Stories for February 2019

Ordered from most to least recent.

Released Thursday, Feb. 28

 Pope: never use faith to incite violence
 Pope Francis pays tribute to Cardinal Bea as pioneer of Jewish-Catholic dialogue
 3 German Catholic dioceses to join Lutherans in Lenten fast for climate protection, climate justice
 Turmoil in United Methodist Church as conference debates homosexual ministers, weddings
 Pakistani bishops call for peace with India
 South African prelate warns against indifference to plight of migrants, refugees
 Nicaraguan cardinal meets with Pope as talks between Ortega, opposition resume
 Suggesting Pope as mediator, Mexican president offers to host Venezuelan peace talks
 65 Russian parishes in Europe break ties with Constantinople
 Leading Korean prelate laments Church’s inaction during Japanese rule
 Vatican diplomat weighs in on deep seabed mining
 Good of the child must come first when priests father children, Vatican cardinal says in interview
 Be horrified and angered at failure of anti-infanticide bill, USCCB committee chairman says

Released Wednesday, Feb. 27

 Duterte predicts Catholicism will disappear in 25 years
 Pope renews support for abolition of death penalty
 Cardinal Cupich, Archbishop Scicluna: Vatican should explain why bishops are removed
 Cardinal Brandmüller: break the silence on homosexual networks
 Armenian church defaced in Turkey
 New USCCB initiative assists migrants with immigration proceedings
 ‘Hallowed be thy name’ is theme of Pope’s general audience
 Unrepented mortal sin places us on path to hell, Archbishop Naumann warns pro-abortion politicians, advocates
 Venezuelan archbishop warns of ‘very grave consequences’ for Maduro regime
 Philippine president changes his tune, says hands off the priests
 Sorrow and confusion among Copts follow death sentence imposed on 2 monks for the murder of a bishop
 Let us renew our commitment to Christian faith and to Iraq, cardinal-patriarch says in Lenten message
 Cubans, in referendum, back draft constitution criticized by bishops
 Senate Democrats block bill to stop infanticide and care for babies born alive after abortions
 Cardinal Turkson: the human being is the ‘high priest’ of creation
 Cardinal Pell’s conviction has ‘shocked many,’ Australian bishops say
 Vatican reacts to announcement of Cardinal Pell’s conviction

Released Tuesday, Feb. 26

 Schedule set for papal visit to Morocco, March 30-31
 Church must be safe place for minors, Pope tells pilgrims
 Redemption of creation is theme of Pope’s Lenten message
 California bill would remove reporting exemption for priests in confessional
 Trump administration bars federally funded family planning clinics from making abortion referrals
 ‘Intensify the Dallas Charter,’ Cardinal DiNardo says following Vatican abuse summit
 Venezuelan bishops demand that Maduro allow foreign aid, end violence
 Nigerian Catholics brave persecution to remain steadfast in faith
 EU court: Romania’s conviction of breakaway Protestant pastors violated religious freedom
 Brazilian government reportedly concerned Amazon synod will promote ‘leftist’ agenda
 ‘A mission stretches before us,’ Australian archbishop preaches at abuse summit’s concluding Mass
 United Arab Emirates foreign minister meets with Pope at Vatican
 We are like the prodigal son, Ghana prelate preaches at Vatican abuse summit
 Cardinal Pell convicted of molesting 2 choirboys

Released Monday, Feb. 25

 Environment in focus as Pope addresses Pontifical Academy for Life
 Vatican announces follow-up moves after summit on abuse
 Egyptian court sentences two monks to death for bishop’s murder
 Amazon Synod set for October; ecology tops agenda
 Jesuit Canadian province to honor Father Rosica after plagiarism discovery
 Pope praises Orthodox-Catholic cooperation
 Christian beheaded in India’s Odisha state
 Court upholds Christian college’s right to hire Christian faculty members
 Decrying sexual abuse in family, society, and Church, Pope concludes abuse summit
 Transparency, communication are themes of Vatican abuse summit’s 3rd day
 Pontifical academy examines ‘roboethics’
 Church’s ‘feminine style’ is different from feminism, Pope tells abuse summit
 Pope Francis to visit Loreto in March
 Venezuelan bishops call on Maduro to allow humanitarian aid to enter country
 Victims say sanctions against lay founder don’t go far enough
 John Paul’s closest aide defends late Pope’s legacy on sex abuse scandals
 Pope’s vow to battle child sex abuse fails to appease victims
 International Catholic ecological group: faithful should consume less meat this Lent
 On 2nd day of Vatican abuse summit, speakers emphasize accountability, synodality

Released Friday, Feb. 22

 Archbishop Vigano reflects on Vatican summit, conversion of St. Peter
 Police say Indian nun, witness in bishop’s rape case, confined by superiors
 Indian archdiocese defends Cardinal Gracias against charge of ignoring abuse
 Holy See permitted priest to remain at highest Vatican court for 15 years after credible abuse allegation
 Official denies Italian diocese knew of abuse allegations against controversial lay movement’s founder
 Religious minorities in India ‘attacked with impunity,’ human rights groups report
 Philippine bishop deplores murder at Marian shrine
 Urge Congress to stop infanticide, USCCB says in action alert
 The West is responsible for Middle Eastern conflicts, patriarchs tell security conference
 170 students kidnapped from Catholic school in Cameroon, released 1 day later
 In Lebanon, Catholic, Muslim leaders unite in opposition to civil marriage proposal
 Swastika, anti-Semitic graffiti found at another Jewish cemetery in France
 Venezuelan cardinal appeals for spiritual renewal of the clergy
 ‘Electric shocks, suffocation’: Jehovah’s Witnesses say Russian police tortured church members
 Colombian cardinal urges bishops to take responsibility for their mission, act decisively
 Bishops at Vatican summit hear from 5 abuse survivors
 Know the pain of abuse victims and heal their wounds, Cardinal Tagle tells abuse summit
 Pope offers 21 points of reflection for Vatican abuse summit
 Archbishop Scicluna calls on bishops to work to prevent abuse, process abuse cases
 Vatican newspaper interviews ‘Liar’s Club’ author about her conversion to Catholicism

Released Thursday, Feb. 21

 Papal condolences for victims of landslide in Liberia
 Papal condolences for fire victims in Bangladesh
 Pope calls for summit to produce ‘concrete, effective action’ on abuse
 British inquiry into sexual abuse criticizes papal nuncio for lack of cooperation
 England’s bishops urge lawmakers: limit immigration detention to 28 days
 President Trump praises Covington Catholic pro-life student for filing defamation suit against Washington Post
 Priest murdered in Madagascar after bringing Communion to a sick person
 India: 29 incidents of anti-Christian violence in January
 ‘The future of the Church in Africa, Asia and Latin America is in your hands,’ Vatican official tells seminary rectors
 Eucharist desecrated, statues smashed in series of French church attacks
 Respecting Catholic faith is ‘our national duty,’ United Arab Emirates foreign minister says
 Leading Irish prelate offers message to survivors of abuse ahead of Vatican meeting
 Venezuelan bishops urge prosecutors to uphold human rights in the face of violations
 12 abuse survivors meet with members of Vatican summit’s organizing committee
 Abuse summit is ‘destined to leave its mark,’ Vatican spokesman predicts
 New York legislator tells Pope how his family saved Jews during Holocaust
 New Vatican communications officials pay tribute to Pope Benedict
 After McCarrick sex abuse verdict, money and power questions remain

Released Wednesday, Feb. 20

 Council of Cardinals hones plan for reorganizing Roman Curia
 Cardinals Burke, Brandmüller challenge bishops to speak out, defend faith
 Critics are ‘relatives of the devil,’ Pope tells audience from Italian diocese
 ‘Our Father who art in heaven’ is theme of Pope’s general audience
 French judge refuses to block movie on abuse scandal
 Dublin archbishop warns Vatican must own up to abuse failings
 Australian prelate says Church needs ‘Copernican revolution’ on abuse crisis
 Call on the new Congress to address hunger, USCCB and CRS urge
 French bishops firmly condemn anti-Semitism following recent incidents
 Colombian youth murders priest who helped Venezuelan refugees
 Central African Republic: bishop criticizes peace agreement as a farce
 Filipinos march to express concern over threats to life
 ‘Cost of war weighs on the weak,’ Pope preaches at weekday Mass
 Father Ernesto Cardenal, former Sandinista government minister, celebrates first Mass in 30 years
 Australian Anglican body to defrock bishop over abuse inaction
 Syrians have the right to decide their own future, patriarch says
 Cardinal Tobin: McCarrick’s actions are ‘profoundly disheartening and disturbing’
 Emergency declaration raises new questions about Texas border chapel
 Pope Francis approves, praises Jesuits’ 4 priorities over next decade
 Leaders of religious orders apologize for sexual abuse committed by members of their communities
 Boston cardinal says Pope Francis did not approve his proposal for tribunals to hold bishops accountable on abuse

Released Tuesday, Feb. 19

 Supreme Court rejects abortionists’ effort to get internal documents of Texas Catholic bishops
 Salesian missionary among victims of terrorist attack in Burkina Faso
 Taiwan: dispute over expropriation of church property
 McCarrick to continue to live in Kansas Franciscan friary for time being
 Missionary warns of ‘climate of intimidation’ against the Church in the Philippines
 Asian bishops call on international community to address Rohingya crisis
 Nun who leads Franciscan organization decries ‘hateful rhetoric’ of Covington Catholic students
 Ukrainian prelate links abuse crisis to ‘collapse of virtue’
 Vatican officials decline to comment on accused priest at Apostolic Signatura
 Iraqi cardinal: eliminate ‘ideology of jihad’ and concept of ‘holy war’ against Christians
 African Christians are converting Chinese workers in Africa
 In Nigeria’s tight election, Christian vote is seen as key
 Missionary bishop links abuse crisis to homosexual priests, Internet
 Church leadership ‘must enforce accountability for cardinals and bishops,’ Cardinal O’Malley says following McCarrick laicization
 Pope Francis, in weekday Mass homily, asks, ‘Where is your brother?’
 Vatican sets the stage for abuse summit

Released Monday, Feb. 18

 Vatican media consultant under fire for plagiarism
 Council of Cardinals meeting this week
 Pope Francis: Indigenous peoples are ‘living cry of hope’ for the earth
 India’s bishops mourn victims of Kashmir terrorist attack
 Election delay is ‘bad news’ for country, Nigerian cardinal says
 Pope invites prayers for abuse summit
 Churches at Colombian border work to help desperate Venezuelans
 Cardinal Sarah writes new book on today’s ‘spiritual, moral, and political crisis’
 Pope cancels sanctions against Nicaraguan priest-poet Ernesto Cardenal
 In the Beatitudes, Jesus opens our eyes to reality, Pope tells pilgrims
 Holy See diplomat: Address economic inequality by promoting education, strengthening families
 Family asks Pope’s help in finding missing imam
 Preserve and transmit the tradition of the Church Fathers, Pope tells Augustinianum
 Overcome fear and encounter Christ in migrants and refugees, Pope preaches at Mass
 Diocese of Rome opens canonization causes of laywoman, nun
 USCCB reacts to McCarrick laicization: ‘No bishop, no matter how influential, is above the law of the Church’
 US bishops decry President Trump’s order to fund border wall

Released Saturday, Feb. 16

 McCarrick laicized; appeal denied

Released Friday, Feb. 15

 In Register symposium, prelates offer candid thoughts on Vatican abuse summit
 Cardinal Müller says Pope surrounded by bad advisers
 Miracles reported in Egyptian hometown of Coptic Martyrs
 Vatican tribunal official among New Jersey priests accused of abuse
 Vatican nuncio in France under investigation for ‘sexual assault’
 Vatican, Italy agree to standards for academic credentials
 Malawi prelate urges religious to avoid partisanship as election violence rises
 Open your eyes to see the suffering of the people, Venezuelan bishop tells Maduro
 As elections approach, Nigerian prelate calls on police to be unbiased
 Colombian bishops call on Marxist guerrillas to abandon their weapons
 Indian prelate decries imprisonment of Missionary of Charity
 Catholics, Muslims march for peace between Pakistan, India
 Spain’s justice minister asks bishops to hand over information on sex abuse cases
 Vatican, Oriental Orthodox churches hold week-long dialogue on marriage
 Seminar on euthanasia marks anniversary of meeting between Pope Francis, Moscow Patriarch
 Pope recalls 100th anniversary of Italo-Albanian eparchy
 Pope Francis discussed ‘clarity of conscience,’ liberation theology with Jesuits in Panama
 ‘Rebuilding community in Europe’ is theme of EU bishops’ election statement

Released Thursday, Feb. 14

 Find solutions to rural hunger, Pope urges UN group
 Avoid ‘nostalgic past tendencies,’ Pope tells Congregation for Divine Worship
 Cardinal O’Malley seen at odds with Pontiff on sex-abuse policy
 Pope Francis appoints Cardinal Farrell as Camerlengo of Holy Roman Church
 In Niger, Catholic communities persevere after missionary priests are withdrawn
 ‘God calls us to be apostles,’ Vatican official tells Asian missionaries
 Haiti is ‘on the brink of collapsing,’ bishops say in statement
 South African bishops, in election statement, note ‘darker side of political life’
 US parishes, dioceses feeling financial pinch; 2nd collections noticeably down
 New Mexico close to passing ‘most extreme bill in nation’ on abortion
 Cardinal Cupich: Vatican abuse summit will focus on ‘responsibility, accountability, and transparency’
 Nigerian bishops declare 3 days of prayer, fasting ahead of national election
 UK foreign secretary officially launches inquiry into persecution of Christians
 USCCB: ‘Give Americans health plans that do not cover abortion’
 Pope pays tribute to Saints Cyril and Methodius
 Cardinal Nichols hopes every parish priest will ‘hold his head high today knowing Cardinal Newman is declared a saint’
 In leaked letter to ‘Mr. Maduro,’ Pope Francis reiterates call for peace
 Pope discusses ethics of artificial intelligence with Microsoft chief

Released Wednesday, Feb. 13

 President of South Korean bishops’ conference joins delegation to visit North
 Chinese bishop sought to avoid involvement with Patriotic Association
 New Mexico diocese will confirm children along with First Communion
 New book claims heavy homosexual influence at Vatican
 Covington bishop now commends students’ behavior at March for Life
 Indian state passes resolution to help Dalit Christians
 ‘Father of us all’ is theme of Pope’s general audience
 Leading Russian Orthodox official calls on monks of Mount Athos to reject new Orthodox Church of Ukraine
 Abuse summit organizer says bishops will devote one day to accountability, another to transparency
 Sainthood causes of Blessed John Henry Newman, Cardinal Mindszenty advance
 Author finds ‘pride and happiness’ in families of Coptic Christians slain by ISIS
 Bethlehem University suspends classes until further notice
 Yemen’s abandoned churches are remnants of a fading past
 Judge rules against Texas diocese, says border wall survey on Catholic property may proceed
 Prominent Vatican official backs new elections in Venezuela, human rights leader says
 Pope Francis praises foundation’s work against human trafficking
 USCCB committee chairmen ‘deeply troubled’ by Supreme Court decision on spiritual care of Muslim death row inmate

Released Tuesday, Feb. 12

 Ugandan government minister says Pope will visit in July
 UN committee raps Italy for failure to prosecute clerical abusers
 Addressing economic summit, Ecumenical Patriarch emphasizes importance of clean water
 Geneva residents, in referendum, ban wearing of religious symbols by public employees
 Pope Francis celebrates Missionaries of Africa’s 150 years of service
 Vatican diplomat calls for ‘sincere, existential interfaith dialogue for social cohesion and inclusive societies’
 Vatican’s Office of General Auditor gets new statutes
 ‘Candles of atonement’ for abuse to be lit in Irish cathedrals, parishes
 Ghana’s bishops decry election violence
 Pakistani cardinal: papal visit has fostered ‘new wave of harmony and peace’ in the Middle East
 Addressing diplomats, patriarch praises positive developments in Syria
 Catholic Workers charged with damaging Minnesota pipeline in climate protest
 Africa is also grappling with clerical abuse, say Catholic leaders
 Life under ISIS led these Muslims to Christianity
 Iraqi cardinal says country’s Christians ‘really need’ a papal visit
 Catholic groups address massive wave of displacement in Ethiopia
 There is no development without solidarity, Pope says in video message to World Government Summit
 Vatican spokesman pays tribute to Pope Benedict XVI’s Magisterium
 Benedictine nuns return to Norcia
 Vatican reaffirms closeness to Venezuela’s people, calls for ‘just and peaceful solution’ to crisis
 Pope Francis denounces slavery, appeals for renewed efforts to protect human trafficking victims
 US prelates laud document signed by Pope, Grand Imam

Released Monday, Feb. 11

 Former bishop’s name removed from building in West Virginia diocese
 Cardinal Müller’s ‘Manifesto’ draws criticism from Cardinal Kasper
 Property sales in Chicago archdiocese will pay down lawsuit damages
 Vatican announces Pope will visit Naples in June
 Christ’s call gives new meaning to our existence, Pope says to pilgrims
 Raise awareness of ecological sins, Pope tells moral theologians
 Background: World Day of the Sick
 Freedom of Religion Act seeks to ban immigration discrimination
 For clergy, ‘I was the perfect victim,’ says ex-nun who lodged allegation against CDF official
 5 Abu Sayyaf members surrender over Philippine cathedral bombing
 Archbishop Naumann criticizes Supreme Court decision blocking Louisiana abortion clinic law
 Weeklong observance in US celebrates ‘beauty and gift of marriage’
 Venezuelan cardinal rejects Maduro’s call for Vatican mediation
 Pakistani authorities barring Asia Bibi from leaving country, friend says
 Administer a more ‘inclusive’ justice and respect the dignity of each person, Pope tells Italian magistrates
 ‘Yemen cannot wait,’ British Catholic aid agency states
 New Vatican officials weigh in on document signed by Pope, Grand Imam

Released Friday, Feb. 8

 US bishops’ spokesman backs Venezuelan hierarchy in country’s crisis
 Cardinal sees ‘historical significance’ in Vatican-Beijing pact
 Both Venezuelan leaders request papal mediation
 Cardinal Dolan raps Cuomo for ‘religious right’ classification
 Boko Haram sets churches on fire in latest Cameroon attack
 Report: Chinese bishop and priests released for lunar new year
 United Arab Emirates prelate says Pope’s visit exceeded all expectations
 Chaldean patriarch calls for liturgical changes
 Supreme Court, in 5-4 decision, blocks Louisiana abortion clinic law
 Military archbishop regrets US withdrawal from nuclear treaty
 Ecumenical Patriarch, Greek prime minister issue strong call for seminary’s reopening
 Australian bishops: ‘May the most vulnerable be the priority of electoral programs’
 Senegal’s dioceses train 1,000 people to monitor national election
 Christ calls us to conversion and meekness, Pope preaches at weekday Mass
 ‘Together against human trafficking’ is theme of February 8 world day of prayer
 Court rules University of Iowa may not discriminate against religious organizations

Released Thursday, Feb. 7

 Prisons must preserve hope for inmates, Pope says
 Pope’s February prayer intention: against human trafficking
 Pro-life group asks Cardinal Mahony to withdraw from LA conference
 Italian missionary, kidnapped in 2013, reported alive, in ISIS control
 Amid uproar, Vatican clarifies Pope’s comments on ‘sexual slavery’ of nuns
 Italian protesting clerical abuse arrested in front of the Vatican
 Michigan diocese’s vicar general accused of sexually harassing younger priest; accuser placed on leave
 Leading European soccer official meets with Pope
 Pope appeals for prayer Haitian boat tragedy victims
 Italy: interfaith document affirms right to respect for religion at end of life
 Cardinal Tobin criticizes President Trump’s proposed border wall
 Reformed churches’ organization urges action against discrimination, authoritarianism, and nationalism
 Central African Republic, rebel groups initial a peace deal
 New Jersey senator asks judicial nominee: ‘Are gay relationships, in your opinion, immoral?’
 Covington pro-life student’s lawyers warn dioceses of possible legal action
 Bishop Conley: some cardinals have ‘very disturbing’ views on morality
 Survey finds that almost half of practicing Christian millennials say evangelism is wrong
 EU bishops’ commission publishes reflection on ‘robotization of life’
 Papal condolences for Australian flood victims
 Christians in North Korea tell of struggle to practice faith
 End religious tests on nominees, prelate asks Senate Judiciary Committee

Released Wednesday, Feb. 6

 India closes down orphanages in ‘baby-selling’ inquiry
 Pope acknowledges sexual exploitation of nuns by priests
 Pope ready to mediate in Venezuela if both sides ask
 Optional memorial of Pope St. Paul VI to be celebrated on May 29
 Laicized US missionary refuses to renounce ministry in East Timor
 Colombian bishops discuss evangelization’s social dimension
 Cuba’s bishops criticize provisions of proposed new national constitution
 Moscow patriarch: unprincipled politicians manipulate religion
 ‘Petrol bomb’ threats sent to churches in England
 Head of new Orthodox Church of Ukraine enthroned in Kiev
 Aleppo bishop sees document signed by Pope, grand imam as ‘Magna Carta’ of Christian-Muslim relations
 Pope, at general audience, recalls journey to United Arab Emirates
 Burkina Faso forces kill 146 jihadists after village attack
 Venezuelan bishops, religious sisters, and laity call for free elections
 Pope assesses trip, speaks on abuse and on Venezuela, in-flight press conference
 USCCB committee chairmen renew support for legislation to protect faith-based foster care, adoption providers

Released Tuesday, Feb. 5

 Pope concludes historic visit to Arabian peninsula
 Bid to ban infanticide blocked in US Senate
 Greek court convicts Orthodox bishop for comments on homosexuals
 Arlington bishop deplores racist photographs associated with Virginia’s governor
 Zimbabwe’s bishops gather testimonies of victims of human rights violations
 Mexico’s bishops join in criticism of repressive Maduro regime
 India’s Supreme Court denies bail to Missionary of Charity accused of child trafficking
 Curial cardinal assesses situation of Catholics on Arabian Peninsula
 Islamic State, seeking next chapter, makes inroads through West Africa
 Pope, at Abu Dhabi interreligious gathering, calls for dialogue, prayer for peace
 Pope Francis, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar deplore violence, terrorism in the name of religion
 Carbon pricing bill is ‘hopeful sign,’ USCCB committee chairman says

Released Monday, Feb. 4

 Maduro seeks papal mediation in Venezuela
 Cardinal DiNardo allowed accused priest to celebrate Mass before suspension
 Pro-abortion politicians should not receive Communion, says Spokane bishop
 Priests should be joyful like St. John Bosco, Pope preaches on saint’s feast day
 New York’s abortion legislation is ‘evil, pure and simple,’ USCCB committee chairman says
 Focus on discernment, closeness, and shared mission, Pope tells Hospitaller brothers
 As Australian commission investigates abuse, Anglican archbishop could be defrocked
 Texas dioceses name 278 clergy with credible allegations of sex abuse
 Persevere with memory and hope in moments of desolation, Pope preaches at weekday Mass
 UAE Minister of State hails Pope’s visit as milestone event
 Defense of the unborn is ‘cornerstone of the common good,’ Pope Francis tells politicians
 Pope urges Monaco’s leaders to continue working for the common good
 Vatican outlines pastoral appointments of 7 Chinese bishops reconciled to the Holy See
 Vatican Secretary of State: papal visit to United Arab Emirates opens new page in interreligious relations
 On World Day of Consecrated Life, Pope Francis calls religious to ‘prophetic vision’
 Vatican cardinal: reconciliation among Chinese Catholics will help revive evangelization
 Pope Francis appeals for end to humanitarian crisis in Yemen
 ‘Jesus’ public ministry begins with a rejection,’ Pope tells pilgrims
 Pope Francis arrives in Abu Dhabi
 Pope confers pontifical honor on former al-Azhar official
 ‘Ending discrimination, stigma, and prejudice’ is theme of Vatican’s World Leprosy Day message

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Fri13 March
Lent

Friday of the Third Week of Lent

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Good Friday is three weeks away. The conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders of his time continues to intensify as the Third Week of Lent draws to an end. In today’s gospel reading, one of the Temple scribes gives Jesus an orthodoxy check, asking him to name the greatest of the Commandments. The answer…

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