Stories for January 2022

Ordered from most to least recent.

Released Monday, Jan. 31

 Knights of Malta, Vatican avoid confrontation
 Unvaccinated man, denied heart transplant, in decline
 Pope: taxation should redistribute wealth
 Pope: Those who seek miracles and ‘new sensations’ will not find Jesus, who is in everyday reality
 In Vietnam, Dominican priest killed in the confessional
 Forgiving is a ‘grace-filled art,’ says bishop at 50th anniversary Mass for Bloody Sunday
 Catholic police officer, suspended for praying at abortion facility, wins $75K settlement
 Myanmar nun who ‘faced down a junta’ reflects on action
 Russian Orthodox Church blasts Alexandria’s Patriarch for supporting ‘Ukrainian schismatics’
 St. Louis Catholics react to call for ‘most sweeping’ change in archdiocese’s history
 Pope congratulates Mattarella upon his re-election as Italian president
 Leading Italian prelate expresses support for Ukraine
 ‘Listening session’ on Catholic boarding schools for Native Americans stirs emotions
 Respect the rights of the indigenous Diyak people, Indonesian archbishop urges
 Pandemic should not be an excuse for unjust labor practices, Pope tells leather chemists

Released Friday, Jan. 28

 Pope praises Covid ‘fact-checkers,’ raps ‘distortion of reality’
 Vatican projects $30 million deficit for 2022
 Key synod cardinal: ‘The Pope has nothing against conservatives if they learn from life’
 UAE is a leading model of global human solidarity: Vatican’s Secretary of State
 In northern British Columbia, the worship restrictions are gone, but not the pain and division
 Bahrain’s king receives papal message on bilateral relations
 Auschwitz survivor meets with Pope on Holocaust Remembrance Day
 Catholic adoption agency in Michigan wins $550K settlement
 ‘May the winds of war be silenced,’ Vatican foreign minister prays
 Vatican diplomat warns against Holocaust denial and revisionism trends
 Marian grotto desecrated at DC suburban parish
 150 African Orthodox clergy have now joined Russian Orthodox Church, prelate says
 Poverty seen as greatest challenge facing Armenia’s Catholics

Released Thursday, Jan. 27

 Ethiopian blockade on Tigray blamed for 5,000 deaths
 Pope seeks ‘synodal spirit’ on marriage tribunals
 Cardinal Marx pushes for reforms in Church
 Youth storm church in Nigeria
 Puerto Rico: archbishop condemns toppling of Juan Ponce de León’s statue
 Pope’s right knee ligament inflamed, curbing mobility
 Vatican diplomat: ‘Constrain the use of explosive weapons’ to protect civilians
 Pope Francis: ‘Never repeat unspeakable cruelty of Holocaust’
 Church in France raises $23M in compensation for abuse victims
 Vatican defends former Pope Benedict after German report faults abuse record
 Seek peace in Ukraine, says US bishops’ chairman for international justice and peace
 Holy Land’s bishops invite other Christian leaders to participate in synod
 On day of prayer for Ukraine, Pope recalls country’s historical suffering
 Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith shelved draft USCCB LGBT pastoral ministry document

Released Wednesday, Jan. 26

 Brazilian bishops rap resistance to Covid vaccination for children
 Republicans rip Biden listing of employees who seek religious exemptions
 Knights of Malta fear direct Vatican attack on sovereignty
 Pope tells parents: do not condemn homosexual children
 Theme of Pope’s general audience: ‘St. Joseph, a man who dreams’
 Church leaders in Paraguay highlight new law’s negative effect on indigenous peoples
 Cardinal skips Vatican trial to boycott talk of rumored liaison with woman
 The Magi show Christians the stages of the journey towards unity, Pope says at closing of annual prayer week
 Indian archbishop calls on leaders to respect religious freedom
 Without specifics, French bishops offer advice on upcoming elections
 Haiti enters 2022 facing a multitude of dangerous, daunting challenges, sisters warn
 Vatican newspaper laments humanitarian situation in Syria
 Europe’s bishops urge international community to support Ukraine
 Ukrainian Catholic leader decries buildup of Russian troops on border
 USCCB, CRS: ‘Urge your reps to support vaccine equity around the world’

Released Tuesday, Jan. 25

 Mexican Court confirms ruling: cardinals guilty of influencing vote
 Pro-abortion zealots project slogans on New York cathedral
 Iraqi Christians eye new year with hope and trepidation
 Bishop says Amazon synod did little to tackle sacramental crisis in region
 Vatican official reflects on synodality and the search for Christian unity
 Court upholds ruling against Vatican bank ex-managers
 Indian missionary captured, released in 24 hours in Ethiopia
 ‘A question of life and death’: Ukrainian Catholic bishops in US compare Putin to Herod
 Ethiopia releases 7 detained nuns
 Indian Christians rap state government for rising insecurity
 Pope urges Augustine canonesses to help restore young people’s taste for life
 ‘Refrain from hostilities,’ Ukrainian and Polish bishops plead
 125 German priests, Church employees ‘come out,’ demand changes

Released Monday, Jan. 24

 A closer look at Munich charges against former Pope [News Analysis]
 Myanmar parish looted by junta troops
 Learn to listen, Pope urges in statement for World Communications Day
 Pope-emeritus Benedict corrects error in report on Munich abuse case
 Vatican finance trial to resume
 Archbishop Roche claims most bishops back suppression of traditional Mass
 300 attacks on Christians in past nine months: report
 In Tamil Nadu, nun arrested for forced conversion, inciting suicide
 Dutch Jesuit murdered in Syria unlikely to be beatified, sources say
 Marist poll: Most Americans want abortion limits that Roe & Casey won’t allow
 Researcher examines decline in church attendance in Covid America
 Church leader in Tigray seeks international push for aid, dialogue
 Fast and pray ‘frequently’ between now and Dobbs decision: USCCB statement on Roe v. Wade anniversary
 Cardinal Gregory compares Catholics for Choice to Judas
 4 martyrs beatified in El Salvador
 Pope calls for day of prayer for peace in Ukraine on January 26
 The Word of God has the power to transform us, Pope tells pilgrims
 The word reveals God and leads us to man, Pope preaches on Sunday of the Word of God

Released Friday, Jan. 21

 Pope urges doctrinal congregation to support discernment
 St. Irenaeus formally named Doctor of the Church
 Former Senator Donnelly named US ambassador to Holy See
 Supreme Court permits continued enforcement of Texas 6-week abortion ban
 France moves closer to banning veils, other religious symbols in sports competitions
 40 Mount Athos monks have died of Covid
 Attack on Christian worshippers in Liberia leads to stampede, killing 29
 Order of Malta sovereignty will be ‘totally preserved,’ Cardinal Tomasi promises
 26-year-old Rawalpindi woman sentenced to death for blasphemy
 Report documents rise in violence against Christian women in predominantly Muslim countries
 UN Food and Agricultural Organization leader meets with Pope
 Grenade found inside a church in Colombo
 Vigil Mass for Life: ‘Every human being, at every stage of life, should be treated with respect’
 Pro-abortion group projects messages onto National Shrine during US bishops’ prayer vigil for life

Released Thursday, Jan. 20

 News Analysis: Abuse report faults Munich leadership of Pope Benedict, Cardinal Marx
 Papal guidance for Italian construction industry
 Three candidates advance toward beatification
 Pope again scrubs plans for Vatican’s Lenten Retreat
 St. Irenaeus to be named Doctor of the Church
 Vatican Synod office offers publicity for Women’s Ordination Conference
 Report: Whistleblowers from 5 Wisconsin dioceses assisting attorney-general’s investigation
 Pope on prisons: No inmate should ever be deprived of hope
 Indian religious urge cardinal to speak out against persecution of Christians
 Myanmar bishops’ appeal: respect human life and dignity, allow humanitarian aid
 Pakistani Christian accused of blasphemy is sentenced to death
 360 million Christians face ‘high levels of persecution and discrimination’
 Ukrainian Catholic leader: Russia’s geopolitical considerations are not based on Christian values
 Pope appeals for prayers for tsunami-hit Tonga
 Supreme Court takes up former football coach’s firing for praying on field
 In priest’s abuse trial, German archbishop testifies he mishandled situation
 Leading Kazakh Catholic bishop backs government claims of attempted coup d’état

Released Wednesday, Jan. 19

 Hundreds die daily in troubled Ethiopian region, diocese reports
 Bishops in Central African Republic decry exploitation of resources
 Cancel culture targets charity donors
 Top Knight of Malta: Vatican reforms threaten sovereignty
 Italian court decision did not favor Vatican finance-trial defendant
 Macron wants abortion in European charter of rights
 Milwaukee archdiocese sets policy against ‘gender theory’
 Theme of Pope’s general audience: ‘St. Joseph, father in tenderness’
 Philadelphia’s Ukrainian archbishop assesses Russia-Ukraine crisis
 Polish priest arrested for trading fake Covid passports
 New York priest receives 1st John Paul II Prize for Catholic‒Jewish Studies
 Papal donations for Philippine typhoon victims, migrants on Belarus-Poland border
 Myanmar’s army bombs Christian refugees
 Citing abortion views, DC restaurant boots pro-life group
 Vatican announces motto of Jubilee Year 2025: ‘Pilgrims of Hope’
 New Jersey bishops decry passage of expansive new abortion law
 USCCB calls for greater federal funding to protect houses of worship
 In Israel, number of Christians rises, but percentage continues to decline
 Egyptian parliament to approve new law on status of Christians
 Pope Tawadros: For Copts there is no longer any ban on visiting Jerusalem

Released Tuesday, Jan. 18

 Democrats favor penalties for unvaccinated, poll shows
 Pope met privately with Pfizer chief
 Cardinal Cupich threatens action against priest who protested liturgical restrictions
 Vatican tells dioceses to include Protestants, Orthodox in Synod preparation
 Former Omaha chancellor faces new theft charges
 Azerbaijan seeks Vatican mediation of dispute with Armenia
 Pope to confer new formal ministries on lay catechists
 California removes Aztec prayers from public-school curriculum
 President Biden pays tribute to religious freedom
 At many churches, pandemic hits collection plates, budgets
 Italian bishop bars the unvaccinated from distributing Holy Communion
 Recall the signs the Lord has worked in your lives, Pope tells pilgrims
 Vatican newspaper draws attention to plight of migrants in caravan
 Pope encourages Franciscans to tell the story of the Holy Land, foster fraternity
 University’s ‘gender inclusion’ policy creates uproar in North Dakota
 Ukrainian priests appeal for prayers, support as Russian threat grows
 Russian Orthodox Church against lifting moratorium on death penalty
 Polish diocese apologizes for asking in court if abuse victim is gay
 Background: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Released Monday, Jan. 17

 Italian pro-lifers rap Jesuit journal article on assisted-suicide legislation
 Two top Vatican prelates test positive for Covid
 Dutch cardinal orders parishes opened
 Pope greets ecumenical delegation as Week of Prayer for Christian Unity starts
 Pope meets leader of Bosnia-Herzegovina
 Mass disrupted; two arrests in San Antonio
 ‘Savage wolves’: Patriarch of Alexandria denounces actions of Russian Orthodox Church in Africa
 German canon lawyer: Wait for abuse report before casting blame on Pope Benedict
 Order of Malta would be ‘subject’ of Holy See under new constitution
 Ukrainian Catholic leader: ‘We really want’ Pope Francis to visit
 Cardinal Turkson calls for greater governmental regulation of charismatic sects in Ghana
 Prosecutors charge Italian archbishop for getting vaccinated before his turn
 Kazakh bishops’ official says Catholics shocked by riots
 Pope encourages Theatines, says curial reform is inspired by Church’s mission
 US bishops pay tribute to Rev. Martin Luther King’s biblical vision, commitment to nonviolence
 Cardinal Dolan laments attacks on houses of worship
 Holy See calls for renewed focus on religious freedom in Europe

Released Friday, Jan. 14

 Stalemate on appointment of new rector for North American College
 Abuse victims ask European court to lift Vatican’s sovereign immunity
 Alice von Hildebrand, author and teacher dead at 98
 Indian court acquits bishop accused of rape
 Pope needs to do more to address abuse, says Vatican commission member
 Grand Mufti of the Caucasus meets with Pope
 ‘We have missed many opportunities’ during pandemic for economic change, Pope tells conference
 English parishes asked to mark Peace Sunday
 ‘We dream of a multi-ethnic country of peaceful concord,’ leading Kazakh bishop says
 Pope Francis, in new interview, reflects on fatherhood
 Same-sex marriage bill becomes law in Chile
 Bishops of Portugal establish independent commission on abuse
 Lawsuit alleges Notre Dame, Georgetown among universities rigging financial aid
 Newborn abandonment case prompts renewed emphasis on ‘safe haven’ efforts
 Vatican updates anti-Covid measures, requiring ‘super green pass’

Released Thursday, Jan. 13

 Verdict soon in trial of Indian bishop on rape charges
 Church must adopt synodality as style, Pope says
 Cardinal Parolin rules out religious exemption to Vatican vaccine mandate
 German bishop criticizes delay in Synodal Way gender-neutral language debate
 As Russia amasses troops, deep anxiety hangs over Ukraine’s Catholics
 Syro-Malabar priests stage fast in front of cardinal’s residence over liturgical changes
 Cardinal Tobin: Refusing to deal with life’s complexity is a form of heresy
 ‘Hopes high for Tokyo’s planned same-sex partnership system’
 Last 7 years ‘the hottest ever,’ Vatican newspaper emphasizes
 Ethiopian cardinal calls for peace and forgiveness
 Coptic Orthodox diocese proposes ‘spiritual awakening’ in memory of Christians slain in Libya
 New Mexico archbishop issues pastoral letter on nuclear disarmament
 China closes abortion clinics amid continued fallout of 1-child policy
 US bishops announce pro-life novena

Released Wednesday, Jan. 12

 Christian proportion of Israeli population continues to decrease
 Sri Lankan government rejects Cardinal Ranjith’s charges of bombing cover-up
 Pope makes headlines with visit to music store in Rome
 Diocese of Rome condemns swastika-draped casket at funeral
 Theme of Pope’s general audience: ‘St. Joseph the Carpenter’
 Papal tribute to Kraków’s theological faculty on 625th anniversary
 UN chief, Pope Francis offer condolences over Murree tragedy
 Ireland to follow France in offering free contraception to women under 25
 More than 20% of Ireland’s priests and brothers have died in past 3 years
 Patriarch Pizzaballa calls for hope in the Holy Land in 2022
 Some Catholic groups press Sen. Manchin to support ‘Build Back Better’ legislation
 Events around US mark Supreme Court’s decision legalizing abortion
 Pope to install catechists, lectors at Word of God celebration
 Vatican newspaper draws attention to ‘unprecedented humanitarian disaster’ in Afghanistan
 Pope mourns David Sassoli, ‘man of Christian and human values’

Released Tuesday, Jan. 11

 Pope seen indulging ‘psychoanalysis at a distance’
 Catholicism losing majority status in Latin America
 Coptic leader strongly defends male priesthood
 India: priest faces hate-speech charge for criticizing Hindu-nationalist rule
 Ousted Vatican archbishop rumored at odds with papal policy
 Italian bishop bars unvaccinated priests, deacons from in-person ministry
 Bishop appeals to Filipinos not to hoard medicine
 Mexican cardinal tests positive for Covid
 Annual March for Life still on this year in Washington
 Papal Christmas greetings to Eastern churches
 Papal appeal for end to violence in Kazakhstan
 Custos, civil officials celebrate Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on the River Jordan
 +Sister Maria Kaleta, 92
 Pope, cardinal offer condolences to victims of Bronx fire that killed 17
 Patriarch Kirill hopes his relations with Pope Francis will help establish peace
 Pope to preside at 4 public liturgies in January, February, Vatican announces
 Indigenous Christians living in fear in Bangladeshi village
 Islamabad: Christian accused of blasphemy released on bail
 Vatican spokesman sees Pope Francis ‘building bridges in the name of fraternity’

Released Monday, Jan. 10

 Vaccination in fore of Pope’s annual address to diplomatic corps
 India lifts ban on foreign funding for Missionaries of Charity
 Vatican diplomacy: accords with 183 states
 Pope removes secretary of Vatican doctrinal congregation
 Cardinal Cupich heckled at pro-life event
 In handwritten letter, Pope Francis praises Sister Gramick’s 50 years of ministry
 Swiss court insists Vatican suspects can get a fair trial
 Patriarch Kirill issues Christmas message
 Pope baptizes 16 infants, recalls importance of preserving Christian identity
 New Irish archbishop urges Church to listen to those it treated harshly
 God trusts man, Ukrainian Catholic leader emphasizes in Christmas homily
 Syrian government exempts Christian clergy from travel fee
 Bishop Schneider: Catholics in Kazakhstan are safe amid unrest
 Nigerian bishop warns against breaking up the nation
 Papal encouragement for Saints Peter and Paul Association, ‘artisans of encounter’
 100,000 Peruvian children have lost parents to Covid, Vatican newspaper emphasizes

Released Friday, Jan. 7

 Msgr. Pope decries harsh Vatican tone on traditionalism, hopes for courageous bishops
 Tight restraint on Orthodox Christmas as unrest spreads in Kazakhstan
 European court backs bakery against gay-activist suit
 Pope urges business leaders to care for common good
 Court bars US Navy from applying vaccine mandate to those with religious objections
 Catholic schools disprove teacher-union claims schools must close for safety, op-ed writer argues
 In Malta, archbishop gives priest formal warning for remarks on homosexuality
 Torzi and the Pope: When does a fleecing become a crime?
 Manila prelate urges faithful to use technology to show devotion to Black Nazarene
 Orthodox observe Christmas amid virus concerns
 ‘Adoration comes from humility of heart,’ Pope tells pilgrims
 Pope, in Epiphany homily, reflects on the desire for God
 Canada bans conversion therapy; violators face up to 5 years in prison
 Monastery devastated by jihadists could soon return to being place of prayer and peace
 US bishops welcome world powers’ pledge to avoid nuclear conflict

Released Thursday, Jan. 6

 Miami archdiocese resumes mask mandate for Mass
 Vatican newspaper marks anniversary of attack on US Capitol
 English parish asks unvaccinated Catholics to stay away
 Catholic college docks student for referring to God as male
 Canadian indigenous leader hopes papal apology will give him, other survivors closure
 UK tribunal: Catholic nurse was unfairly fired for wearing a cross around her neck
 Illinois Benedictine monks renounce oversight over school
 Ohio diocese to demolish city’s oldest church
 Live as Christians and shun revenge, South Sudan archbishop pleads
 Vatican to investigate Cologne archdiocese’s finances, once cardinal returns from sabbatical
 Having pets instead of kids robs us of humanity, Pope says
 ‘You shall be my witnesses’: Pope Francis issues message for World Mission Day
 Coptic Orthodox Patriarch: Vaccines against Covid are a blessing from God
 Circus performers bring flaming torches, music, and acrobatics to the Pope’s audience
 Philadelphia schools will allow students to identify as nonbinary on school forms

Released Wednesday, Jan. 5

 German Catholics’ manifesto opposes bishops’ Synodal Path
 Report on Munich archdiocese will detail abuse policies of future Pope Benedict
 Spanish Cardinal Francisco Alvarez Martinez dead at 96
 Former Jesuit chaplain to US House defends pro-choice Democrats
 Russia working against papal visit to Ukraine, envoy says
 Catholics hold funeral after Myanmar massacre; attacks continue
 Pope, in video, deplores persecution of religious minorities
 Leading EU cardinal backs Covid passports at churches
 Catholic Bible podcast #1 in US again
 Theme of Pope’s general audience: ‘St. Joseph, Jesus’ foster father’
 Bangladesh: Garo Catholic girls raped by young Muslims in Mymensingh
 Court sets March date for former Cardinal McCarrick’s hearing
 Azhar grand imam visits Coptic cathedral to offer greetings on Christmas
 Mozambique’s religious leaders pledge peace in Cabo Delgado
 Vatican newspaper welcomes joint statement by 5 leading nuclear powers
 In message for World Day of the Sick, Pope emphasizes centrality of mercy

Released Tuesday, Jan. 4

 British cardinal honored by Queen Elizabeth
 Sicilian diocese bans godparents, in anti-Mafia policy
 2021 was ‘most violent year’ for India’s Christians
 Christian proportion of US population continues to decline
 Vatican archbishop’s memo puts Secretariat of State at center of financial trial
 Archbishop Paglia endorses vaccination for children as ‘positive sign’
 Peace prevails when it becomes part of personal behavior, Iraqi Catholic leader says
 Spain experiences ‘surge of evangelicals, fueled by Latin Americans’
 Papal representative tells Mexican Church leaders to listen to abuse victims
 Papal prayers for health of Argentine Nobel laureate
 Leading African prelate urges the Church in Africa to side with those who suffer
 Dublin archbishop: ‘Radical change is coming in the Church’
 Christian photographer may not legally refuse to take photos of same-sex wedding, court rules
 Marian image from Constantinople venerated in St. Peter’s Basilica
 In message to Pope, Italy’s president reflects on the ‘3 main social challenges of our time’
 Grave violations of children’s rights in conflict on the rise around the world
 God wants to dwell in our ‘inner stables,’ Pope tells pilgrims
 January papal prayer intention: for true human fraternity

Released Monday, Jan. 3

 Irish primate rues partition of country
 Prenatal tests often wrong in predicting disorders
 US dioceses investigate their role in boarding schools for Native Americans
 A Vatican library shortens the distance between its works and its scholars
 Catholic Relief Services says 2022 will see humanitarian challenges
 Peace is a gift and commitment, Pope tells pilgrims
 Alexandria Patriarchate expresses ‘deepest sorrow’ after 102 clergy transfer to Moscow Patriarchate
 Cardinal Gregory tests positive for Covid
 Cardinal Dolan: ‘Religion Is the glue’ to fix society’s crises
 ‘Keep’ and ‘ponder’ as Mary did, Pope preaches on New Year’s Day
 ‘Devastating’ decline in religious practice among young Poles, says Primate
 Controversial Nigerian priest alleges assassination plot, warns bishop against ‘pushing him to rebellion’
 Students for Life releases report featuring Catholic schools with ties to Planned Parenthood
 In Latin America, New Year opens with hopes for peace but realities of extortion

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Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

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"It is accomplished; and bowing his head he gave up his spirit." Today the whole Church mourns the death of our Savior. This is traditionally a day of sadness, spent in fasting and prayer. The title for this day varies in different parts of the world: "Holy Friday" for Latin nations, Slavs and…

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