Catholic News
- Pope names Cardinal Tobin to Congregation for Bishops (CWN)
Pope Francis has appointed Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark to the Congregation for Bishops, the Vatican body that advises the Pontiff on the appointment of new bishops. - Pope's message to Iraq: 'I come among you as a pilgrim of peace' (Vatican News)
Pope Francis has sent a video message to the people of Iraq, on the eve of his visit there. “I come as a pilgrim,” the Pope says, “as a penitent pilgrim to implore forgiveness and reconciliation from the Lord after years of war and terrorism, to ask God for the consolation of hearts and the healing of wounds.” - Virginia court rejects challenge to remaining Covid restrictions on churches (Religion Clause)
“There are no capacity limits in Executive Order # 72 and non-religious gatherings have stricter requirements regardless of occurring indoors or outdoors,” the court noted. - Becerra investigating hospital after 'accusations that it applies Catholic limits on care' (Los Angeles Times)
The California attorney general is President Biden’s nominee to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services. In 2017, Becerra filed suit against the Little Sisters of the Poor. - Texas governor lifts Covid restrictions; El Paso bishop maintains 25% capacity limit (KTSM)
“This community is not anywhere near a level that experts refer to as ‘herd immunity’ and we will not reach that level for some time,” Bishop Mark Seitz said after Gov. Greg Abbott ended all Covid restrictions. “For the time being, churches will be limited to a maximum of 25 percent of their capacity.” - USCCB calls for prayers for Myanmar, solidarity with its people (USCCB)
On February 1, the Southeast Asian nation’s military overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi (BBC coverage). - 'Fratelli Tutti' translated into Russian (Vatican Press Office)
The Pope’s third encyclical letter, Fratelli tutti, is devoted to fraternity and social friendship. “I think that reflection and dialogue on this Encyclical can be of help not only for the Russian Federation, where dialogue between Christians and Muslims is required to grow, but for the human family as a whole,” the Pope wrote in a March 3 message. - Don't sell shuttered churches to developers, parishioners urge Chicago archdiocese (Chicago Sun-Times)
“The self-proclaimed ‘God Squad’ represents 25 parishes and churches that have shuttered or are on the cusp of closure and have filed canonical appeals to save the buildings,” according to the report. - 2 Protestant churches attacked in Bangladesh (AsiaNews)
The South Asian nation of 163 million (map) is 89% Muslim and 9% Hindu. Pope Francis made an apostolic journey there in 2017. - Lebanon: Chaldeans back Maronite call for international conference (AsiaNews)
The Chaldean Church in Lebanon has endorsed the call by Maronite Catholic Patriarch Bechara Rai for an international conference to resolve the country’s political stalemate. The Chaldean Council issued a public statement that it “does not expect current problems to be solved without international initiatives.” - 3rd man alleges inappropriate behavior by popular Chicago priest Pfleger (Chicago Tribune)
“The man said he does not plan to file an independent claim with the archdiocese or to seek a financial settlement,” according to the report. - Dianna Ortiz, American nun tortured in Guatemala, dies at 62 (New York Times)
The Ursuline sister was the author of The Blindfold’s Eyes: My Journey from Torture to Truth. - Accused priest sues bishop, saying he was slandered (AP)
Father Daniel Lacroix, a priest of the Diocese of Fall River (Mass.), has sued his bishop. “The suit does not seek monetary compensation, but a declaratory judgment that Lacroix did not engage in any misconduct,” according to the report. - Washington Post notes bishops differ on Covid vaccine (Washington Post)
A Washington Post report has called attention to the different messages that American Catholic bishops have released regarding a newly available Covid vaccine. Several bishops have warned that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is “morally compromised,” while other prelates have encouraged Catholics to receive whatever vaccine is available to them. - Alumni group petitions Notre Dame not to invite Biden (Sycamore Trust)
A Notre Dame alumni group has sent a petition to the university’s president, Father John Jenkins, urging him not to invited President Joe Biden as a commencement speaker. Although Notre Dame has regularly hosted the incumbent US president, the Sycamore Trust notes that the US bishops have said that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles.” The group’s letter argues: “Biden is such a person writ large.” - Benedict defends resignation, dismisses 'conspiracy theories' (Vatican News)
Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI said “I believe I did well” by resigning, and voiced regret that some of his friends and supporters “did not want to believe that it was a conscious decision,” in an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera. The newspaper reported that the former Pope looked thin and frail, and his voice was weak, but he was clear in rejecting “conspiracy theories” that suggested his resignation was forced. - More...