Catholic Culture Resources
Catholic Culture Resources

Stories for April 2014

Ordered from most to least recent.

Released Wednesday, Apr. 30

 Pope's prayer intentions for May 2014
 New papal commissions begin work this week
 Political stability in Niger 'deteriorating day by day,' bishops warn
 New Jersey court upholds Newark archdiocese in sales of cemetery headstones
 Cardinal O'Connor's mother was born Jewish, family tree reveals
 European bishops' leader pledges Church support for EU
 SNAP kept abuse allegations quiet 'for several weeks,' Chicago archdiocese charges
 German priest writes Pope, seeks release from celibacy vow
 President Obama issues statement on papal canonizations
 Former Cabinet members host Catholic colloquium on nuclear disarmament
 Pope Francis reflects on Holy Spirit’s gift of understanding
 Ecumenical Patriarch criticizes nationalist tendencies within Eastern Orthodoxy
 Russian Orthodox official: model proposed by ‘Western elites’ in decline
 ‘Million-woman march’ in Nigeria to protest Boko Haram kidnappings
 Syrian rebels crucify 2 prisoners

Released Tuesday, Apr. 29

 Iraqi Church leaders hold out slim hope that parliamentary elections will bring relief
 Cardinal Bertone defends new apartment, says Pope supports him
 Plans for consolidation of New York archdiocese advance
 Church unity shows working of Holy Spirit, Pope says
 Columbian rebels welcome Vatican encouragement for peace talks, but argue against haste
 Council of Cardinals continues planning for reform for Roman Curia
 Google, under pressure from abortion lobby, removes ads for pregnancy-help centers
 New pastoral center in Tel Aviv to serve Catholic guest workers in Israel
 China: demolition of church begins amid protests
 Victory for FOCUS against HHS mandate
 Northern Ireland: bishops urge legislators not to approve same-sex marriage
 Britain: doctors who oppose contraception barred from specializing in reproductive health
 Report: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith lifts censure against Irish priest
 US bishops announce 3rd Fortnight for Freedom
 Ukrainian prelate fears Russian incursions into other nations

Released Monday, Apr. 28

 Islamic militants cause 'total chaos' in Central African Republic
 Christian presence vanishing from Iraq, Chaldean patriarch fears
 'Be not afraid!' Pope tells young Argentine Catholics
 Spanish royal couple meets with Pontiff
 Masses of thanksgiving follow canonization of two Pontiffs
 Council of Cardinals meets to discuss curial reform
 Seminarian kidnapped, murdered in Mexico
 Newly canonized Popes were ‘true sons’ of the Virgin Mary, says Pope Francis
 Pope Francis canonizes John XXIII and John Paul II
 Pope, prime minister discuss Ukrainian crisis
 Brief papal tribute to St. Augustine

Released Friday, Apr. 25

 Disgraced priest's partner was gay recording artist
 Another surprise phone call: Pope encourages priest in Argentine slums
 Would-be papal assassin decries canonization of John Paul II
 Pope asks southern African bishops to combat abortion, divorce, corruption
 Dutch Church leaders disclose a 2nd deceased bishop was guilty of abuse
 John Paul II took action when informed of abuse, former spokesman insists
 Suspended priest, claiming episcopal ordination, causes confusion in Arizona, diocese says
 Giant crucifix collapses, killing Italian man
 Pope Francis issues messages for canonizations of John XXIII, John Paul II
 Pope laments plight of unemployed steel workers
 Pope honors new Jesuit saint, emphasizes joy of encountering the risen Christ
 93 nations sending delegations to papal canonizations
 Report: Christian murdered in Pakistan after refusing to convert to Islam
 Church officials in Holy Land offer differing reactions to Fatah, Hamas reconciliation

Released Thursday, Apr. 24

 Albanian premier meets with Pope Francis
 Memorial to John Paul II vandalized in Krakow
 Swedish 'megachurch' leader explains conversion to Catholicism
 Benedict XVI says he knew long ago John Paul II was a saint
 Bishop describes kidnapping, narrow escape from death, in Central African Republic
 Will Pope-emeritus Benedict attend Sunday canonizations?
 High court in Philippines rejects parts of Reproductive Health bill
 Annual Vatican message to Buddhists emphasizes fraternity
 Confusion swirls around Pope's phone message on divorce and Communion
 USCCB: 'Does the HHS mandate include abortifacients?'
 Australian prelate on abuse: ‘as a Church we have failed terribly’
 Cardinal McCarrick part of State Dept. peace mission to Central African Republic
 China denies demolition campaign against churches
 AP: ‘fetal tissue used to power Oregon homes’
 Detroit priest, parish manager charged with embezzling $700K
 Honduran cardinal sees increasing curial opposition to Pope Francis

Released Wednesday, Apr. 23

 Former chancellor of NH diocese, head of treatment center, will serve jail time
 Archbishop Nienstedt, in deposition, says he knew little about sex-abuse complaints
 SSPX leader decries canonizations of Popes John XXIII, John Paul II
 Arizona law allows unannounced health/safety inspection of abortion clinics
 Pope Francis: ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead?’
 Indian priest runs for political office
 Melkite patriarch decries attacks on Catholic institutions in Syria
 Priest murdered in Central African Republic
 Chicago priest, recently reinstated, again under investigation
 Canadian bishop writes prime minister about political concerns
 Joint Anglican-Catholic statement on moral teaching highlights differences

Released Tuesday, Apr. 22

 French bishops cautioned against political manipulation
 Brunei delays enforcement of shari'a law
 Pope might make surprise visits to war zones, says Secretary of State
 Canonizations are no reason for nostalgia, says secretary to Pope John XXIII
 John Paul II unaware of Maciel scandals, says postulator for his cause
 Avoid ‘alarmist’ rhetoric on immigration, says English cardinal
 University official, demoted for signing marriage ballot petition, loses lawsuit
 Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith withdraws negative evaluation of 1958 book
 Irish political party apologizes for misstating bishop’s position on abortion
 Nuncio reports starvation in Damascus
 Cardinal criticizes Catholic teachers’ union over gay pride parade participation
 Pope Francis: read the Gospel accounts of the Resurrection

Released Monday, Apr. 21

 Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople's Easter encyclical
 Easter message from head of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
 Syrian Catholic patriarch's Easter message
 Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem's Easter homily

Released Sunday, Apr. 20

 Pope Francis's Easter Message 'Urbi et Orbi' (To the City and the World): full text, link to video
 Pope Francis: Easter Vigil homily (full text)

Released Friday, Apr. 18

 Good Friday at St. Peter's Basilica: full text of Father Cantalamessa's homily
 Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum: full text of meditations
 Pope Francis: homily at Holy Thursday evening Mass (full text)

Released Thursday, Apr. 17

 Philippine bishops warn faithful against self-crucifixion
 Rape of Catholic woman prompts protests in Bangladesh
 Coptic Catholic cleric named as Pope's 2nd priest-secretary
 Rome is ready for canonizations, mayor affirms
 Leader of Anglican ordinariate admits interest has waned
 Cardinal to receive France’s highest honor
 Bishop kidnapped, released in Central African Republic
 Chaldean Catholic leader issues Easter message amid ‘worrying situation’
 Leading Egyptian presidential candidates to attend Coptic Easter vigil
 Jerusalem’s Christian leaders issue Easter message
 Pope celebrates Holy Thursday evening Mass at center for disabled
 At Holy Thursday Chrism Mass, Pope Francis preaches on the joy of the priesthood

Released Wednesday, Apr. 16

 Restructuring of Roman Curia next on agenda for Pope, Council of Cardinals
 Chaldean prelate, in Easter message, asks peaceful future for Iraq
 Oregon priest arrested following luring incident
 Chicago priest returns to ministry; archdiocese, county found abuse charges unfounded
 Accused killer at Kansas City Jewish centers could face hate-crime charges
 El Al will furnish plane for Pope's return after visit to Israel
 Cuba makes Good Friday a national holiday
 Indian court recognizes 'third gender,' calls for special treatment
 Dublin's archbishop condemns 'Maria Divine Mercy' messages
 Myanmar: archbishop sees 'streaks of hope' after decades of dictatorship
 ‘Kiss the crucifix,’ advises Pope, as he reflects on Christ’s humiliation
 Brazilian prelate recounts conversation with Pope on ordination of married men
 Archbishop Gomez renews call for immigration reform
 Denver archbishop protests pro-abortion legislation
 Cardinal Parolin celebrates Mass for modern martyrs
 4 candidates advance on path to sainthood

Released Tuesday, Apr. 15

 Child killed, dozens hurt as missile strikes Catholic school in Damascus
 Malta approves civil unions
 New Irish bill, mandating reporting of abuse, renews concerns about confessional seal
 Pope will visit Roman jail, distribute pocket-sized Gospels
 Vatican confirms plans to testify before UN committee on torture
 International survey finds wide variance in acceptance of contraception
 Vatican survey on family not intended for public release, says spokesman for English bishops
 Greek Orthodox prelates denounce Catholicism as heresy
 Embryo switch rouses fears in Roman assisted-fertility treatment
 Irish columnist fears for safety after being called 'homophobic'
 Chilean fire victims receive papal message of condolence
 Nigerian prelate deplores ‘aimless’ violence of Boko Haram
 New Scottish bishop lives in low-income housing area
 Caritas appeal for Senegal
 Ecumenical Patriarch exhorts Ukrainians to unity
 Melkite patriarch welcomes Syrian government’s victory in historic Christian town
 Venezuelan cardinal decries trend toward ‘Cubanization’
 President Obama reflects on meeting with Pope Francis
 South Sudan’s Christian leaders appeal for peace

Released Monday, Apr. 14

 Task force finds major flaws in handling abuse complaints in Minnesota archdiocese
 Newark archbishop under fire for planned addition to residence
 Vatican dismisses abuse charge against Puerto Rican bishop
 SSPX leader rips Cardinal Kasper's proposal on Communion for divorced/remarried Catholics
 Pakistani woman's appeal on blasphemy charge postponed once again
 Text for Stations of the Cross will examine human suffering
 Dutch diocese says abuse charges against former bishop are valid
 Another UN committee plans to question Vatican officials on abuse
 Rome is top choice for 'religious tourism' in Italy
 Capital campaign falls short in Philadelphia archdiocese
 Passover greetings from Pope to Rome's Jewish community
 Become shepherds, not bureaucrats, Pope tells seminarians
 President Obama names delegation to canonization Mass
 Pope reflects on suffering of children, asks doctors to care for souls as well as bodies
 Historical study important for Church of today, says Pope
 Focus on World Youth Day during Sunday Angelus address
 In Christ's Passion, who am I like? Pope asks in Palm Sunday homily
 Msgr. Marini confirmed as Pope's master of liturgical ceremonies
 British academic named head of Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences

Released Friday, Apr. 11

 Parents protest speaker's talk on morality at another Catholic high school
 Falling fertility rates are cause for alam, Vatican mission alerts UN
 German appeals court affirms conviction of breakaway bishop for Holocaust denial
 No turning back in fight against child abuse, Pope vows
 Satan is real, Pope reminds congregation
 Orthodox Jews plan Passover sacrifice on Jerusalem's Temple Mount
 Italian court recognizes a same-sex marriage, stirring new controversy
 SSPX priest indicted on charges of rape, torture
 Pope Francis emphasizes: the life of the unborn is 'sacred and inviolable'
 USCCB advises 'attentiveness' to local Girl Scout programs
 Cardinal welcomes 1st state visit of Irish president to UK
 Annual survey finds that fewer Americans view the Bible as sacred
 Ukrainian Church leaders direct priests to stay out of political campaigns
 State Department, bishops to collaborate in fight against human trafficking
 Pope urges Venezuelan government, opposition leaders to become 'true builders of peace'

Released Thursday, Apr. 10

 Argentine vigilantes forming lynch parties to fight drug gangs, bishop fears
 Venezuela asks Cardinal Parolin to help mediate talks to end political protests
 Pharisees show 'tragedy of the closed mind,' Pope says
 Cardinal Dolan angry after legislators renege on tax credits for private schools
 Catholics in Crimea isolated, fear losses
 Italian Catholic newspaper raps film 'Noah'
 In troubled Indian state, Christian minority hopes elections will bring government devoted to justice
 Italian court overturns law against donated sperm, eggs
 Pope denounces 'scourge' of human trafficking, hails joint efforts against it
 Do theology on your knees, Pope tells students at Gregorian University
 Archdiocesan data breach leads to identity theft, false tax returns
 Vatican conference on human trafficking
 Ukraine's Roman-rite bishops support nation's territorial integrity
 Pakistani report: 700 Christian women kidnapped yearly, forced into Muslim marriages
 Opponent of proposed religious garb ban wins Quebec election
 $24.5M donated to typhoon relief in US special collections
 Pope laments Jesuit's murder, issues new plea for peace in Syria

Released Wednesday, Apr. 9

 Cardinal George will not attend canonizations, suggests beginning search for successor
 Pope Francis begins weekly audiences on gifts of the Holy Spirit
 Priest murdered in Nicaragua, served in California parish
 Cardinal Delly, former Chaldean patriarch, dead at 86
 Moscow patriarch compares Ukrainian protests to Russian Revolution
 DC Courtyard of the Gentiles initiative features hip hop concert, Cokie Roberts
 Prelates urge participation in March for Marriage
 Pope Francis to celebrate Holy Thursday Mass at center for disabled

Released Tuesday, Apr. 8

 In Central African Republic, government breakdown leaves Church as only viable institution
 Ontario Catholic schools cannot require students to attend Mass, court rules
 Islamic censors allow 'Noah' into Egypt
 Forgiveness of sins comes only from Jesus, not from our conduct, Pope reminds congregation
 Cathedral rector removed following abuse allegation
 Argentine prelate defends baptism of lesbian's child, raps media coverage
 Survey finds rise in number of 'stay-at-home mothers' in America
 Pope highlights importance of Synod of Bishops
 Ukrainian Catholic leader reconsecrates nation to Mary’s protection
 English cardinal, Anglican primate urge prayer, service on behalf of the poor
 Philippine high court upholds reproductive health law
 Pakistani Christian couple sentenced to death on blasphemy charges
 Supreme Court declines appeal of ruling on Christian photographer and same-sex wedding
 Jordan’s king meets with Pope

Released Monday, Apr. 7

 New York abortion clinics rarely inspected, Post finds
 Teach prayer, fidelity, chastity, Pope urges bishops of Tanzania
 Brazilian organizers of World Youth Day receive papal thanks, encouragement
 Abuse victims protest Milwaukee archdiocesan plan for reorganization after bankruptcy
 Denver archdiocese defends new $6.5 million meeting center, residence for archbishop
 AP reporter tells students: Pope is a 'conservative Catholic'
 Priests, nun kidnapped in Cameroon; Boko Haram suspected
 Atlanta's Archbishop Gregory will sell new residence
 Missionary priest killed in Homs, Syria
 Pope Francis will not close Vatican bank, reaffirms its mission
 Pope Francis visits Roman parish, laments abortion
 Jesus calls us out of the tomb of our sin, says Pope
 Mayors are called to be 'mediators,' says Pontiff
 Consultant named for potential APSA reorganization
 Pope to visit 3 Italian dioceses
 Liberia's president meets with Pope
 Papal preacher devotes Lenten sermon to St. Leo the Great

Released Friday, Apr. 4

 Vatican to host conference on human trafficking
 Bishop calls Bosnia-Herzegovina an 'artificial state'
 Pope speaks with youth about inner peace, troubled culture
 Minnesota law-enforcement agencies have not heard from archdiocese, radio station reports
 Cardinal George: cancer treatment may prevent trip to Rome for Popes' canonizations
 Hostility, persecution are natural for Christians, Pope says in homily
 Recognize gypsies as ethnic minority group, Vatican prelate suggests
 Illinois bishop backs priest who refused Communion to pro-abortion lawmaker
 Vatican investigation focuses on Cardinal O'Brien, misconduct in Scottish archdiocese
 Papal message to new Syrian Orthodox patriarch
 CEO resigns following outrage over support for marriage initiative
 Syracuse: former parish to become mosque, crosses to be cut off
 South African prelate laments excessive spending by nation’s president
 Mississippi governor signs religious freedom legislation
 US House commission holds hearing on religious persecution in Vietnam
 Pocket-sized Gospels to be distributed at Pope’s Sunday Angelus address

Released Thursday, Apr. 3

 Prayer is like talking to a friend, Pope tells congregation
 Italian bishops' leader raps secessionist movement
 Striking workers return to Israeli foreign ministry, easing concerns on planning for papal visit
 Archbishop's deposition ends 'heatedly' in Minnesota abuse lawsuit
 Columnist decries failure to allow tax relief for parochial schools in New York
 Catholic patriarch condemns vandals' attacks on churches in Holy Land
 Most Americans back death penalty, but support falling, poll reports
 Venezuelan bishops rap 'totalitarian' tendencies of Maduro regime
 Zambia's president threatens bishop who pressed for constitutional reform
 Charlotte diocesan, school officials apologize for controversial presentation on homosexuality
 Holy Land bishops: some Muslims, along with Christians, face persecution in Middle East
 Bishop urges Senate to declassify report on CIA interrogation, torture
 Pope receives prime minister of Cape Verde
 Meeting between Pope Francis, Queen Elizabeth
 ‘Reconciliation and healing of wounds’ remain Church’s priority in Rwanda, says Pope
 Papal telegram for Chilean earthquake victims
 Pope Francis canonizes 3 saints; 13 other sainthood causes advance

Released Wednesday, Apr. 2

 Papal support for reconstruction in earthquake-damaged Italian region
 Italian protester coaxed off roof of Vatican basilica, arrested
 Vietnamese Catholics driven from homes as government seizes land for development
 Vatican prelate calls for solidarity with autism sufferers, family members
 Ukrainian prelate raps Moscow patriarchate for failure to condemn Russian aggression in Crimea
 Ukrainian Catholic leader creates jurisdiction in eastern Ukraine
 Pope John XXIII enjoyed occasional 'escape' from Vatican, aide reveals
 'Marriage is beautiful, must be protected,' Pope tells weekly audience
 New Jersey prelate to lead Syrian Orthodox Church
 Prelate criticizes Obama administration over deportations of immigrants
 Russian Orthodox leader criticizes transgender ideology
 Setback for Archdiocese of Washington in HHS mandate case
 In India, AIDS patients turn to Catholic hospitals
 Historic Sinai monastery criticized as threat to Egypt’s security
 Nigerian cardinal criticizes role of sharia, says Muslim leaders must ‘rein in their mad dogs’

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