Catholic News

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Confirmations in the traditional rite will no longer be allowed in the Archdiocese of Westminster in England. The Latin Mass Society of England and Wales, has organized annual confirmations in the traditional rite, for the past twenty years. The archbishop of Westminster established the new rules in response to the pope’s motu proprio, restricting the celebration of Traditional Latin Masses.

Pope Francis has appointed two new auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of New York, and one of them will be one of the world’s youngest bishops. Father Joseph Espaillet is 45 years old. He is director of the Hispanic Catholic Charismatic Renewal for the archdiocese. He has been pastor of a parish in the South Bronx since 2015. He launched a podcast and a YouTube series last year.

More than 15,000 pro-life advocates gathered in San Francisco this past weekend, for the annual Walk for Life West Coast. The event coincided with the 49th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide.

Today the Church celebrates the conversion of Saint Paul. Paul was one of the most fierce enemies and persecutors of Christians. But after an encounter with God while traveling, Paul converted and became one of the Church’s greatest evangelists.

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Pope Francis on Sunday called for January 26 to be a day of prayer for peace in Ukraine, as the threat of a Russian invasion rises. Russia has sent an estimated 100,000 troops to the Ukrainian border in recent days, with some NATO countries fearing an invasion. Catholic bishops in Ukraine and Poland said on Monday that rising tensions with Russia pose “a great danger” to the whole of Europe.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250191/pope-francis-calls-for-day-of-prayer-for-ukraine

President Joe Biden pledged to defend a so-called right to abortion and reaffirmed his commitment to the widespread availability of the procedure in a Jan. 22 statement marking the anniversary of Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide.The statement was released one day after tens of thousands of pro-life advocates gathered in Washington for the annual March for Life. Biden is the second Catholic president and the first to be elected since Roe v Wade.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250190/president-joe-biden-and-vice-president-kamala-harris-release-pro-abortion-statement-on-anniversary-of-roe-v-wade

Today, the Church celebrates St. Francis de Sales, a 16th-century French priest and bishop who is the patron saint of writers and Christian unity. During Francis’ ministry in heavily Protestant Switzerland, he wrote and distributed religious tracts that helped between 40,000 and 70,000 return to the Catholic faith.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-francis-de-sales-126

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The annual March for Life is taking place today in Washington. Tens of thousands of pro-life advocates were expected to gather for the pro-life event. During a vigil Mass last night, Baltimore’s archbishop encouraged Catholics to promote a culture of life and support for mothers.

The U-S Senate has confirmed Joe Donnelly as ambassador to the Holy See. Donnelly is a former senator for Indiana. He is Catholic, and he received both an undergraduate and a law degree from Notre Dame.

Pope Francis has declared Saint Irenaeus of Lyon a Doctor of the Church. Saint Irenaeus is a 2nd-century bishop and writer revered by both Catholics and Orthodox Christians. He is known for refuting the heresies of Gnosticism with a defense of both Christ’s humanity and divinity. He is the 37th Doctor of the Church, and bears the title, “Doctor of Unity.”

Today the Church honors the virgin and martyr, Saint Agnes. Not much is known about Agnes’ life, but the story of her martyrdom has been passed on with reverence since the fourth century.

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Investigators have released a report detailing the handling of abuse cases in the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, in Germany. The report faults Pope emeritus Benedict the Sixteenth, for his handling of four cases during his leadership of the archdiocese. Benedict strongly denies any allegations of cover-up. He sent 82 pages of observations to investigators compiling the report.

A 20 million dollar proposal in California’s new draft budget, would repay the student loans of health care workers who commit to providing abortions. The proposal would also give scholarships to prospective abortion industry workers. Pro-life advocates in the state have decried the proposal.

The pope’s annual Lenten retreat with members of the Roman Curia has been canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This is the third consecutive year the pope has not joined the retreat. He canceled in 2020 because of a cold. The retreat was canceled last year because of the pandemic. The pope has asked members of the Roman Curia to make their own private retreats, during the week of March that the retreat was scheduled to take place.

Today is the feast of Saint Sebastian. Sebastian was martyred in 288.

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Catholics who support the Traditional Latin Mass have petitioned the bishop of Arlington Virginia to lift restrictions on the liturgy. The bishop did not restrict any existing Latin Masses in the diocese, but he did prohibit any sacraments in the Extraordinary Form, including baptisms and weddings. A petition this week garnered more than 1,000 signatures.

The president of France is calling for abortion to be added to the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights. The suggestion was reportedly applauded by lawmakers in the European Parliament. The charter recognizes the right to life, but it does not mention abortion. Last summer, the European Parliament voted in favor of describing abortion as essential healthcare.

The forgiveness of God is greater than even the ugliest sin. Those were the words of Pope Francis today, during his general audience in Rome. The pope encouraged Catholics to encounter God’s mercy, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He said that God always forgives, and we are the ones who get tired of asking for forgiveness.

Today is the feast of Saint Canutus, the King of Denmark. Canutus began his reign in the year 1080. He was killed in a church, during a rebellion in his kingdom, after confessing his sins and receiving Holy Communion.

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The Vatican Secretary of State has tested positive for the coronavirus. Cardinal Pietro Parolin reportedly has very mild symptoms. He is fully vaccinated and has received booster shots. The cardinal travels frequently for his role, but he recently canceled an upcoming trip to northern Italy.

A Jesuit-run publication in Rome is under fire, after publishing an article supporting a bill that would legalize assisted suicide in Italy. La Civiltà Cattolica is produced by the Jesuits in Rome, and is approved before publication by the Vatican Secretariat of State.

A Catholic couple in Colorado say their statues of the Blessid Virgin Mary are still standing, after a devastating fire that destroyed their home. The couple were among 1,000 Coloradans who lost their homes in the Marshall Fire in December. A statue of Saint Jude at their home also survived the fire.

Today is the feast of Saint Charles of Sezze. The Italian and lay Franciscan was born in 1613. He was known for his simplicity and charity. He also worked tirelessly with victims of the plague.

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The Supreme Court has blocked President Joe Biden’s sweeping vaccine or test mandate for businesses with 100 or more employers. The mandate would have gone into full effect in February. The court has allowed a new federal rule requiring U-S health care workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

A 26-year-old woman faces a hate crime charge after vandalizing Denver’s Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The woman turned herself in to law enforcement this week, three months after spray painting anti-Christian messages and symbols on the cathedral and nearby statues. She also faces some 10,000 dollars in vandalism damage.

A bishop in India, charged with the repeated rape of a nun over the course of two years, was acquitted in court today. The judge in the case found the prosecution failed to prove all of the charges. Lawyers for the nun say they will appeal to the high court.

Today is the feast of the first Patriarch of Serbia, Saint Sava.

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The University of Notre Dame, and Georgetown University, are among sixteen private schools facing a federal lawsuit, for allegedly illegally conspiring to reduce financial aid awards to students. The lawsuit depicts the schools as a cartel, that fixes prices in order to reduce the amount of total aid offered by each school.

Gunmen killed at least two hundred people last week in northwestern Nigeria. The bandits targeted nine villages over the course of three days. Some 10,000 people are estimated to have been displaced by this month’s violence.

Visitors to the Vatican Museums will meet new COVID-19 requirements. The new rules require visitors to show proof of full vaccination, or recovery from the virus. Visitors will also be required to wear medical-grade masks. The regulations will be in place through at least February.

Today is the feast of Saint Hilary of Poitiers. The fourth-century philosopher and bishop is remembered for his strong defense of Trinitarian theology.

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Speakers at this year’s March for Life will include actor Kirk Cameron, “Duck Dynasty” star Lisa Robertson, podcast host Father Mike Schmitz, and two members of Congress. The annual pro-life March will take place on January 21st, in Washington.

An Albanian nun, who baptized babies in secret under communist persecution, has died at the age of 92. The nun also risked her life to bring Holy Communion to the sick and dying. She met with Pope Francis in Albania in 2014.

Pope Francis observed a moment of silence during his general audience in Rome today, for those who have lost their jobs during the pandemic. He lamented that some workers have been so burdened by their job loss that they took their own lives.

Today is the feast of Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys. Marguerite founded a religious congregation, and was instrumental in establishing the Canadian city of Montreal.

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Lawmakers in New Jersey have voted to pass a bill expanding abortion access in the state. The bill was vigorously opposed by the state’s Catholic conference. New Jersey law already includes a so-called right to abortion. Advocates of this latest bill say it will protect abortion in the state, if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade. New Jersey Right to Life says the wording of the bill would allow abortions up to the point of birth.

An Italian bishop has barred unvaccinated priests and lay people from distributing Communion in his diocese. The bishop has also suspended all in-person activities. The new rules aim to stem the spread of the coronavirus in the southern Italian diocese. The bishop repeated Pope Francis, who said that getting vaccinated is an act of love.

Pope Francis has sent his condolences for the death of the president of the European Parliament. David Sassoli died today, at the age of 65. He had been hospitalized since December 26th with an immune disorder.

Today is the feast day of Saint Theodosius.