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July 2018

July 30

Pope Francis accepts resignation of Australian bishop who failed to report abuse

July 30, 2018

VATICAN – Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Archbishop Philip Wilson, who had been found guilty by an Australian court of failing to inform police about child sexual abuse allegations.

U.S. bishops announce nine-week novena ahead of Supreme Court confirmation

July 30, 2018

WASHINGTON – A Novena for the Legal Protection of Human Life is being led by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Catholics are being encouraged to take part ahead of the Senate confirmation hearings for Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

The poverello of Toronto: Fr. Joe MacDonald ministered to the mentally ill

July 30, 2018

During his life, St. Francis of Assisi was known as the "poverello,” or the poor man who renounced the world to live for Jesus alone.

"Never throw away leftovers", help the hungry, Pope says

July 30, 2018

VATICAN – Pope Francis asked people to generously serve those most in need and to never waste food.

Syriac Catholic bishops call attention to repeat "tragedy of genocide" of the faithful

July 30, 2018

BEIRUT – Syriac Catholic bishops from around the world, meeting in Lebanon for their annual synod, lamented the plight of their "tormented and persecuted" faithful.

Struggle against AIDS isn’t over, say Catholics at global AIDS meeting

July 30, 2018

AMSTERDAM – Despite rumors of its demise, the AIDS pandemic is far from over, and churches must continue to play a critical role in combating the disease, Catholic leaders were told at an international gathering of more than 15,000 AIDS researchers and activists.

Bringing the Mass to the masses: Eucharistic celebration in unexpected places

July 30, 2018

Canon law prescribes that Mass be celebrated in a “sacred place” such as a church or a chapel consecrated by a bishop. That is why, for example, there are strict rules forbidding the celebration of wedding Masses at locations such as a beach or garden patio.

Contraception fuels violence against women, papal theologian says

July 30, 2018

SYDNEY – The widespread use of contraception has led to increased violence and aggression against women, the theologian of the papal household said during a mid-July visit to Sydney.

Indian Catholic leaders protest demand to ban sacrament of reconciliation

July 30, 2018

NEW DELHI – India's Catholic Church has led a chorus of protest over a demand to ban the sacrament of reconciliation from the chairwoman of the National Commission for Women.

July 31

Path to holiness isn't for the lazy, Pope says to young altar servers

July 31, 2018

VATICAN – Christ's commandment to love God and neighbor is a path trodden by those who have the desire to become saints, Pope Francis told thousands of altar servers from around the world.

More accountability needed after McCarrick abuse revelations, church figures say

July 31, 2018

WASHINGTON (CNS) – The sexual abuse allegations surrounding now-former Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick have prompted some church figures to call for a more thorough reckoning of the U.S. church's clerical sexual abuse policies.

Catholics distribute aid for victims of deadly Indonesian earthquake

July 31, 2018

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Catholic groups have collected and are distributing aid for thousands of people affected by a deadly earthquake that struck Lombok, Indonesia's popular tourist island.

Priests in Asia, Europe have key roles in marriage preparation

July 31, 2018

WASHINGTON – Priests continue to play diverse and integral roles in marriage preparation across Europe and Asia.

Honduran bishops deny 'culture of homosexuality' at national seminary

July 31, 2018

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – The Honduran bishops' conference on Monday denied there exists a homosexual culture at the national seminary, in response to a recent report from the National Catholic Register about Honduran seminarians lamenting that culture.

Ecumenical statement embraces Christian concern for environment

July 31, 2018

Canada’s two largest churches, which represent two-thirds of Canadian Christians, have jointly declared that climate change and ecological degradation are central, enduring concerns for Christians.

Conservative platform included protection of conscience rights

July 31, 2018

A petition demanding conscience rights for doctors who oppose assisted suicide is the first move in a multi-pronged strategy to persuade Ontario’s new government to enshrine such rights in law.

Readers Speak Out: July 22-29, 2018

July 31, 2018

PROPHETIC LETTER Re: Canada took wrong side in Humane Vitae debate (July 8-15): Thank you Fr. Raymond de Souza for revisiting Humanae Vitae and the Canadian bishops’ undermining of the wisdom and beauty of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical on human life. It is worth reading afresh this prophetic love letter from Pope Paul VI, readily available on the vatican.va website. Artificial contraception/birth control has resulted in worldwide misery. Dr. Janet Smith has done exceptional work in recording this. As artificial birth control grew in use, so did the rate of divorces and the rate of STIs. Fr. Silvestre Birngruber in his 1954 book, Morals for Lay People, wrote: If artificial contraception becomes widely practised, abortion on demand will follow as a natural consequence. We know the truth of this prediction. Pope Paul VI also foresaw the tragedy if public authorities/governments became involved in artificial birth control. One doesn’t need advanced degrees in medicine to realize that one cannot keep pumping chemicals into a woman’s body and not expect undesirable consequences. David Hogg, Toronto, Ont.