Stories for September 2015

Ordered from most to least recent.

Released Wednesday, Sep. 30

 Bishop Olmsted issues powerful challenge to Catholic men
 St. Gallen group confirms prelates' meetings, but denies cabal to elect new Pope
 Vatican official, at UN, underlines importance of test-ban treaty
 Synod rules to eliminate bishops' final report, leave Pope to deliver message?
 Pope encourages the sick to focus on Christ
 Tension develops in relations between Pope, Mayor of Rome
 Priest slain in Philippines
 At audience, Pope reflects on trip to America
 In Germany, thousands of Muslim refugees seeking Baptism
 Pope's prayer intentions for October 2015
 Pope met Kim Davis, said 'stay strong'
 Polish nun beatified
 Vatican cardinal meets with Armenian president
 Vatican newspaper: analysis of recent Muslim statement on climate change
 Kenya’s bishops offer to mediate in teachers’ strike
 Nigerian bishops denounce corruption, high government salaries, pensions
 Leading Ukrainian Catholic prelate praises nation’s president
 Cardinal Turkson discusses capitalism and Pope’s encyclical on creation
 Report: leading Ghana prelate strongly criticizes homosexual relations

Released Tuesday, Sep. 29

 New Jersey Catholic health-care system charges religious discrimination by insurer
 800,000 sign plea for clear statement of Church teaching on marriage, family
 Sistine Chapel Choir releases album with Deutsche Grammophon
 Italian aid worker killed in Bangladesh; Islamic State claims responsibility
 Syrian bishop decries French bombing, says West does not consider impact on civilians
 Pope pleads for life of convict scheduled for execution
 Theme announced for World Communications Day
 Philippine cardinal: we approach environmental issues from pastoral, not scientific perspective
 Cardinal Burke named member of curial congregation
 Russian Orthodox patriarch meets with Abbas
 Vandalism at mission church where St. Junípero Serra is buried
 Wave of violence in Central African Republic, site of November papal visit
 Nigerian bishops reiterate opposition to same-sex marriage

Released Monday, Sep. 28

 New album will combine Pope's words, variety of music
 Vatican 'foreign minister' applauds UN approval of development goals
 Pope releases message for 2016 World Youth Day in Krakow
 Catholic schools re-open in Israel after government eases budget cuts
 Dublin to host World Meeting of Families in 2018
 Australian state anti-discrimination minister denounces Catholic publication affirming marriage
 On return to Rome, Pope prays at St. Mary Major
 Pope backs conscience rights, reiterates Church teachings, during in-flight press conference
 Chiapas bishop laments violence
 Family is part of God’s plan, Pope says in 3 Philadelphia addresses
 Jesus wants to cleanse us, Pope tells prisoners
 Pope ‘profoundly sorry’ about sexual abuse, says bishops ‘will be held accountable’
 Pope Francis: religious freedom extends beyond worship, protects us from globalized uniformity
 Encourage the laity to become missionary disciples, Pope asks clergy, religious

Released Saturday, Sep. 26

 Go out to meet others, Pope urges faithful in New York

Released Friday, Sep. 25

 Hindu extremists demand: foreign religious leaders must leave Nepal
 Ground Zero memorial conveys sense of grief, response of solidarity, Pope says at interfaith service
 Pope calls for action on climate, end to warfare, in address to UN
 South African cardinal: ‘don’t try to pigeonhole the synod fathers’
 Report: Chinese prelates seek reconciliation with Holy See
 Polygamy becoming less prevalent, says Ugandan prelate
 Burkina Faso’s bishops denounce coup
 Legislation barring most late-term abortions fails in Senate
 Pope, in New York, calls priests and religious to gratitude, self-sacrifice, pays tribute to women religious

Released Thursday, Sep. 24

 Burundi: government rejects bishops' call for dialogue with rebels
 Europe's duty to accept refugees, archbishop argues
 Cardinal Turkson stresses environment in talk to World Meeting of Families
 Mecca disaster: over 700 killed in stampede
 Philadelphia mayor hopes to press Pope for change in Church policy on homosexuality
 No justification of homelessness, Pope says in visit to DC shelter
 Ontario parents plan school strike to protest sex-ed curriculum
 Pope challenges America in speech to US Congress
 South Africa: bishops’ conference backs anti-corruption march
 English Channel prelates appeal for compassion for refugees
 1st commercial recording in Sistine Chapel
 Europe’s largest mosque opens in Moscow
 Cardinal Sarah: don’t soften Christ’s teaching on marriage and the family
 Pope makes surprise visit to Little Sisters of the Poor, opponents of HHS mandate

Released Wednesday, Sep. 23

 St. Junipero Serra canonized in DC ceremony
 Family is topic for Pope's final appearance in Cuba
 Kerry sees 'overlap' in US, Vatican foreign-policy goals
 English cardinal hopes Synod will offer new path for divorced/remarried Catholics
 Be shepherds first, Pope asks US bishops
 Religious liberty, environment in focus as President Obama welcomes Pope Francis
 World Meeting of Families begins in Philadelphia
 Catholic-Muslim statement against desecration of religious symbols
 ‘Like a shell’: new semicircular cathedral dedicated in France
 Head of Russian Orthodox Church: sanctions against Russia promote self-sufficiency
 Church in Holy Land offers Yom Kippur, Eid greetings

Released Tuesday, Sep. 22

 Nigerian prelate sees tide turning against Boko Haram, supports amnesty offer
 'Underground' bishop hopes for meeting between Pope, Chinese President
 Former US envoys to Holy See endorse Jeb Bush
 Vatican official cleared of charges in Italian real-estate sale
 I'm not a leftist, Pope tells reporters
 Pope arrives in US
 Israel government, in reversal, agrees to pay compensation for arson attack on ancient church
 Italian bishops' spokesman raps country's sales of anti-personnel mines
 At Marian shrine, Pope says Church must 'build bridges, break down walls'
 Kerry writes on State Department’s efforts to engage religion
 Bishop dedicates memorial to deported immigrants
 Senate vote expected on legislation barring most late-term abortions
 Holy Land’s Christian leaders urge: maintain Temple Mount status quo
 El Salvador: archbishop opposes telecom tax
 Report documents human rights violations in Crimea under Russian rule
 Have compassion on the migrant, European Christian leaders urge

Released Monday, Sep. 21

 UN will fly Vatican flag for first time during Pope's visit
 Unprecedented security for papal visit to US
 Pope speaks to each reporter on plane flight to Cuba
 Vatican may pay damages to victims of defrocked papal nuncio's abuse
 Vice President Biden 'really excited' about papal visit
 Cuban dissidents blocked from meetings with Pontiff
 At Mass in Holguin, Pope speaks on how Jesus 'unlocked Matthew's heart'
 Papal message to new head of Assyrian Church of the East
 Italian bishop beatified
 Calabrian bishops: Mafia convicts not permitted to serve as godparents
 Obama, Castro praise Pope’s role in normalizing relations
 Moscow patriarch praises Russian PM
 USCCB welcomes House resolution on climate change
 In Cuba, Pope emphasizes service to the vulnerable, praises thaw in US-Cuban relations

Released Friday, Sep. 18

 Challenge to Obamacare contraceptive mandate upheld by federal appeals court
 Africa will save marriage, family, Cardinal Sarah vows
 Vatican reportedly unhappy over guest list for White House reception with Pope
 US-Cuba pact was signed at Vatican, official reveals
 Syrian refugee family living at Vatican
 Nebraska diocese will participate in sex-abuse audit process, for 1st time since 2003
 Church looted, burned in Yemen
 Pope praises work of Vatican Observatory, names new director
 Archbishop of Canterbury: Anglicans ‘must have space for deep disagreement’
 Report: Pope Francis, Palestinian president speak about Jerusalem violence
 Papal message to Cuban people
 Do not encourage Christians to leave the Middle East, patriarch pleads

Released Thursday, Sep. 17

 Luxembourg's premier meets with Pontiff
 Congress, courts clash in legal battle over release of undercover Planned Parenthood videos
 Shun narcissism, practice adoration, Pope tells young religious
 Help women and children living on the streets, Pope Francis urges
 Syrian bishop explains exodus of refugees, rips failure of international leaders to end bloodshed
 'No one can pretend not to know' about Christian persecution in Syria, Iraq, Pope says
 Vatican hope: opening toward freedom in Cuba after lifting of US embargo
 Secret Service: no major threats against Pontiff in US
 2 churches bombed in Nepal
 Brazilian bishops decry murder of indigenous person
 Synod leader: the Church must include, not exclude
 World meeting for young religious begins in Rome
 European bishops: ‘the Church does not accept gender theory’
 German cardinal discusses importance of pro-life issues
 Bishop: economic interests foster Syrian conflict

Released Wednesday, Sep. 16

 Council of Cardinals completes proposal for new Congregation for the Laity
 Boston hospital dismisses doctor for pointing to dangers of homosexual acts
 Philadelphia teen was arrested for trying to organize attack on Pope
 Man pulls gun on pro-lifers outside abortion clinic
 Pope meets with EU environmental ministers
 Pope requests prayers for journey to Cuba, US
 Pope Francis: family more important than ever in technological, profit-centered world
 Report: police murder pastor in Laos
 Vatican prefect emphasizes importance of baptism, evangelization
 ‘Every life is worth living’: USCCB’s Respect Life Month statement
 Canadian bishops elect new president
 Growing interest in faith seen in Cuba
 Vatican foreign minister praises peaceful use of nuclear energy, rues ‘bloated’ arsenals
 Vatican newspaper chides EU over migrant crisis

Released Tuesday, Sep. 15

 Jubilee 'Holy Door' to be opened at hostel from Rome's homeless
 Abortion providers say publicity about fetal-parts sales could destroy Planned Parenthood, in 10th undercover video
 Pope 'likely' to meet Fidel Castro
 Pope names successor to Bishop Finn
 Like Mary, entrust yourself to Jesus, Pope says in message for World Day of the Sick
 Vatican releases names of all participants in upcoming Synod
 Next ‘Courtyard of the Gentiles’ to take place in Assisi
 Euthanasia, clerical abuse on agenda of Canadian bishops’ meeting
 No Israeli tax compensation for arson attack on historic church
 Patriarch: Western ground troops needed to fight Islamic State
 Ukrainian prelate speaks of Church’s growth

Released Monday, Sep. 14

 Pop singers to perform before papal Mass at Madison Square Garden
 Vatican opens train service for Castel Gandolfo tours
 Orthodox group to honor Vice President Biden for human-rights work
 US thwarts plan to attack Pope during visit
 Vatican official cancels visit to Nepal, apparently hoping to avoid provocation
 Vatican officials criticize Pope's annulment reforms
 Chilean cardinals discussed blocking abuse victim's speech, leaked emails show
 German-speaking bishops voice sympathy for homosexual unions
 Cardinal Turkson demands binding global pacts on hunger, climate change
 Papal charity plans conference on refugee crisis in Syria and Iraq
 Church teaching on remarriage is ludicrous, Boston pastor writes
 In new interviews, Pope speaks on immigration, environment, and European decline
 Council of Cardinals meeting this week to continue planning Vatican reforms
 Bishops rue Burundi’s deteriorating political situation
 English bishops issue pastoral letter on mercy and evangelization
 Cuban bishops welcome amnesty for prisoners
 Recent South African martyr beatified
 Do not place your ‘I’ at the center of existence, says Pope
 Pope encourages work of cooperatives
 Brief papal message to European bishops

Released Friday, Sep. 11

 Serbian president meets with Pope, discusses refugee crisis
 New fetal-cell lines being introduced for vaccine production
 Parliament handily rejects proposal to allow assisted suicide
 'Everyone is required' to take action against climate change, Pope says
 White House invites religious allies to attend reception for Pope Francis
 St. Andrews rejects suggestion to revoke honorary degree for Cardinal O'Brien
 Cuba will release prisoners-- but not political prisoners-- before Pope's visit
 Cardinal Marx: Pope's annulment reforms don't go far enough
 Dozens killed as crane collapses on pilgrims at Mecca
 UN Secretary-General lauds Pope Francis
 Nigerian priest kidnapped
 European bishops meet in Holy Land
 Texas, Mexican bishops discuss immigration
 Court rules that letters to priests do not fall under clergy-penitent privilege
 Welcome Syrian refugees, USCCB president urges
 Papal parade to take place during Pope’s visit to Washington

Released Thursday, Sep. 10

 Italian TV special revives controversy over mobster's funeral
 Kuwaiti premier meets Pontiff; new pact on bilateral affairs
 Maronite Patriarch meets Hezbollah leaders in bid to break Lebanon's political deadlock
 Cameroon: human screens protect worshippers at Sunday Mass after Boko Haram terror attack
 Open-air confessions in St. Peter's Square planned for Year of Mercy
 Hackers target Vatican internet site
 Some Catholic colleges remove links to Planned Parenthood; others retain them
 Priests who cannot show mercy should not hear confessions, Pope says
 Dates announced for Pope’s trip to Africa
 Pope Francis: bishops are primarily witnesses of the risen Christ
 Church’s mission is not political, says Coptic pope
 Cardinal Kasper: Latin theology is a ‘prisoner’ of commutative justice
 Papal telegram for ecumenical conference on mercy
 European bishops: continent’s nations must work together to address refugee crisis
 Pope discusses family issues, calls on spouses to be missionaries

Released Wednesday, Sep. 9

 Saudis censor National Geographic with Pope on cover
 Philadelphia archdiocesan schools ask parents to affirm Catholic identity
 No canonical proceedings against German bishop ousted after complaints about spending
 Revitalize alliance between Church and family, Pope urges at weekly audience
 Philippine prelate warns: approve autonomous region or risk Islamist extremism
 Catholic faith spreads among Bangladesh’s adivasis
 Peruvian prelate denounces lynchings
 Texas cardinal calls for investigation into Planned Parenthood
 Papal message for restoration of UN murals
 Report: Islamic State releases 15 Christian hostages
 International conference on violence against Middle East’s religious minorities

Released Tuesday, Sep. 8

 Arab Israelis join protest against cuts in funding for Christian schools
 Australian archbishop: give preference to Christian refugees from Syria
 Cardinal Wuerl highlights need to preserve religious freedom
 Kim Davis, Kentucky county clerk, to be released from prison
 Pope issues new rules to streamline annulment process
 Pope wrong about migrants, says Hungarian prelate
 Burkina Faso’s bishops call for transparent elections
 2 Christians arrested in Laos for spreading faith
 Defeat for Indiana diocese, Our Sunday Visitor in HHS mandate case
 Vienna’s cardinal cautions against panic in face of refugee crisis
 Italian, Polish bishops welcome papal appeal to house refugees
 European bishops’ conferences release yearbook

Released Monday, Sep. 7

 Focus on catechesis to curb exodus of young people, Pope advises Portuguese bishops
 Cooperation among believers grows in Albania after decades of brutal persecution, Pope notes
 'Complicit silence' of world powers allows persecution of Christians, Pope says
 USCCB outlines concerns about proposed Medicare rule on end-of-life decisions
 Poll: majority of Americans unaware of papal visit
 New papal documents on annulments to be released September 8
 3 Spanish martyrs beatified
 Pope calls on every European parish to welcome a refugee family
 Pope Francis: through the Incarnation, God bridges the gulf between Himself and creation
 Welcoming is an important part of evangelization, Pope tells members of movement
 Pope praises single mother for not choosing abortion

Released Friday, Sep. 4

 Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople rebukes Moscow, underlines importance of ties with Rome
 Cardinal Müller: German leadership risks split in Church
 From German-speaking bishops' conferences, arguments for change in Church teaching on marriage
 Colombian, Venezuelan bishops appeal for dialogue
 Papal message to theology conference
 Manila cardinal begins ‘season of creation’
 UK’s chief rabbi meets with Pope
 Islamic State imposes tax on Christians in Syrian city

Released Thursday, Sep. 3

 Italian priest stops all parish activities, to block gossip about his alleged paternity
 Priests in Michigan, Kansas charged for misappropriating parish funds
 Another papal first: shopping for eyeglasses in downtown Rome
 Kenyan bishop: defend family against outside ideological pressures
 Kentucky clerk jailed for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licences
 Serve families, hear confessions: Pope's requests to priests of Schoenstatt Movement
 Pope meets Israeli president, presses for resumption of talks with Palestinians
 CDF rules that transgendered person is not permitted to be baptismal sponsor, says Spanish bishop
 ‘The Rigging of a Vatican synod?’
 Odisha bishops establish ‘Martyrs’ Day’
 Nigerian prelate backs leader’s anti-corruption effort
 ‘Protect church-state separation’ during papal visit, group urges
 US cardinal welcomes Pope’s initiative on absolution of abortions

Released Wednesday, Sep. 2

 Vatican delegate objects to gender ideology in UN development document
 Israeli Catholics demonstrate to protest government budget cuts for Church schools
 Catholic college prepared to pay heavy fines for failure to comply with Obamacare mandate
 English cardinal urges faithful to oppose bill allowing assisted suicide
 Papal plea for end to warfare
 Patriarch pleads for young Christians to stay in Syria, Iraq
 New poll confirms widespread dissent from Church moral teachings among US Catholics
 Beatification cause planned for victims of bombing in Baghdad cathedral
 Pope Francis: faith transforms family life for the better
 Orthodox bishops discuss pan-Orthodox council
 Christian, Muslim leaders discuss plight of Christians in Syria, Iraq
 Russian patriarch criticizes Ukrainian Catholics; Eastern patriarch says ‘real’ Ukrainians are Orthodox
 2 Catholic activists freed in Vietnam
 Federal government urges employees: work from home during papal visit
 Stay out of political campaigns, Ukrainian Catholic leader reminds priests
 German bishops’ conference: grant sanctuary to refugees only as a last resort

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