Catholic News
- Celebrate your Catholic origins and follow Newman's example, Pope tells Oriel College designation (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV received a delegation from Oriel College on September 4 and encouraged the delegation’s members to celebrate the college’s Catholic origins and to follow the example of St. John Henry Newman (1801-1890). - Holy See renews call for ratification of Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (Holy See Mission)
A Vatican diplomat marked the International Day Against Nuclear Tests by calling for the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. According to the provisions of the treaty, signed in 1996, the treaty cannot enter into force until all 44 countries that then had nuclear reactors ratify the treaty. Nine nations have not done so: China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, and the United States. “The Holy See renews its appeal for the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which, three decades after its adoption, remains an urgent priority if it is to achieve its full potential and further strengthen the global norm against nuclear testing,” said Msgr. Robert Murphy, interim chargé d’affaires of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations. “The prohibition of nuclear explosive testing is an essential component of the broader moral and legal imperative to ensure the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and to eliminate existing ones.” Msgr. Murphy also affirmed the “Holy See’s unwavering support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, as well as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.” Most of the world’s nations, including the United States, are parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, signed in 1968. Seventy-five nations—none of them nuclear powers—are parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, signed in 2017. - Latvia's president, Pontiff discuss peace (CWN)
President Edgars Rinkēvičs of Latvia discussed peace during a September 4 audience with Pope Leo XIV. - Nearly 30% of Pakistan's Catholics expected at national Marian pilgrimage (Fides)
Despite a forecast of severe rain, more than 500,000 of Pakistan’s nearly 1.7 million Catholics are expected to take part in the annual national Marian pilgrimage this weekend at the national Marian shrine in Mariamabad. “Many people have already reached Mariamabad, while thousands more from all the dioceses of Pakistan are traveling in pilgrim caravans: on foot, by bicycle, motorcycle, truck and bus,” said Father Qaisar Feroz, O.F.M. Cap., spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan. “It is an impressive nationwide mobilization of faith: families travel thousands of kilometers to pray to Mary, place themselves under her mantle, entrust their lives and difficulties to her, and implore graces from their heavenly Mother.” - Jordan is an example for entire Middle East, bishop says (Vatican News (Italian))
A bishop who ministers in Jordan’s capital upheld the nation as an example for the entire Middle East. “It is true, we aren’t just pretending; this is the daily life we experience: tranquility, peace, openness, and moderation,” Auxiliary Bishop Iyad Twal of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem told Vatican News. “Occasionally, we face problems here too, but that is normal; such issues exist everywhere, even in Europe. Yet Jordan stands as an example, and it shouldn’t be considered unusual; the entire Middle East ought to be this way.” Summarizing his remarks, the news agency of the Dicastery for Communication reported: An oasis of peace amidst the winds of war in the Middle East. A Muslim-majority country where Christians live respected and feel like full citizens. A hospitable land that hosts 3.5 million refugees out of a population of 11 million, and which is preparing to mark the 2000th anniversary of the Baptism of Jesus in 2030. This is how Bishop Iyad Twal, Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan, describes the situation in his country. - 278 million children denied right to education because of war, other factors, Vatican newspaper laments (CWN)
In its September 4 edition, L’Osservatore Romano devoted a prominent front-page article and a special section to children denied their right to an education because of war and other factors. - Scholas Occurrentes, Vatican official ponder 'AI and human meaning' (Scholas Occurrentes)
Scholas Occurrentes, the pontifical educational foundation founded by Pope Francis, is hosting a three-day conference in Bali, Indonesia, on “artificial intelligence and human meaning.” Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kankanamalage, secretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, told participants that “our task is to ensure that artificial intelligence becomes not an instrument of domination, but an instrument of human flourishing. Not a substitute for encounter, but a means of strengthening encounter. Not a source of darkness, but a tool that helps us search for the light.” - L'Osservatore Romano hails publication of Breviary of St. Francis of Assisi (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
The Vatican newspaper hailed the publication, by Edizioni Antonianum, of the Breviarium sancti Francisci (Breviary of St. Francis), edited by Danimir Pezer. “Amid the many conferences and publications marking” the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death, the volume “stands out,” said the newspaper. L’Osservatore Romano also republished the edition’s introduction, written by Father Cassian Folsom, O.S.B., founder of the Monastery of St. Benedict in Norcia, Italy. St. Francis of Assisi placed great emphasis upon the praying of the Divine Office: he devoted Chapter 3 of his Rule of 1221 and his Rule of 1223 to the topic. - Record-breaking Mass attendance at Ohio State University (Catholic Times (Columbus))
The Columbus diocesan newspaper reported that more than 1,600 students at Ohio State University attended Sunday Mass at the Catholic student center during the second weekend of the new academic year—a record outside of Easter Sunday. “Jesus is becoming the new trend,” said a senior at the university. “I love that, and I’m so excited to capitalize on that because there’s a void, and people are noticing that in their hearts, and I think this is just such a welcoming place.” - 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. - More...