Catholic News
- 'Shun mediocrity,' Pope tells seminarians (Dicastery for Communication)
In a letter marking the 400th anniversary of the major seminary in Trujillo, Peru, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the formation of seminarians and urged them to “shun mediocrity.” “Your first task remains the same: to be with the Lord, to let Him form you, to know and love Him, so that you may become like Him,” Pope Leo wrote. “Before anything else, it is necessary to allow the Lord to clarify one’s motivations and purify one’s intentions.” The Pope spoke of the importance of the spiritual life, of study that is “always in full communion with the Magisterium,” and of the self-giving of celibacy, obedience, and poverty. “In these, the priest is recognized as a true father, capable of guiding His spiritual children towards Christ with firmness and love. There is no such thing as half-hearted fatherhood, nor half-hearted priesthood.” - Pope, in video, prays for those struggling with suicidal thoughts (The Pope Video)
In a video associated with the monthly papal prayer intention, Pope Leo XIV prayed for those struggling with suicidal thoughts. “May they always find a community that welcomes them, listens to them, and accompanies them,” he prayed. “Give all of us an attentive and compassionate heart, capable of offering comfort and support, also with the necessary professional help.” - Vatican cautions against Marian title: 'Co-Redemptrix' (CWN)
In a document released on November 4, the Vatican discourages referring to the Virgin Mary as “Co-Redemptrix,” explaining that the title can convey an inaccurate understanding of Mary’s role in the work of salvation. - European bishops sign revised Ecumenical Charter (CCEE)
The presidents of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) signed a revised Charta Oecumenica (Ecumenical Charter) in Rome yesterday. “This Charta equips us to respond together to the wounds of war, displacement, and the ethical challenges of new technologies,” said Archbishop Gintaras Grušas of Vilnius, Lithuania, the president of the CCEE. “We are stronger when we stand together.” The CCEE represents European Catholic bishops’ conferences; the CEC is a fellowship of over 100 Orthodox and Protestant communities. The original Charta Oecumenica was signed in 2001. - DDF had no doubts that Newman should be declared doctor of the Church, official says (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
In remarks delivered at Pontifical Urban University, the secretary of the doctrinal section of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith reflected on the significance of Pope Leo XIV’s proclamation of St. John Henry Newman as the 38th doctor of the Church. Newman “was not only faithful to the Church’s magisterium but also developed a theological knowledge so enlightened and illuminating that it could inspire theological research of the present and future,” said Msgr. Armando Matteo. “I would like to point out here that, when the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith received the request to verify the presence of eminent doctrine in Newman’s extensive body of work, none of us had any doubts. And the process for this request was initiated and concluded rather quickly.” - Papal message marks Norcia basilica's reopening (Vatican News (Italian))
Vatican News, the news agency of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, has published excerpts of a papal message for the reopening of the earthquake-ravaged Basilica of St. Benedict in Norcia, Italy. In the message, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, Pope Leo described the reopening as “a sign of religious rebirth.” The basilica’s reconstruction, added the message, was “deeply felt and long awaited by many people, not only in Umbria but also in Italy and other countries.” - Religious freedom an important component of development, Vatican official says (Holy See Mission)
Hailing UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) as a “beacon of hope” during a recent meeting of the organization, a Vatican official offered some reflections on human development. “Development cannot be reduced to mere figures and indicators,” said Msgr. Daniel Pacho, Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs of the Section for Relations with States and International Organizations. “Above all, it is about people, especially those living in poverty and in dire need.” “Another important condition for integral human development is religious freedom,” he added. “Although religious extremism can sometimes hinder the exercise of the right to religious freedom, intentionally spreading religious indifference or practical atheism by countries also creates obstacles to true human development.” - Texas voters approve parental rights amendment (Religion Clause)
By a 70%-30% margin, Texas voters have enshrined a parental rights amendment in the state’s constitution: To enshrine truths that are deeply rooted in this nation’s history and traditions, the people of Texas hereby affirm that a parent has the responsibility to nurture and protect the parent’s child and the corresponding fundamental right to exercise care, custody, and control of the parent’s child, including the right to make decisions concerning the child’s upbringing. The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops supported the amendment. - USCCB, CRS urge world leaders to address climate change (USCCB)
The chairman of two committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, joined by the president of Catholic Relief Services, called on world leaders to act urgently to address climate change at COP30, the upcoming UN climate conference in Brazil. “Climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation are devastating communities already burdened by poverty and exclusion,” said Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, and Sean Callahan. “We call on world leaders to act urgently and courageously for an ambitious Paris Agreement implementation that protects God’s creation and people.” - Mexico's bishops lament mayor's assassination (Conferencia del Episcopado Mexicano)
The Episcopal Conference of Mexico issued a statement lamenting the assassination of Carlos Manzo, a mayor known for his stance against organized crime. Manzo was mayor of Uruapan, a city of 300,000 in Michoacán state. “As the Church, we raise our voice and demand an end to this fratricidal violence,” the leaders of the episcopal conference wrote. “We urge the authorities to decisively and intelligently assume their responsibility to guarantee security and the Rule of Law. We walk alongside our communities, offering hope, accompaniment, and defense of life in every region of the country.” - Resurrection is 'the foundation of faith,' Pope tells audience (Vatican News)
At his regular Wednesday audience on November 5, Pope Leo XIV spoke about Christ’s Resurrection, saying that it is “not an idea, not a theory, but the event that is the foundation of faith.” The Resurrection, the Pope said, is the “assurance of always being able to find the lodestar toward which we can direct our seemingly chaotic lives.” He continued: It is the quintessential ‘Gospel,’ which attests to the victory of love over sin and of life over death, and this is why it is the only thing capable of satisfying the demand for meaning that troubles our minds and our hearts. - Jury awards $4.8M to Minnesota abuse victim (KROC)
A jury has awarded $4.8M to a victim of historic sexual abuse in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, five years after the diocese emerged from bankruptcy proceedings. The victim stated he was abused by the now-laicized Joseph Cashman in the 1970s. The victim first reported the abuse in 1991. As part of the 2021 bankruptcy settlement, the diocese paid $22 million to abuse victims. The plaintiff who was awarded $4.8 million filed his lawsuit in 2023. - Pope speaks on US immigration crisis, Rupnik trial, Gaza truce (CNA)
Pope Leo XIV offered comments on the treatment of illegal immigrants by the Trump administration, the pending trial of Father Marko Rupnik, and the “fragile” truce in Gaza, during an exchange with reporters at Castel Gandolfo on November 4. The Pope urged US authorities to “allow pastoral workers to attend to the needs” of detained immigrants. Stressing that a society is judged by its treatment of those in need, the Pontiff called for “deep reflection” on how immigrants are being treated. Questioned about the display of Father Rupnik’s art in many churches, the Pope remarked that some sites have removed or covered over the art. “That issue is certainly something that we’re aware of,” he said. The Pontiff went on to remind reporters that Vatican trial of Father Rupnik—who is charged with spiritual and sexual abuse—will soon take place. He said: I know it is very hard for victims to be asked for patience, but the Church must respect the rights of all individuals. The presumption of innocence until proven guilty applies in the Church as well. We hope this process will bring clarity and justice for everyone involved. Regarding the situation in Gaza, the Pope said that a “very fragile” truce is holding, but movement is needed toward a more stable and lasting accord. He went on to question Israel’s policy regarding settlements on the West Bank, saying: “Israel said one thing, but sometimes it does another.” Pope Leo also suggested that the US should “seek dialogue” with Venezuela rather than using military action to stop drug trafficking. He argued that “violence never brings victory.” - Tanzania's bishops denounce government oppression (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
The secretary-general of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference denounced “the systematic violation of fundamental human rights” in his nation “through the kidnapping and killing of politicians and those who opposed the government.” The bishops there have “called for national prayers and condemned the disappearances, kidnappings, and the abduction of politicians and other opposition party representatives,” said Father Charles Kitima. “The episcopal conference even wrote open letters condemning these acts and telling the government that it must sit at the negotiating table and engage in dialogue with the opposition political parties.” Pope Leo XIV recently lamented election violence in Tanzania. The East African nation of 67.5 million (map) is 56% Christian (22% Catholic), 33% Muslim, and 10% ethnic religionist. - Adhere to space treaty's nuclear weapons ban, Vatican diplomat urges (Holy See Mission)
In his second statement in recent days on outer space, a leading Vatican diplomat called for adherence to the Outer Space Treaty (1967), which bans nuclear weapons in space. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, apostolic nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, said that “states must promote responsible behavior in outer space and fully respect the principles and obligations enshrined in the Treaty, particularly its Article IV, which prohibits the placement of nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit, on celestial bodies, or anywhere else in outer space.” Earlier this year, NATO’s secretary-general expressed concern that Russia may deploy nuclear weapons in space. - Vatican to issue document on monogamy (CNA)
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) will issue a document on monogamy later this month, Father Armando Matteo, the DDF secretary, announced on November 4. The DDF has prepared the document in response to requests that arose during the Synod on Synodality, Father Matteo said. He reported that African bishops had requested guidance from the Vatican as they planned a pastoral response to the widespread practice of polygamy. The document will be entitled: We Two: In Praise of Monogamy. Doctrinal Note on the Value of Marriage, Exclusive Communion, and Mutual Belonging. - Apostolic visitor appointed for Emmanuel Community (Tribune Chrétienne )
The Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life has appointed Archbishop Antoine Hérouard of Dijon, France, as apostolic visitor of the Emmanuel Community. “Several bishops and members of the Community have sent detailed reports to the dicastery, expressing their concerns about internal governance, the centralization of power and the difficulty of integration into diocesan life,” Tribune Chrétienne reported. Archbishop Hérouard had previously led the apostolic visitation of the Diocese of Fréjus-Toulon. Following the visitation, Bishop Dominique Rey resigned at Pope Francis’s request. - Nigeria: one kidnapped seminarian released; another dead (Fides)
The Auchi diocese in southern Nigeria has announced that one of three teenage seminarians who were kidnapped in July has been freed, while another died in captivity. Joshua Aleobua was released on November 4, the diocese said. But Emmanuel Alabi died in captivity. The third seminarian who had been seized in an armed assault on July 10, Japhet Jesse, had been released on July 18. - French bishop disciplined for relationships with women (French bishops' conference (French))
A French bishop who resigned in September has been directed to live in seclusion and refrain from public ministry, because of reports of inappropriate relationships with women, the French episcopal conference has disclosed. Bishop Jean-Paul Gusching resigned in September 27 from his post in the Diocese of Verdun. He denies the charges of misconduct, and the French bishops’ conference reports that charges are “fragmentary and contradictory.” But the Vatican opened an investigation, which is still in process, and the Pope asked for Bishop Gusching’s resignation. In revealing the disciplinary action, the episcopal conference acknowledged that the “health reasons” that Bishop Gusching cited in announcing his resignation were “only one element of the Holy Father’s motivation for accepting it.” - Papal prayers for peace in Myanmar (Vatican News)
As he concluded his Wednesday public audience on November 5, Pope Leo XIV called for prayers “for all who are tried by the violence of war in different parts of the world.” He made a special mention of the people of Myanmar, urging world leaders to “provide the necessary humanitarian assistance” for the estimated 3 million people who have been driven from their homes in fighting since the military coup of 2021. - More...