Catholic News
- Report: 217 churches have been destroyed in Nigerian diocese (Premium Times (Abuja))
Since last September, attacks on communities in Nigeria’s Taraba State (map) have left “scores killed, maimed and injured,” Bishop Mark Maigida Nzukwein of Wakuri said in a statement, as reported in the Abuja-based Premium Times. “The records of the diocese show that over 98,000 persons have been displaced, including 16 priests, while 217 churches have been completely destroyed,” the statement continued. “Residences of eight priests have also been destroyed, and more than 100 persons have been reportedly killed.” - Jesus offers us true and eternal love, Pope tells pilgrims (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV said today that Christ is the “measure of true love: the love that is faithful forever, pure and unconditional.” - Pope Leo laments terrorism in the Sahel, greets Coptic Pope, prays for mothers (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV today expressed “deep concern” about “growing violence in the Sahel region, particularly in Chad and Mali, which have recently suffered terrorist attacks.” - Haiti's PM meets with Pontiff; Cardinal Parolin offers Mass for peace (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV received Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé of Haiti, a Caribbean nation that has suffered years of armed strife. - Secretary of State Rubio describes 'very good' meeting with Pope Leo (U.S. Department of State)
At a press conference on May 8, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed his audience the previous day with Pope Leo XIV. “We had a very good meeting,” said Secretary of State Rubio. “We talked about those areas that we’re working together on in different parts of the world” and “updated them on the situation with Iran, expressed our point of view about why this was important, and the danger that Iran poses to the world, which is largely recognized.” “The Church has always interacted on behalf of a mission for peace and a respect for all of humanity,” Secretary Rubio added. After answering a question about humanitarian aid to Cuba, Rubio again spoke about a “very productive and fruitful and important relationship with the Church, because it plays an important role in the world as well.” - Vatican diplomat on migration policy: Save lives, preserve family unity (Holy See Mission)
Addressing a UN forum on migration, a Vatican diplomat said that the Holy See delegation wished to emphasize saving lives, preserving family unity, and protecting migrants from the dark side of technological innovations, including “cyber slavery.” Citing “serious concerns about the vulnerability of migrants along dangerous routes,” Msgr. Robert Murphy, Chargé d’Affaires of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations said that “protecting migrants’ lives is an obligation under international law, based on the fundamental right to life. Strengthening cooperation on search and rescue operations is of utmost importance, as is ensuring that respect for the right to life is never subordinated to any other interests.” - India's bishops appeal for constitutional integrity, inclusive governance (CBCI)
In a statement following elections in several Indian states, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India said that the “true measure of a vibrant democracy lies not just in the successful conduct of elections, but in the steadfast commitment of elected leaders to serve the most vulnerable.” “We urge the new governments to work hand-in-hand with all institutions to build a more just, inclusive, and equitable India,” the bishops’ conference added, as it called upon “newly elected governments and leaders, irrespective of political affiliations, to remain firmly committed to the Constitution of India and the democratic values it upholds.” The South Asian nation of 1.42 billion (map), the world’s most populous nation, is 73% Hindu, 14% Muslim, 5% Christian, 3% ethnic religionist, and 2% Sikh. - Nuncio describes religious revival in Ukraine's war zones (National Catholic Register)
Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the apostolic nuncio to Ukraine, spoke with a Lithuanian Catholic magazine about a religious revival in war zones. “When you face eternity, forgiveness is the only thing you really need,” said Archbishop Kulbokas. “In Kherson, there are no unbelievers left,” and attendance at the Catholic parish has quintupled. - USCCB pro-life chairman backs Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act (USCCB)
The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities lent his support to the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act and thanked the legislation’s sponsors, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). “We have consistently called for the separation of abortion from the Title X family planning program, but organizations like Planned Parenthood, despite performing hundreds of thousands of abortions every year, continue to receive millions of dollars in taxpayer money annually,” Bishop Daniel Thomas of Toledo, Ohio, wrote in a May 8 letter. “This legislation would build upon Congress’s efforts to end access to taxpayer funding for one of the nation’s largest abortion providers.” - EU bishops' commission issues reflection on mental health (COMECE)
The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) published a 21-page reflection paper, “Mental Health in Europe: A Call for Care.” “Catholic teaching affirms the inherent dignity, unity, and relational nature of every human person,” COMECE stated. “Mental health is therefore understood not solely as a clinical issue, but as an expression of human vulnerability that calls for compassion, solidarity, and holistic care. By integrating biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions, the Church offers an ethical and human-centered framework that can complement public policy and professional practice.” The reflection was published on May 7, in conjunction with European Mental Health Week. - Blessed Sacrament stolen from Nigerian adoration chapel (Catholic World Report)
The Archdiocese of Owerri, Nigeria, declared a week of prayer and reparation after the Blessed Sacrament was stolen from an adoration chapel. On April 29, “unknown persons opened parts of the roof, gained access through the ceiling, and made away with the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament,” said Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, who decried the desecration. Archbishop Ugorji added: All priests in the Owerri Archdiocese are reminded to strictly adhere to the norms and directives regarding the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and adoration to avoid any recurrence. We emphasize that exposition is to take place only when a fitting attendance of the faithful is assured (cf. Can. 942). The Blessed Sacrament must never be left unattended during exposition. - 'No accountability' for Israeli settlers' attacks on Palestinian Christians, activist says (Vatican News)
A Palestinian Christian human rights advocate told Vatican News that Israeli settlers in the West Bank need “to be held accountable for their violence” against Palestinian Christians and other Palestinians. “What is really empowering these settlers is the policy of the Israeli government,” said Ihab Hassan, who documents attacks on Palestinian Christians. The activist also discussed a new initiative, Save West Bank Christians. - 'I will keep defending immigrants,' new WV bishop says in interview (The Guardian)
The recently appointed bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, told The Guardian that he will keep “defending immigrants and fighting for fair treatment for them.” “We are not approaching this from a partisan political standpoint, but from a moral one,” said Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala. “The Church bases its teaching, its social doctrine, on the Holy Scriptures and the Gospel. The defense of immigrants’ rights is … grounded in the Gospel and the Holy Scriptures.” Born in El Salvador in 1970, Bishop Menjivar-Ayala was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington in 2004 and appointed an auxiliary bishop in 2022. He was the subject of a 2023 Washington Post essay, “He was an undocumented immigrant. He became ‘Your Excellency’.“ - Holy See pavilion's second venue opens at Venice art show (Vatican News)
Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, the prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, took part in the opening of the second venue of the Holy See’s pavilion at the Venice Biennale. The Biennale, a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place every two years, will conclude on November 22. The Holy See’s pavilion, entitled “The ear is the eye of the soul,” is inspired by the works of St. Hildegard of Bingen. The first venue features a sound installation; the second, a contemporary scriptorium. - Cardinal Müller, former CDF prefect, blasts Synod report on doctrinal issues (CWN)
Cardinal Gerhard Müller, the prefect of the Congregation (now Dicastery) for the Doctrine of the Faith from 2012 to 2017, blasted the newly published Synod report on doctrinal issues, which included two testimonies written by men in same-sex civil marriages. - Pope Leo encourages John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel in its 'revitalized mission' (Dicastery for Communication)
Pope Leo XIV met this morning with the board members of the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel. The audience took place three months after the Pontiff approved revised statutes for the foundation, founded in 1984 to provide assistance to Africa’s Sahel region. “After more than forty years of experience, the Foundation has reached a turning point characterized also by external challenges linked to multidimensional economic crises at the international level,” Pope Leo said in his French-language address. “It is in this context that the revitalization of its mission, in conformity with the regulations in force of the Holy See, has become indispensable.” Pope Leo added: In a world facing complex challenges such as geopolitical tensions, inequality, wars, problems related to insecurities, terrorism, political and economic instability, climate crises, the consequences of which include migratory flows, the relevance of this Foundation’s mission appears clearer than ever! Through its main purpose, it contributes to God’s work, to the protection of the “common home,” and highlights your social responsibility. Rescuing the victims of a natural calamity or vulnerable people is indeed a question of justice before being a question of charity. - Pope challenges Augustiner Bräu brewers to care for creation, act as just stewards (Dicastery for Communication)
Pope Leo XIV received pilgrims today from Munich’s Augustiner Bräu and challenged them to care for creation as just stewards. The beer brewers were joined by representatives of the Edith-Haberland-Wagner Foundation, which supports the brewery. Augustiner Bräu, Munich’s oldest independent brewery, was founded by Augustinian friars in 1328 but passed into other hands after the friary’s dissolution under Napoleon in 1802. After recalling the brewery’s Augustinian heritage, Pope Leo recalled Pope Francis’s statement that “everything is, as it were, a caress of God.” Pope Leo commented: This insight calls us to the great responsibility not only to care for creation but to ensure that its resources are always used wisely and with an eye to justice, which is a prerequisite for peace. As you return home, I therefore encourage you to continue playing your part in promoting a just and effective approach to caring for creation, both professionally and personally, for the sake of the common good. - Courage apostolate condemns 'calumny and detraction' in Synod report (Courage)
An apostolate that ministers to persons with same-sex attractions in a manner consistent with the teaching of the Church condemned the “calumny and detraction” included in the newly published Synod report on doctrinal issues. The General Secretariat of the Synod included testimonies of two men, one from Portugal and the other from the United States, who have contracted same-sex civil marriages. The American criticized the Courage apostolate in his testimony. Courage International responded: Courage considers this report to be both calumny and detraction against the organization and its members. Calumny, because the report mischaracterizes Courage’s work. Courage is not nor ever has been involved in “reparative therapy,” as alleged. The working group could have clarified this point by simply contacting Courage leadership. Rather than do so, however, the report presents one person’s experience and opinion as part of an official ecclesiastical document ... Courage has suffered calumny and detraction before, but usually from secular outlets. It is a great sadness and an additional wound to our members to have this false and unjust depiction in a Vatican document. If synod officials would like to learn more about Courage International, Inc. and its apostolate over 45 years, our chaplains and members would be happy to meet with them. The Synod published its report three months after Pope Leo received a Courage International delegation. Following the audience, the apostolate’s executive director said that Pope Leo is “very supportive” of Courage. - Pope encourages Italian soccer players to be good role models (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV today encouraged the members of the Inter Milan soccer team to be good role models to the young. - Vatican diplomat condemns attacks on nuclear facilities (Holy See Mission)
Addressing a UN conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (1968), a Vatican diplomat condemned attacks on nuclear facilities. Msgr. Robert D. Murphy, Chargé d’Affaires of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, said on May 5 that the “Holy See recalls the longstanding consensus within the international community that armed attacks on nuclear facilities must never take place, as they could result in radioactive releases with serious consequences for the affected State and beyond.” Without mentioning by name the recent Ukrainian attack on a Russian-occupied nuclear plant, or last year’s U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Msgr. Murphy said: Recent events have drawn attention to the seriousness of such risks, including the potential for radioactive releases with far-reaching humanitarian and environmental consequences. Against this backdrop, the Holy See draws attention to both the immediate and long-term impacts of nuclear activities, including uranium mining and radioactive waste. - More...