Catholic News
- Ecumenical Patriarch renews call for Christian unity, condemns attack on Gaza parish (Ecumenical Patriarchate)
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who holds a primacy of honor among the Orthodox churches, received members of a joint Catholic-Orthodox US pilgrimage led by Cardinal Joseph Tobin, CSSR, of Newark and Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. Earlier, Pope Leo had greeted the pilgrims while they were in Rome. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew spoke of his “sacred desire for unity—a unity not grounded in uniformity, but in the shared truth of the Gospel, in mutual love, and in our common baptism into the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Ecumenical Patriarch also condemned the Israeli military strike on Gaza’s Catholic parish: We condemn this horrendous act against the Holy Family Church, which held a very special place in the heart of the late Pope Francis, who, even during the difficult period of his hospitalization, did not cease to call the priest of this community on a daily basis since the outburst of the war. This was an attack not only on a place of worship, but on a sanctuary where hundreds of people, irrespective of religion, found a home and a shelter during this period of trial and tribulation. - Caritas rips Israeli actions in Gaza (Caritas Internationalis)
Caritas Internationalis, the Church’s federation of relief and development agencies, issued a blistering statement denouncing Israel’s “merciless attacks on the civilian population of Gaza and those who are trying to help them and bring humanitarian relief.” The charity also lamented the continued holding of 50 hostages by Hamas. “People are being starved to the point of famine; children are bombed while waiting for therapeutic nutrition and vaccines,” the charity stated. “For the love of the God of Abraham and in the name of humanity, Caritas Internationalis as the humanitarian arm of the Catholic Church, demands the Israeli Government immediately stop its atrocities and persecution of the Palestinians.” Stating that “history will not forgive this barbarism and complicity,” Caritas demanded that nations “stop the military support to the state of Israel or any other support that aids or abets it in these atrocities.” Caritas also denounced proposals to remove Palestinians from Gaza: The Israeli Government is planning to forcibly evict the entire population of almost 2 million people of Gaza to a non-existent camp in Rafah, which Ehud Olmert, former Prime Minister of Israel, has described as a “concentration camp” and “part of an ethnic cleansing.” - HHS investigation demands 'transparency' in organ transplantation (CatholicVote)
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has called for “system-level changes to safeguard potential organ donors nationally” following reports that “hospitals allowed the organ-procurement process to begin when patients showed signs of life.” Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the HHS Secretary, said that an investigation of organ-procurement policies had produces “horrifying” results. Examining 351 cases in which organ donation had been authorized, the investigation found found 103 cases with “concerning features, ncluding 73 patients with neurological signs incompatible with organ donation.” - Pope returns from Castel Ganolfo to Vatican (Crux)
Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican on July 23 after a brief working vacation at Castel Gondolfo. During a short meeting with journalists before his departure from the papal summer residence, the Pope called for an end to the arms trade.” - Cardinal Parolin issues renewed call for end to Holy Land violence (Vatican News)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, issued a renewed call for an to violence in Gaza. Cardinal Parolin said that Christians and others who have died in attacks there “are the object of an unacceptable violence; all are victims of a conflict that must end as soon as possible.” “We take them all into our hearts, we truly feel them all present within us, and for all—for everyone—we implore the peace of God and, above all, through their sacrifice, their blood, we pray for the end of this tragedy,” he added. - Injured Gaza priest recounts strike on parish (Vatican News)
Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of Gaza’s sole Catholic parish, recounted the Israeli strike on the parish that left three dead. “The shrapnel, not only the shrapnel, but also the rocks fell on two elderly women who were under the church in a tent, and they died,” he told Vatican media. He also described the serious injuries suffered by a religious-order postulant. “We continue to pray for peace, to try to convince the world that this war will bring no good,” added the priest, who was wounded in the attack. “We’ve lost so much, we’ve suffered so much, and we continue to suffer.” - French archbishop raps colleague for appointed convicted rapist (Pillar)
In a rare public public rebuke by one prelate to another, Bishop Hervé Giraud of Viviers has criticized Archbishop Guy de Kerimel for appointing a priest who had served a prison sentence for rape to become chancellor of the archdiocese. Bishop Giraud said that he was “appalled” by the appointment. While Archbishop de Kerimel had said he was showing mercy to the priest, Bishop Giraud countered: “I don’t think a bishop can show mercy without taking into account the victims.” Bishop Giraud said that his public criticism was a case of “fraternal correction.” - Pakistani court orders investigation into misuse of nation's blasphemy laws (Fides)
The Islamabad High Court ordered Pakistan’s government to establish a commission to investigate the misuse of the nation’s anti-blasphemy laws, particularly by online extortionists. Khalil Tahir Sandhu, a Catholic attorney, said that “this directive offers hope to the affected families ... The blasphemy law in Pakistan, as it stands today, lends itself to being exploited and manipulated.” Islam is the official religion of the South Asian nation of 252 million (map), the fifth most populous in the world. 95% of Pakistan’s people are Muslim; 2% are Christian, and 1% are Hindu. The use of blasphemy laws has been part of the persecution of Christians there. - Indian bishop blasts parishioners' discrimination against lower castes (AsiaNews)
Bishop Jeevanandam Amalanathan of Kumbakonam refused to participate in a traditional procession at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Kottapalayam, explaining that he objected to “persisting caste discrimination in the parish.” Dalit Catholics—members of what was once known as the “untouchable” caste—had protested that they were excluded from involvement in the organization of the annual festival. “Inside the church there is no discrimination,” the bishop said. “However, concerning the outside celebrations, non-Dalits do not allow the Dalits to participate.” - FBI investigated priest who refused to disclose conversations with convert (CNA)
The FBI office in Richmond, Virginia started an investigation of a local Catholic priest after the priest declined to answer questions about his conversations with a man who was interested in entering the Catholic Church, the House Judiciary Committee reports. The FBI monitored the priest’s travel and credit-card purchases, looking for more information, according to the House report, which found: “There appeared to be no legitimate law-enforcement purpose for investigating this priest.” The Richmond FBI office was the source of a controversial memo suggesting an investigation of “radical traditionalist” Catholic communities. - Vatican diplomat calls for renewed commitment to multilateralism (Holy See Mission)
Addressing a forum of the UN Economic and Social Council, a Vatican diplomat said on July 22 that “my Delegation upholds the necessity for a renewed multilateral cooperation system that is rooted in the UN’s founding principles for transformative change.” “Dialogue, respect and commitment must guide the shared commitment to achieve the common good,” said Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, apostolic nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations. “Furthermore, increased investment in families as the bedrock of society, together with accessible, quality education and healthcare are also essential for individuals and societies to flourish.” - In DR Congo, Church and state clash over pregnant girls in schools (Pillar)
The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo ordered schools not to expel girls who become pregnant, causing a Church-state clash. As a matter of policy, pregnant girls are expelled from Catholic schools and asked to attend state schools instead. The Central African nation of 115.4 million (map) is 95% Christian (51% Catholic), with 2% adhering to ethnic religions. Pope Francis made an apostolic journey there in 2023. - Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church publishes synodal resolutions (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church)
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has published the 37 resolutions approved at its recent synod of bishops. The synod’s theme was “Pastoral Care for Families during Wartime.” - 3,500 US youth expected in Rome for jubilee (USCCB)
3,500 young people from the United States are expected in Rome for the upcoming Jubilee of Young People. The young pilgrims from the United States will take part in a July 30 gathering in the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls; the US bishops’ conference will livestream the event. - Pope remembers Cardinal Vingt-Trois as 'good and zealous shepherd' (Vatican News)
Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram of condolence to Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris following the death of Cardinal André Vingt-Trois. Pope Leo described the cardinal as a “good and zealous shepherd” during his 12 years as archbishop of Paris. The Pope prayed that “having given himself in pastoral ministry and having, in his final days, shared in the Cross of Christ in his own flesh, the Risen Lord may now welcome him into His home of rest, peace, and light.” - Papal prayer after Bangladeshi jet crashes into school (Vatican News)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, sent a telegram in the Holy Father’s name following the crash of a Bangladesh air force jet into a school. Pope Leo “entrusts the deceased to the merciful love of the Almighty” and is “praying that their families and friends may be consoled in their grief, and for the healing and comfort of the injured,” Cardinal Parolin wrote. The crash killed 32 people and injured 165. - Cardinal Parolin laments destruction of Gaza, starvation of its population (Vatican News)
In an interview with an Italian news program, the Secretary of State of His Holiness lamented “war without limits” in Gaza. Cardinal Pietro Parolin said, “How can a population like that of Gaza be destroyed and starved like this? Many boundaries have already been crossed.” Cardinal Parolin welcomed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s phone call to Pope Leo XIV following the Israeli military strike on Gaza’s Catholic parish. Cardinal Parolin called for a “serious” investigation into incident, adding: Let’s take the time needed to truly understand what happened—whether it really was a mistake, something which can legitimately be doubted, or whether there was a deliberate intent to strike a Christian church, knowing how Christians serve as a moderating force in the Middle East, including in relations between Palestinians and Jews. If that’s the case, it would mean that once again, there’s an intention to eliminate any element that might help lead to at least a ceasefire, and eventually, peace. - Israel's actions in Gaza are unjustifiable, Jerusalem cardinal says (Vatican News (Italian))
After returning from a three-day visit to Gaza, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem described Israel’s actions there as “not justifiable.” “As the Pope rightly said—and we continually repeat—all of this is not justifiable,” Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, told Vatican News.” I’d like to clarify one thing: we have nothing against the Jewish world, and we absolutely don’t want to appear to be against Israeli society and Judaism. But we have a moral duty to express our criticism of this government’s policies in Gaza with absolute clarity and frankness.” The prelate, who visited Gaza’s Catholic parish from July 18 to 20, said that he was struck by the “enormous expanses of tents that weren’t there before,” as well as “the mutilated children” in hospitals, “blinded by the effects of the bombings.” - 'You are in the heart of the Pope,' Leo XIV tells Middle East's Christians (Dicastery for Communication)
At the conclusion of his July 20 Angelus address, Pope Leo XIV pleaded for peace in the Middle East and read aloud the names of those killed in the Israeli military strike on Gaza’s Catholic parish. “I express my profound sadness regarding last Thursday’s attack by the Israeli army on the Catholic Parish of the Holy Family in Gaza City, which as you know killed three Christians and gravely wounded others,” the Pope said. “I pray for the victims, Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad, Najwa Ibrahim Latif Abu Daoud, and I am particularly close to their families and to all the parishioners.” “Sadly, this act adds to the continuous military attacks against the civilian population and places of worship in Gaza,” he continued. “I again call for an immediate halt to the barbarism of the war and for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.” The Pope added: I renew my appeal to the international community to observe humanitarian law and to respect the obligation to protect civilians, as well as the prohibition of collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force and the forced displacement of the population. To our beloved Middle Eastern Christians I say: I deeply sympathize with your feeling that you can do little in the face of this grave situation. You are in the heart of the Pope and of the whole Church. Thank you for your witness of faith. May the Virgin Mary, woman of the Levant, dawn of the new Sun that has risen in history, protect you always and accompany the world towards the dawn of peace. - The world can no longer tolerate war, Pope tells journalists (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
In a brief exchange with journalists on July 20, Pope Leo XIV said that the world “can no longer tolerate war.” “There is so much conflict, so many wars,” he said. “We must truly work for peace, pray with trust in God, but also work” toward peace. Referring to his phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Pope Leo spoke of the “need to protect the sacred places of all religions,” as well as to work with “respect for people” to end “so much violence, so much hatred, so many wars.” - More...