Catholic Culture News
Catholic Culture News

Stories for February 2020

Ordered from most to least recent.

Released Friday, Feb. 28

 Bishop Schneider rebuts arguments that papacy is invalid
 Buffalo diocese files for bankruptcy
 Vatican task force formed to help bishops’ conferences with abuse policies
 Pope curtails schedule for 2nd day, Vatican slights ‘slight’ illness
 Philippine bishops criticize dam project
 Bishops disagree over whether Pope Francis feels ‘used’ by Father Martin
 10 months after papal appeal, South Sudan forms unity government
 CAFOD leader calls for ‘eco-fasting’
 ‘Be greener,’ Pope tells Global Catholic Climate Movement
 Guinea archbishop appeals for peace on eve of elections
 Bishop proposes rotating presidency of German Bishops’ Conference
 Church in Poland holds day of prayer, penance for sexual abuse
 West Africa’s bishops denounce land grabbing
 Nicaraguan police surround Managua’s cathedral
 Increase refugee admissions, bishop urges House Judiciary Committee
 Turn bitterness into fresh water for the people, Pope say in message to Rome’s priests
 Archbishop Gomez calls for ‘recovery of virtue’
 Retired Kazakh archbishop says he won’t keep quiet about Pope as ‘heretic’

Released Thursday, Feb. 27

 New Legionary leader promises change in institutional culture
 Minnesota archbishop asks clerics not to vote
 Pope’s ‘slight indisposition’ causes one cancellation
 Ghana: bishops urge all citizens to vote
 English baby removed from life support after doctors expand ‘brain death’ diagnosis
 ‘Even apparently terrible things are signs of God’s infinite love,’ Korean prelate says of coronavirus
 Ukrainian Catholic leader emphasizes importance of communion with the papacy
 Youth have a right to lawful protest, leading Dominican prelate says after elections canceled
 Delhi archbishop calls for prayer, assistance to riot victims
 Mainline Protestant leaders, Ecumenical Patriarch discuss discipleship
 Germany’s highest court, in landmark decision, declares there is a ‘right to a self-determined death’
 Vatican prelate defends forthcoming document on AI ethics
 Woman with Down syndrome sues British government to change abortion law
 With no Ash Wednesday Masses, bishops in northern Italy share prayers
 President Trump issues Ash Wednesday message
 ‘We are dust loved by God,’ Pope preaches at Ash Wednesday Mass
 Contact your senators about their recent vote on abortion, USCCB urges

Released Wednesday, Feb. 26

 Eritrea bars Catholic prelates from entering country
 Seattle Catholic school head on leave after furor over gay teachers’ resignations
 Key official of German bishops’ conference resigns
 In suit, lay Catholics charge Detroit archdiocese fabricated abuse charges against pastor
 Asia Bibi seeks asylum in France
 Notre Dame revokes awards given to Jean Vanier
 Virginia passes legislation permitting non-physicians to perform abortions
 China, citing coronavirus, closes all houses of worship
 India’s bishops call for dialogue
 Papal message offers praise for Brazil’s Lenten solidarity campaign
 Pope expresses closeness to those affected by coronavirus
 Vatican hosts conference on artificial intelligence
 Iraq’s Christian legislators oppose new prime minister
 Bishops, Muslim leaders in Pakistan renew commitment to dialogue, fraternity
 Franciscans in Idlib appeal for prayer
 Follow Jesus in His prayer and fasting, Pope says at Ash Wednesday general audience
 Service, not titles, is the measure of greatness in the Church, Pope preaches at weekday Mass
 ‘Appalling’: USCCB pro-life chairman laments failure of legislation in Senate

Released Tuesday, Feb. 25

 US Catholic voters deeply split on candidates, issues
 Another New York diocese mulls bankruptcy
 California to pursue abortion-funding rule in insurance, despite threat to federal funds
 Detroit archdiocese encourages Ash Wednesday selfies
 Retired Kazkakh archbishop silenced after calling Pope a heretic
 Zambia’s bishops decry poison-spray attacks
 Pope appeals for defense of human person, ecological conversion
 Pray for the Church, especially in bad times, Pope says at St. Nicholas’ crypt
 Canadian bishops shocked, appalled by report on Jean Vanier’s abusive relationships
 Arab bishops meet, discuss liturgical translations, regional youth day
 Appeals court upholds Trump administration rules against Title X funding for abortion
 Artificial intelligence: Microsoft, IBM partner with pontifical academy in committing to ethical principles
 In Poland, Church begins week of prayer for sobriety
 Indiana bishop deplores anti-Semitism
 Nigeria’s bishops ask faithful to wear black on Ash Wednesday
 Australian High Court releases submissions for Cardinal Pell’s appeal
 Syrian priest who was kidnapped, tortured by ISIS tells his story
 Prelate sees Vos Estis as ‘watershed law’ on sexual abuse
 ‘We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God’: Pope Francis issues Lenten message
 Tennessee bishop rips separation of children, parents

Released Monday, Feb. 24

 Supreme Court test for Catholic agency challenging LGBT foster-care rule
 Israel settlers eye land owned by Catholic archdiocese
 Second nun hits Indian bishop with sexual-misconduct charge
 Papal criticism appears aimed at Trump Mideast peace plan
 Archbishop in Philippines forbids clapping at Mass
 Northern Italian dioceses suspend Mass as coronavirus fears mount
 Mediterranean dioceses are experiencing the way of the cross, Jerusalem archbishop says
 Mexican bishops decry femicide
 As coronavirus speads, Philippine bishops advise sprinkling ashes on Ash Wednesday
 California vows to continue to mandate abortion coverage
 Jean Vanier initiated relations with 6 non-disabled women, investigators report
 You are brothers among brothers, Pope tells Oriental Orthodox priests
 Papal appeal for peace in Syria
 Christ calls us to the ‘extremism of charity’: papal homily in Bari
 Revision of canon law section on crime, penalties is necessary, Pope says
 Some populist leaders’ speeches are reminiscent of 1930s, Pope tells Mediterranean bishops
 Respond to challenges posed by artificial intelligence, Archbishop Paglia urges
 8 sainthood, beatification causes advance
 USCCB, Catholic organizations praise Holy See, US government for response to coronavirus

Released Friday, Feb. 21

 Pope advanced cause of married priests, Argentine archbishop claims
 Portuguese lawmakers approve assisted suicide
 Higher cancer rates found among promiscuous
 Coronavirus prompts Korean archbishop to cancel Ash Wednesday services
 Bishops encourage government talks with separatists in Cameroon
 Catholic Boy Scout councils not affected by bankruptcy case, chairman says
 German defense minister calls for women deacons
 Ivory Coast bishops meet with president, discuss national reconciliation
 Decrying right-wing extremism, Cardinal Marx condemns Hanau shootings
 Vatican sees intense interest in opening of Pius XII archive
 Organize credible elections, West Africa’s bishops urge governments
 Bill requiring care for infants who survive abortions fails in Colorado House
 Prelates criticize Jesuit priest’s views on homosexuality
 In Madhya Pradesh, 8 Christians acquitted of charges of kidnapping children, forced conversions
 Anglican primate calls for release of Boko Haram kidnapping victim
 US ‘troubled’ by report Iranians want to raze tomb of Mordecai and Esther
 Wuhan coronavirus hospital was originally Franciscan
 Florida diocese declares ‘Safe Haven Sunday’ to focus on harms of pornography
 In weekday Mass homily, Pope offers 3 steps to knowing Jesus

Released Thursday, Feb. 20

 Bishop has ‘serious concerns’ about LGBT law clinic at Jesuit university
 Mexico City policy does not stop US aid for abortion abroad, group reports
 Australian archbishop in Rome to discuss legal challenge to confessional seal
 India’s bishops warn against false nationalism
 Harrisburg diocese becomes 21st to enter bankruptcy
 Catechist killed, parishes closed after jihadist attack in Burkina Faso
 Pope sees education as ‘ecological movement’
 Covington Catholic students file suit against media outlets
 Philippine bishops welcome ‘good manners’ legislation
 70 Christians attacked in Tamil Nadu
 United Arab Emirates, UN agency fund reconstruction of Iraqi church
 Bishop laments lack of security in Nigeria
 Fight against bonded labor, India’s bishops urge
 Cardinal Becciu denies use of charity money for London property deal
 US, Canadian, Latin American bishops meet in Tampa
 USCCB calls for concord, collaboration between US and Cuba
 Boy Scouts seek bankruptcy, urge victims to step forward
 ‘We continue to carry that cross’: Coptic prelate reflects on 2015 ISIS beheading of Christians in Libya
 Pope’s 2021 prayer intentions announced
 3 cardinals call on EU bishops to accept refugees from Lesbos
 Iraqi Kurdish leader meets with Pope Francis

Released Wednesday, Feb. 19

 Council of Cardinals editing document to reorganize Roman Curia
 +Virgil Dechant, 89
 Cuba’s bishops are ‘extraordinarily realistic,’ New York cardinal says
 Italian president honors anti-trafficking nun
 Pope redefines purpose of Caritas Internationalis
 ‘Bring the novelty and joy of the Gospel wherever you are,’ Pope tells Spanish laity
 Vatican police make new raid in investigation of London property deal
 Bari trip gives Pope a chance to help save Christianity in the Middle East
 God asks of us an open heart full of compassion, Pope preaches at weekday Mass
 ‘Blessed are the meek’: Pope Francis continues reflections on the Beatitudes
 Raphael tapestries on display in Sistine Chapel
 Kidnapped Nigerian priest has been set free
 Philadelphia’s new archbishop sounds call to ‘welcome the outcast’

Released Tuesday, Feb. 18

 Foundation donates $47.5M to Chicago Catholic schools
 West Africa’s bishops discuss terrorism, environmental exploitation
 Indiana’s bishops back bill to assist non-resident homeless
 Bolivian bishops’ official calls for consistency from Christian political candidates
 Another priest kidnapped in Nigeria
 Leading South African bishop emphasizes importance of worship, Third Commandment
 Bishops call for urgent Cameroon peace talks
 CAFOD touts ‘government-provided energy safety nets’ for universal electricity
 Bishops welcome EU plan against cancer
 Cardinal Zenari warns of risk of a humanitarian catastrophe in Syria
 Indian cardinal decries new abortion act
 Burkina Faso church attack leaves 24 dead
 Nuns, Catholic groups work to blunt the scourge of human trafficking
 Brazilian cardinal denounces recent criticism of Pope

Released Monday, Feb. 17

 McCarrick gave almost $1million to order founded by convicted abuser
 Legionary priests facing obstruction-of-justice trial in Italy
 Future Vatican diplomats should serve missionary assignments: Pope
 Vatican ‘lost everything’ in deal with Beijing, says Cardinal Zen
 Australian law challenging confessional seal takes effect
 Former McCarrick secretary rejects fundraising approach
 Chinese bishop, 98, oldest to recover from coronavirus
 Bosnian leader meets with Pontiff
 Chinese Christians in the UK tell of racism as coronavirus spreads
 Influential Jesuit editor weighs in on ‘Querida Amazonia’
 Book launch for new papal children’s book
 Leading Vatican diplomat meets with Chinese foreign minister
 US bishops call on Trump administration to take the lead in promoting nuclear arms reduction
 Next Synod of Bishops to be held in 2022; Pope to decide theme
 Cherish those who accompany us in life, Pope preaches at weekday Mass
 ‘We need to do something to give hope to our people in Syria,’ nun says
 In Australia, Church creates 1-stop shop for victims of modern slavery
 Jesus helps us have ‘right approach’ to the commandments: papal reflection on Sermon on the Mount
 Leading Polish prelate criticizes ‘the so-called European Charter for Equality’
 England to be rededicated as the ‘Dowry of Mary’
 ‘Pursue, with ever greater conviction, the path of justice,’ Pope tells Vatican City State judges
 We must do the impossible to assist migrants from Central America, say Mexican bishops

Released Friday, Feb. 14

 Hungarian president meets with Pontiff
 Brazilian president raps papal attitude toward Amazon
 Pope voices frustration with criticism of apostolic exhortation
 March date set for Cardinal Pell’s appeal
 Cardinal Dolan meets with Cuba’s president in Havana
 Danish Catholics under 30 to be eligible for rebate on nation’s church tax
 FBI arrests Buffalo seminary professor who threatened to kill investigative reporter
 Remains of 2,400 aborted babies now in final resting place in Indiana cemetery
 Leading Russian Orthodox official meets with Pope Francis
 Lamenting ‘shocking’ ignorance of Real Presence, Oakland bishop schedules Eucharistic Congress
 Rep. Pelosi presents Cardinal Zen with Chinese democracy-champion prize
 The laity are not mere ‘auxiliaries of the hierarchy,’ Vatican official says
 CRS calls for advocacy on behalf of ‘Global Child Thrive Act’
 Nicaraguan archdiocese call for fair elections, freedom of expression
 In Pakistan, a kidnapped and tortured Christian girl is reunited with her family
 House holds hearings on ‘Women’s Health Protection Act’
 +Father George Coyne, SJ, 87
 Mexican bishops discuss progress in addressing sexual abuse

Released Thursday, Feb. 13

 Mali’s president meets with Pontiff
 Italian journalist claims leaked Vatican report on Medjugorje
 Vatican spiked Benedict’s statement on celibacy book, Italian journalist says
 Sri Lankan Christians wait for justice over Easter attacks
 Hong Kong cardinal suspends all public Masses, cancels Ash Wednesday liturgy
 Archbishop joins anti-government protest in Beirut
 In Indonesia, Islamist protesters attack new parish church
 Beware of ‘slippery slide’ toward worldliness, Pope preaches at weekday Mass
 Cardinal Müller: ‘Querida Amazonia’ is a document of reconciliation
 Salvadoran cardinal calls for prudence, patience amid political turmoil
 In US, Nigerian Catholics stunned by new travel ban
 Organization proposes Christian-Muslim alliance against government corruption in Nigeria
 Poland: Prelates discusses efforts to assist survivors of abuse
 Pope makes impassioned appeals for Syria and China during general audience
 ‘Evangelization is our highest priority in the American Church,’ Archbishop Gomez tells Pope Francis
 ‘The Amazonian peoples have a right to hear the Gospel,’ Pope tweets
 Armenian Catholics, Apostolic Church take part in ‘cultural ecumenism’ conference

Released Wednesday, Feb. 12

 Pope releases post-Synod document on Amazon
 Filipino bishop happy most sedition charges dropped, still concerned
 Bishop Paprocki sets policy against ‘gender identity’
 At audience, Pope reflects on ‘Blessed are they who mourn’
 Prelates in pew, laity distribute Communion at German bishops’ Mass
 Europe’s oldest nun celebrates 116th birthday
 Abortion issue not ‘pre-eminent’ in USCCB video voters’ guides
 Retired bishop must testify in abuse case despite Alzheimer’s
 Middle East’s Catholic patriarchs meet with Pope Francis
 Latin America’s Jesuit provincials denounce Nicaraguan regime
 Jesuit to lead Canadian Catholic media network
 Murdered American nun helped Amazonians rethink use of forest
 Sri Lanka’s new government fosters Buddhist nationalism
 In fight to stop human trafficking, nuns take to the streets
 Pontifical council, World Council of Churches discuss interreligious dialogue, solidarity
 San Diego bishop criticizes single-issue voting, says both abortion and environment are ‘core life issues’
 Archbishop sees Pope’s Malta visit as commitment to migrants, healing wounds
 Sacristan discusses ‘regulated chaos’ of Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre
 At funeral of murdered seminarian, Nigerian bishop denounces nation’s president, Muslim persecution

Released Tuesday, Feb. 11

 Irish archbishop sees ‘scandalous’ failings in health care
 Ukrainian bishops rebuke German bishops for support of LGBT groups
 Cardinal Marx to step down as head of German bishops’ conference
 Filipino government drops charges against bishops who criticized Duterte
 Fight tirelessly for reconciliation, Colombian bishops say following meeting
 In Egypt, Coptic activist’s detention extended
 Pope encourages Focolare in its charism of unity
 Mountain state bishops ask Pope about Amazon synod, discuss range of issues
 ‘Getting beyond deterrence’: Cardinal Turkson calls for ‘integral disarmament’
 Background: World Day of the Sick
 Returning from Davos, Vatican official speaks of ‘hopeful’ change in world leaders
 Cardinal Tagle leaves Philippines to take up key Vatican post
 Cardinal Filoni discusses significance of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre
 Archbishop chides Buttigieg’s partner over abortion
 Vatican Secretary of State lauds, encourages work of Sant’Egidio community
 Use technology to prevent human trafficking, Pope tells pilgrims
 At Vatican, IMF leader calls for ‘inclusive growth,’ integration, climate action

Released Monday, Feb. 10

 Knights of Columbus earn papal praise for loyalty, charity
 Cardinal Dolan to meet Cuban president
 ‘Education concerns the future of humanity,’ Pope tells workshop participants
 ‘May the Blessed Virgin help us to be salt and light,’ Pope tells pilgrims
 Ukrainian president meets with Pope
 Vatican cardinal commemorates day of prayer against human trafficking
 Pope Francis to visit Malta in May
 Pope commends Italian police for spirit of service to Apostolic See
 ‘Super nuns’ initiative against human trafficking gets papal backing
 In Chile, Pope fills 2 episcopal vacancies left by sex abuse scandal
 The priesthood today ‘is in mortal danger,’ Cardinal Sarah warns
 Philippines freezes bank accounts of rural missionaries
 ‘Inequality is a choice,’ economist Stiglitz says in Vatican workshop’s keynote address
 Pope sends rosaries for El Paso mass-shooting victims
 Vatican palazzo becomes ‘palace of the poor’ for homeless people
 Pope Francis renews heartfelt appeal for Syria
 Theme of National Marriage Week: ‘Stories from the Domestic Church’
 Our Lady of Lourdes shrine’s medical official explains criteria for examining miracles
 ‘Too much emphasis on religion,’ says Quebec education minister
 Louisiana bishop opens sainthood causes for 2 lay faithful

Released Friday, Feb. 7

 Pelosi decries persecution of religious groups, does not mention Christians
 Legionaries name American priest as superior
 Argentine bishops launch prayer campaign to counter bid for legal abortion
 Papal document on Amazon Synod to appear next Wednesday
 Vatican Secretary of State: work done on McCarrick report
 Church leaders wary of Kerala’s burial bill
 As coronavirus speads, Hong Kong diocese advises faithful not to attend Mass
 Georgetown announces fossil fuel divestment
 16 religious orders denounce India’s new citizenship law
 In Philippines, lay Catholic groups stand firm against legalization of divorce
 East Jerusalem should be ‘capital of an independent Palestinian state,’ Middle East Christian leaders declare
 Maronite Patriarch blasts Trump administration’s Israeli-Palestinian peace plan as ‘sign of war and hatred’
 Croatia’s prime minister meets with Pope
 Pope says fairs can showcase the beauty of local cultures, ecosystems
 UK anti-Semitism soars to record high, says watchdog
 Christ ‘became a human being, not a man,’ leading German prelate says
 Video released for Pope’s February prayer intention
 President Trump highlights pro-life, school choice issues in State of the Union
 Baltimore archbishop says Mother Lange’s sainthood cause moving forward

Released Thursday, Feb. 6

 Bishops, Catholic Charities, hospitals ‘deeply opposed’ to Trump administration’s ‘unacceptable’ Medicaid plan
 Vatican prelate praises Tebow’s prom for those with special needs
 British astrophysicist named to pontifical academy
 Pope Francis says priestly celibacy is a ‘decisive grace’ for the Latin rite
 Bishops applaud Trump administration’s efforts to expand parental choice in education
 Celebration in Abu Dhabi marks 1st anniversary of Document on Human Fraternity
 Economies should be socially inclusive, economist Sachs says in Vatican workshop keynote
 In China, new administrative rules on religion come into force amid ongoing restrictions
 USCCB releases ‘faithful citizenship’ videos
 Paksitani court upholds forced marriage of 14-year-old Catholic girl to Muslim man
 Pope urges global finance leaders to reduce economic inequality
 West Bank parishioners say Trump peace plan does not bode well for the future
 Stone by stone: mapping of the floor of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre begins

Released Wednesday, Feb. 5

 Raphael tapestries to return to Sistine Chapel
 Buffalo diocese to close seminary
 Head of Communion & Liberation backs Pope Francis
 Founder of Miles Christi is laicized
 Archbishop Gänswein’s duties reduced after controversy over book
 Pope met with woman he slapped
 Leading Albanian bishops call on EU to accept nation’s request for membership
 As coronavirus speads, Vietnamese bishops call on Catholics to receive Communion in the hand
 Praising book by Pope Emeritus and Cardinal Sarah, Lourdes bishop defends priestly celibacy
 Ecumenical Patriarch says religions can bring freedom, equality, and fraternity to the world
 Minnesota bishop faces further investigation, loses authority to handle sex abuse allegations
 Archbishop decries London terrorist attack
 USCCB: Trump administration’s Israeli-Palestinian peace plan falls short
 ‘All my fears were confirmed’: Cardianl Woelki criticizes German synodal assembly
 Colombian diocese, with some US support, helps flood of Venezuelans
 God weeps over our sins, Pope preaches at weekday Mass
 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’: Pope Francis continues reflections on the Beatitudes
 Sudan’s government prevents Christian businessman from leaving the country
 Leading Polish prelate asks world’s bishops to support initiative to proclaim St. John Paul a doctor of the Church
 ‘A new page in the dialogue between religions’: Pope marks anniversary of Document on Human Fraternity

Released Tuesday, Feb. 4

 ‘Give this country a chance,’ apostolic nuncio in Haiti pleads
 Baltimore museum exhibits missal that changed St. Francis of Assisi’s life
 Blasphemy and biased education: Life for Pakistan’s religious minorities
 Bishops from US Northwest discuss audience with Pope
 Vatican prefect, in speech, marks anniversary of Document on Human Fraternity
 China bans Christian funerals as new rules take effect
 Trump administration announces steps to enforce federal conscience law
 Bahrian’s heir apparent meets with Pope
 9,000 houses of worship to close in Canada over next decade, heritage group predicts
 Bishops voice opposition to President Trump’s restrictions on visas from Nigeria, 5 other nations
 Pope’s February prayer intention: Listen to the migrants’ cries
 Pope Francis calls on Rome to be a ‘fraternal, inclusive city, open to the world’
 Cardinal Turkson conveys Pope’s closeness to Venezuelans

Released Monday, Feb. 3

 Prosecutor opposes Cardinal Pell’s appeal
 Rhode Island priest bars pro-abortion politicians from Communion
 Citing LGBT policy, corporations pull support for scholarship for Florida Christian schools
 West Virginia priest silenced for criticism of Pontiff
 Pope Francis donates 600,000 medical masks to China to fight the coronavirus
 Ugandan archbishop bans Communion in the hand
 In Supreme Court abortion case, Louisiana goes on the offensive
 ‘To see grace,’ ‘to look for one’s neighbor,’ ‘to hope’: Pope Francis reflects on consecrated life
 ‘Movement’ and ‘wonder’: Pope reflects on the Presentation of the Lord
 Schism, the Old Mass and Pope Francis: an interview with Andrea Riccardi
 Captors murder kidnapped Nigerian seminarian
 Damascus archbishop: Syria, a country in agony, is ‘living an anticipated Lenten fast’
 Patriarchs, other Christian leaders in Jerusalem renew call for 2-state plan
 Controversy in Mexico over ‘locked down’ cathedral wedding for drug lord’s daughter
 EU bishops issue statement on Brexit
 Minnesota priest apologizes for homily ‘hurtful to Muslims’
 Asia Bibi writes autobiography, describes life as ‘prisoner of fanaticism’
 Leading Polish prelate asks Pope Francis to declare St. John Paul II patron of Europe, doctor of the Church
 Arab media leaders meet to ‘develop a media vision’ based on human fraternity document
 ‘The sick person is not a number,’ Pope tells doctors, nurses, and administrators

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