Catholic News
- Assist the victims of nuclear weapons testing, Vatican diplomat urges (Holy See Mission)
A Vatican diplomat called for assistance for victims of nuclear weapons testing and the “complete elimination” of nuclear weapons. “The enduring consequences of nuclear weapons’ use and testing remind us that, behind doctrines, arsenals and considerations of strategic advantage, stand human persons whose inherent God-given dignity can never be subordinated to military or political interests,” Msgr. Robert Murphy, interim chargé d’affaires of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, said at a UN meeting on September 1. “Therefore, victim assistance is not merely a humanitarian response to past harm, but also an expression of justice and solidarity. International cooperation, financial support and technical evaluation are required to provide medical care, psychological support, and social welfare for individuals harmed by radiation and nuclear testing fallout,” Msgr. Murphy continued. “Particular attention must be given to communities that have borne disproportionate burdens, including indigenous peoples, to ensure they can participate meaningfully in decisions concerning their lives and future.” “Considering the risks associated with the potential for mass destruction of nuclear weapons, their complete elimination remains the surest means of preventing their catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequence,” Msgr. Murphy added, concluding: Those affected by nuclear weapons call on us not only to address the consequences of past harm, but also to allow their testimony to guide our choices for the future. By doing so, we can move beyond a culture of power and promote a vision of security that places the human person at its center, safeguards creation and serves the common good. - US bishops' Labor Day statement highlights challenges of AI (USCCB)
The chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development discussed the challenges of AI in this year’s USCCB Labor Day statement. Citing Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo’s encyclical on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence, Archbishop Shelton Fabre of Louisville said that “at first glance, the tasks may seem daunting: to ensure just development of AI systems, with worker participation, transparency and accountability; to protect good jobs, offer retraining where needed, and correct the power imbalances that are exacerbated by technology.” “As new technology reshapes our economy and our work, let us be ‘builders of communion,’ ensuring that innovation and development is for the benefit of all, not just a few, and that each person can contribute to the Kingdom of God through their work,” he concluded. - EU bishops argue against erasure of names from baptismal records (COMECE)
The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union published a 15-page position paper arguing against the erasure of names from baptismal records. In the Bisdom Gent case, the Court of Justice of the European Union is expected to rule on whether there a “right to data erasure” in baptismal registers under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation. - Kuwait cabinet minister affirms commitment to freedom of belief, worship (Arab Times)
Kuwait’s minister of Islamic affairs met with a Church spokesman on September 3 and affirmed the nation’s commitment to freedom of belief and worship. Islam is the official religion of Kuwait. The nation of 3.2 million is 78% Muslim, 15% Christian, and 5% Hindu. - Cardinal Cupich, nuns sue Illinois to stop law forcing them to help patients kill themselves (Becket Fund for Religious Liberty)
Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, the Little Sisters of the Poor, and a pharmacist filed suit to block the implementation of the State of Illinois’ new assisted suicide law. “The Gospel calls us to uphold the inviolable dignity and worth of the human person, from life’s first moment to its natural end,” said Cardinal Cupich. “As Catholics, we oppose efforts to undermine human dignity by pushing our brothers and sisters toward suicide. We pray that the courts will protect our freedom to continue advocating and caring for the sick and dying as our faith demands.” - Venice Patriarch rues approval of assisted suicide (Patriarcato di Venezia)
The Patriarch of Venice expressed his sorrow after Veneto (map) became the fourth Italian region to approve assisted suicide. Patriarch Francesco Moraglia expressed “great concern for fragile and lonely people, that is, for people who face old age and its epilogue not being able to count on effective human and emotional accompaniment and support.” - USCCB publishes Order of Enthronement of the Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe (USCCB)
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) yesterday published an online bilingual edition of the Order of Enthronement of the Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, originally published by the Mexican Episcopal Conference’s Episcopal Commission for Pastoral Liturgy. The USCCB also posted an accompanying text, “One Tilma, One Heart: Walking with Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Footsteps of Saint Juan Diego.” The text proposes the enthronement of “a faithful replica of the Tilma of Saint Juan Diego in every diocese of the United States, fostering a profound spiritual renewal and unity under the protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe.” - Vatican newspaper mourns Centro Aletti's Michelina Tenace (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
The Vatican newspaper published an obituary mourning the passing of Michelina Tenace, a theology professor at Pontifical Gregorian University, a consultor to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith since 2018, and since its inception a member of Centro Aletti, the art center in Rome formerly directed by Father Marko Rupnik. Tenace “possessed a rare ability to combine teaching with theological research; to unite theology and spirituality into a coherent vision of the mature Christian; to seek points of contact between the Church Fathers and contemporary issues; and, above all, to build bridges between the Christian East and West,” Dario Vitali wrote in his obituary. “She was always present and attentive, offering the chance for an exchange that was invariably genuine, profound, and enriching ... She leaves us a human, spiritual, and theological legacy that will never cease to bear fruit.” Centro Aletti “was born as a group of friends and continued to live friendship as a privileged ecclesial way,” the art center said in its announcement of her passing. “Michelina was at the heart of this reality and enriched it with the network of relationships that she personally cultivated.” Lipa, Centro Aletti’s publishing house, carries over a dozen of her works. Tenace joined Father Rupnik in contributing to books on the new evangelization and pastoral theology. - Man accused of murdering Kansas priest found not competent to stand trial (KSHB-TV)
The man accused of murdering a Kansas priest in his rectory last year was found not competent to stand trial. Gary Hermesch, who admitted to killing Father Arul Carasala, will be involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility. - Vatican newspaper highlights World Nomad Games (CWN)
L’Osservatore Romano devoted two articles in its September 3 edition to the World Nomad Games, which are taking place in Kyrgyzstan. - Cultivate your relationship with Christ and entrust yourselves to Mary, Pope tells seminarians (CWN)
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)
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. - Focus on the essentials and do not be afraid, Pope tells Arab bishops (CWN)
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.” - Pope Leo pays tribute to St. Gregory the Great (CWN)
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)
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.” - International Theological Commission publishes document on the Trinity and ecology (CWN)
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. - Cardinal Woelki 'deeply shaken' by situation of Christians in West Bank (Catholic Herald)
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)
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.” - Iran's crackdown on Christians intensifies (Catholic Connect)
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. - Haitian prelate appeals to President Trump to allow Haitians to remain in US (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
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.” - More...