishops welcome governor’s opposition to sale of human eggs
 Bishops call for dialogue between Philippine government, Muslim rebels
 Argentine diocesan priest beatified

Released Friday, Sep. 13

 Society must care for the young and old, its memory and its promise, Pope says
 50-year prison sentence for Missouri priest in landmark child-porn case
 Vatican envoy investigating charges of lavish spending in German diocese
 Vatican vows cooperation with Dominican Republic in abuse investigation against nuncio
 Pope stops conferring title 'monsignor' on priests
 Acid attack on Catholic priest in Zanzibar
 Gossips are 'Christian murderers,' Pope says
 Evangelical, Catholic legal scholars issue joint statement on the law
 California bishops decry lengthy solitary confinement
 Prelates call for immigration reform
 USCCB committee chair emphasizes: do not cut food stamps
 New York Times op-ed criticizes artificial-reproduction industry
 Coptic Orthodox leader resumes weekly public audiences
 Eyewitness describes murder of Catholics in Syrian Christian village
 Priest among hostages taken by Muslim rebels in the Philippines

Released Thursday, Sep. 12

 US bishops asks prayer, fasting for peace in Syria on Friday, September 13
 Bishop refuses to endorse speech by Network lobbyist at Catholic college
 Pope takes old used car for trips inside Vatican
 Former Vatican envoy lauds papal outreach to Muslims
 Pope meets with Thai prime minister
 Indian cardinal urges sensitive treatment of homosexuality
 Syrian Christians suffer as refugee figures soar
 Vietnamese religious leaders back Catholic bishop, decry government smears
 Pope's popularity high among US Catholics
 English prelate criticizes decision not to prosecute sex-selective abortions
 Court bars enforcement of HHS mandate against nursing-facility owner
 Cardinal Dolan criticizes Catholic Health Association’s acceptance of HHS mandate
 ‘Saved by Bergoglio’: new book claims future Pope organized network to protect Argentine dissidents
 USCCB defends, endorses Catholic Relief Services
 Leading British prelate meets with Palestinian president
 Witnesses report desecrations, forced conversion to Islam in Syrian Christian village

Released Wednesday, Sep. 11

 Dominican cardinal reported to Vatican about sex-abuse charges against papal nuncio
 Arkansas sees jump in seminary entrants
 Schedule set for Pope's visit to Sardinia on September 22
 Angry over criticism, Cardinal Bertone resigned early, Vatican source claims
 Melkite Patriarch welcomes Obama's choice against military action
 Ancient Egyptian monastery closed to visitors because of security fears
 Pope writes friendly response to Italian newspaper editorial
 Papal audience topic: the image of the Church as mother
 USCCB official speaks of need ‘to keep the pressure up’ on immigration reform
 USCCB leadership urges US not to attack Syria, deplores use of chemical weapons
 Syrian Catholic bishop urges Obama not to attack his nation
 Chile: bishops call for reconciliation on anniversary of Pinochet coup
 Afghanistan: legislator calls for execution of converts to Christianity
 Muslim-Christian violence in Central African Republic
 Anglican prelate kidnapped in Nigeria

Released Tuesday, Sep. 10

 Cardinal Bertone: a reformer as Secretary of State?
 Incoming Secretary of State speaks about new role
 American contributions to religious charities rose sharply in 2012
 Los Angeles files show religious orders, too, protect priest-abusers
 Pope proposes opening empty convents to refugees
 Pope raps 'triumphalist' thinking
 Arms trade sustains warfare, says Vatican envoy to UN
 Pope holds listening session with leaders of Roman Curia
 Pro-chastity college organization expands to 23 campuses
 Egypt: Christians live in terror following city’s takeover by Muslim Brotherhood
 India: Hindu extremists attack church on consecutive Sundays
 Ukrainian Catholics will not change to Gregorian calendar
 Texas attorney general criticizes controversial anti-bias ordinance
 Cardinal Dolan: immigration reform a ‘moral imperative’
 Leading Vatican envoy denounces potential military strikes against Syria

Released Monday, Sep. 9

 Cardinal Bertone encourages mining companies to respect workers, environment
 Ghana's bishops decry surrogate parenthood
 Pope will visit Sri Lanka, Church officials announce
 Belarus: priest arrested, held without charges amid rumors of espionage
 Italian reporter, released after kidnapping in Syria, says 'no longer the secular revolution'
 Vietnamese diocese protests 'lawless' government activity, anti-Catholic propaganda
 Pope warns against heavy reliance on special devotions, private revelations
 Madison diocese ends school visits to research facility over embryonic stem-cell research
 Accord in Central African Republic brokered by Sant'Egidio community
 Arms trade incites war, Pope suggests
 Pope calls special meeting of Vatican officials; reforms on the agenda?
 Pope's prayer campaign for peace in Syria
 Europe’s Catholic bishops, other Christian leaders: ‘no to war’ in Syria
 State of California rejects parish’s application for legal incorporation
 37 colleges praised in ‘Catholic College Identity Guide’
 US parishes emphasize immigration reform at Sunday Masses
 20th-century Italian laywoman beatified
 Syrian rebels seize historic Christian village; Russia calls for protection of Christians
 Trappist nun in Syria emphasizes: prayer is a weapon
 Vatican official outlines scope of Syria’s humanitarian tragedy

Released Friday, Sep. 6

 Christian joy based on nuptial relation with Christ's Church: Pope's Friday homily
 Stockton diocese weighs bankruptcy filing
 Vietnamese police in violent crackdown on Catholic demonstrators
 Cardinal Dolan challenges Milwaukee audience to defend the faith
 Robert George, invoking Elshtain, weighs just-war argument for Syrian intervention
 Comparing Vatican diplomatic offensives on Syria in 2013, Iraq in 2003
 Vatican stand on Syria explained at briefing for diplomats
 Pope meets Bolivia's President Morales, speaks on economic inequality
 Ecumenical Patriarch joins in Saturday prayer and fasting for peace in Syria
 Unmarried mother stunned by Pope's sympathetic phone call
 Chaldean Patriarch urges US not to attack Syria
 Syrian rebels attack historic Christian village
 Bishop: proposed cuts to food stamps are a ‘moral scandal’
 UN celebrates International Day of Charity on anniversary of Mother Teresa’s death
 Syrian Catholic politician pleads: don’t attack Syria
 Protestant pastors beaten in Karnataka
 India: political leader says that Catholics are ‘cultural Hindus’

Released Thursday, Sep. 5

 Pope encourages Carmelites to pursue contemplation, austerity of life
 Milwaukee archdiocesan lawyers rap bid to remove judge in bankruptcy case
 Pope meets with leader of India's Syro-Malankara Orthodox Church
 Chicago archdiocese faces new abuse lawsuit in notorious McCormack case
 US bishops ask Friday prayers to combat pornography
 Report finds huge increase in Irish family breakdown
 Chilean cardinal turns 80, number of papal electors falls to 111
 Pope's plea to G20 leaders: stop drive for military solution in Syria
 Report: woman, 9 months pregnant, undergoes forced abortion in China
 Cardinal Dolan urges President Obama to work for political solution to Syrian crisis
 USCCB: Obama administration should comply with policy against abortion funding in federal health plans
 Prelate calls for greater international attention to Somalia
 Jerusalem Patriarch: pray for Middle East Christians
 Laos: 50 recent converts told to renounce Christianity or lose homes
 Jordan’s king decries anti-Christian violence, calls upon Christians to defend Islam

Released Wednesday, Sep. 4

 Assisi basilica extends hours for September 7 peace vigil
 Papal nuncio in Dominican Republic removed after abuse charges
 Vatican paper highlights Gustavo Gutierrez
  Milwaukee archdiocese alerted police in many abuse cases
 Jesuit leader decries threat of US-French intervention in Syria
 Resuming weekly audiences, Pope summarizes experience of World Youth Day
 Pope repeats urgent plea for peace in Syria
 Interest in Amish, similar communities on the rise
 Melkite Catholic patriarch asks world community to stop sending arms to Syria
 Strong words about Obama from Syria’s Trappist nuns
 Priest discusses Courage apostolate for those with same-sex attractions
 USCCB: urge Congress to vote against authorizing military force in Syria
 Cardinal McCarrick: ‘bring undocumented workers out of the shadows’
 US bishops urge Catholics to take part in day of prayer, fasting for Syria
 Nearly 1.8 million US children now homeschooled
 Jerusalem prelate joins protest against foreign military intervention

Released Tuesday, Sep. 3

 Gallup diocese will become 9th in US to file for bankruptcy
 Rebel St. Louis parish to affiliate with Episcopal diocese?
 Pope meets with Jewish leader, sends New Year's greetings
 British clergy see rise in Confessions
 Benedict XVI shows age, but seems healthy, former students report
 Light of Christ is quiet, humble, Pope says in homily
 Vatican summons diplomats to briefing on September 7 day of prayer for peace
 Ecumenical Patriarch’s encyclical emphasizes environment, genetic modifications
 Federal court upholds California ban on reparative therapy for minors
 Bishop draws attention to rural poverty
 Patriarchs are ‘opposed to any foreign armed intervention in Syria’
 Coptic Catholic Church: military intervention in Middle East cannot be justified
 Seminary rector rues US intervention in Iraq, says Syrian rebels have little interest in democracy
 Vatican official fears Syrian conflict could explode into world war

Released Monday, Sep. 2

 American teen attributes cancer cure to blessing from Pope Benedict
 Cardinal Bertone defends his record, rips critical 'vipers'
 Syrian rebels plan destruction of Christianity: Russian Orthodox prelate
 Top Syrian Muslim cleric asks to join Pope at Vatican prayer vigil for peace
 Schedule set for Pope's visit Assisi in October
 Retired Pope presides at Mass for former students
 Syrian Catholics organize nation for Pope’s day of prayer for peace
 Irish paper under fire for false abortion story
 Pope declares September 7 a day of worldwide prayer for peace in Syria
 ‘State of the Bible in 2013’
 Syrian prelate prays: no foreign intervention
 Vatican newspaper examines history of red, white papal garb
 Romanian martyr beatified
 Caritas condemns use of chemical weapons, says no to military intervention in Syria
 Central African Republic: diocese investigates chapel desecration, anti-Christian violence

Released Saturday, Aug. 31

 Pope Francis appoints new Secretary of State

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