Stories for September 2021

Ordered from most to least recent.

Released Thursday, Sep. 30

 Pope Francis jokes about end of his pontificate
 Archbishop decries push for executions in Oklahoma
 Christian presence in Middle East seen as ‘a question of faith’
 Cardinal Becciu says funds transferred to Australia involved ‘classified’ activities
 New bishop named for Brooklyn
 Colorado parish vandalized
 Baltimore argues Catholic group’s rally could bring violence
 Key part of Arizona genetic-abnormality abortion law blocked
 Vatican foreign minister rues nuclear status quo
 ‘Land mafia’: Protestant leaders struggle to hold on to church properties in Pakistan
 In Bihar, a Dalit Christian boy dies from acid attack; police label it a suicide
 Papua New Guinea diocese stands by victims of witchcraft accusations
 Theme announced for Pope’s message for World Communications Day: ‘Listen’
 Pope laments attacks on Christians in Nigeria
 Pope calls for ‘immediate action’ to protect our common home

Released Wednesday, Sep. 29

 Archbishop urges prayers for Nancy Pelosi
 Ecumenical group: Middle East Christians should not rely on alliance with West
 Spanish bishops object to government’s registry of health-care conscientious objectors
 Spanish party leader questions papal apology to Mexico
 Covid lockdowns leaving ‘surrogate’ babies homeless
 Biden to meet Pope in October?
 Theme of Pope’s general audience: ‘Life of faith’
 Some German Catholics bewildered over Woelki decision
 ‘Move from indifference to solidarity’ with migrants, bishop asks Catholics
 Head of German bishops calls for ‘courageous change’ in Church, society
 Unemployment, euthanasia, Afghanistan: Cardinal Bassetti addresses Italian bishops
 British appeals court rules against Christian foster agency
 In Sierra Leone, Caritas director laments closing of churches
 Rising sea levels alarm Philippine bishops
 Dialogue needed in addressing vaccine hesitancy, Vatican official says
 Pope, in preface to new book, reflects on fraternity and the Kingdom of God
 As Youth4Climate meets, Pope calls for simpler lifestyles

Released Tuesday, Sep. 28

 Malaysian archdiocese ends months-long ban on public Mass
 English university lifts block on appointment of pro-life chaplain
 Cardinal Gregory on Communion: priests are pastors, not police
 New York priest recounts service under six popes
 Mexican cardinal closes traditionalist parish
 New York governor: no religious exemptions to Covid mandate
 Vatican requires Covid ‘green card’ for all workers, visitors
 Pope regrets ‘very painful errors’ as Mexico celebrates 200th anniversary of independence
 Some stolen items from Denver parish church recovered
 San Marino legalizes abortion despite Church protests
 Indian bishops’ conference launches campaign against terrorism, narcotics
 Vatican mission official sees ‘great vitality’ in Asian dioceses
 Sri Lankan bishops call on the government to listen to teachers and end school lockdown
 Traditional Carmelites in Pennsylvania announce apostolic visitation
 Canadian bishops announce $30M national financial pledge to support healing and reconciliation initiatives
 US bishops’ Respect for Life Month statement highlights St. Joseph
 Papal tweet laments arms race
 Vatican’s Secretary of State addresses United Nations, emphasizes Covid recovery, sustainability
 Pope Francis issues message for 2021 World Youth Day

Released Monday, Sep. 27

 On public health, Pope stresses inequalities
 Lithuanian prelate to head European bishops’ conference
 Swiss voters approve same-sex marriage
 Father Kapuan, Medal of Honor chaplain, reinterred in native Kansas
 Brazilian Cardinal Falcao dead at 95
 Priest describes plight of Syrian Christians in Aleppo
 Cardinal Burke provides update on his recovery from Covid
 Canadian bishops issue ‘unequivocal’ apology for abuse at residential schools
 US House, in 218-211 vote, approves sweeping abortion bill
 ‘Expert in suffering’: Pontiff pays tribute to heritage of Armenian Catholics
 Vatican ‘foreign minister’ calls for clean energy for all
 Papal encouragement to Focolare bishops in their work of fostering unity
 Italian priest slain by Nazis is beatified
 Papal prayers for residents of La Palma island after volcanic eruption
 On Migrants and Refugees Day, Pope calls for ‘more inclusive world’
 Be ‘welcoming towards others and vigilant over ourselves,’ Pope tells pilgrims

Released Saturday, Sep. 25

 Background: World Day of Migrants and Refugees

Released Friday, Sep. 24

 Canadian archdiocese drops vaccine requirement for Mass
 Catholic activist warns against limits on religious exemptions to vaccine
 Bishops in India’s Karntaka state oppose anti-conversion law
 Venezuelan Cardinal Urosa Savino, critic of Maduro regime, dead at 79
 Pope appoints delegate to govern Memores Domini movement
 Vatican gives German cardinal leave of absence after abuse investigation
 Cardinal Pell says he underestimated opposition to Vatican finance reform
 Pelosi responds to Archbishop Cordileone; he answers
 Nun describes her service in Afghanistan
 Cardinal Pell reflects on recent popes
 FBI warns of potential attacks on Portland parishes around Columbus Day
 In US, diocesan phase of Synod of Bishops concludes April 1
 40 Days for Life fall campaign to end abortion begins in over 1,000 cities
 Nevada bishops call for clemency hearing for death-row inmate
 Christians face ostracism in India’s Jharkhand state
 Reflect, rebuild, and see, Pope preaches to Europe’s bishops
 Texas bishop: Gov. Abbott is ‘undermining our religious obligation to help those in need’
 Vatican ‘foreign minister,’ at UN, decries racism, eugenics, persecution of religious believers

Released Thursday, Sep. 23

 US prelate warns of ‘trans’ seminary candidates
 Armenian Catholic Patriarch elected
 UK court rejects Down-syndrome advocate’s challenge to abortion law
 Cardinal Kasper repeats worries over German ‘Synodal Path’
 Catholic leaders urge humane treatment for Haitian migrants as numbers grow
 Council of Cardinals meets with Pope to discuss next Synod of Bishops
 +Bishop John McCormack, 86
 Catholics in Africa celebrate Congo Basin, call to fight climate change
 Group fights anti-Catholic bigotry in Scotland
 It is a sin to refuse Covid vaccine, Indonesian archbishop preaches
 8 elderly nuns in Manila succumb to Covid; outbreak hits seminary
 Vatican diplomat calls for universal access to clean water
 US House committee approves radical abortion bill
 Pope receives Paralympic, Olympic athletes
 Poland’s bishops were slow to confront abuse scandal, Church officials write
 Afghan Christian refugees meet with Pope

Released Wednesday, Sep. 22

 At weekly audience, Pope recaps trip to Hungary, Slovakia
 Sunni, Shi’ite leaders to meet in Iraq?
 President of Catholic University of America announces retirement
 Mexico’s top court rejects conscience-protection clause in health law
 Pope: In the Cross, God’s mercy embraces every aspect of humanity
 Vatican instructs Heralds of the Gospel to close its boarding schools
 Smaller Catholic colleges thrive as national enrollments take a hit
 ‘Build a Church that goes to the peripheries,’ Cardinal Czerny tells group of US bishops
 Bishop pens ‘accessible and comprehensive history’ of the sexual revolution
 Do not compromise doctrinal truths, nuncio tells German bishops
 +Bishop Anthony Pilla, 88
 Indian cardinal defuses tensions following bishop’s remarks on jihad
 After outcry, Catholic school renews job offer to lesbian coach
 Fire damages historic Catholic church in Ukraine
 Iraqi archbishop concerned about end of US combat mission

Released Tuesday, Sep. 21

 Pope rips EWTN ‘work of the devil’
 German bishops’ leader defends Pope’s decision not to accept resignation
 Armenian Catholic Synod gathers in Rome to elect new Patriarch
 Massachusetts bishop: priests should support vax-exemption requests
 India: Kerala’s state government announces probe against cardinal
 Catholic Charities in Texas struggles in face of immigration ‘madness’
 US bishops decry abortion funding in ‘Build Back Better Act’
 Cardinal O’Malley calls on Central, Eastern European bishops to undergo ‘pastoral conversion’ on sexual abuse
 Canadian bishops issue election statement
 Prelate offers overview of Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization
 Group protests on behalf of lesbian coach after Catholic school job offer rescinded
 Syriac Catholic bishops cite challenges to Christians in Middle East
 Russian Orthodox leaders attack ‘neo-papism’ of Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
 Madhya Pradesh authorities intimidate Pentecostals
 Afghan Christians practice faith in absolute secrecy, migrant recounts

Released Monday, Sep. 20

 Tigray bishop pleads for release of humanitarian aid
 Taliban victory will cause problems for Pakistan’s Christians, Paul Bhatti predicts
 Blood of St. Januarius liquefies; miracle reassures Naples
 South African archbishop sees pagan cults as obstacle
 Notre Dame structurally stable; reconstruction can begin
 Vatican to require Covid vaccine ‘passport’
 Mozambique bishop: ‘Nobody asks for martyrdom, but is is something that can happen at any moment’
 Catholic hospitals urge South Australia’s government to mandate Covid vaccine for health workers
 Manila cardinal contracts Covid
 Assembly, the first of its kind, to address future of Church in Latin America
 New Belarusian archbishop appointed as conflict with government continues
 Pope Francis: Synodality is not about fashion, it is the Church of the Acts of the Apostles
 Admit failings on abuse and put victims first: papal message to bishops of Central and Eastern Europe
 Canadian archbishop: Only fully vaccinated can attend Mass
 Pope Francis recalls Marian apparition of La Salette
 Papal prayer for detainees, Mexican flood victims
 Act like Jesus by giving primacy to service, Pope tells pilgrims

Released Friday, Sep. 17

 Most Catholics favor Communion for Biden, poll says
 Northern Ireland diocese charged with sheltering bombing suspect
 Miniature Vatican built of Legos
 Irish president meets with Pope
 Catechesis requires creativity, Pope says
 Cardinal Cupich reinstates pastor cleared of abuse allegations
 Oklahoma governor signs 9 pro-life laws
 Pro-life group says Google engaging in censorship
 Supreme Court to hear case on religious schools barred from Maine choice program
 USCCB: Act now to stop most extreme abortion bill ever
 Ukrainian Christians begin 3 days of prayer to preserve traditional family values
 Ecumenical Patriarch announces trip to US
 Armenia is surrounded by enemies, Czech cardinal warns
 62 nuns at Manila convent test positive for Covid
 Tabernacle with Blessed Sacrament stolen from Denver parish
 Belarus government faces new confrontation with Church

Released Thursday, Sep. 16

 Same-sex marriage is rejection of all, Pope-emeritus Benedict writes
 Catholics have highest US vaccination rate
 Greek foreign minister scolds Turkey for mosque at Hagia Sophia
 Google cancels ads for reversal of abortion pill
 Pope warns movement leaders against desire for power, disloyalty
 In Madhya Pradesh, priest on trial for Christmas caroling is acquitted
 We are living ‘in the valley of death,’ 3 Philippine archbishops say
 Historic Viennese church given to SSPX
 Kenyan bishops bar politicians from addressing church congregations
 Australian bishop’s resignation ‘raises some big questions’
 Hmong Catholics in Vietnam are imprisoned for evangelization efforts
 Abductors release Nigerian priest
 New Jersey bishop: Vaccination exemption for clergy ‘will be minimal’
 Bishops’ migration chairman welcomes House provisions on immigration
 Mary’s faith is ‘journey, prophecy, and compassion,’ Pope preaches at final Mass in Slovakia

Released Wednesday, Sep. 15

 Pope speaks on Communion for pro-abortion politicians
 Federal court blocks New York vaccine mandate that bars religious exemptions
 Ousted archbishop meets with Pope in Slovakia
 As Covid fears ease, Maronite Church returns to Communion on tongue
 Pope declines resignation of German archbishop
 Roundup: US dioceses respond to Biden vaccine mandate
 Priests who advocate vaccine refusal will not receive salary, Orthodox prelate says
 Southern African bishops decry corruption in member nations, urge ‘solidarity with needy’
 Federal court clears way for telemedicine medication abortions on Guam
 Largest Catholic parish in US being built in ‘heart of California’s dairy industry’
 Vatican cardinal urges Mexican bishops to prioritize care for migrants
 Catholic Hong Kong activist honored at National Catholic Prayer Breakfast
 British doctors’ union drops opposition to assisted suicide
 Gunmen abduct priest in Nigerian village
 Pope, in Slovakia, preaches on the crucified Jesus, encourages young people to go to Confession

Released Tuesday, Sep. 14

 Kentucky bishop: unvaccinated priests cannot visit the sick
 The Cross is not for ‘triumphal’ Christianity, Pope tells Slovaks
 Poll shows American majority opposes vaccine mandate
 Lutheran body installs ‘transgender’ bishop
 Maronite Patriarch welcomes Lebanon’s new government
 Paraguayan prelate urges government to act against Marxist-Leninist guerillas
 US bishops’ pro-life chairman issues statement on supporting pregnant and new mothers
 Vatican spokesman: Pope is offering ‘new ABCs for proclaiming the faith’
 Tasmanian archbishop faces criticism over support for unvaccinated priests
 23-year-old arrested for smashing Catholic church statues: NYPD
 In India, Church mourns prominent Catholic politician’s death
 Anti-Christian violence reaches ‘alarming proportions’ in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh
 Former Irish president McAleese ramps up criticism of Pope Francis
 Pope, in Slovakia, deplores anti-Semitism, says Christian society is based on Beatitudes, not ‘culture wars’

Released Monday, Sep. 13

 Maternity ward to close, as nurses quit to avoid vaccination
 Swiss Guard to admit women?
 Students’ lawsuit challenges vaccine mandate at Jesuit university
 Pope renews critique of ‘rigid’ Catholicism [Corrected]
 Vatican cardinal reassures Jews after papal remarks
 Vietnamese catechist, family jailed for teaching faith
 Don’t slander St. Junípero Serra, Archbishops Cordileone and Gomez write in op-ed
 USCCB president recalls 20th anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks
 Papal message to interfaith summit: If we want peace on earth, ‘we cannot lose sight of heaven’
 Listen, discern, bear witness: papal audience with Discalced Carmelites
 President of European Council discusses Afghan refugees with Pontiff
 The family is alive in prayer, Word of God, and service: papal message to families
 Pope arrives in Slovakia, meets with other Christian leaders
 Wyszynski’s beatification ceremony gathers thousands in Poland
 Pope, in Hungary, meets with Orbán, laments anti-Semitism, concludes Eucharistic Congress

Released Friday, Sep. 10

 Gay teacher’s court win against Catholic school puts Church in danger of financial penalties
 Young Christians being targeted through ‘love and narcotics jihad,’ Kerala bishop says
 Texas bishops welcome heartbeat law
 Boston cardinal meets Cuban leader on visit to Havana
 US Catholic speaker recounts healings at International Eucharistic Congress
 Go forth to be close to the people, Pope tells Claretians
 California bishop: Minorities need health care, not life-ending prescriptions
 Mexican bishops express sorrow after Supreme Court decriminalizes abortion
 Traditional Latin Mass communities issue appeal to French bishops
 Vatican offers overview of Church in Hungary, Slovakia
 The Virgin Mary helps overcome divisions, Pope tells conference

Released Thursday, Sep. 9

 Bishops in Guinea warned of coup threats
 Nigerian cardinal stresses danger of unworthy Communion
 Chilean president meets with Pontiff
 American native becomes Patriarch of Assyrian Church of the East
 Head of Catholic mission: ‘Our exit from Afghanistan was a real miracle’
 Pope promotes theologian-priest who once testified against abusive mentor
 California dioceses pay $23.9M to 197 victims
 Pope appeals for ‘fraternity and solidarity’ for people in Ethiopia
 Cardinal Gregory: President Biden ‘not demonstrating Catholic teaching’ on when life begins
 Tasmania: dispute over whether priests who object to Covid vaccine should minister in nursing homes
 Since 2010, Mass attendance down 22%, baptisms fall by 19% in Cincinnati archdiocese
 Number of US permanent deacons declined slightly in 2020, but expected to increase
 Catholic chaplain who was rejected by university speaks out about ‘preposterous’ decision
 Cardinal Sako says Pope Francis’ historic visit changed Iraq
 BBC: Spanish bishop quit for love for erotic writer

Released Wednesday, Sep. 8

 Paris archbishop restricts traditional Latin Mass
 New president of Vatican city-state governorate
 South Dakota governor: abortion drugs require doctor visit
 Pope says ‘trust in science,’ praises vaccine
 Vandalism escalates at Catholic churches
 Haitian priest killed in gang violence
 Pope treats Rome’s prisoners to gelato
 Theme of Pope’s general audience: ‘We are children of God’
 Fraud case rocks Lander, Wyoming Catholic College
 Eucharist is source of joy, God’s presence, speakers tell International Eucharistic Congress
 Mexican bishops, Scalabrinians address migrant ‘crisis of great magnitude’
 Visit the border and see the conditions of migrants, nun urges President Biden
 ‘My body, my choice’ painted on doors to Catholic church before Mass, Colorado cops say
 Mexican Supreme Court, in landmark ruling, declares pro-life law unconstitutional
 Irish bishops to ‘reflect’ on government’s request for land for housing
 In Australia, $1M settlement for clerical abuse victim
 Bishop Paprocki issues guidance on masks, vaccinations
 British prelates, lay leaders deplore arms trade
 USCCB launches initiative inspired by Fratelli Tutti to counter polarization and division

Released Tuesday, Sep. 7

 Vatican document on ‘synodality’ prefigures a confusing Synod [News/analysis]
 Myanmar: churches and monasteries refuse funding from the military junta
 Maronite bishops call for novena of prayer for Lebanon in political crisis
 Australian Jesuit explodes prosecutors’ case against Cardinal Pell
 Brazil Church leaders back protest march
 Pope joins Orthodox, Anglican leaders in environmental plea
 New Hampshire bishop asks judge to dismiss sex abuse lawsuit against him
 UK report finds ‘shocking’ failings over child sex abuse in non-Catholic religious settings
 Protestant clergy beaten in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
 Catholic Charities outlines federal budget reconciliation priorities
 Cardinal Koch takes stock of pontifical council’s work
 Pontifical commission turns attention to abuse in Central, Eastern Europe
 Haitian cardinal: Need for help still urgent following earthquake
 ‘Democracy is in intensive care’ in El Salvador, cardinal warns
 Papal good wishes for Rosh Hashanah, prayers for US hurricane victims
 In New Zealand, Masses remain suspended after PM’s ‘curveball’
 Rabbinic seminary will locate at a Catholic university

Released Monday, Sep. 6

 Rioting in Montenegro over installation of Orthodox prelate
 Catholic and Shi’ite leaders urge participation in Iraqi vote
 Slovakia eases Covid-vaccination rule for papal visit
 International Eucharistic Congress opens in Budapest
 Former President Trump ‘surprised that we didn’t do better with the Catholic vote’
 3 Chicago priests step aside amid investigations into inappropriate relationships with adults
 Federal court rules against Catholic high school that fired substitute teacher in same-sex marriage
 Papal prayer request for upcoming apostolic journey
 Pope urges welcome and protection for Afghan refugees
 Franciscan bishop beatified in Argentina
 Ask the Lord for healing from interior deafness, Pope tells pilgrims
 After 14 years, new bishop of Wuhan appointed
 Pope calls for a ‘better politics’: the ‘architecture’ and ‘artisanship’ of peace
 Theme of US bishops’ Labor Day statement: A Dream for a Better Economy
 Archbishop Cordileone: Our duty to challenge Catholic politicians who support abortion rights

Released Friday, Sep. 3

 Rhode Island bishop rips Biden’s abortion stand
 Lithuanian prime minister meets with Pontiff
 Iranians jailed for apostasy after conversion to Christianity
 German bishop proposes alternative approach to Synodal Path
 Anglican bishop resigns to enter Catholic Church
 Cardinal Parolin, Hungarian premier air views on immigration
 McCarrick in court: pleads Not Guilty to criminal charge
 Archbishop of Panama decries corruption
 Vocations to priesthood, religious life shine amid Covid’s darkness in Vietnam
 USCCB president calls for prayers, assistance for Hurricane Ida’s victims
 In Canada, government inquiry into ‘surge of hate’ omits mention of church burnings
 Arrests made in blaze that destroyed Philadelphia church
 New sexual battery lawsuits against Theodore McCarrick
 Psaki rebukes EWTN reporter who asked why President Biden opposes Texas abortion law
 On China, Francis says no to giving up dialogue
 Man’s suicide spurred push for more accountability on clergy sexual abuse
 Papal praise for Arché Foundation, a ‘sign of hope’ for mothers and children
 Pope Francis encourages participation in 2021 Season of Creation

Released Thursday, Sep. 2

 Nigerian bishops fear ‘traumatized generation’ after kidnappings
 Evangelical leader wins $800,000 judgment against civic officials over lockdown
 North Carolina law would require hospitals to admit clergy in emergencies
 Traditionalist groups plead for understanding, seek mediation
 Cardinal DiNardo announces restrictions on traditional liturgy
 Biden pledges fight against Texas ‘heartbeat’ law
 Papal trips announced for Malta, Greece, Cyprus
 Catholics denied clean water, toilets in Vietnamese province
 Leading Tanzanian prelate orders vaccination of all priests
 Maronite Patriarch laments emigration from Lebanon
 Federal court: Ban on conversion therapy dose not infringe on religious freedom
 Gonzaga University commission releases report on abusive priests on campus
 Talks on 2019 blasts require Sri Lankan government credibility, Cardinal Ranjith says
 Largest Philippine diocese opens cemeteries to non-Catholic Covid victims
 Full text of wide-ranging interview with Pope Francis released in English
 Dublin archbishop issues 64-page pastoral letter on the ‘climate catastrophe’
 Cultivate ‘ecological conscience,’ be wary of climate sensationalism, USCCB says in new statement

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Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)

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"I shall sing forever the Lord's mercy" (Ps 89 [88]). Today is the Sunday of Divine Mercy, the Octave Day of Easter. From Creation, God has revealed his nature as love itself, in Sacred Scripture and most perfectly in the life, Passion, death and Resurrection of his Son, Jesus. In his…

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