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Stories for March 2022

Ordered from most to least recent.

Released Thursday, Mar. 31

 Cardinal Marx: allow for doubt of Catechism teachings
 Arkansas bishop dedicates new church for burgeoning FSSP congregation
 US bishops welcome Supreme Court decision on ministry to death-row inmate
 CNEWA examines religious history of ‘the tragedy of Russia and Ukraine’
 70 cardinals, bishops, and theologians gather to discuss Pope Francis and the Church in the US
 ‘Personnel is policy’: cardinals in 9 key Vatican posts have passed retirement age
 Canada issues warrant for French priest accused of abusing Inuit children
 Pope approved Vatican payout for London property, defendant testifies
 Papal appeal for prayers for his weekend visit to Malta
 After meeting Ukrainian children, Pope Francis denounces ‘monstrosity’ of war
 Ukrainian Catholic leader speaks with Vatican cardinals about ‘war of total destruction’

Released Wednesday, Mar. 30

 Cardinal Becciu can testify against fellow defendant, Vatican tribunal rules
 New president of Catholic University speaks on Catholic identity
 Baltimore church desecrated, tabernacle stolen
 New clash over property in Jerusalem’s Christian quarter
 New rector named for North American College
 Pope sees special witness in old age
 3rd priest kidnapped in Nigeria in March
 Russian forces have seriously damaged at least 59 spiritual sites, Ukrainian government says
 Latin American activists travel to Vatican, denounce mining industry
 Papal tribute to Cardinal Naguib
 In China, Christian human rights activist faces mistreatment, fabricated charges, supporters say
 Program announced for Pope’s visit to Malta
 Leading Polish prelate decries ‘hallmarks of genocide’ in Ukraine
 Orthodox Patriarch denounces ‘atrocious invasion’ of Ukraine
 UK, Holy See mark 40 years of full diplomatic relations
 Major Archbishop deplores forced deportations of Ukrainians to Russia
 Papal blessing for accommodation for sick children’s families in Milan
 Vatican cardinal travels to Ukraine, delivers ambulance donated by Pope

Released Tuesday, Mar. 29

 New Vatican document on Catholic identity in Catholic schools
 ‘Today is the beginning of something’: Metis leader after meeting with Pope Francis
 ‘We need to protect our freedom,’ Philippine bishops say in election statement
 Report: 28 Moscow patriarchate communities move to Orthodox Church of Ukraine
 Scholar sees war in Ukraine as ‘catastrophe’ for Eastern Orthodoxy
 Ecumenical Patriarch visits Poland to console refugees from Ukraine
 Let’s learn to rejoice like the father of the Prodigal Son, Pope Francis says
 Pope: Abolish war now, before war erases humanity from history
 Do not downplay the Pope’s statements against war, Vatican spokesman cautions
 Polish bishops’ conference: Pope Francis ‘distances himself’ from German synodal way
 Amid looting, rape by Russian troops, prelate urges all to side with Ukraine
 Peruvian cardinal to lead Amazon bishops’ assembly

Released Monday, Mar. 28

 Former New York bishop admits abuse cover-up
 Pope meets with Canadian indigenous leaders
 Former Coptic Catholic Patriarch dead at 87
 For Georgetown, Jesuits, and slavery descendants, bid for racial healing sours over reparations
 Papal praise for amateur radio volunteers’ assistance to Ukrainian refugees
 Cardinal Krajewski leads consecration to Immaculate Heart at Sanctuary of Fátima
 An ‘act of complete trust’: papal homily for Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
 Be attentive to the Word and the world’s needs: papal address to Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden
 Burundi’s president meets with Pontiff
 Pope recalls mother’s initial disapproval of his Jesuit vocation
 Vatican defers to episcopal conferences on Covid-related modifications for Holy Week
 Pope offers confessors advice, emphasizes seal applies from beginning to end of Confession
 Theme of papal preacher’s 3rd Lenten sermon: Communion with the Body and Blood of Christ
 Our destiny is safe in our Mother’s hands, Ukrainian Catholic leader says at March 25 consecration

Released Friday, Mar. 25

 German bishops’ leader responds to critics of Synodal Path
 Denver archdiocesan investigation casts doubt on ‘bleeding’ statue
 Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary: link to video, text, consecration prayer
 Peruvian archbishop in scandal-plagued community meets Pope
 Vatican releases new document on ministry to migrants
 Argentine bishop’s conviction spotlights Pope Francis’ role in case
 ‘Behind the frontlines of the Vatican’s Ukraine-Russia strategy’
 Confession is the sacrament of supernatural joy, Vatican cardinal tells confessors
 Haryana adopts an anti-conversion law
 Ukrainian Catholic leader pleads for humanitarian corridors for Mariupol’s starving residents
 Pope Francis encourages women to change the nature of political power from domination to service
 Teach the young to ‘look beyond’ a worldly mentality to Jesus, Pope tells Marist Brothers
 Vatican spokesman: Vladimir Putin is waging ‘reckless and unjustified war’

Released Thursday, Mar. 24

 Vatican cardinal urges support of Good Friday collection for Holy Land
 Kansas bishop resumes duties; cleared of abuse charge
 Black Catholics in US more likely to leave Church, study finds
 Ukrainian Catholic, Orthodox prelates discuss cooperation
 Moscow patriarchate spokesman assures prayers for peace
 Amid chaos of war in Ukraine, priests and sisters refuse to leave
 Gold ring stolen from St. Nicholas statue in Italian basilica
 Canadian indigenous leaders call on Pope Francis to repudiate 1493 papal bull
 Pope sends video messages to Catholics in China, Hong Kong
 ‘Immaculate Heart of Mary, save us!’: pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fátima venerated in Ukraine
 Papal telegram to Xi Jinping: prayers for victims of airplane crash
 South Sudan: Vatican unveils logo and motto of Pope ‘s visit
 Vatican Secretary of State warns against privatization of water
 ‘War is a defeat for humanity,’ Pope tells pilgrims
 Theme of Pope’s general audience: ‘The departure and the legacy: memory and testimony’
 Vatican publishes Act of Consecration to Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pope’s letter to bishops

Released Wednesday, Mar. 23

 Pope to meet Canadian indigenous leaders next week
 Maronite Patriarch stresses Lebanon’s neutrality
 Tensions between Eastern, Western European bishops at Slovakia gathering?
 Leading Italian prelate: Europe’s demographic situation is grim
 Russian Orthodox Patriarch emphasizes ‘spiritual unity’ of Russians, Ukrainians as ‘one nation’
 Vatican ‘foreign minister’ emphasizes interfaith harmony during visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina
 Syria and Ukraine are united in sorrow and suffering: papal letter
 Ukrainian women and children at risk from traffickers, cardinal warns
 Pontiff repeats invitation to ‘all the faithful’ to take part in March 25 consecration
 Cardinal Parolin: The war in Ukraine is a ‘massacre,’ but with good will, peace is possible
 Ukrainian Catholic leader: ‘I see Ukraine’s victory in the eyes of priests and volunteers’
 ‘Right to drinking water is linked to right to life’: papal message to World Water Forum
 Francis calls invasion of Ukraine ‘perverse abuse of power’
 ‘Music can give hope, even amid difficult times of war,’ Pope tells children’s choir

Released Tuesday, Mar. 22

 Brooklyn auxiliary bishop is target of Vos Estis investigation
 Zelenskyy speaks with Pope, welcomes Vatican mediation bid
 Ukrainian Catholic leader: Pure genocide is happening in Mariupol
 Russia’s Catholic bishops urge parishes to take part in March 25 consecration
 Vatican Secretary of State pays tribute to relations with United Arab Emirates
 Renewed papal praise for St. Junípero Serra, a ‘great apostle’
 ‘Every community and all the faithful’ invited to take part in March 25 consecration of Russia, Ukraine
 Papal letter marks 150th anniversary of founding of Josephites
 Taizé leader meets with Pope
 Holy Week, Easter ceremonies open again at Vatican
 Theme of papal preacher’s 2nd Lenten sermon: ‘Take and eat: this is my Body’
 Pope visits Bambino Gesù hospital to meet Ukrainian children receiving treatment
 ‘This is an outrage’: Pope decries massive spending on weapons
 Vatican spokesman sees baptism and mission as ‘conciliar keys’ to new Curial reform

Released Monday, Mar. 21

 Cardinal Pell sees no profit from Vatican-China accord
 Lebanese president meets with Pontiff
 Pakistan: Muslim man arrested for blasphemy against Christians
 Vatican issues letter to all priests on the ‘synodal journey’
 Non-stop bombing, exploding buildings: priest describes Mariupol attacks
 Syro-Malabar laymen burn 2 cardinals in effigy over liturgical dispute
 Pope Francis: ‘There is no such thing as a just war’
 Pope Francis releases document reforming Curial reform
 Scouts reach deal with Catholic committee in BSA bankruptcy
 Judge: Same-sex marriage license denials violated rights
 The Eucharist is our strength, Ukrainian Catholic leader tells faithful
 Pope says ‘slaughters and atrocities’ committed daily in Ukraine
 Do not blame God for our woes, but convert, Pope tells pilgrims

Released Friday, Mar. 18

 Pope asks all bishops to join in consecration of Russia, Ukraine
 In Ecuador, bishop-elect of new diocese resigns before his installation
 Hong Kong bishop meets with Pope Francis ahead of China deal renewal
 Aleppo bishop: Vatican conference was like a Pentecost for the Church in Syria
 Beatification process begins for the young Akash Bashir
 Unrestricted ‘right’ to abortion on demand added to Chile’s draft constitution
 Apostolic Penitentiary clarifies Pope’s recent change on Mass intentions
 Pope highlights St. Joseph’s ‘father’s heart and creative courage,’ ponders vocations decline
 Archbishop Gänswein defends retired Pope, criticizes Munich abuse report
 God is our pillar of support during war, Ukrainian Catholic leader emphasizes
 ‘Not a cent’: Becciu tells Vatican judges he is not a crook
 US bishops renew call for immigration reform

Released Thursday, Mar. 17

 Vatican ensnared in another real-estate investment debacle
 Moscow’s Catholic archbishop welcomes consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
 Send weapons to Ukraine, Archbishop Gudziak pleads
 UN sets March 15 as International Day to Combat Islamophobia
 Ukrainian Catholic leader: The Lord is being crucified again in the body of Ukraine
 Pope recites special prayer for end to war in Ukraine
 Cambodian government honors bishop for social development
 3 Coptic Christians slain by a group of Muslims in Minya over a 70-year-old feud
 Sant’Egidio offers to broker peace negotiations in Senegal
 Cross vandalized in Mumbai
 Moscow Patriarchate issues statement on conversation between Pope Francis, Patriarch Kirill
 ‘Unprecedented threat to world peace’: USCCB decries Russian aggression, calls for prayer

Released Wednesday, Mar. 16

 Pope, Russian Orthodox Patriarch discuss Ukraine
 Argentine archbishop backs ‘cancelled’ priests
 Prelate says Pope blocked from talking to Putin
 Theme of Pope’s general audience: ‘Old age, a resource for carefree youth’
 Hundreds of Eastern Orthodox scholars condemn Moscow Patriarch’s ‘Russian world’ teaching
 Pew survey: 16% of Black Catholics in America are converts
 As jihadists tighten control, laity sustain Catholic communities in rural Niger
 Patriarch Sako: Canonization processes for Iraqi martyrs progressing
 Pope opens Vatican judicial year
 Myanmar nuns forced to move from village to village
 Resist the war plans of secular leaders, Greek Orthodox Primate urges Moscow Patriarch
 Zanchetta victim discusses prelate’s authoritarianism, racism
 Ukrainian Catholic leader urges world leaders to ‘do everything possible’ to stop the war

Released Tuesday, Mar. 15

 Cardinal Pell: Vatican must rebuke dissident European bishops
 German diocese authorizes women to perform Baptisms
 Pope will consecrate Russia, Ukraine to Immaculate Heart of Mary
 Kiev’s mayor invites Pope Francis to visit
 Papal nuncio in Syria sees few signs of hope
 Cardinal Nichols ordains former Anglican bishop to the Catholic priesthood
 Malaysia: 1st Christian chapel dedicated in a national hospital
 Chilean cardinal: ‘We must not expect everything from those who govern us’
 2 shot dead in military raid on Myanmar Catholic village
 Mother Teresa’s former secretary to lead saint’s Indian order
 Iraqi Church and Arab world condemn Iranian attack on Erbil
 Pope Francis pays tribute to ethical, sustainable small businesses
 Latvian foreign minister, Pope discuss Ukraine
 South Sudan bishop-elect who survived shooting meets with Pope at Vatican
 Moscow Patriarch gives Marian icon to Russian National Guard director
 Ukrainian Catholic leader cautions against hatred of Russians

Released Monday, Mar. 14

 Egypt’s government raises aid for families of Coptic martyrs
 Vatican protests ‘unjustified’ expulsion of nuncio from Nicaragua
 Cardinal Parolin repeats: Vatican willing to mediate on Ukraine
 Cardinal Marx encourages homosexual groups in Germany
 Mexican diocese bars pro-abortion lawmakers from Communion
 Slovakian prime minister meets with Pontiff to discuss Ukraine war
 Theme of papal preacher’s 1st Lenten sermon: Liturgy of the Word
 Let the light of God surprise and reawaken our hearts, Pope tells pilgrims
 Pope, in toughest comments yet, calls Ukraine invasion ‘armed aggression’
 US bishops cheered by one migration ruling, dismayed by another
 Taking up, going up, praying: Pope preaches at anniversary of St. Ignatius’ canonization
 Vatican backs Syro-Malabar Church decision on liturgical dispute
 Ukrainian Catholic leader praises ‘amazing bravery of our army,’ urges Confession
 Report: Russian bombing damages historic Orthodox monastery
 In massive spending bill, pro-life amendments preserved, but Planned Parenthood still gets millions
 AME Church halts retiree payouts amid probe into missing funds
 Nuncio to Ukraine: ‘There is something demonic’ about the war

Released Friday, Mar. 11

 Report: Russia’s Catholic bishops barred publication of Pope’s Angelus address
 Man gets 80 years in death of woman at Indianapolis church
 Ortega regime expels Vatican’s nuncio from Nicaragua
 Ethiopian bishops reiterate call for peace in their country
 Sunday Mass obligation in Ireland to resume on Easter Sunday
 Ukrainian Orthodox Primate: Russian soldiers face eternal damnation
 Indonesian government invites Pope, Grand Imam to visit nation
 In Erbil, young woman killed by relatives for converting to Christianity
 ‘It’s a genocide,’ Latin-rite Ukrainian bishop tells Vatican cardinal
 Patriarch Kirill decries ‘Russophobia,’ says Western nations’ actions led to war in Ukraine
 Major Archbishop: Ukrainian Christian unity is being forged in war

Released Thursday, Mar. 10

 Ukraine war casts doubt on meeting of Pope, Russian Patriarch
 Nordic bishops warn against German ‘impoverishment’ of Catholic faith
 British medical regulator reverses ban on abortion-pill reversal treatment
 Fire damages historic parish in Minneapolis
 Catholic leaders say bill could make Colorado ‘most radical abortion state’
 4 convicted in Islamic State killing of French priest
 Biden promotes abortion policies on International Women’s Day
 Vatican’s Secretary of State condemns bombing of hospital, pleads for negotiations
 Costa Rica’s bishops declare day of prayer for peace
 Myanmar conflict turns 16 parishes into ghost towns
 Ukraine’s Orthodox, Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim leaders issue joint appeal for no-fly zone
 Ukrainian Catholic leader deplores attacks on civilians
 Bearing rosaries for Ukraine, papal almoner lauds Poland’s generosity to refugees

Released Wednesday, Mar. 9

 Vermont bishop suspends pastor for refusing Covid vaccine
 Pope removes conservative bishop from diocese in Puerto Rico
 Ukrainian Orthodox Primate issues appeal to ‘Russian murderers’
 Vatican’s Secretary of State tells Moscow that armed attacks in Ukraine must stop
 Russian priest arrested for delivering sermon against Ukraine war
 Priest abducted, 2 killed as gunmen attack Kaduna church
 Metropolitan Hilarion suspended from Swiss university’s theology faculty
 Feminine holiness ‘makes the Church and the world fruitful,’ Pope says in message
 Pope laments discarding of human embryos
 Low voter turnout allows ‘criminality to thrive,’ leading Nigerian prelate warns
 Mining could lead to genocide of indigenous peoples, Brazil’s bishops warn
 Cardinal Ranjith calls on UN body to help find truth and justice for Easter Sunday victims
 Ukrainian Catholic leader speaks of ‘miracle of the Dnieper’ in crucified nation

Released Tuesday, Mar. 8

 Malawi bishops blast government corruption
 Minnesota bishop barred from diocese he once led
 German bishops’ leader prods Pope to accept cardinal’s resignation
 Families challenge mask mandate in DC parochial schools
 Vatican cardinal warns against human trafficking of Ukrainians
 Protestant Geneva cathedral packed for 1st Catholic Mass since 1535
 Some US theologians question morality of Ukraine’s violent resistance
 Vatican spokesman: Pope Francis condemns aggression against Ukraine
 Florida bishops applaud state passage of 15-week ban on abortion
 Chaldean Patriarch marks anniversary of papal visit to Iraq
 Holy See’s Secretary of State warns against escalation of conflict
 Patriarch Kirill links Russian invasion to gay pride parades
 Ukrainian Catholic leader pleads: ‘Close the skies over Ukraine’
 Philippine bishops deny meddling in politics
 US bishops’ migration chairman welcomes TPS designation for Ukraine

Released Monday, Mar. 7

 Egyptian president: include Christian churches in new urban plans
 Two Vatican cardinals headed for Ukraine
 Pope: Be close to those with cancer and support their families
 Ukrainian Orthodox primate: I am target #5 on Russian kill list
 Jerusalem’s Latin Patriarch calls for a Lent of communion to counter war and pandemic
 +Cardinal Agostino Cacciavillan, 95
 Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America: This attack must be squarely set upon the shoulders of Vladimir Putin
 Pope, Curia began annual Lenten retreat
 Pope says ‘rivers of blood’ flowing in Ukraine; Vatican ready to help
 Respond to temptation with the Word of God, Pope tells pilgrims
 Ukrainian Catholic leader pleads for humanitarian corridors
 Moscow Patriarch thanks nuncio for Holy See’s ‘moderate and wise’ position on international issues
 USCCB urges continued prayer, humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, surrounding countries

Released Friday, Mar. 4

 Analysis of Vatican tribunal ruling in finance trial
 Bl. Titus Brandsma, two others cleared for canonization
 German bishops’ leader: Church teaching on sexuality must change
 Bishop Zanchetta, promoted by Pope Francis, convicted of abuse
 Cardinal Gregory imposes ashes on President Biden in White House
 Satanic, vulgar markings deface Holy Family statutes in Jacksonville
 USCCB supports praying football coach in Supreme Court case
 Prince Charles visits Ukrainian Catholic cathedral to offer assistance
 Japanese authorities deny refugee status to Nigerian Christian threatened by Boko Haram
 Catholic bishops of Belarus condemn war in Ukraine
 Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria blasts Putin
 Galvanize momentum for universal Covid vaccination, leading Vatican diplomat urges
 Lebanon’s top Catholic leader: Pope’s visit will keep country’s ‘hope alive’
 Russian troops shell Orthodox cathedral in Kharkiv; Zelenskyy vows to restore it
 Ukrainian Catholic leader: Kyiv has become ‘the spiritual capital of the world’

Released Thursday, Mar. 3

 European Church leaders join in call for Sunday rest
 Archbishop’s Rosary for peace disrupted by hackers?
 China said to ask Russia to delay Ukraine invasion until after Olympics
 Russian Orthodox priests join in plea for peace
 Papal nuncio staying in Kiev
 Vatican prefect condemns ‘unjustified invasion’ of Ukraine
 World Council of Churches prods Russian patriarch on Ukraine war
 Polish archbishop urges Russian Patriarch to stand against war in Ukraine
 Pope to visit Congo, South Sudan in July
 5th Circuit upholds injunction against vaccine mandate for Navy Seals with religious objections
 Sri Lankan archdiocese tells ex-president to testify about Easter Sunday bombings
 Church official in Angola worried by continued belief in witchcraft
 Shifting German Catholic demographics affect the synodal agenda
 Remember Ukrainians in shelters, Pope says; strong praise for Poland for helping refugees
 Pope reflects on fraternity and education in message to Church in Brazil
 Pope on Ash Wednesday: Prayer, charity, and fasting are the ‘principal ways for God to intervene in our lives’
 Ecumenical Patriarch: The whole world is against Russia
 Moscow Patriarch Kirill says some of his Ukraine Orthodox bishops are in schism
 Ukrainian Catholic leader emphasizes prayer, fasting for unity
 Blinken meets with Ukrainian Catholic archbishop in Washington

Released Wednesday, Mar. 2

 German Cardinal Woelki resigns—again
 Ukrainian bishops ask Pope to consecrate Russia, Ukraine
 13 Catholic senators back radical pro-abortion bill
 Papal peace pleas avoid mention of Russia
 South Sudan: bishop’s installation scheduled, months after assassination attempt
 Bishop Conley warns against gender ideology
 Russian soldiers kill Ukrainian Orthodox priest in Kyiv region
 Theme of Pope’s general audience: ‘longevity, symbol and opportunity’
 Moscow Patriarch prays for the ‘Russian land’ of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus
 After meeting Pope Francis, leader invites France’s Muslims to pray for peace in Ukraine
 Bomb hits Catholic diocese’s headquarters in Kharkiv
 US nuncio pays tribute to Communion and Liberation’s founder
 Pope gives fathers working at Vatican 3-day paternity leave
 American and European bishops unite in support for the Church and people of Lebanon
 ‘Save St. Sophia Cathedral,’ Ukrainian Catholic leader pleads

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Fri16 May
Easter

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Image for Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

The Roman Martyrology commemorates several saints for this date: St. Ubaldus (1085-1160): Bishop of Gubbio. He is remembered in central Italy as a Bishop who was entirely devoted to the duties of his office. He led a life of exceptional austerity. He belonged to the Order of Canons…

Learn more about this day.

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