CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News

In letter to Americans, Pope Leo marks 250th anniversary of USA's founding (CWN)

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 10:07:54 GMT

Pope Leo XIV marked the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America with a letter extending “heartfelt congratulations to all Americans on the occasion.”

Accepting Liberty Medal, Pope hails Declaration's 'lofty ideals,' stresses right to life, religious freedom (CWN)

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 10:07:50 GMT

Pope Leo XIV accepted the Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center and, in a July 3 video address (49:05), hailed the “lofty ideals enshrined at the beginning of the Declaration of Independence.”

SSPX leader, in letter to Pope, reacts to Vatican's excommunication decree (Society of Saint Pius X)

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 11:07:06 GMT

Condemning the Vatican’s decree of excommunication as “objectively unjust and invalid,” the superior general of the Society of Saint Pius X said in a letter to Pope Leo XIV that what the SSPX “has done, and will continue to do, is nothing other than an extraordinary initiative for the salvation of souls, amidst the doctrinal and moral confusion into which the Church is plunged.”

“We in no way claim to substitute ourselves for the Church, and we have no ambition other than to remain faithful to her,” Father Davide Pagliarani wrote in his July 3 letter. “In conscience, we did not believe we could evade the moral duty we owe to souls.”

“We are certain that one day You yourself, or one of Your successors, will wish to adopt the program of Saint Pius X: ‘To restore all things in Christ,’” Father Pagliarani added. “On that day, the Holy Father will discover, with great joy and profound consolation, authentically Catholic souls whose bond with the Church was never founded upon the shifting sands of an ambiguous dialogue, but upon the rock of the faith of Peter.”

Archbishop Gänswein says 'radical fringe' prevailed in SSPX, calls for repeal of Traditionis Custodes (Corriere della Sera)

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 11:07:35 GMT

Archbishop Georg Gänswein, the private secretary of the late Pope Benedict, decried the illicit consecration of four new SSPX bishops and said that “the story of the Lefebvrists is not a liturgical question,” as “their understanding of tradition is not tradition.”

“Rather, they cement the Catholic tradition up to Pius XII,” explained Archbishop Gänswein, now apostolic nuncio to three Baltic nations. “After that everything was over for them, that’s it, from that moment there were only mistakes.”

In remitting the excommunications of the four bishops illicitly consecrated in 1988, Pope Benedict was “like a father who tries to create peace—an outstretched hand that, unfortunately, they did not accept,” Archbishop Gänswein continued. “There was a radical fringe that prevailed.”

The prelate called for the repeal of Traditionis Custodes, Pope Francis’s 2021 apostolic letter restricting the extraordinary form of the Mass: “a wrong decision can and must be corrected ... I believe that Pope Francis has made a mistake, without realizing it.”

Pope, in video, prays for protection of right to life (CWN)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:07:53 GMT

The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network released the video associated with Pope Leo’s prayer intention for July.

Vatican spokesman reacts to SSPX consecrations (Vatican News)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:07:49 GMT

Andrea Tornielli, editorial director of the Dicastery for Communication, published an editorial, “The Pain of a Rupture,” following the illicit consecration of four new bishops of the Society of Saint Pius X.

“In its words and formal statements, the Fraternity says it recognizes the legitimacy and authority of the Successor of Peter, Pope Leo XIV; that it loves him and prays for him,” said Tornielli. In its deeds, however—and deeds always count more than words—it completely disregarded his clearly expressed will, his repeated appeals, and his request not to proceed with schismatic consecrations without pontifical mandate; or rather, with schismatic consecrations explicitly forbidden by the Pope.”

Tornielli added:

There is room in the Church for the faithful attached to the ancient liturgy; there is room in the Church for discussion, for reading and rereading documents and interpreting them.

However, there is no room for judging the Pope and disobeying him by carrying out acts that tear the unity of the “Mystical Body” of Christ, which is the Church. Nor is there room for creating a parallel hierarchy against the explicit prohibition of the one to whom Jesus said: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.”

DDF publishes procedures for the return of SSPX priests, laity to full communion (CWN)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 09:07:51 GMT

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published procedures for the return of priests and lay faithful of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) into full communion with the Church.

Nicaraguan regime detains bishop (EWTN News)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:07:50 GMT

The Nicaraguan regime detained a retired bishop after he publicly prayed for the persecuted Church in Nicaragua.

Police detained Bishop Abelardo Mata, 80, on June 29, released him, and detained him again the following day. The prelate is the retired bishop of Estelí.

A Sad Day in Econe [News Analysis] (CWN)

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 04:07:05 GMT

An ordination, like a wedding, should be a happy occasion. But the July 1 consecration of four new bishops for the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) marks a sad day in the history of the Catholic Church: an unnecessary and avoidable breach between an energetic group of Catholics who cherish their faith and a Vatican leadership striving to maintain unity in the Church.

Colombia's President Petro meets with Pontiff, discusses land reform (CWN)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:07:58 GMT

Pope Leo XIV received President Gustavo Petro of Colombia on July 2, a month before a new Colombian president is scheduled to take office.

Vatican spokesman publishes historical overview of Vatican-SSPX relations (Vatican News)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:07:45 GMT

Andrea Tornielli, editorial director of the Dicastery for Communication, published “Lefebvre’s schism repeated 38 years later,” an historical overview of relations between the Vatican and the Society of St. Pius X.

“It is a troubled history, marked by generous attempts, doors kept open, and opportunities offered,” Tornielli began. “It is a painful story, characterized by two grave ruptures that led the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, to separate itself from the Pope and from communion with the Church of Rome by committing the schismatic act of consecrating bishops without the pontifical mandate and against the will of the Vicar of Christ.”

The overview has six sections:

Lefebvre’s decisions
The doctrinal agreement signed by Lefebvre
The first schismatic act
The pilgrimage of 2000 and Pope Benedict’s concessions
The 2011 doctrinal preamble and Pope Francis’ faculties
New schism, invalid confessions and marriages

Nigerian catechist dies in terrorists' den after torture, starvation; 4 others murdered (Foundation for Investigative Journalism)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:07:02 GMT

The Archdiocese of Kaduna, Nigeria, announced the deaths of five men taken captive by terrorists in February, according to a report from the Nigerian Foundation for Investigative Journalism.

“Catechist Victor Paul succumbed to severe torture, preventable illness, and starvation, while the others were brutally murdered by their captors,” according to the archdiocesan announcement. Two dozen other captives, including Paul’s son and pregnant wife, regained their freedom in a series of releases.

Lithuanian foreign minister meets with Vatican counterpart, welcomes Holy See's support for Ukraine (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:07:20 GMT

Lithuania’s acting minister of foreign affairs met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, during the prelate’s visit to the Baltic nation in commemoration of the centenary of the Lithuanian ecclesiastical province.

“Lithuania and the Holy See enjoy a long-standing warm relationship built on mutual respect,” said Kęstutis Budrys. “Lithuania highly appreciates the role of the Holy See in our country’s resistance against the Soviet occupation and in the restoration of an independent state of Lithuania, and, in the context of today’s realities, its support for Ukraine.”

“We stand ready to work together to increase pressure on Russia and achieve a sustainable, just peace in Ukraine,” Budrys added.

Philippine bishop denounces corruption as grave sin, urges faithful to take action (Licas.news)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 12:07:19 GMT

The chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ Commission on Interreligious Dialogue denounced corruption as a “grave sin of theft and betrayal of the people.”

“We cannot remain silent while funds meant for the poor are being stolen,” Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan said on June 28. “We cannot remain silent while the people’s treasury is being turned into the personal wealth of a few. We cannot remain silent while corruption continues to destroy the future of our children.”

“It is not enough to pray for change,” Bishop Bagaforo added. “We must also stand up for change. It is not enough to ask for good governance. We must also demand accountability.”

Students wash parents' feet at Indian Catholic school (Radio Veritas Asia)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:07:26 GMT

Students at a Catholic school in Tezu, India, washed their parents’ feet on July 1.

Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao described the act as a “two-way educational effort.”

“It teaches children to love, respect, and serve their parents, recognizing that their lives are built upon their parents’ sacrifices and hard work,” he said. “At the same time, it reminds parents that their children love them, are willing to listen to them, and possess unique gifts that deserve to be recognized and nurtured.”

Archbishop Fisher promises to welcome repentant SSPX members with open arms (The Catholic Weekly)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:07:37 GMT

Following the illicit consecration of four new bishops of the Society of Saint Pius X. the archbishop of Sydney, Australia, said, “I welcome with open arms those who wish to return to full communion with the Church and to its regular and valid sacramental life.”

“People who pride themselves on their orthodoxy should know that schism is a grave sin against the Church and against charity,” said Archbishop Anthony Fisher, O.P., who recently wrote a pastoral letter on Eucharistic adoration. The prelate asked the faithful to “pray for the unity of the Church at this time and for the repentance of these schismatics.”

Prelates urge Poland, Ukraine to reject divisive rhetoric (OSV News)

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:07:44 GMT

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, joined Ukrainian and Polish cardinals in lamenting mounting tensions between Poland and Ukraine.

Calling for a “disarmament of language on both sides,” the prelates said that “it is even more painful that this is happening at a time when Ukraine continues to experience the horrors of war, and Poland has shown great solidarity with millions of Ukrainian brothers and sisters in recent years.”

Cardinal preaches at 50th anniversary Mass of same-sex couple; bishops concelebrate (New Ways Ministry)

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:07:53 GMT

Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., preached the homily at a recent “Mass of Thanksgiving for 50 Years of Friendship, Partnership, and Commitment in the Pursuit of Justice” of two men, Julian Filochowski and Martin Pendergast, according to New Ways Ministry.

“I believe, Julian and Martin, that your faithful friendship is grounded in a shared passion for peace and for the triumph of justice,” Cardinal Radcliffe preached. “Friendship is a way in which God works creatively in each of us, forming us for love.”

Two retired bishops—Bishops John Crowley and John Rawsthorne—were among the concelebrants at the June 13 Mass, which took place at Holy Apostles Church in London.

A similar 25th anniversary Mass for Filochowski and Pendergast sparked controversy in 2001, as CWN reported at the time.

DDF: SSPX bishops, priests excommunicated; SSPX priests' confessions henceforth invalid (CWN)

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:07:30 GMT

In a decree issued this morning, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith declared that the Society of Saint Pius X’s four new bishops, along with the prelates who consecrated them, incurred the penalty of automatic excommunication under the Code of Canon Law.

5 cardinals, including Cardinals Burke and Müller, reflect on extraordinary consistory (National Catholic Register)

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:07:56 GMT

Five cardinals, including Cardinals Raymond Burke and Gerhard Müller, offered their reflections on the recent extraordinary consistory of the College of Cardinals.

Cardinal Burke said that the cardinals were “certainly grateful” for the consistory: “we’re getting to know each other more, and that’s very great fruit.” He cautioned, however, that the cardinals “didn’t get to the heart of matters in depth,” and the reports of the discussion tables to the Holy Father included only statements to which the cardinals at the table unanimously agreed.