CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News

Focus on the essentials and do not be afraid, Pope tells Arab bishops (CWN)

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 07:09:48 GMT

Pope Leo XIV today encouraged the members of the Conference of Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions to focus on the essentials of the Christian faith and “not to give in to either fear or resignation.”

Cultivate your relationship with Christ and entrust yourselves to Mary, Pope tells seminarians (CWN)

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 07:09:36 GMT

Pope Leo XIV today encouraged seminarians from two Italian seminaries to cultivate their relationship with Christ in silent prayer and to entrust themselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Hong Kong court upholds Cardinal Zen's conviction (AP)

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 08:09:32 GMT

A Hong Kong appeals court today upheld the 2022 conviction of Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, S.D.B., on charges of failing to register a charity that paid bills incurred by protestors.

Cardinal Zen, who led the Diocese of Hong Kong from 2002 to 2009, was fined $512, as were the charity’s other trustees.

International Theological Commission publishes document on the Trinity and ecology (CWN)

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 08:09:30 GMT

Caring for our common home is a responsible response to the Blessed Trinity’s act of creation, the International Theological Commission said in a document published yesterday.

Pope Leo pays tribute to St. Gregory the Great (CWN)

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 07:09:07 GMT

Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Pope St. Gregory the Great, who reigned from 590 to 604.

Pontiff, Colombia's president discuss earthquake (Vatican Press Office)

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 08:09:59 GMT

Pope Leo XIV and President Abelardo de la Espriella of Colombia spoke by telephone on September 2, three weeks after a severe earthquake killed hundreds and caused over $9 billion in damage.

“During the conversation, the Holy Father reiterated his closeness to all those who are suffering the difficult consequences of the recent earthquake that struck Colombia, in particular the families of the deceased, the injured, rescuers and humanitarian aid workers,” the Holy See Press Office said in a statement. “In addition, they discussed the situation in the country and in the regions affected by the earthquake.”

Iran's crackdown on Christians intensifies (Catholic Connect)

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 07:09:49 GMT

A crackdown on Christians in Iran in recent months has claimed the lives of at least 33 Protestant ministers, according to an article posted by Catholic Connect, a website of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India.

“Of the 131 Christians reportedly arrested, 14 remain in prison, with some allegedly facing the death penalty,” according to the report, which cites data from the Texas-based Iran Alive Ministries.

Cardinal Woelki 'deeply shaken' by situation of Christians in West Bank (Catholic Herald)

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:09:46 GMT

The archbishop of Cologne, Germany, said that he was “shaken” by the situation of Palestinian Christians in the West Bank.

“In the West Bank, Christian communities live under constant pressure from extremist settlers, through acts of sabotage, arson, and physical violence,” Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki said following a visit there. “We must clearly name these circumstances, when people are subjected in a methodical manner to intimidation, economic destruction, and the restriction of their freedoms.”

Another German bishop resigns; cites 'toll of office' (Pillar)

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:09:25 GMT

Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Bishop Heinrich Timmerevers from the pastoral care of the diocese of Dresden-Meissen, Germany.

“I feel that the many challenges and responsibilities of this office have taken an enormous toll on me,” said the 74-year-old prelate, the second German bishop to resign in the past two weeks. “This diocese continues to need leadership with boundless energy.”

Ogdensburg diocese seeks to end bankruptcy with $83M abuse fund (WWNY-TV)

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:09:27 GMT

The Diocese of Ogdensburg, New York, and a committee representing over 125 plaintiffs agreed to an $83-million abuse settlement fund that would allow the diocese to emerge from bankruptcy.

Much of the fund ($38 million) will come from insurance settlements.

Under the plan, which awaits court approval, “each of our parishes will file a Chapter 11 case at the very last moment,” said Bishop Terry LaValley. “We expect our parishes will be in bankruptcy approximately 48 hours.”

Haitian prelate appeals to President Trump to allow Haitians to remain in US (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:09:30 GMT

The vice president of the Haitian Episcopal Conference asked President Donald Trump not to deport Haitians, following a recent Supreme Court decision permitting the end of temporary protected status (TPS) granted to Haitians in 2010.

“We respectfully ask you to reconsider the situation of the Haitians affected by the termination of TPS and to use every available legal and humanitarian means to avoid forced repatriations as Haiti, remains in a state of such severe instability and danger,” said Bishop Pierre-André Dumas.

“We are not asking the U.S. to abandon its laws,” he continued. “We are not asking the U.S. to compromise border security. We are asking the United States to apply its laws humanely when human lives are at stake.”

Contemplate creation and encounter the Creator, Pope preaches at world prayer day Mass (CWN)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 07:09:48 GMT

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass in the Pontifical Gardens in Castel Gandolfo last evening (video) and emphasized that contemplation of creation leads to an encounter with the Creator that beckons us to conversion.

Cardinal Ouellet wins defamation suit against accuser (Pillar)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:09:50 GMT

The prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for Bishops won a defamation suit against the woman who accused him of sexual assault.

A Quebec judge awarded Cardinal Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., $100,000 Canadian ($72,000 U.S.). The 82-year-old prelate said he would donate the award to organizations that combat sexual abuse against Canada’s indigenous people.

The abuse allegations against Cardinal Ouellet became public in 2022. The Vatican determined that there was insufficient evidence to warrant a canonical trial.

The Church must listen to the world and serve it, Pope says in audience on Vatican II (CWN)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:09:30 GMT

Continuing his series of Wednesday general audiences on the Second Vatican Council and its documents, Pope Leo XIV today turned to Gaudium et Spes (1965).

Jerusalem's Christian schools close after Israel denies permits to Palestinian staff (AsiaNews)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:09:33 GMT

All Christian schools in Jerusalem closed on September 1 after Israel declined to renew entry permits to over 70 Palestinian teachers and staff members.

“The recurrence of such measures undermines the stability of our schools, hinders their ability to fulfil their mission, and negatively affects students, their families, educational staff, and society as a whole,” the General Secretariat of Christian Educational Institutions said in a statement.

Forgive us for turning water into a commodity, Pope prays (CWN)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:09:40 GMT

In the video associated with his September prayer intention (for the care of water), Pope Leo XIV prayed, “Forgive us for turning it [water] into a commodity.”

Nigerian bishops decry Islamist attack on mosque (Crux)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 09:09:42 GMT

Nigeria’s bishops condemned the abduction of over 60 worshippers from a mosque in Borgu.

Residents attributed the abduction to Lakurawa, an affiliate of the Islamic State.

“Whether in a mosque, a church, a marketplace, or the quiet of their homes, Nigerians are still being slaughtered, traumatized, and displaced with impunity,” the bishops said in a statement released on August 27. “An attack on any place of worship constitutes an attack on our collective humanity.”

Cardinal Czerny marks Amazon apostolate's anniversary, calls for examination of conscience (Vatican News)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 09:09:06 GMT

In among his last actions as prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., sent a message to participants in the 25th Inter-Institutional Meeting of the Amazonian Itinerant Team.

“A true Christian anniversary must also be an examination of conscience,” said Cardinal Czerny. He added:

Where have we been a close and supportive presence? Where have we accompanied life under threat? Where have we learned from the peoples of the Amazon, allowing them to be genuine interlocutors and protagonists? Where have we woven communion among different charisms and been a force for integration? Where have we managed to reach together places that we could not—and perhaps should not—have reached alone?

Sister Alessandra Smerilli, F.M.A., succeeded Cardinal Czerny as prefect on September 1.

Christ is the only source of eternal life, Cardinal Baggio says at Season of Creation prayer service (Season of Creation)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 09:09:36 GMT

Cardinal Fabio Baggio, C.S., pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, spoke at the opening prayer service for the Season of Creation, an ecumenical initiative that begins on September 1 (the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) and concludes on October 4 (the feast of St. Francis of Assisi).

The theme of this year’s Season of Creation is “living water.” Reflecting on water in the Book of Revelation, Cardinal Baggio said that the water “represents the eternal life that we have in Christ. There is no other source” (29:53).

New nuncio begins mission in Germany (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 09:09:54 GMT

Archbishop Hubertus Matheus Maria van Megen recently began his mission as apostolic nuncio to Germany, the Vatican newspaper reported on September 1.

Discussing the prelate’s July 23 meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, L’Osservatore Romano reported:

During the cordial conversation, the discussion focused on the role of the Catholic Church in German society, particularly in the fields of education and health care.

Over a month later, on August 24, Archbishop van Megen held his first official meeting with Bishop Heiner Wilmer, S.C.J., of Munster, the president of the bishops’ conference.