Catholic Culture Trusted Commentary
Catholic Culture Trusted Commentary

Stories for November 2016

Ordered from most to least recent.

Released Wednesday, Nov. 30

 US Catholic college presidents call for continuation of program allowing undocumented immigrant students
 Pope encourages French politicians to serve common good
 Dutch lawmakers move toward restrictions on Islamic veils
 Pope Francis’ prayer intentions for December
 Pope sends greetings to Orthodox Patriarch on patronal feast day
 In vocation message, Pope emphasizes prayer as basis of Christian missionary spirit
 Pope calls for prayer, treatment for those with HIV
 Pope reflects on burying the dead, prayer for the living and the dead
 Papal condolences following plane crash in Colombia
 EU prelates affirm importance of hospitality to migrants, religious freedom
 Cardinal: social dimension of mercy at heart of Pope Francis’s teaching
 20 thieves attack church in Bangladesh

Released Tuesday, Nov. 29

 Pope to receive Scorsese as Silence is screened at the Vatican
 Oslo diocese fined for inflating membership figures
 Miami’s Archbishop Wenski acknowledges Castro’s victims
 Venezuelan government still blocking humanitarian supplies, Catholic charity reports
 Scottish priest, suspended after writing on ‘powerful gay mafia,’ ordered to leave parish
 Slovakian bishops warn that international convention on violence against women promotes gender ideology
 Canonical trial of accused Guam archbishop has begun, successor reports
 Cardinals’ questions about Amoris Laetitia already answered: Father Spadaro
 Cardinal Pell defends four cardinals for asking ‘significant’ questions
 Four cardinals could be stripped of status for questioning papal document, says Vatican official
 Mexican archdiocese: families afraid to report kidnappings
 San Diego’s Bishop McElroy strongly encourages Communion for divorced/remarried
 Ugandan bishops warn against false ordinations
 Ontario court: parent not allowed to exempt elementary school children from objectionable classes
 USCCB grants $9.2M to US mission dioceses

Released Monday, Nov. 28

 Irish premier meets with Pontiff, announces papal visit in 2018
 Nearly 2.5 million embryos destroyed for IVF in UK
 African cardinal reports his country’s language has no word for his new office
 Deadly attack on French monastery fuels fears of new terrorism
 Papal thanks for organizers, volunteers who worked on Jubilee events
 Russian Orthodox Patriarch praises Castro’s legacy
 French cardinal raps government’s ‘obsession’ with abortion
 Former spokesman reveals how St. John Paul II convinced Castro to allow Christmas celebration
 Parishioner shot and killed during Mass in Cali, Colombia
 Father Peter Hans Kolvenbach, former Jesuit leader, dead at 87
 Cardinal Zen again voices concern about Vatican-Beijing talks
 Pope urges scientists to push for political action on climate change
 Papal prayers for victims of natural disasters
 Pope Francis: Christ’s second coming puts material things in proper perspective
 Papal condolences following Fidel Castro’s death
 Pope praises service of youthful volunteers
 Pope Francis confers Ratzinger Prizes, pays tribute to Pope Emeritus
 Pope encourages religious orders to rethink their spending
 France, Holy See ratify agreement on French church in Rome

Released Friday, Nov. 25

 Papal commission on female deacons holds first meeting
 In discussion with Jesuits, Pope speaks on ‘rigid’ seminarians, corrupt politicians
 Christmas tree arrives in St. Peter’s Square
 Italy, Vatican explore joint diplomatic efforts
 Police subdue hammer-wielding man in Roman church
 Former Irish president wants to use canon law to change the Church
 Venezuelan opposition says government has stalled Vatican-mediated crisis talks
 Bishop Schneider praises ‘prophetic’ action of four cardinals who submitted dubia
 Rwandan government says Vatican must apologize for Church role in 1994 massacres
 Isolation is the enemy of community, Pope says
 Misericordia et Misera underlines key theme of Pope Francis, says Cardinal Nichols
 Pope laments scourge of drug abuse
 Leading UN official meets with Pope
 Vietnam’s president meets with Pope Francis

Released Wednesday, Nov. 23

 Polish bishop supports cardinals’ request for clarification of Amoris Laetitia
 Preparations continue for next Synod meeting
 EU bishops back Pillar of Social Rights, call for recognition of Sunday rest
 Prelate: jubilee of mercy showed that Church is a mother, not a stepmother
 Vatican cardinal meets with Russian patriarch
 Cardinal DiNardo: share God’s mercy with those in physical, spiritual need
 Vatican hosts dialogue with Iranian Muslims on religious extremism
 Pope reflects on instructing the ignorant, counseling the doubtful

Released Tuesday, Nov. 22

 Greek prelate accuses four cardinals of heresy, scandal
 Scottish archdiocese announces interactive PDA app to find Mass, Confession
 French presidential candidates vie for Catholic votes
 Vatican launches web site for Peter’s Pence
 Moscow Patriarch says Russian Orthodox will never accept independent Orthodox Church in Ukraine
 Rwandan bishops beg pardon for Christian involvement in 1994 massacres
 Theme announced for 2019 World Youth Day
 French cardinal asks forgiveness for not addressing abuse allegation promptly
 Cardinal Parolin denounces forced labor in fishing industry
 Prelate calls for prayer, advocacy for Iraqi Christians
 Missouri court: embryos conceived through IVF are property, not children
 Oppose physician-assisted suicide with ‘renewed vigor,’ says Cardinal Dolan

Released Monday, Nov. 21

 Rome’s merchants report no boost from Jubilee Year
 European Commission promises help with rebuilding Norcia basilica
 Cardinal Sarah: Pope cannot change divine law on marriage
 Nearly 1 billion passed through Holy Doors during Year of Mercy
 Excommunication for abortion can also be lifted by priest-confessor, Vatican archbishop says
 Pope issues apostolic letter on mercy, extends faculties for SSPX, abortion absolutions
 French Carmelite beatified
 Pope recalls day of prayer for cloistered religious
 Pope closes extraordinary jubilee year, calls faithful to follow Christ’s kingship of mercy
 Pope creates 17 cardinals, warns against ‘virus of polarization’
 New cardinals, joined by Pope, greet Pope Emeritus
 Pope, in TV interview, calls abortion ‘very grave sin,’ ‘horrendous crime’

Released Friday, Nov. 18

 Pursue truth with compassion in marriage tribunals, Pope tells bishops
 Turkey ousts its only Christian mayor
 Melkite archbishop hopes Trump, acting with Russia, can curb bloodshed in Syria
 On eve of consistory, New York Times provides historical perspective on College of Cardinals
 Massachusetts priest pleads guilty to online scam
 Scottish leader would consider free abortions for women from Northern Ireland
 Cardinal Antonelli turns 80, becoming ineligible to vote in next conclave
 Cardinal-designate Tobin rejects criticism of Amoris Laetitia, calls for ‘healing’ after Trump victory
 Judge approves transfer of Archbishop Sheen’s remains to Peoria, to revive beatification cause
 Russian Orthodox official sees Trump victory as sign of hope
 Pope reacts to ‘rigid’ critics
 Pope to issue apostolic letter at conclusion of jubilee year
 Nigeria: police foil suicide bombing attack on Catholic parish
 Archbishop: Christians who fled ISIS likely to return to villages next summer
 Archdiocese offers $130M to abuse victims
 No pre-consistory meeting between Pope, cardinals

Released Thursday, Nov. 17

 Money is not the goal, Pope tells business executives
 Boston’s Catholic mayor vows to fight for abortion access
 Taiwan: thousands rally against same-sex marriage
 Pope meets with leader of Assyrian Church of the East
 Come home, bishop urges undocumented Filipinos living in US
 Archbishop Chaput answers criticism on view of Amoris Laetitia
 Spanish court dismisses charges against artist who desecrated Eucharist
 Fight against exclusion of the poor, Pope urges Caritas International
 Vatican official regrets Archbishop Chaput’s interpretation of Amoris Laetitia
 OAS leader meets with Pope, Cardinal Parolin
 Pope Francis: pray, offer Masses for the deceased
 Report documents violence, discrimination against Bangladesh’s Christians
 Chile’s bishops concerned about gender ideology, low voter turnout
 ‘Energy for the common good’ will be theme of Vatican’s world-fair pavilion
 Prelate: ‘Brexit is causing serious problems’
 Church in Nigeria to launch TV channel
 Syrian patriarch: persecuted Christians hope Trump will help secure Mideast peace

Released Wednesday, Nov. 16

 Vatican steps up recycling plan
 Indonesia: Christian governor to face trial for blasphemy
 Venezuelan archbishop: government negotiators take ‘very radical’ stand in crisis talks
 Cuba releases prisoners in response to Pope’s request for Jubilee
 Prelates may issue ‘formal act of correction’ on Amoris Laetitia: Cardinal Burke
 South Korean bishops call for resignation of President Park after financial/access scandal
 Nigerian bishop charges US forced liberal sexual agenda as price for aid against terrorists
 Pope appeals for children’s rights
 Brazilian cardinal retires; successor named
 Pope reflects on patience and spiritual works of mercy
 Pope, in message to US bishops, stresses culture of encounter
 Iraqi Christians discuss life under ISIS
 Laudatory Vatican newspaper review of book on Jesus and women
 British court: religious schools are allowed to educate boys, girls separately
 Federal court: 1964 Civil Rights Act bars discrimination on basis of sexual orientation
 US bishops approve 5 priorities, discuss persecuted Christians

Released Tuesday, Nov. 15

 Italy: divorce rate surges under more liberal law
 Workers report extraordinary phenomena at Christ’s tomb
 US bishops encouraged to address racial tensions
 El Salvador: archbishop wants action against gang violence
 Cardinal DiNardo elected to head US bishops’ conference
 World survey of religious freedom finds ‘Islamic hyper-extremism’ the greatest threat
 Pope speaks to Dutch pilgrims of importance of Confession
 Pope Francis urges UN conference to ‘act without delay’ on climate change
 German cardinal shocked by Trump election
 Islamist militant attacks Indonesian church
 Prelate calls on Trump administration to ‘recognize the contributions of refugees and immigrants’
 Protestor enters sanctuary during US bishops’ Mass
 Help young people encounter Christ, new nuncio urges US bishops

Released Monday, Nov. 14

 Mexican priest kidnapped, tortured after condemning criminal gangs
 Vatican official estimates 1 billion may have participated in Jubilee Year events
 Indian diocese encourages priests to visit homes, to stem losses for Church
 Roman Curia leaders meet with Pontiff
 Trump: ‘fine’ with same-sex marriage
 German national soccer team meets with Pontiff
 Four cardinals make public plea to Pope to clarify Amoris Laetitia
 Coadjutor appointed for Hong Kong, confronted by protests
 Papal call for sustainable farming
 Oldest crucifix in St. Peter’s Basilica restored
 Pope Francis: amid history’s trials, the Father does not abandon us
 Do not be indifferent to the poor, Pope preaches at jubilee of the excluded
 Those with rare diseases deserve equal access to effective healthcare, Pope says in message
 Pope recalls St. Martin of Tours, urges prayers for Iraq’s Christians
 God’s mercy is inclusive, Pope emphasizes at final jubilee audience

Released Friday, Nov. 11

 Paraguay: bishops say drug traffic corrupts state institutions
 Pro-life vow eliminated from statutes for Pontifical Academy for Life
 Ex-priests meet with Pontiff
 Giant tree due for Vatican Christmas celebration; creche will include migrants’ boat
 Mexican legislature rejects bid to recognize same-sex marriage nationwide
 Judge Trump by treatment of the poor, Pope Francis suggests in ‘revolutionary’ interview
 Cardinal warns Zambia’s Catholics: don’t allow syncretism to dilute the faith
 Cardinal Parolin: do not neglect those with rare, tropical diseases
 Ontario doctors challenge mandated referral for assisted suicide
 Argentine bishops discuss Amoris Laetitia
 Vatican cardinal: Pope Benedict’s Regensburg address was ‘prophetic’
 Pope, in interview, laments ‘rigidity’ of youth who prefer Latin Mass
 Compendium on the Eucharist available in English

Released Thursday, Nov. 10

 Chinese bishop ordained, with approval of both Rome and Beijing
 Cardinal Lehmann encourages German bishops to make changes now, under Pope Francis
 Trump election shows politicians were out of touch, Cardinal Burke says
 Christian unity is not uniformity, Pope says
 Texas bishop: reasons for hope, ‘serious concern’ in Trump election
 Becket’s personal psalter found in library
 Russian Orthodox patriarch congratulates Trump
 Aleppo’s Christians feel abandoned, says Holy Land Custos
 Oklahoma voters retain state Blaine amendment
 University of Mary, other North Dakota institutions file suit against transgender regulation

Released Wednesday, Nov. 9

 Bishop announces investigation of Father Pavone
 Trump won Catholic vote, exit polls say
 China awaits ordination of bishop, appointed by Vatican in 2013
 Italian premier promises help rebuilding Norcia basilica
 Myanmar: cardinal suggests return to church-administered schools
 Cardinal Turkson pushes environmental concerns in UNESCO speech
 President of US bishops’ conference pledges to work with Trump administration
 Cardinal Parolin congratulates Trump, urges work for peace
 Pope requests prayers on Lateran Basilica feast day
 Pope reflects on visiting the sick and imprisoned
 Leading Colombian prelate meets with government, rebel negotiators
 Argentina bishops’ commission: drug abuse is ‘national emergency’
 Vatican foreign minister concludes trip to Cyprus
 Teaching and witness must go together, Vatican cardinal tells French bishops

Released Tuesday, Nov. 8

 Father Pavone under fire for political video showing unborn child on altar
 Government officials see traditional Christians as extremists, says Archbishop of Canterbury
 As police close informal mosques in Rome, Muslims say vow to pray at the Vatican
 Venezuela faces violence if negotiations break down, Vatican envoy warns
 Syrian Orthodox prelate wounded by gunfire in Aleppo
 Jubilee participants top 20-million mark
 Pope meets leader in Italian campaign for legal abortion
 Philippines: bishop lauds Duterte’s promise to stop nuclear power production
 Malta archbishop fears ‘Equality Bill’ would undermine religious freedom
 Gender-theory confusion calls for magisterial response, Dutch cardinal says
 Father Lombardi named assistant to Jesuit superior general
 At Auschwitz, an interfaith appeal against anti-Semitism
 Papal message to French bishops
 Putin dedicates huge statue of St. Vladimir
 Iraq: Catholics from liberated town fear what lies ahead
 USCCB committee chair praises EPA action agenda

Released Monday, Nov. 7

 ‘Underground’ Catholics near despair over prospect of Vatican-Beijing accord
 Italian earthquakes were God’s punishment, priest says—prompting Vatican rebuke
 To discourage abortion, Poland to offer bonus for parents of disabled babies
 Italian journalist explains Vatican role in arranging Venezuelan crisis talks
 Serbian Orthodox angry with Catholic prelate’s defense of Cardinal Stepinac
 Vatican conference to focus on treatment of rare diseases
 Pope denounces inequality, encourages work for dramatic political change
 Pope again speaks out against human trafficking
 British couple cannot adopt because of objection to same-sex households
 Holy Doors to close at Roman basilicas next Sunday
 French bishops devote day of prayer for sex-abuse victims
 Cardinal-elect Tobin named to head Newark archdiocese
 Vatican decries reports of unauthorized episcopal ordinations in ‘underground’ Chinese Church
 Pope Francis: resurrection is ‘foundation of Christian faith and hope’
 Pope calls prisoners to hope, appeals for better prison conditions
 38 Albanian martyrs beatified
 Pope expresses hopes for UN climate conference
 Mexican cardinal retires
 New statutes for Pontifical Academy for Life
 Papal tribute to Blessed Charles of Austria, Hapsburg family

Released Friday, Nov. 4

 San Diego bishop instruct pastors to avoid political endorsements, condemnations
 Vatican UN envoy praises Lebanon, Jordan for accepting refugees
 Nigerian court acquits suspects in lynching of Christian woman charged with blasphemy
 Pope celebrates memorial Mass for deceased prelates
 Indonesia: Muslims stage massive rally against Christian governor
 Cardinal Zen pleads against Vatican ‘surrender’ to Beijing control
 Legumes a focus of Italian bishops’ thanksgiving message
 Ecumenical Patriarch blasts ‘disgraceful’ inaction on climate change, says ‘survival of God’s creation’ is at stake
 Cardinal Parolin: tribute to Benedict XV
 Vatican newspaper lauds new book on Dorothy Day
 Profile of Iraqi Christian town

Released Thursday, Nov. 3

 Clashes at Jerusalem’s Western Wall over separation of sexes
 In England, internet service offers prayers, encouragement for those near death
 Japanese bishops’ conference issues call for renunciation of all nuclear power
 Before close of Jubilee Year, final events scheduled at Vatican
 Witchcraft is at base of human trafficking in Mozambique, missionary sister reports
 Maronite bishops welcome election of Lebanese president, breaking long impasse
 Colombian bishops may play a role in government-rebel peace accord
 British Church leader apologizes for pressuring unwed mothers toward adoption
 Guam: suspended archbishop welcomes appointment of coadjutor/successor
 Religions are called to deeds of mercy, Pope tells interfaith gathering
 British Columbia court backs Christian university in accreditation battle
 Victory for Florida homeowners on trial over Christmas display in lawn
 Pope prays for repose of souls of predecessors
 Prelates call for respect for rights of Christians in Iraq
 On All Souls’ Day, Pope preaches on sadness, hope
 Pope expresses closeness to Norcia

Released Wednesday, Nov. 2

 Anthony Esolen facing pressure at Catholic college for criticism of ‘diversity’ agenda
 Vatican official: Italy should grant citizenship to children of immigrants
 Romanian Orthodox look for unity after Crete meeting
 Pope visits St. Mary Major after trip to Sweden
 British doctors protest prenatal test to detect Down’s Syndrome
 DC city council approves assisted suicide
 Vatican’s UN envoys sees rise of racism in hostility to migrants
 Venezuelan government, opposition make concessions in Vatican-mediated talks
 Cardinal Koch explains ‘Eucharistic hospitality’ in Catholic-Lutheran marriages
 Prelates decry ‘inhumane’ US policy toward Haitians fleeing storm
 Ecumenical Patriarch marks 25th anniversary
 Earthquake destroyed all of Norcia’s churches
 Live the new Beatitudes, Pope preaches at Mass in Sweden
 Pope encourages Sweden’s Catholics to be salt and light, remember Virgin Mary’s love
 Pope, in press conference, says John Paul’s teaching on women’s ordination is definitive

Want more news? Visit the Archives.

Subscribe to Insights...free!
News, analysis & spirituality by email twice-weekly from CatholicCulture.org.
First name:
Last name:
Email address: