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January 2019

January 24

Covington Catholic boys: Investigation begins, discussion ongoing

January 24, 2019

WASHINGTON – Days after the now-famous exchange took place between Covington Catholic High School students and a Native American tribal leader in Washington, the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky, announced it would begin a third-party investigation into what happened at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial following the annual March for Life Jan. 18.

Bring hope, peace to Central America, Pope tells Panamanian leaders

January 24, 2019

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Panama's geographical position as a bridge between land and ocean is symbolic of its ability to broker peace and hope in an area marked by violence and conflict, Pope Francis said.

Vatican summit to create task force in every continent for protection of minors

January 24, 2019

VATICAN – Since the work of child protection must continue after the February meeting at the Vatican on safeguarding, one organizer said they plan on creating a "task force" with teams on every continent.

Bishops address sex abuse scandal with U.S. pilgrims

January 24, 2019

PANAMA CITY – As Pope Francis was arriving in Panama Jan. 23, bishops from the United States wasted no time addressing the sex abuse scandal back home during a popular event aimed at American and other English-speaking World Youth Day pilgrims.

Stay close to people's suffering, Pope Francis tells Central American bishops

January 24, 2019

PANAMA CITY, Panama – At World Youth Day Thursday, Pope Francis told the bishops of Central America to be close to the people, and to let their wounds and suffering be the drive behind the bishops’ actions and priorities.

January 25

Venezuelan Army besieged hundreds of Maduro protesters in Maturin cathedral

January 25, 2019

MATURIN, Venezuela – As opposition marches were held across Venezuela Wednesday, at least 700 opposition supporters were trapped in Maturin's Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel for several hours, besieged by the Venezuelan Army.

Keep God's love alive, Pope Francis tells WYD pilgrims

January 25, 2019

PANAMA CITY — Young men and women in the Church can bring the joy of the Gospel to the world by showing that God's love extends to all people and excludes no one, Pope Francis said.

Mosque offers free water to World Youth Day pilgrims

January 25, 2019

PANAMA CITY – Thousands of World Youth Day pilgrims stopped by the Jama Mosque Jan. 24 en route to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis.

Fr. Tony Van Hee pleads not guilty to violating abortion bubble zone

January 25, 2019

OTTAWA – A lawyer for Fr. Tony Van Hee entered a plea of not guilty on the priest’s behalf Jan. 24 on charges of violating Ontario’s bubble zone law.

World's Christians are making progress in unity, Vatican official says

January 25, 2019

VATICAN – Despite some new tensions, "practically the whole of Christianity is in a process of advancing beyond the controversies and competition of the past, toward greater understanding, trust and solidarity," said Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

'Each of us is more than our labels', Pope tells young detainees in Panama

January 25, 2019

PANAMA CITY – Just like the Pharisees, many today shun Jesus' merciful love toward sinners and prefer to use labels that stigmatize a person's past, present and future, Pope Francis said.

January 26

Pilgrim's diary: An exercise in unity

January 26, 2019

PANAMA CITY – Friday was one of the best days so far.

Jean Ko Din in Panama: Our pilgrimage to the bathrooms at Cinta Costera

January 26, 2019

World Youth Day pilgrims can tell you many stories about the adventures we all had at Cinta Costera these last few days but none are more harrowing than my adventure to find a bathroom.

At Way of the Cross, Pope reflects on suffering of abuse victims, indigenous peoples, the forgotten

January 26, 2019

PANAMA CITY – The path walked by Jesus to his passion and death on the cross is the same path of indifference and marginalization taken by those who suffer in the world today, Pope Francis said.

God's Word on Sunday: A new beginning starts with God’s gift

January 26, 2019

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jan. 27 (Year C) Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30; Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Church wounded by sin causes doubt in our mission, Pope Francis tells Panama clergy, laity

January 26, 2019

PANAMA CITY – A church wounded by sin can paralyze, confuse and tire the hearts of Catholic clergy and laypeople, causing them to doubt their mission in the modern world, Pope Francis said.

January 27

U.S. pilgrim questions Pope on abuse crisis during lunch in Panama

January 27, 2019

PANAMA CITY – While sharing a private lunch with pilgrims from around the world, Pope Francis expressed his solidarity with victims of sexual abuse by members of the clergy and emphasized the need for unity and prayer, a U.S. pilgrim said.

Be 'influencers' for God, imitate Mary, Pope urges at World Youth Day vigil

January 27, 2019

PANAMA CITY – Although Mary would not be considered an "influencer," like many social media personalities, she still became the most influential woman in history by trusting "in the love and promises of God, the only force capable of making all things new," Pope Francis told young people at the World Youth Day prayer vigil Jan. 26.

World Youth Day 2022 will be in Portugal

January 27, 2019

PANAMA CITY – Lisbon, Portugal, will open its doors to the world's young people in 2022 for the next World Youth Day.

Locals shows solidarity with Nicaraguan, Venezuelan pilgrims en route to World Youth Day vigil

January 27, 2019

PANAMA CITY – As thousands of pilgrims streamed through the neighborhood of Las Acacias en route to the World Day Youth vigil, those from Nicaragua and Venezuela received special cheers and applause as they carried the flags of their respective countries.