Catholic Culture Resources
Catholic Culture Resources

Stories for February 2016

Ordered from most to least recent.

Released Monday, Feb. 29

 Louisiana judge strikes down law that requires priest to report abuse mentioned in confession
 Pakistan executes governor's killer, despite threat of Islamic retaliation
 Pontiff thanks Italian police who serve around St. Peter's Square
 Oscar-winning 'Spotlight' team prods Church on sexual abuse
 Efforts to aid refugees should not be motivated by proselytism: Cardinal Müller
 Cardinal Pell, in commission testimony, acknowledges 'catastrophe' in Church handling of abuse cases
 The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christian unity, Pope tells Ethiopian patriarch
 Papal prayers for refugees, Syria
 Pope Francis: God awaits our conversion
 Place the person at the center of enterprise, Pope tells Italian businessmen
 Argentina’s new president meets with Pope
 Pope visits drug-treatment center as part of ‘Friday of mercy’ initiative

Released Friday, Feb. 26

 'Mercy Bus' draws hundreds of lapsed English Catholics back to active faith
 Mexican pro-life leader arrested
 HIV infection more likely among African women injected with Depo-Provera
 Chinese pastor's sentence: 14 years for resisting removal of cross
 Canadian bishops decry proposal for to allow physican-assisted suicide
 Boston's Mayor Walsh rejects 'personally pro-life' label
 Papal diplomats face unprecedented challenge, says Vatican's 'foreign minister'
 God cannot be solitary because God is love, Pope tells conference participants
 Papal preacher devotes Lenten sermon to receiving God’s word
 Cardinal: interreligious dialogue counters modern deafness to God
 Indonesia’s bishops speak out against corruption
 India’s Franciscans to seek freedom for 1,000 prisoners
 Islamic leader: ‘terrorism is not part of Islam’
 Italian senate approves same-sex civil unions
 Russian patriarch ‘very frustrated’ by Ukrainian Catholic criticism of statement

Released Thursday, Feb. 25

 Yakima diocese discourages attendance at pro-life fundraiser addressed by Laura Ingraham
 Georgian Orthodox Church rejects ecumenical document for worldwide Orthodox council
 Cardinal Müller cautions: Italian civil-union proposal must not compromise marriage
 English Catholic university opens Benedict XVI Centre
 Pope answers children's questions in new book
 Illness forces Pope Francis to cancel appointments
 Orthodox patriarchs to meet to resolve jurisdictional dispute
 Vatican conference on Pope Benedict’s 1st encyclical
 Niger’s bishops appeal for peace
 Jerusalem bishop: work with Assad to defeat Islamic State
 Patriarch calls on Orthodox, Catholics to oppose de-Christianitization, persecution
 Nigeria’s bishops decry corruption, welcome progress in fight against Boko Haram

Released Wednesday, Feb. 24

 Islamic leader: how can US Christians explain support for same-sex marriage?
 Belgian bishops report $4.4 million paid to abuse victims
 Filipino archbishop: Madonna concert could be occasion of sin
 Vatican Secretary of State avoids direct opposition to Italian civil-union legislation
 Vatican receptionist found dead; investigation underway
 Cardinal Pell to testify for Australian royal commission beginning Sunday
 Patriarch Kirill: 'powerful forces' opposed meeting with Pope
 Pope reflects on mercy and power
 Over 10.5 million saw Pope in Mexico
 US ecumenical group celebrates 10th anniversary
 Bishops from North, South America gather in Tampa
 Christian children face Muslim proselytism in schools, says Church official in Malaysia
 Ukrainian Catholic leader renews criticism of statement by Pope, Russian patriarch
 Aleppo bishop: ‘nearly all our churches are damaged’

Released Tuesday, Feb. 23

 US Catholic colleges have liberal rules for students entertaining opposite sex, study finds
 Roman catacomb restoration funded by foundation in Azerbaijan
 Community asks prayers for Mother Angelica
 Settlement between Missouri diocese, parish employee fired after same-sex marriage
 Guatemalan bishops decry sex-education legislation
 Venezuelan prelate laments collapse of health care
 Peruvian bishops issue election statement
 Jesuit who worked as Sandinista government minister dead at 82
 Report: ISIS releases 43 Christian hostages

Released Monday, Feb. 22

 Father Lombardi steps down from Vatican Radio post
 Schismatic traditionalist Bishop Williamson plans to ordain another bishop
 10,000 children among Syria's war casualties
 Helena diocese finds mediation cuts bankruptcy costs
 Abuse victims will be present for Cardinal Pell's testimony
 Canadian archbishop: no anointing for people planning assisted suicide
 Fidelity and mercy are inseparable, Pope tells Curia and Vatican personnel
 Work for the dignity of Jesus, Pope tells Mexico’s Jesuits
 Indian bishop works to counter suicides among farmers
 Myanmar cardinal calls for greater respect for religious liberty
 Christians are determined to remain in Syria, says prelate
 Pope renews call for abolition of death penalty
 Pope reflects on journey to Mexico, meeting with Russian patriarch
 Deepen your commitment to express mercy, Pope tells jubilee pilgrims

Released Friday, Feb. 19

 Returning from Mexico trip, Pope again venerates icon of Salus Populi Romani
 French Cardinal Barbarin under pressure for failure to remove accused priest
 Church in Israel faces 'complete crisis,' Jerusalem vicar reports
 Christian refugees endangered by other migrants: German cardinal
 Moscow Patriarchate renews criticism of Ukrainian Catholic Church
 Cardinal Pell demands investigation after 'outrageous' leaks of renewed abuse charges
 Vatican spokesman downplays Pope's comments during airplane interview
 Papal preacher begins weekly Lenten sermons
 Moscow patriarch visits Antarctica
 Philippine bishops issue statement on pornography
 Quebec religious community in major abuse settlement
 Report: bishop praises Russian intervention in Syria
 Report: Armenian Catholic parish destroyed in Turkey

Released Thursday, Feb. 18

 Pope open to discuss contraception as response to Zika epidemic
 Trump's views 'not Christian,' Pope says
 Former Vatican prosecutor: every bishop should see 'Spotlight'
 Pennsylvania diocese to close parish schools, create regional-school system
 Spanish court rejects criminal charges against bishop who compared abortion to Holocaust
 British PM Cameron shows 'poisonous form of radical moral liberalism,' says Cardinal Pell
 Cardinal Pell agrees to new meeting with abuse victims
 Irish bishops speak of 'uncertain social climate' in pre-election statement
 Catholic bishops in Holy Land decry treatment of Palestinians
 Decrying injustice, Pope concludes journey to Mexico
 Leading Lebanese Muslim: extremists misinterpret Islam
 Synod of Bishops ponders ‘synodal Church’
 Colombian bishop laments plight of the Wayuu
 Aleppo bishop says ‘moderate’ Syrian rebels are killing civilians

Released Wednesday, Feb. 17

 Australian abuse victims raise funds to travel to Rome, witness Cardinal Pell's testimony
 Irish government minister reportedly avoided hearing sex-abuse complaints
 As Venezuela's crisis deepens, cardinal urges order, care for common good
 Vatican moves to resume exchanges with Egypt's Al Azhar University
 Pope's message of hope to Mexican youth
 Vatican to UN: Zika epidemic does not warrant attack on innocent victims
 Vatican spokesman raps Trump for criticizing Pope on immigration
 Papal condolences following death of former UN secretary-general
 Blasphemy bill withdrawn in Georgia
 Orissa survivors meet, express solidarity with Middle East’s Christians
 Amid protests, Bosnia’s judiciary upholds hijab ban
 Vatican astronomer discusses gravitational-wave discovery
 Safe water, sanitation are focus of papal message for Brazilian Lenten campaign
 USCCB president’s message for papal visit
 Patriarch Kirill: Russia, other nations should work jointly against terrorists in Syria

Released Tuesday, Feb. 16

 Pope urges Mexican priests to fight against drug traffic, violence, corruption
 First stage of renovation completed at Nativity basilica in Bethlehem
 Pope Francis: better for families to be tired, struggling than isolated, seeking luxury
 Coptic bishops mark anniversary of Libya beheadings
 Portugal’s parliament overrides presidential veto of abortion, adoption bills
 Nigerian cardinal: Boko Haram members are our ‘kith and kin’
 Russian patriarch: meeting with Pope was of great historical significance
 Italian PM rebukes cardinal in civil-union debate
 NY governor bans ‘hateful’ therapy for youth with same-sex, transgender inclinations
 Iraqi prelate: ‘our diocese is at its end’

Released Monday, Feb. 15

 Pope has long private prayer session before image of Our Lady of Guadalupe
 Vatican officials 'not cooperating' with papal panel on sexual abuse, member charges
 Bishops must report abuse complaints to law enforcement, papal commission reaffirms
  Mount St. Mary’s faculty demands president's removal; trustees and students indicate support
 In Chiapas, Pope condemns exploitation of indigenous peoples
 Correspondence between St. John Paul II and married woman is 'tempest in teapot,' says biographer
 Ukrainian Catholic leader: many feel ‘betrayed’ by joint statement of Pope, Russian patriarch
 ‘We have opted for Jesus and not for the devil,’ Pope preaches in Ecatepec
 In Mexico City, Pope laments drug trade, calls upon faithful to imitate St. Juan Diego
 Meeting with Russian patriarch was candid and fraternal, says Pope

Released Friday, Feb. 12

 In historic statement, Pope and Russian Patriarch speak for persecuted Christians, defense of family
 GOP candidate Trump raps Pope's 'very political' visit to Mexican border
 Vatican envoy urges UN to tackle inequality
 English bishop urges faithful to rediscover Confession during Jubilee Year
 Mexican prison riot will not change plans for Pope's visit
 New Mexico officials seize records from Catholic schools, archdiocese
 Furor mounts at Maryland Catholic college; president reportedly disparaged role of faith
 Syrian bishop pleased that Pope-Patriarch meeting will focus on suffering Christians
 Church unity more important than ever, says Italian cardinal
 500,000 venerated relics of Padre Pio, St. Leopold
 US bishops’ conference inaugurates Catholic-Muslim dialogue
 Drug trafficking a ‘scourge’ in North America, says Vatican Secretary of State
 Jewish, Muslim leaders in Russia welcome Pope-patriarch meeting
 Spokesman for Colombia’s bishops laments pro-abortion response to Zika
 Malawi’s bishops decry food, medicine shortages

Released Thursday, Feb. 11

 Italian police charge Argentinian-born priest in €30-million fraud scheme
 Australian archbishop blocks speaking appearance by sponsor of same-sex marriage measure
 UN officials, promoting abortion as response to Zika, likened to King Herod by Peruvian cardinal
 Judge rules abuse victims can seek punitive damages from Chicago archdiocese in McCormack cases
 Northern Ireland defeats bid to allow abortion in cases of severe fetal deformity
 Cardinal Sandri urges support for Good Friday collection to help suffering Christians in Holy Land
 Pope hears priests' confessions, visits St. Mary Major
 Papal appeal for prayers for sick and for meeting with Russian patriarch
 Pope Francis at Ash Wednesday Mass: be reconciled to God
 Benin bishops’ website: nation’s prime minister should resign
 Cardinal Nichols celebrates Vespers at Henry VIII’s palace
 Malaysian prelate warns families against secularization, divorce
 Philippine cardinal: donate savings from Lenten fasting to feed the hungry
 Church of England warns against unlimited Sunday shopping hours
 Background: World Day of the Sick

Released Wednesday, Feb. 10

 Colombian president disputes link between Zika and microcephaly
 Polish bishops object to article post by European bishops' conference
 Two appointed to head sections of new Vatican Secretariat for Communications
 Firing of tenured faculty prompts uproar at Maryland Catholic college
 Former Texas priest charged in 1960 murder case
 Armenian Orthodox Patriarch ruled incapable of decisions because of Alzheimer's disease
 Bishop reports terror attacks in Central African Republic, and 'nothing is said'
 Russian Patriarch responded to Pope's open invitation, says Cardinal Koch
 Lay member of papal abuse commission defends vote to remove outspoken member
 Pope meets with Iraq’s prime minister
 Pope reflects on Old Testament jubilee year
 Live in relationship with God the Father, Pope tells Pompei’s youth
 Cover penitents with a blanket of mercy, Pope tells Missionaries of Mercy
 Cardinals discuss curial changes, decentralization
 Prelate decries North Korean rocket launch
 Pope appears in video on monthly prayer intention
 Cardinal Parolin defends clerical celibacy

Released Tuesday, Feb. 9

 Gallup diocese has spent $3.5 million in legal fees for bankruptcy
 Northern Ireland: Catholic bishops oppose move to allow abortion in cases of severe fetal defect
 Christians boycott Iraqi parliament's 'peaceful coexistence' conference, saying talk produces no action
 New undercover video shows National Abortion Federation 'really interested' in proposal for fetal-tissue sales
 In new interview, Pope reflects on European malaise
 'Never tire of forgiving,' Pope urges Capuchin confessors
 Italian group for divorced/remarried Catholics gets special invitation to papal audience
 Prominent US curial official named nuncio
 Lutheran leaders emphasize ‘quest for unity’ with Catholic Church
 Russian Orthodox bishops emphasize that doctrine cannot be changed
 Film highlights Soviet brutality against Polish nuns
 Maltese bishop rues ‘privatization’ of Confession
 American, Indonesian officials renew push for family planning

Released Monday, Feb. 8

 Outspoken member removed from Pope's sex-abuse commission
 Germany cannot accept so many refugees: Cardinal Marx
 In video message to Mexico, Pope anticipates visit with 'great joy'
 Australian abuse panel will take Cardinal Pell's testimony by video link
 Maronite Patriarch sees Lebanon empty presidency pushing Lebanon toward collapse
 European bishops’ commission welcomes European Parliament’s condemnation of ISIS
 182 madrasas closed in Pakistan for promoting extremism
 Patriarchs call for prayer, fasting for suffering Church in Syria, Iraq
 Zambia’s bishops decry ‘political hooliganism,’ warn priests against partisanship
 Papal condolences following Taiwan earthquake
 Papal appeals for Syria, respect for human life from conception to natural death
 Pope Francis: Christ and the Church ‘fish’ for men and women
 Prayer unlocks the heart of God, Pope tells Padre Pio prayer groups

Released Friday, Feb. 5

 Zambia's president meets with Pontiff
 Long lines of pilgrims to venerate relics of Padre Pio in Rome
 New bishop for Anglican ordinariate means 'we're here to stay'
 Latin American prelates decry push for abortion as response to Zika virus
 Former Salvadoran colonel faces extradition, trial for 1989 murder of six Jesuits
 Pope, Russian Orthodox Patriarch schedule unpredecented meeting
 Pope visits curial offices
 Pontifical council, World Council of Churches discuss Christian witness in multi-faith world
 Sierra Leone prelate speaks out against abortion
 Obama, at mosque, defends religious liberty
 Australia’s religious speak out against Pacific trade deal
 As ambassador reinstated, Turkish, Armenian governments differ over Vatican statement
 French leftists press for universal ban on surrogacy

Released Thursday, Feb. 4

 Kenyan bishops pleased with government's decision to withdraw proposed regulations of religious bodies
 Australian churches offer sanctuary for immigrants facing deportation
 Turkey returns ambassador, who was recalled after Pope spoke of Armenian genocide
 Pope meets with Argentine cross-cultural educational group
 European Parliament condemns Islamic State 'war crimes' against Christians
 Syrian refugees need more aid, says Vatican 'foreign minister'
 Canadian cardinal urges lawmakers to protect conscience rights in assisted-suicide legislation
 Leading Orthodox theologian: forthcoming council is ‘extraordinary and exceptional event’
 Objections raised to Anglican-Presbyterian agreement
 Cardinal Parolin meets with religious, inaugurates nunciature in Slovenia
 Holy Land Custos calls on Muslim clerics to confront extremism, Christians to stay in Syria
 Vote to stay in EU, European bishops’ official urges UK
 Delaware judge: priest-penitent privilege may be unconstitutional

Released Wednesday, Feb. 3

 UNESCO confirms Jordan site as place of Christ's baptism
 Mexico's violence, corruption, is not Our Lady's plan, Pope says on eve of visit
 Russian Patriarch discourages high expectations for pan-Orthodox council
 Vatican newspaper denounces UK approval of ‘gene-editing’ of human embryos
 Vatican statement: religious violence is ‘particularly heinous’
 Pope reflects on God’s mercy and justice
 Pope concludes Year of Consecrated Life with call to encounter, wonder, gratitude
 France: mixed reactions to new law on end-of-life care
 Iraqi Jesuit saved 1,000 manuscripts
 Canadian nun recounts ordeal as captive in Cameroon
 USCCB files brief in support of regulation of abortion clinics in Texas

Released Tuesday, Feb. 2

 Rome relaxes Jubilee Year ban on concession carts
 Italian cardinal speaks out against civil-union proposal
 Pope speaks of 'great respect' for Chinese culture
 New Orleans archdiocese goes silent on social media to dramatize danger of human trafficking
 Bishop Schneider: 'semi-heretical' Church leaders lead the faithful astray
 Vatican dismisses rumor that Pope will act in movie
 Catholic theological institute to open in Vietnam
 ‘The Son of God was not an anarchist,’ Pope tells consecrated persons
 Strong track record of priestly vocations in Seoul
 Pontifical Theological Academy considers human dignity
 4,000 religious gather in Rome as Year of Consecrated Life concludes
 Cardinal Sarah emphasizes importance of silence in the liturgy
 Swiss Bishops’ Conference opposes ballot measure on deportation of immigrants

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