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July 2019

July 1

Pope Francis: Goal of ecumenism is unity, not leveling differences

July 1, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- At the end of Mass on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Pope Francis and Orthodox Archbishop Job of Telmessos walked down the stairs under the main altar in St. Peter's Basilica and prayed together at the apostle's tomb.

Commission hearing examines Christian persecution around the world

July 1, 2019

WASHINGTON -- Speakers at a June 27 hearing on persecution against Christians by governments worldwide lamented the lack of action by many nations, but noted the improvements made by a couple of them.

Secrecy of confession must never be violated, Vatican says

July 1, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- In the light of "a worrying negative prejudice" against the Catholic Church, Pope Francis ordered the publication of a document affirming the absolute secrecy of everything said in confession and calling on priests to defend it at all costs, even at the cost of their lives.

July 2

USCCB leaders decry policies they say led to child deaths at border

July 2, 2019

WASHINGTON -- Leadership of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in an op-ed cast blame on government policies for recent child deaths near the U.S.-Mexico border.

Angelus: Disciples seek God's glory, not their own

July 2, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Men and women who are called to follow Christ must do so to help those in need and not to seek their own fame and glory, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis applauds Trump, Kim meeting in North Korea

July 2, 2019

ROME -- After U.S. President Donald Trump became the first sitting president to set foot in North Korea, Pope Francis called his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a positive step toward world peace.

Three Ottawa-area women joining order of consecrated virgins

July 2, 2019

OTTAWA -- The Archbishop of Ottawa will receive and bless three local women as Consecrated Virgins Living in the World on July 6.

Pope Francis gives relics of St. Peter to Orthodox patriarch

July 2, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- In what Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople described as a "brave and bold" gesture, Pope Francis gave the patriarch a famous reliquary containing bone fragments believed to belong to St. Peter.

Blessed John Henry Newman canonization set for Rome Oct. 13

July 2, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis will declare Blessed John Henry Newman, the 19th-century British cardinal, a saint Oct. 13.

Pope Francis on path to healing wounds of abuse scandal, says nuncio

July 2, 2019

OTTAWA -- Pope Francis is leading efforts to heal the wounds of the sexual abuse scandals so the Church can fulfill her mission, says Canada’s apostolic nuncio.

Vatican to open tombs looking for young woman missing since 1983

July 2, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican City State tribunal has ordered the opening of two tombs in a small Vatican cemetery at the request of the family of Emanuela Orlandi, a young woman who disappeared in 1983.

Irish newspapers apologize, pay ex-seminarian for false claims

July 2, 2019

DUBLIN -- Three Irish newspapers have apologized and paid compensation to a former seminarian after admitting they falsely claimed he was expelled from formation after being found in bed with another seminarian.

Pope Francis to celebrate Mass with migrants, refugees

July 2, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in St. Peter's Basilica with migrants, refugees and volunteer rescue teams, the Vatican said.

July 3

Pope Francis: World becoming more elitist, cruel toward excluded

July 3, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- The excluded, especially migrants and refugees, are the ones who ultimately pay the price for humanity's greed, Pope Francis said.

Chicago woman's healing is miracle in Cardinal Newman's sainthood cause

July 3, 2019

CHICAGO -- A few prayers to Blessed John Henry Newman became a "constant dialogue" and then a desperate response to an emergency for Melissa Villalobos of Chicago.

Doctors to remove nutrition from disabled Frenchman Vincent Lambert

July 3, 2019

REIMS, France (CNA) -- Doctors have said they will begin to remove intravenous feeding tubes from Vincent Lambert, though his parents have asked international authorities to intervene to avoid the death of the man, who requires artificial life support due to a severe injury.

Analysis: New Vatican constitution to centralize power in state secretariat

July 3, 2019

VATICAN CITY (CNA) -- Last week, Bishop Marcello Semeraro, secretary of the pope’s C6 Council of Cardinal Advisors announced that the group hoped to present Francis with a final draft of a new Vatican constitution in September.

Washington state bishops: immigration reform a 'disappointing reality'

July 3, 2019

SEATTLE -- Washington's bishops have issued a call for "comprehensive immigration reform that honors the dignity of those seeking a better life in the United States, while also addressing the legitimate need for safe and secure borders."

Kentucky judge declares death penalty protocol unconstitutional

July 3, 2019

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A Franklin County Circuit judge ruled July 2 that Kentucky's death penalty regulations are unconstitutional because they fail to provide for an automatic stay of execution for intellectually disabled inmates.

July 4

Love and family is Christian vision for a happy life, says archbishop

July 4, 2019

WASHINGTON -- "A society where children are no longer being born is a society where people no longer understand what makes life worth living," Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles said at the annual summer liturgy conference hosted by the University of Notre Dame's McGrath Institute for Church Life.