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Catholic Culture Trusted Commentary
Catholic Culture Trusted Commentary

Stories for January 2018

Ordered from most to least recent.

Released Wednesday, Jan. 31

 Weekly papal audience focus on Liturgy of the Word
Vision Book Cover Prints
 In largely Muslim Turkmenistan, leading Catholic prelate highlights importance of ecumenism
 Irish government announces referendum on whether to retain pro-life constitutional amendment
 Venezuela bishops demand respect for the people
 Ukrainian Catholic leader says nation’s conflict is worsening
 Mass for ex-prisoners of Auschwitz recalls anniversary of concentration camp’s liberation
 In Nigeria, brutal attacks and a story of survival
 Shepherds should show Jesus’ tenderness and closeness, Pope preaches at weekday Mass
 New president of Houston’s Catholic university pledges to strengthen school’s Catholic identity
 Canadian bishops’ conference names 2 delegates for pre-Synod meeting of youth
 Resignations and appointments (1/30)
 Catholic Charities USA CEO expresses concern about administration’s immigration proposal
 Prelate offers mixed assessment of Trump administration immigration proposal
 EU offers Brexit transition, but UK must ‘accept rules’
 Scanning an ancient biblical text that humans fear to open
 Russia-sponsored Syria meeting starts in Sochi
 March for Life in Paris draws 40,000 despite heavy rain
 Colombia’s President Santos suspends peace talks with ELN rebels
 Official: US still wants Afghan peace talks despite Trump remarks

Released Tuesday, Jan. 30

 Australian bishops caution: proposed treason law could be used against Church
 Venezuelan government’s election plan is a ‘midnight ambush,’ archbishop says
 Vatican sends top prosecutor to investigate accused Chilean bishop
 Vatican denies conflict on talks with China
 Portugal’s 1st Trappist monastery to open in 2019
 CAFOD analyzes UN goals in light of Pope’s ecology encyclical
 In Mexico, Church works tirelessly for September earthquake victims
 Missionary in Kabul sees ‘no glimmers of light’ in current Afghan situation
 Child sexual abuse: Pakistan breaks the silence
 Do school vouchers work? Milwaukee’s experiment suggests an answer
 Pontifical Academy for Life member: term ‘intrinsically evil’ too restricting
 Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act fails to clear Senate
 Cathedral in Central African Republic shelters Muslims in imminent danger
 There is no humility without humiliation, Pope preaches at weekday Mass
 1393 Catholic schools closed in US over past decade; 287 schools opened
 Polish bishops’ conference urged Catholics to light candles in memory of Holocaust victims
 Chinese Christian churches face new threats as state religious code is revised
 Resignations and appointments (1/29)
 Papal audiences (1/29)
 Vatican issues message for World Leprosy Day
 Islamic State attack on military academy in Afghan capital kills 11
 Vatican newspaper: Pope’s Marian homily points to women’s importance in Church

Released Monday, Jan. 29

 Vietnamese officials cite diocese for ‘illegal’ Mass
  New papal document seeks ‘paradigm shift’ at ecclesiastical universities
 New professions to religious life in US: older, more likely foreign-born
 Cardinal Zen: Pope not aware of efforts to oust ‘underground’ Chinese bishops
 Victims’ lawyers want parish assets included in bankruptcy settlement for Montana diocese
 Cardinal Parolin encourages African Union in fight against hunger
 Fight hatred and also indifference, Pope encourages conference on anti-Semitism
 Catholic diocese declines Indian government grant, seeing bid for electoral support
 DRC President Kabila blasts Catholic bishops for backing protests
 Pope tells Roman Rota: conscience is central in marriage cases
 Fides: marginalization of Egypt’s Coptic Christians wanes under Sisi
 International court pressures Latin American nations to legalize homosexual unions
 Ecuador: bishops, nuncio weigh in on upcoming referendum
 Canadian bishops: ‘the state has a legitimate interest in protecting the unborn’
 Kidnapped priest, 5 others set free in DR Congo
 Unsung Catholic heroes of the Holocaust recalled
 Transmit the faith with the courage of truth and witness, Pope preaches at weekday Mass
 A small town in Japan doubles its fertility rate
 Youth of Catholic Action pray for peace at Sunday Angelus
 Pope encourages Italian Red Cross members to consider the Good Samaritan
 Papal audiences (1/26-1/27)
 8 sainthood causes advance, including Algerian martyrs of the 1990s
 Aramaic, the language of Jesus, comes to New Jersey
 The Holy Father’s condolences for the victims of the fire in Sejong Hospital, Miryang, South Korea
 Crowd of thousands offers Joyful witness at San Francisco’s Walk for Life West Coast
 Archbishop Cordileone: respect the design of God’s life-giving order of creation
 Bishop Conley of Lincoln: ‘success breeds success’ when it comes to vocations
 Papal audiences (1/26)
 Venezuelan Supreme Court bans opposition leaders from upcoming presidential election
 Migrants drown as boat capsizes off Yemen coast amid reports of gunfire
 The Virgin Mary offers us refuge, Pope preaches at Santa Maria Maggiore
 Pope expresses closeness to Ukrainian Greek Catholics
 Pope Francis: ‘Jesus is our Teacher, powerful in words and deeds’
 Papal appeals during Sunday’s Angelus
 Trump meets with British leader May, then Israel’s Netanyahu
 Trump warns Davos on unfair trade, says US ‘open for business’
 EU deplores Maduro regime actions
 At least 103 killed, 235 wounded in Taliban car bombing in Kabul

Released Friday, Jan. 26

 CELAM backs Venezuelan bishops against government accusations
 Venezuelan bishops’ leader sees ‘so much desperation’
 Portuguese archdiocese says divorced-and-remarried may receive Communion
 Dutch archbishop says Pope must clarify Amoris Laetitia
 Haitian president meets with Pontiff
 Pope salutes Pontifical Academy for Theology at 300th anniversary
 Irish government threatens to cut funding for Church counseling over homosexual issues
 Irish bishop fears referendum could give government ‘blank check’ on abortion
 Ukrainian primate: Vatican-Moscow accords to end violence still not taking effect
 Pope thanks CDF for defense of faith
 US Senate to vote on Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
 Faith leaders ask government to revise Canada Summer Jobs program requirements
 US bishops name young adult delegates to pre-synod gathering in Rome
 2018 Catholic social ministry gathering to focus on racism, environment, immigration
 Indonesian president addresses Catholic university students
 Singapore prelate calls on catechists to be Christ’s missionary disciples
 Religious sister criticizes Israeli practice of paying Rwanda to accept some African refugees
 World cycling champion gives the Pope a bicycle
 Pope sends condolences for Italy train crash victims
 Prelate: Church in US needs to take more decisive action against racism
 Papal encouragement for Brazil’s basic ecclesial communities
 How the Catholic Church is fighting the drug war in the Philippines
 Pope presides at ecumenical Vespers service
 Papal audiences (1/25)
 International regulations needed to moderate ‘savage globalization,’ says Vatican newspaper editor
 OAS leader: a presidential election would lead Venezuela to 6 more years of dictatorship
 At Davos, Macron hails French recovery, Merkel warns against populism

Released Thursday, Jan. 25

 Cardinal Zen hand-delivers plea to Pontiff: recognize threat to Chinese Church
 Venezuelan government announces elections, ignoring opposition calls for guarantees
 Pope joins Lutheran delegation to conclude Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
 Vatican to release catechetical series preparing for World Meeting of Families
 President of Central African Republic meets with Pontiff
 Taiwan leery of new Vatican moves toward closer ties with Beijing
 Vatican announces new academic post to study Christian, secular thought
 Kidnapped priest ransomed in DRC
 Congo bishops: no violence occurred when police showed restraint
 German bishops choose not to change the Lord’s Prayer
 Coptic Pope Tawadros sees growing acceptance after years of repression in Egypt
 Damascus bombing kills 9 in Christian districts
 10 Catholic schools to close in Memphis
 Priest’s stunning recovery from cancer may be miracle for Dachau martyr’s sainthood
 Senate, in 50-49 vote, approves Brownback as Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
 Cardinal Burke, in new interview, laments growing confusion about fundamental truths
 Bishop Barron, evangelical philosopher conduct dialogue
 American religious groups vary widely in their views of abortion
 Caritas: it is time for European governments to commit to social rights
 Famed Roman Marian icon restored
 India: prelates praise state government for protecting Catholic school from Hindu radicals
 Catholic Relief Services turns 75
 Charges to be filed in 2011 murder of Italian missionary?
 Caribbean Redemptorists criticize reported Trump remarks on Haiti, other poor nations
 Yazidis who fled ISIS say they are very thankful for Pope’s support
 Pope Francis appeals for peace in DR Congo
 Libya car bomb death toll rises to 33 and wounds 71 in Benghazi
 New York may give public school districts authority to control religious, other private schools
 Islamic State attacks Save the Children charity in Afghanistan

Released Wednesday, Jan. 24

 Pope condemns ‘fake news’ in annual message on Social Communications
 Pope meets with representatives of Iraq’s embattled Yazidis
 Congo’s Cardinal Monsengwo lashes out at government violence
 At Wednesday audience, Pope recounts highlights of trip to Chile, Peru
 Pennsylvania nuns want court to hear their religious objections to natural gas pipeline on their land
 Cardinal laments Kentucky school shooting
 USCCB: urge lawmakers to find immediate solution for Dreamers
 New Vatican stamp honors priest slain for opposing mafia
 Vatican diplomat: put human person at center of economic development
 Turkey’s Erdogan to visit Vatican, thank Pope for position on Jerusalem
 Holy Land bishops denounce Israeli policy on African asylum seekers
 President Trump’s proclamation for National Sanctity of Human Life Day
 Catholic retreats in Texas prisons bring healing
 Japanese volcano unexpectedly erupts
 Suffering in silence: the 10 most under-reported humanitarian crises of 2017
 Palestinian Christians slam Pence’s pro-Israel faith
 Indian PM Modi defends globalization at Davos economic summit
 ‘Why does the Church hate gay people?’: Boston auxiliary bishop listens to youth concerns
 Vatican newspaper decries violence against women, discusses Hollywood sexual harassment
 Patients dying in hospital corridors in England
 Resignations and appointments (1/23)
 Leading Italian bishop calls for compassion toward migrants

Released Tuesday, Jan. 23

 Priests, nuns arrested in Congo; Church leaders say protests will continue
 Pope urges Davos forum: seek inclusive policies for global economy
 Final ruling soon on Peruvian founder of troubled lay movement, Pope reveals
 40,000 brave rainstorm to join March for Life in Paris
 Dutch ethicist quits board that supervises euthanasia, citing non-consent of dementia patients
 Leader of Syro-Malabar Catholic Church sees resolution dispute over real-estate deals
 Fighting eases, but peace remains far away, says nuncio in Syria
 Number of Quebec parishes falls from 130 to 64 as reorganization continues
 Prelate welcomes House passage of Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
 New Orleans archbishop announces ‘safe haven’ initiative to address pornography
 Bangaladesh’s Christians face discrimination, intimidation
 Missionary discusses the Church in Cameroon
 Protestant leaders condemn President Trump’s reported remarks on Haiti, Africa
 Vocation directors reflect on drawing men to the priesthood
 23 Italian Nativity scenes on display at Moscow cathedral
 Ecumenical body marks 70th anniversary
 Cardinal Wuerl pays tribute to pro-life youth
 British bishops welcome ‘positive aspects’ of migrant treaty between UK, France
 Vatican conference on media and truth
 Vatican prefect calls for discussion of ordination of older married men to the priesthood
 Leading prelate pleads for unity to preserve Ukraine’s independence
 DR Congo: tear gas fired outside churches to prevent pro-democracy protests

Released Monday, Jan. 22

 US envoy at UN says Venezuela ‘targeting’ Catholic bishops
 Muslim mob damages cathedral in Kenya
 Church leaders in Israel urge government to accept asylum candidates
 Vatican reportedly asking ‘underground’ Chinese bishops to yield to government-supported prelates
 Pope defends words on abuse, in-flight wedding
 Trip ended, Pope prays at St. Mary Major
 Pope denounces injustices committed against Amazon region’s indigenous peoples
 In Sarajevo, Catholics and Orthodox pray for Christian unity
 Ecumenical statement calls for Christian witness in secular Europe
 The Church needs the missionary prayer of contemplative nuns, Pope preaches in Peru
 Lund cross placed in chapel to express Catholic-Lutheran commitment to unity
 Pope prays before relics of Peruvian saints
 Prime Minister May commits to government-wide drive to tackle loneliness
 During Hawaii missile alert, Honolulu bishop led penance rite
 Pope appeals to Congolese authorities to avoid violence
 Cardinal O’Malley: Pope’s words were ‘source of great pain’ to abuse victims
 Jesus walks with His followers in the city and awakens hope, Pope preaches at Mass in Lima
 Pope Francis bids farewell to Peru
 Resignations and appointments (1/19)
 Prelates applaud new HHS Initiatives on conscience and religious freedom
 French secularism is in crisis. What does that mean for Muslim youth?
 1.3 million children displaced by Iraq’s war with Islamic State
 Millions of children’s lives hang in the balance as South Sudan conflict grinds on
 UN migration agency appeals for $1.4B to help over 80 million people in 50 countries
 Venezuela’s bishops denounce massacre of regime opponents

Released Friday, Jan. 19

 President Trump vows support for pro-life cause in address to March for Life
 Arkansas bishop will not attend pro-life event alongside attorney general who favors death penalty
 Trump administration sets up office to protect religious freedom
 Priest killed in Malawi; police blame bandits
 In Chile, Pope meets with victims of Pinochet regime
 New tensions between rival Orthodox groups in Ukraine
 Settlement in class action suit against largest Catholic healthcare system in US
 Catholic university in Kansas cancels art exhibit meant to celebrate ‘queer creativity’
 Myanmar police gun down marchers in Rakhine ethnic rally
 Op-eds defend sacked Marquette professor
 Remains of Pope St. John XXIII to be venerated in home diocese
 New poll analyzes Americans’ views on abortion
 Family, friends discuss events that shaped Bishop Athanasius Schneider
 Norcia monk recounts how monastery rose from the ruins
 Former pontifical academy member: priest should revoke remarks on contraception or resign
 Priests, religious comment on Pope’s visit to Chile
 Visit to Chile was 1st ‘eco-socio-economically sustainable’ papal visit, organizers claim
 Colombian bishops, UN committed to relaunching the government-ELN peace talks
 Visiting bishops lament plight of youth in Gaza, West Bank, Israel
 US bishops’ spokesman responds to President Trump’s reported comments
 Croatian bishop praises large families
 English prelate pledges to help create welcoming environments for migrants, refugees
 German bishops give $6.4M to support Church in northern, eastern Europe
 New generation of pro-life advocates digs into politics
 Book of Lamentations is focus of Italy’s Jewish-Catholic dialogue
 Peru welcomes Pope Francis
 Vatican official sends message of support to March for Life participants
 Roman convent, responding to Pope Pius XII’s request, sheltered 150 during Nazi occupation
 ‘This is calumny’: Pope Francis defends Bishop Barros against charges he knew of sexual abuse
 Gunmen kill Christian in Egypt’s Sinai
 Koreas to march together in Olympics, form unified ice hockey team
 Nigeria: twin suicide attacks kill 10, injure dozens in Maiduguri

Released Thursday, Jan. 18

 Chief Vatican ecumenist says faithful must ‘convert’ to ecumenical cause
 Guam archbishop denies new abuse charges
 Papal message of support for Al Azhar conference on Jerusalem
 Unite hearts and minds, Pope advises academics in Chile
 Pope presides at in-flight wedding
 Chinese authorities arrest Xinjiang intellectual amid crackdown on prominent Uyghurs
 A Presbyterian pastor languishes in a Turkish prison
 13-year-old Coptic Christian recounts attack on church, death of mother
 Pro-life bill would eliminate vast majority of legal abortions in Poland
 Milan archdiocese begins synod
 Catholics, Protestants exchange pulpits in Austrian diocese for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
 Leading French bishop calls for acceptance of more refugees
 Belgian bishops visit refugees
 Historic German church demolished by mining company
 Indonesia: nun rescues orphan girls from human trafficking, offers education, job skills
 Peru’s perilous politics: papal visit comes amid tensions
 Bishop says Congo ‘gained heroes’ during recent protests
 Amid civil unrest, religious sisters in Togo continue to serve the needy
 Bishop touts entrepreneurship to counter emigration of Senegal’s young people
 Action urged on impending pro-life legislation
 Jesuit analyzes Mapuche grievances
 Students for Life reaches new generation
 On Day of Judaism, leading Polish bishop issues letter on nationalism, patriotism
 Italian bishop opens home for separated, divorced fathers
 President Trump, Rep. Paul Ryan among speakers at March for Life
 National Prayer Vigil for Life in nation’s capital, January 18-19; plenary indulgence available
 Cardinal Dolan invites nationwide participation in ‘9 Days for Life’ prayer, action campaign
 Al-Shabaab pressures Somalis to hand over children for indoctrination, military training
 US cuts funding for Palestinians following Trump’s Twitter threat
 Over 8 million in Yemen on verge of starvation
 Background: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Released Wednesday, Jan. 17

 Nebraska bishop offers to lift excommunication for Call to Action members
 Trump administration backs DC archdiocese in legal challenge to ban on bus ads
 Pope pleads for non-violence, unity, at Mass in troubled Chilean region
 Maduro wants to punish Venezuelan Catholic bishops over prayers
 Papal stress on humility in talks to Chile’s bishops, priests
 Pope sends message to Mercedarian order celebrating 800th anniversary
 Private meeting between Pope Francis, victims of abuse by priests
 Catholic Charities official reviews response to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose, Maria
 In the sky this week
 Archbishop decries high rate of sexual violence against children in Pakistan
 1.2 million expected at papal Mass in Lima
 Eritrean government closes Catholic seminary, clinics
 President Trump pays tribute to religious freedom
 California legislation would require public universities to make abortion pills available to students
 Rural English diocese has highest number of seminarians in 30 years
 Wyoming Catholic College celebrates 10 years
 Holy Land: Franciscan superior condemns protests against Greek Orthodox patriarch
 Georgetown approves ‘gender and sexuality’ housing option
 Following White House meeting, prelate calls for legislative solution for ‘DREAMers’
 1 Catholic school in diocese twice as large as Texas
 In the Philippines, a bishop finds his cathedral destroyed, but keeps hope
 Bishops from Europe, North America begin annual visit to Holy Land
 Blessed Pius IX visited Chile as young priest in 1823
 Canadian bishops name delegates to Synod of Bishops on youth
 Death toll from Boko Haram attacks falls in Niger
 Before leaving for Chile, Pope met with family in mourning
 Pope addresses prisoners at female penitentiary in Chile’s capital city
 New survey of Catholic women in US finds 24% attend Mass at least weekly
 Chile’s president offers warm welcome to Pontiff
 Volunteers arrested for giving food to homeless people in a California park
 Bangladesh agrees to return over 650,000 Rohingya to Myanmar in 2 years
 Palestinian leaders call for suspending recognition of Israel
 China’s Xi tells Trump hard-earned easing of tensions on Korean peninsula must continue

Released Tuesday, Jan. 16

 Chile’s respect for Pope, Catholic Church dropping, polls show
 Beatitudes are ‘born of a merciful heart,’ Pope says at Mass in Santiago
 Honor for pro-abortion politician was ‘not an endorsement,’ Vatican says
 Syrian archbishop barely survives artillery hit
 In speech to Chilean leaders, Pope asks forgiveness for abuses
 US bishops announce ‘9 Days for Life’ campaign
 Oregon bakery owners lose on appeal
 Vatican newspaper article: the lay faithful do not exist merely to obey
 Church comes to aid of flood victims in Kinshasa
 Hong Kong’s new bishop calls for irenic approach to Chinese government
 Bill to aid victims of child pornography passes Senate Judiciary Committee
 Nicaraguan bishop pays tribute to slain Catholic journalist
 Ordinariate sees new opportunities for growth
 Missionary in Peru urges Pope to address mining industry’s effects on indigenous peoples
 USCCB official discusses youthfulness of pro-life movement
 Poland’s bishops ask faithful to assist refugees from Ukraine, Middle East
 ‘Give witness to your faith,’ Pope urges Latin American community of Rome day before trip
 Haiti: 8 years after massive earthquake, Caritas official sees no true development
 Grand Chancellor of Order of Malta emphasizes commitment to migrants, refugees
 4 churches attacked in Chile ahead of Pope’s visit; protestors occupy apostolic nunciature
 Sustainability is key theme of papal trip, says spokesman for Church in Chile
 Papal telegram to Italy’s president
 Pope Francis arrives in Chile
 Papal audiences (1/14)
 Abbas calls Oslo Accords dead and blasts US
 Death toll from Baghdad twin attack rises to 36
 Two Koreas may march under unification flag for Winter Olympics opening
 African Union, African UN envoys demand Trump apology

Released Monday, Jan. 15

 Armenian Apostolic Archbishop ordains female deacon, without canonical sanction
 India: Catholic-school leaders jailed for defying court order to reinstate expelled students
 Italian prelate: no ‘automatic’ decision on Communion for divorced/remarried
 Papal honor for Dutch abortion activist
 In Chile, Pope will visit tomb of famed ‘bishop of the poor’
 Miami archbishop sees Trump as “Archie Bunker without the charm”
 Boarding flight, Pope speaks of fears about nuclear war
 Bishop Schneider explains the Kazakh profession of truths on marriage
 Barcelona cardinal calls for social cohesion, harmony
 Cardinal Tobin reflects on women and the Church
 Cap set on number of visitors to save the Taj Mahal from wear
 Cardinal laments resurgence of terrorism, says Nigerians have lost confidence in government
 Welcome, know, and acknowledge migrants and refugees, Pope urges at Mass
 Pope Francis reflects on seeking, encountering, and following Jesus
 Pope departs for apostolic visit to Chile and Peru
 Papal appointments include appointment of Cardinal Mahony as special envoy
 Papal audiences (1/13)
 Pope to meet with Rome’s Ukrainian Greek Catholic community
 Syro-Malabar synod chooses new bishop
 Resignations and appointments (1/12)
 Papal audiences (1/12)
 Taliban permits vaccinations against polio in Afghan region
 Food rations for refugees In Rwanda are reduced amid funding shortfalls
 Cardinal Brandmüller reflects on Luther, Amoris laetitia, the dubia, and current situation
 Canadian pilgrims throng to St. Francis Xavier relic
 More than 600 arrested in week of Tunisia unrest as clashes continue
 UN chief urges world leaders to celebrate migration as a positive
 White House: No deal reached yet on ‘DACA’

Released Friday, Jan. 12

 Pope knew choice of Chilean bishop would cause furor on abuse issue, confidential letter reveals
 Congo: police open fire to disperse crowd after cardinal’s Mass
 L’Osservatore Romano denounces crude Trump comment on immigrants’ homelands
 Father Matthew Lamb, noted American theologian, dies at 80
 Pro-life groups launch last-ditch legal challenge against new Illinois abortion law
 Central African Republic’s cardinal laments violence, persecution of the Church
 Missionary discusses repression in Togo
 Catholic Church serving society’s development in Madhya Pradesh, yet schools are attacked
 Prelate sees urgent need to promote interfaith peace, harmony in Pakistan
 New Philippine bishops’ president vows ‘open communication lines’ with government
 New book about Pope Francis contains 14 interviews with prelates, relatives, friends
 Vatican press briefing: Pope’s visit to Chile and Peru confirms commitment to indigenous peoples
 Hundreds of churches, camps and charities protest abortion clause in Canada Summer Jobs grant application
 Background: Pope Francis’s message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees
 The Church in Peru and Chile: statistical overview
 Resignations and appointments (1/11)
 Time to act on DACA, says Los Angeles archbishop
 Papal audiences (1/10-1/11)
 Trump says fairer deal might coax US back into the Paris climate accord
 Colombia president recalls peace negotiators from Ecuador after ELN attacks
 UN welcomes Korea talks which can build confidence and trust
 Rohingya children trapped in ‘appalling’ conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine state

Released Thursday, Jan. 11

 German bishop: find positive responses to same-sex couples
 Another Chinese church demolished
 Amoris Laetitia brings ‘paradigm change’ to Church, says Cardinal Parolin
 World Watch List 2018: the 50 countries where it is most dangerous to follow Jesus
 Children die as cold snap hits Bangladesh; Caritas rushes to provide aid
 Monks with machetes: why Buddhist nationalists are leading the ethnic cleansing in Myanmar
 Sunday Mass attendance falls to 37% in Poland
 Catholic volunteers in Manila help the homeless help themselves
 1st Christmas Mass in Mosul since 2014—Muslims lend a hand
 World Council of Churches delegation visits Protestants in China
 Pakistan: bishops appeal for funds to assist those injured in church attack
 India: priest warns against worship of ‘Mother India’
 Israeli rabbi killed in West Bank drive-by shooting attack
 Regional force targets top Boko Haram jihadists in Nigeria
 Syro-Malabar Catholic Church inaugurates ‎new diocese ‎
 Pope Francis provides circus tickets for over 2000 of Rome’s poor
 South Korea’s Moon willing to meet North’s Kim
 Survivors say some 50 migrants may have drowned off Libya after 300 are rescued
 Judge blocks President Trump’s decision to end young immigrant program
 USCCB president calls for courage and commitment on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
 “The hymn of the ‘Gloria’ and the prayer of the Collect”: full text of Pope’s general audience

Released Wednesday, Jan. 10

 Vatican appoints commissioner to oversee troubled lay movement
 Contraception sometimes morally required, argues member of Pontifical Academy for Life
 US bishops: papal directive does not require new translations of Mass
 Australian journalist will give Cardinal Pell’s lawyers access to notes about abuse charges
 Pope, at general audience, says that the liturgy is a true school of prayer
 Maryland Catholic school fires coach for being ‘alt-right member’
 State Department names 10 ‘egregious’ religious freedom violators
 Amid Venezuelan food shortage, religious sisters strive to save children
 A Catholic perspective on the Museum of the Bible
 In the sky this week
 Democratic Republic of the Congo: ‘Church in firing line’
 Notre Dame priest, history professor says university needs ‘major course correction’
 USCCB, CRS renew call for advocacy on behalf of migrants, refugees
 Appeals court strikes down Baltimore law targeting pregnancy centers
 At least 4.5 million take part in annual Black Nazarene procession in Manila
 In Mexico, priest laments displacement of 5,000 indigenous persons in territorial dispute
 Italian prelate calls on political candidates to be honest, realistic
 As ceasefire nears end, Colombia’s bishops urge dialogue between government, ELN
 Catholic groups decry end of immigration protection for Salvadorans
 Mortar shell hits Maronite Catholic cathedral in Damascus
 Peruvian prisoners make 300,000 Rosaries for upcoming papal visit
 24% of fathers live apart from their children
 Communications restructuring brings Vatican News 4 million social media users
 A pastor’s authority comes from closeness to God and people, Pope preaches at weekday Mass
 After rare talks with the South, North Korea will send a delegation to the Winter Olympics

Released Tuesday, Jan. 9

 Preparing for trip, Pope sends video message to people of Chile, Peru
 Cardinal Pell’s accuser dies before trial date
 Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Mississippi’s conscience law
 Russian Orthodox Patriarch issues Christmas message
 Irish, English prelates pay tribute to the late Peter Sutherland
 USCCB blog analyzes poverty in America
 German bishops, Lutheran church publish ecumenical guidebook for Olympic athletes
 Church in Australia aids Maasai in Tanzania
 Pakistan’s Catholics take part in ecumenical, interreligious gatherings
 Al-Azhar University convenes Muslims and Christians to discuss the ‘Jerusalem issue’
 Prelate deeply disappointed by termination of Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador
 Congo cardinal decries Kabila’s refusal to adhere to agreement to hold elections
 Seoul cardinal, mayor sign agreement to promote solar energy
 8,000 college students attend FOCUS conference
 Korean prelate prays for the success of talks between the two Koreas
 The indigenous peoples of the Amazon await Pope Francis
 Priest attacked in Central African Republic
 Poland: Marches of the Three Kings draw 1.2 million
 ‘Contempt for the weak is work of Satan,’ Pope preaches at weekday Mass
 6 kidnapped Catholics, included 3 nuns, regain freedom in Nigeria
 Schedule of Pope’s public liturgical celebrations released for January, February
 Resignations and appointments (1/8)
 Italy’s coast guard rescues scores of migrants off Libyan coast
 Syria’s death toll in Idlib car bomb rises to at least 25

Released Monday, Jan. 8

 Pope’s focus on human rights, migration, ecology in ‘State of the World’ address
 Vatican now has diplomatic ties with 183 nations
 Muslim converts protest Pope’s statements on Islam
 Schedule released for papal visit to Chile, Peru
 Russian intervention in Syria stopped slaughter of Christians, says Moscow Patriarch
 Venezuelan bishops’ leader decries Maduro regime
 El Paso bishop: what happens to the 192,000 US citizen children of Salvadoran TPS parents?
 Pennsylvania court requires Amish couple to connect property to sewer system with electric pump
 Fewer teens are having sex as declines in risky behaviors continue
 USCCB president issues message for National Migration Week
 Could Iranian protests bring religious freedom for Christians?
 2017 in review: a look back at the year that was
 Pope Francis’ conversations with the Jesuits in Myanmar and Bangladesh
 Repression in DR Congo: 5 dead, 134 churches surrounded, 6 priests arrested on 12/31
 USCCB’s top lobbyist trades political realm for parish catechesis
 Report: at least 23 attacks on Christians in India during Christmas season
 New archbishop of Paris seen as vigorous pro-life advocate
 Jakarta archdiocese declares 2018 as ‘year of unity’
 Vatican official see progress in relations with Russian Orthodox Church
 Egypt: Coptic Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas in new cathedral amid tight security
 Remember the significance of your baptism, Pope tells faithful
 Pope Francis baptizes 34 babies of Vatican employees in Sistine Chapel
 Jesus is met with ‘careful searching, indifference, fear,’ Pope says in Epiphany Angelus address
 The Pope’s Epiphany homily: ‘the Magi see the star, they set out, and they bring gifts’
 Papal audiences (1/5)
 North and South Korea agree to first talks in two years
 Ukrainian bishop: ‘most important mission of the Church is to bring God to the people’
 More than half of Iraq’s displaced have returned home

Released Friday, Jan. 5

 Philadelphia priest sentenced for stealing church funds
 Pope pays surprise visit to children’s hospital
 Brazilian prelates decry violence, exploitation in Amazon region
 Venezuela needs new, fair elections, cardinal says
 New Lebanese ambassador to Holy See
 Pope’s January prayer intention: religious freedom in Asia
 Pope encourages primary-school education in diversity, ecology
 Latvian cardinal joins Kazakh bishops’ statement on Amoris Laetitia
 Cultivate relationship with Christ, Vatican cardinal tells French seminarians
 Catholic minority in Bosnia and Herzegovina suffers heavy discrimination
 Indonesian president urges Catholics to work for social justice and prosperity
 Catholic laity promise new protests in DR Congo
 US Catholic layman fights child, maternal mortality in Myanmar
 Hindu radicals attack a Catholic college in India
 The enduring legacy of now-Venerable Father Patrick Peyton
 Aharon Appelfeld, Holocaust survivor who chronicled its traumas, dies at 85
 In reversal, FEMA says houses of worship now eligible for disaster relief
 Al-Shabaab militants kill 5 police in north Kenya
 Biographical profiles of 2 recently deceased Chinese bishops
 Interview with Cardinal Turkson on 1st year of Dicastery for Promoting Integral ‎Human Development
 Chile looks forward to Pope Francis’ visit
 Ireland stabbing, iron bar attack investigated as possibly terror-related
 Thomas S. Monson, president of Mormon church, dies at 90
 Prelate calls for renewed prayers for Coptic brethren after latest attacks in Egypt
 Papal audiences (1/4)
 Gospel message of hope often is taught by the poor, Manila cardinal says
 New women’s religious community in Wisconsin evangelizes youth
 Suspected Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in Yemen kill 23
 New abortion estimates from India prompt renewed push to liberalize law
 New UNICEF chief raises hopes, questions about pro-life stance
  Israel strikes Gaza after repeated projectile fire
 Iran declares that protestors have been defeated
 Judge rules in favor of Atlanta fire chief who was fired after criticizing homosexual acts
 Beijing urges renewed dialogue on Korea

Released Thursday, Jan. 4

 Planned Parenthood: over $500 million in government funding for fiscal year
 Nigerian archbishop prods government on search for kidnapped nuns
 ‘Underground’ Chinese bishop released after seven months in custody
 Philippines: military officers to face charges for 2011 killing of Italian missionary priest
 Beatification near for monks killed in Algeria in 1996?
 New ambassador from Uruguay to Holy See presents credentials
 Papal condolences after bus crash in Peru
 Papal Mass scheduled for World Day of Migrants and Refugees
 VIetnam: conviction of Catholic activist confirmed
 Ireland remains one of Europe’s most religious nations
 Priests meet with Pope as synods approach
 Venezuelan cardinal calls for fair elections, government action against hunger
 Nicaraguan cardinal denounces violence against women
 2018 marks 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae
 European Catholic, Protestant organizations help launch refugee advocacy coalition
 USCCB, CRS urge Catholics to advocate on behalf of refugees, DREAM Act
 UN Secretary-General calls for unity in facing challenges in 2018‎
 India’s bishops, in New Year’s message, decry persecution of Christians by Hindu nationalists
 Suicide bomber kills 11 people in mosque attack in northeast Nigeria
 Congo’s bishops denounce government attacks on churches, peaceful protestors
 Over 3 million children deprived of education in Afghanistan
 Former Irish seminary president named bishop
 Resignations and appointments (1/3)
 Tens of thousands of Iranians take to streets to defend government; more victims and arrests
 North Korea’s 20-minute call to the South establishes contact for 1st time in 2 years
 Pennsylvania organ company supplies organ to the Vatican

Released Wednesday, Jan. 3

 Cardinal Müller: ‘theologically weak’ argument in Amoris Laetitia
 Former papal nuncio in US joins Kazakh bishops in statement affirming marriage teaching
 Hong Kong bishop tells priests to cancel Mass for LGBTQ group
 Topic of Pope’s weekly audience: the penitential act of the Mass
 Italian prelate denounces gambling
 French bishops launch fundraising campaign as number of Catholics declines
 French theologian named to Legion of Honor
 Philippine bishops’ New Year’s message highlights hope
 Israeli archaeologists find 2,700-year-old ‘governor of Jerusalem’ seal impression
 Nations look to Holy See for leadership on migration and refugees, says Vatican official
 DR Congo: priests arrested in crackdown on Church-backed protests
 Kim Jong Un highlights his ‘nuclear button,’ offers Olympic talks
 21 people are dead and 450 under arrest in Iran’s bloody week of protests
 2 Coptic Christians slain in Cairo
 At least 16 dead in New Year’s attack on Nigerian church
 Vatican congregation creates app to assist with homilies
 Irenic meeting between Philippine president, new nuncio
 Pope circulates Nagasaki image under heading, ‘The fruit of war’
 Italian Catholics march for peace

Released Tuesday, Jan. 2

 Kazakh bishops: Amoris Laetitia spreading confusion, ‘plague of divorce’
 Indian cardinal was negligent on property transactions, synod says
 ‘Church tax’ yields record income for German Catholic Church despite declining numbers
 300,000 German Catholic youth collect funds to fight child labor in India
 Turn to Mary’s maternal protection, open heart to migrants and refugees, Pope says in Angelus address
 Pope Francis: look to the Mother of God as the year begins
 Pope reflects on the ‘fullness of time’ as he leads Vespers and Te Deum on New Year’s Eve
 Recognize the primacy of God, Pope says to families on Feast of Holy Family
 Pope expresses closeness to Coptic Christians after attacks in Egypt
 Catholics and Protestants slam Macron’s ‘Kafkaesque’ migrant measures
 Grand imam condemns attacks on Coptic Christians, calls on Muslims to celebrate Christmas in solidarity
 Announce Christ, look to Mary, build peace, Jerusalem archbishop preaches in New Year’s homily

Released Monday, Jan. 1

 Nuncio praises Italy’s openness to refugees

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