CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News

Let us commit ourselves to living as Jesus did, Pope tells West African youth (CWN)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 07:09:04 GMT

Pope Leo XIV encouraged participants in the first West African Youth Days to commit themselves to living as Jesus lived, and in doing so to reach out to the marginalized.

Synod study groups offer proposals for ad limina visits; relations between bishops, religious superiors (CWN)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 09:09:28 GMT

The General Secretariat of the Synod yesterday released the final report of one of the study groups formed during the synod on synodality, as well as the second part of the final report of another study group.

Without the Gospel, Church programs become 'blah blah,' Vatican prefect tells new bishops (Fides)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:09:44 GMT

The prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy told new bishops from missionary dioceses that without a grounding in the Gospel, “everything else, including the wonderful program of a synodal and missionary Church, risks remaining ‘blah blah’: words, programs and activities that do not change the hearts of people and the life of communities.”

Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik said yesterday that he prioritizes “being, not doing,” living as a disciple of Jesus, cultivating relationships with collaborators rather than focusing on activities, and “keeping our eyes fixed on the one Teacher: the Crucified and Risen One.”

Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, a Nigerian prelate who serves as secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization, also addressed the new bishops. He described missionary dioceses as the “Church of the sheaves,” the fruit of the labors of missionaries. He observed:

Unfortunately, sometimes when some people from our local Churches today insist on remaining faithful to those teachings of the missionaries, they are tagged as conservatives.

Many in the West want them to abandon the teachings received from the missionaries from the West, to embrace new and untested values that are taught by persons who do not and cannot stand any comparison with the missionaries in their conviction and fraternal solidarity. We cannot abandon our heritage or neglect the past, since the future is rooted in it.

Pontifical Academy for Life president: Catholics can support 'imperfect' euthanasia law (Catholic Herald)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:09:16 GMT

The president of the Pontifical Academy for Life said that Catholics could support a law permitting euthanasia if one believes that it could prevent the enactment of an even more permissive law.

“From the Catholic perspective, the issue boils down to assessing whether we are dealing with an ‘imperfect law,’ to which it would nonetheless be morally right to give one’s consent, given that Parliament might instead readily approve more permissive and libertarian laws that are far more detrimental to the dignity of the sick and the value of life,” Archbishop Renzo Pegoraro said in an interview.

Another bishop consecrated in China (Vatican Press Office)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:09:06 GMT

The Holy See Press Office announced that Father Andrew Ding Yang, 44, was consecrated archbishop of Chongqing, China, on September 8.

Typically, the Holy See Press Office announces a bishop’s appointment, rather than his consecration. In announcing the prelate’s consecration, the press office stated that Pope Leo, “having approved his candidacy within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China,” made the appointment on July 28.

The announcement follows two similar consecrations in July, for the dioceses of Chifeng and Bameng, and one in August, for the Diocese of Datong.

USCCB publishes homily suggestions ahead of midterm elections (USCCB)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:09:18 GMT

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) published “Preaching on Faithful Citizenship 2026-Year A,” a set of homily suggestions for Sundays between September 13 and November 1, leading up to the midterm elections.

“With the intention of supporting ongoing efforts for conscience formation, this guide identifies possible ways to connect the call to Faithful Citizenship with the lectionary readings during an eight-week period,” the bishops’ conference stated. The homily suggestions were prepared by the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, chaired by Archbishop Shelton Fabre of Louisville, in consultation with members of the Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.

The USCCB also posted “Preaching Faithful Citizenship and the Call to Put Faith Before Politics,” a video reflection by Bishop Daniel Flores, Archbishop William Lori, and Archbishop Alexander Sample, and “Outlines for Clergy Formation on Faithful Citizenship,” a 26-page document.

New Jersey Catholic Conference calls for continued pro-life witness after governor signs law (New Jersey Catholic Conference)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 09:09:50 GMT

The New Jersey Catholic Conference, which represents the state’s bishops on matters of public policy, encouraged a continued prayerful, peaceful presence at abortion clinics after Gov. Mike Sherrill signed legislation expanding criminal and civil penalties against those who “intimidate” or “interfere with” abortionists and mothers seeking abortions.

“Our call to be a peaceful, prayerful presence for mothers and their children has not changed,” the New Jersey Catholic Conference said. “This new law does not stop you from praying, witnessing, or offering help outside a facility—it simply draws a clear line around a small set of specific actions. You are encouraged to be aware of that line, stay confidently on the right side of it, and continue this important ministry without fear.”

The Catholic conference’s document offers guidance on which actions are legally permissible and which actions are not.

“This new law does not stop you from praying and standing peacefully on a public sidewalk without blocking anyone,” the document concluded. “As with any new law, how it’s enforced in practice might vary and will likely become clearer over time. Take courage to continue this ministry peacefully, prudently, and confidently.”

Archbishop Gallagher recalls Cardinal Merry del Val's example of diplomacy (Vatican News)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:09:53 GMT

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, paid tribute to the diplomacy of the Servant of God Rafael Merry del Val (1865-1930), a staunch ally of Pope St. Pius X in his efforts to combat Modernism.

Speaking in Assisi on September 7, Archbishop Gallagher recalled that Cardinal Merry del Val was Pope Pius XI’s legate to Assisi in 1926 for the commemoration of the 700th anniversary of St. Francis’s death. A meeting between Cardinal Merry del Val and Italy’s education minister helped pave the way for the Lateran Treaty of 1929, in which Italy recognized the Pope’s sovereignty over Vatican City.

“No agreement is born without a willingness to meet,” said Archbishop Gallagher, and gestures of reconciliation may eventually bear fruit in “just and lasting rules.”

El Niño threatens Africa, Vatican newspaper warns (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 07:09:22 GMT

The Vatican newspaper warned that “alarm is growing across Africa regarding the potential impact of El Niño on the continent this year.”

“The consequences go beyond climate; effects will be felt in the economy, agriculture, and even education,” Cosimo Graziani reported in a front-page article in the newspaper’s September 8 edition.

Graziani cited, among other reports, a UNICEF statement that warned that the “nutrition, health, access to safe water and sanitation, education, and safety” of more than 162 million children are at risk.

'Mary is the dawn of a different day,' Pope preaches at Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel (CWN)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 07:09:12 GMT

Pope Leo XIV traveled yesterday to the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, Italy, where he offered a golden rose to the Blessed Mother, unveiled a fresco, and celebrated the Mass of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary last evening (video).

Indonesia's bishops rue corruption (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:09:47 GMT

Amid anti-corruption protests in Indonesia, bishops and priests have spoken of the need for the Church to assume a prophetic but apolitical role.

The bishops’ “concerns include corruption, inequality, and the fragility of public ethics, the deterioration of the quality of democracy, and the risk that public policies may be oriented more toward the interests of elites than the common good,” the Vatican newspaper reported.

“Christian prophecy—the bishops observe—does not consist in taking the place of politics, but in reminding politics of its ultimate goal: service to the individual and the community, and the courage to denounce whatever wounds human dignity, corruption, injustice, inequality, the abuse of power, and indifference toward the most vulnerable,” the article added.

Vatican diplomat: Women should play a much greater role in peace processes (Holy See Mission)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:09:01 GMT

A Vatican diplomat called for efforts to foster women’s leadership to promote a culture of peace.

Addressing a UN forum on the topic, Msgr. Robert Murphy, interim chargé d’affaires of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, said that “the essential contribution of women to building and sustaining peace is to be reaffirmed.”

“Women can and should play a much greater role in all these processes which are intended to heal societies fractured by violence and chaos,” Msgr. Murphy continued. “However, achieving this requires actions that enable women to exercise their leadership.”

Ukrainian Catholic leader reflects on AI, risk of dehumanization (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 07:09:33 GMT

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church said in an interview that “it is essential that artificial intelligence not replace human beings, nor be used against human dignity.”

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk warned that “it is imperative that human beings not become slaves to the fruits of their own culture, to what they themselves have created.”

“What artificial intelligence will never be able to do is to love,” he added. “We must still become ‘human’ with a capital ‘H.’ And this happens when we contemplate the face of God or speak with Him. For we are made in the image of God.”

Lay pastoral coordinator murdered in Philippines (Fides)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:09:56 GMT

A lay pastoral coordinator of a Philippine parish was murdered on August 31.

Eduardo Balindres was shot multiple times by unknown assailants in Matalam (map), which is located in a region where both Islamist and Communist rebels have been active.

Bishop José Colin Mendoza Bagaforo of Kidapawan condemned the murder, warned against revenge, and said that “those responsible for the killing must answer through the proper process of law and justice.”

10,000 pro-lifers fill London's streets at March for Life (Catholic Herald)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 09:09:22 GMT

A record 15 bishops joined the estimated 10,000 participants in the March for Life UK on September 5.

“We want to say today that human life matters, that every life matters, from first moments of conception to natural death, and we’re doing that joyfully, with great confidence and with great love,” said Archbishop John Wilson of Southwark.

Patriarch, Notre Dame launch Jerusalem peace research initiative (Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:09:12 GMT

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, O.F.M., the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, yesterday inaugurated Within Your Gates in conjunction with the University of Notre Dame.

The Patriarchate said that the interdisciplinary research initiative will “bring together scholars and practitioners from different faith traditions and disciplines to engage with Jerusalem’s universal mission and its significance not only for those who reside within the Holy Land but for all humanity.”

“The mission of earthly Jerusalem is to become the image and mirror of heavenly Jerusalem, a prophecy and promise of that universal reconciliation and peace which God desires for the whole human family,” said Cardinal Pizzaballa. “It is to this mission that we must return.”

USCCB publishes brief text on AI (USCCB)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:09:27 GMT

The U.S. bishops’ conference published a one-page document, “10 Essential Steps for Keeping Artificial Intelligence at the Service of Humanity,” on September 3.

The steps include “Safeguard the Inherent Dignity of All Human Life,” “Protect Children and the Vulnerable,” and “Promote the Dignity of Work.”

Hong Kong court upholds Cardinal Zen's conviction (AP)

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 08:09:32 GMT

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.

German Catholic, Protestant leaders deplore AfD victory (Deutsche Bischofskonferenz)

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 10:09:04 GMT

The chairman of the German bishops’ conference, joined by the leaders of the Lutheran church and the ecumenical Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen (Association of Christian Churches), issued a statement today deploring the landslide victory of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the Saxony-Anhalt state election.

“Our worst fears have been realized, but the result must be accepted,” said Bishop Heinrich Wilmer, S.C.J., of Münster and the two other Christian leaders. “The churches are particularly concerned about the coexistence and cooperation of the people in Saxony-Anhalt, and especially about respecting the God-given human dignity that belongs unconditionally to everyone. This concern also extends to the free and democratic order in Saxony-Anhalt.”

“We will closely observe and critically monitor the political actions of the future state government,” the Christian leaders vowed. “We will not look away, and we will not remain silent when human dignity is violated, our democracy is jeopardized, or the rule of law is undermined.”

Bishop Wilmer, Rt. Rev. Kirsten Fehrs, and Rev. Christopher Easthill also acknowledged that “the election result shows how great the dissatisfaction and the loss of trust are. This must be taken seriously.”

Founded in 2013, the AfD party has faced strong criticism for its positions on immigration and Islam.

Cardinal Ouellet wins defamation suit against accuser (Pillar)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:09:50 GMT

The prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for Bishops won a defamation suit against the woman who accused him of sexual assault.

A Quebec judge awarded Cardinal Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., $100,000 Canadian ($72,000 U.S.). The 82-year-old prelate said he would donate the award to organizations that combat sexual abuse against Canada’s indigenous people.

The abuse allegations against Cardinal Ouellet became public in 2022. The Vatican determined that there was insufficient evidence to warrant a canonical trial.