Catholic News

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The archdioceses of Philadelphia and Chicago have instructed their clerics to not provide parishioners religious exemptions from receiving COVID-19 vaccines. The archbishop of Chicago said Catholics are free to determine their own actions, but they cannot use the teaching of the church to justify such decisions. He said there is no basis in Catholic moral teaching for rejecting vaccine mandates on religious grounds.

A campaign to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in Italy is gaining ground. Activists circulated a petition to bring to vote a referendum to change Italy’s law concerning euthanasia. The change would effectively decriminalize assisted suicide for adults. The petition reportedly reached the minimum signatures needed for parliament to choose whether to initiate the referendum.

The Diocese of Arlington has released an eight-page document about gender ideology. The document states that Catholics must show charity for self-identified transgender people, without compromising their faith, or adopting simplistic solutions offered by activists. The document rejected bullying of any person experiencing gender dysphoria, but also warned of a great danger of a misguided charity and false compassion.

Today is the feast of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Bernard is a Doctor of the Church. His writings and sermons greatly influenced Europe during the 12th century.

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The bishop of Gallup, New Mexico has said that COVID-19 vaccines can be taken by Catholics with a clear conscience. He said the state ought not universally mandate the vaccine, without allowing for conscientious objection. The bishop made his comments in a letter released Wednesday. Some Catholics have raised concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine’s remote connection to aborted fetal tissue.

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of a Brazilian bishop, days after a sexually explicit video of the bishop was shared on the internet. The 60-year-old bishop led a diocese north of the city of São Paulo from 2012 until this week. The bishop has been investigated multiple times by the Vatican for alleged sexual misconduct, or for covering up sexual misconduct.

A man has been arrested and charged in connection to a fire at a Catholic church in Glasgow last month. The fire destroyed the 163-year-old church, which was considered to be the spiritual home to Glasgow’s Polish community. The 24-year-old man has been charged with deliberately starting a fire, with the intention of damaging property.

Today is the feast of the French missionary, and founder of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity, Saint John Eudes. John is remembered for his devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Holy Heart of Mary. He wrote the first book ever on the devotions to the Sacred Hearts.

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Cardinal Raymond Burke, who was recently hospitalized with COVID-19, is reportedly stable, and has received the sacraments. The 73-year-old cardinal lives in Rome, and became ill while visiting Wisconsin, where he was raised.

The pope has sent his condolences after a violent attack on a group of Catholic religious sisters in South Sudan. Nine Catholic sisters were traveling in a convoy of three vehicles, when they were ambushed. Five of the sisters were killed in the ambush.

Pope Francis collaborated with the Ad Council to produce a public service announcement promoting COVID-19 vaccines. In the announcement, the pope is heard saying that getting the vaccines is an act of loveThe promotion also included six cardinals and archbishops from North, South, and Central America. The promotion will be distributed in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

In his general audience today, Pope Francis said Catholics must observe the commandments, in order to encounter Jesus. The pope said Catholics cannot say they believe in Jesus Christ and then do whatever they want. He said the commandments are an aid to the encounter with Christ.

Today, the Church remembers Saint Helena, a Roman empress who is believed to have discovered the cross of Christ.

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The Archdiocese of Los Angeles will not provide religious exemption letters to individuals who object from receiving the coronavirus vaccine. In a statement Monday, the archdiocese recommended all local Catholics who can receive a COVID-19 vaccine should do so. The archdiocese cited the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the U-S bishops’ conference, and the California Catholic Conference.

The Diocese of Avila in Spain is providing shelter for locals displaced from their homes by a wildfire. The fire began with a vehicle, and has spread across more than 29,000 acres. The diocese has opened its retreat house and school to local authorities and displaced families. More than 1,000 people have been evacuated due to the fire.

Tens of thousands of people rallied in Puerto Rico’s capital on Saturday, in opposition to the new gender ideology curriculum in the nation’s public schools. Puerto Rico’s governor issued an executive order last week implementing the new curriculum.

The pope will not offer a public Mass during his short visit to Scotland in November. The pope will travel to Glasgow for the opening days of the United Nations Climate Change Conference. He will reportedly be in Scotland for only a few hours. He will meet with Scotland’s bishops.

Today, the Church remembers Saint Hyacinth, the patron of Poland. Hyacinth was one of the first members of the Dominicans.

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Pope Francis has called for prayers and solidarity after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Aug. 14. The pope prayed for the people of Haiti from the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the end of his Sunday Angelus prayer, asking the crowd to offer a Hail Mary. The death toll of the most recent earthquake has reached nearly 1,300.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248694/pope-francis-urges-solidarity-with-haiti-after-devastating-earthquake

Several Latin American Catholic groups asked for help for the thousands of migrants on their way to the US who are stranded in the Darien Gap, a jungle region at the Panama-Colombia border. According to data from the Panamanian authorities, more than 10,000 migrants are in transit in the Colombian-Panamanian border area through the Darien jungle. So far this year more than 40,000 migrants have crossed the border. The archbishops of the area said that it is necessary to establish temporary reception centers for migrants and refugees, in order to guarantee their basic rights.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248682/latin-american-bishops-ask-help-for-migrants-stranded-in-jungle-on-panama-colombia-border

The first annual Mother Angelica Award has been bestowed on Archbishop Charles Chaput, the former archbishop of Philadelphia. The award was created to recognize the foundress of EWTN, Mother Angelica, as well as to honor people who have devoted their lives to service to the Church. In his remarks, Archbishop Chaput said all people who are involved in the New Evangelization should rise above discouragement and despair and maintain a sense of adventure.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248692/archbishop-chaput-honored-with-first-annual-mother-angelica-award

Today, the Church honors St. Stephen of Hungary, an 11th-century king who led his country to embrace the Catholic faith.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-stephen-of-hungary-565

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The Senate has narrowly approved language against tax-payer funding of abortion. The language was part of a budget resolution, related to a proposed $3.5 trillion spending package for the 2022 fiscal year. The pro-life amendment was included by a vote of 50 to 49. The amendment is non-binding, but pro-life leaders say it is a significant step to prevent Congress from including abortion funding in next year’s budget.

The U.S. bishops have criticized the Biden administration for dropping a conscience rights lawsuit. The lawsuit involved a Vermont hospital, which allegedly coerced a nurse into helping with an abortion in 2017. The hospital reportedly showed a pattern of discrimination against staffers opposed to abortion. The Justice Department quietly dismissed the lawsuit this week.

Catholic Charities has defended its ministry to migrants, amid criticism that one of its member agencies is acting recklessly, considering the pandemic. Officials in Texas have warned of high rates of COVID-19 among undocumented migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. A recent state order restricted volunteer work with migrants. Catholic Charities has said it takes great care to provide COVID tests for migrants, and isolate COVID-positive migrants.

The archbishop of Lima, the capital of Peru, has reportedly asked the Vatican for permission to place lay persons in charge of administration of parishes in his archdiocese. He said he believes lay people could run parishes, while priests study and celebrate Mass. Canon law does allow a bishop to entrust the pastoral care of a parish to a deacon, or another person who is not a priest, if there is a shortage of priests.

Today is the feast of Saint Maximus. Maximus was born in Constantinople around the year 580. He is considered one of the chief theological writers of the Greek Church.

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Catholic bishops in South Dakota have given their support for religious exemption from any vaccine mandate. Many employers or other authorities in the state are instating COVID-19 vaccine mandates. South Dakota’s bishops said Catholics whose well-formed consciences tell them not to receive a vaccine, should be free to seek a religious exemption from any vaccine mandate. The bishops called the decision to accept or reject a vaccine “intimate and personal.”

The archbishop of Chicago has condemned rising levels of gun violence in the city. Last weekend one police officer was shot and killed, and another was injured. Cardinal Blase Cupich has called for common-sense gun reform laws, including universal background checks. He urged Catholics to avoid becoming numb to the recurring news of gun violence and mass shootings.

A federal district court has dismissed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The lawsuit was filed by a former Catholic school guidance counselor who was fired for entering a same-sex marriage contract. The court ruled the counselor qualified as a minister of religion, so the archdiocese and school were exempt from federal workplace discrimination prohibitions.

Pope Francis met briefly this week with the actor who plays Jesus in the popular internet series, The Chosen. The Catholic actor is in Rome this week to visit pilgrimage sites related to the Gospels. He met Pope Francis during the pope’s general audience. The actor addressed the pope in Spanish, and asked Francis to pray for him as he continues to portray Jesus in the series.

Today, the Church remembers Blessed Pope Innocent the Eleventh. His pontificate was marked by the long struggle with the then-king of France over papal authority in France.

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Olympic gymnast and Catholic, Simone Biles, sparked controversy earlier this week when she announced on Instagram that she is very much pro-choice. The 24-year-old asked her followers to submit their unpopular opinions for her to comment on. One of her fans made the submission that abortion is wrong. The gymnast replied that she is pro-choice, because of her experience as a child in the foster care system. Later, on Twitter, Biles said that in no way did she favor aborting babies as an alternative to the foster care system.

Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke has tested positive for COVID-19. He is reportedly doing well. The Cardinal tweeted that he was resting comfortably and receiving excellent medical carre. He also asked for prayers.

Pope Francis made an unknown phone call at the end of his weekly general audience today. The pope spoke on the phone for around two minutes, gestured to the crowd that he would return soon, and left the room. He returned shortly afterward to greet the people gathered to see him. There is currently no information available about the mysterious phone call.

EWTN will present its first annual award named after its founder, Mother Angelica. The Mother Angelica Award will recognize individuals who have advanced the New Evangelization. The award will be presented in a televised ceremony on the Solemnity of the Assumption, which is also the 40th anniversary of EWTN’s launch.

Today is the feast of Saint Clare of Assisi. Saint Claire was born to a noble family in Assisi in 1193. When she was 18, she heard Saint Francis of Assisi preaching. She abandoned everything to follow Saint Francis. She led an order of women who became known as the Poor Clares. She was canonized two years after her death.

A daily news briefing from Catholic News Agency, powered by artificial intelligence. Ask your smart speaker to play “Catholic News,” or listen every morning wherever you get podcasts.

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Italian police have identified the person who sent a questionable letter to the pope this week. The letter was addressed to Pope Francis, and contained three bullets. Police have not released the name of the individual, but said it is a French citizen, who is already known to Vatican security.

The Archbishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services has said he supports a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for servicemen. The Pentagon is reportedly set to require that all troops receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The archbishop said the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Pope Francis, had recognized the morality of the vaccine. He said that is the best guidance Catholics have. The archbishop said that while a person could object from the mandatory vaccine due to their personal conscience, “even that should be formed by the teaching of the Church.”

A grassroots petition is calling for a temporary suspension of the charitable status of Canada’s Catholic bishop’s conference, and more than 300 Catholic charities. The petition is in response to the Catholic Church’s participation in residential schools in Canada. The petition had about 16,000 signatures as of Monday afternoon. A spokesperson for Canada’s Revenue Agency said a suspension is only possible if an investigation, and hearing, prove an organization violated its charitable status conditions.

Catholic dioceses and parishes in Thailand are converting many church facilities into field hospitals and isolation centers. Thailand is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. The archbishop of Bangkok said the more humanity suffers, the more we need love, mercy and sharing.

Today is the feast of Saint Lawrence. Lawrence was martyred in the year 258. He is venerated as a patron of Rome, along with Saints Peter and Paul.

A daily news briefing from Catholic News Agency, powered by artificial intelligence. Ask your smart speaker to play “Catholic News,” or listen every morning wherever you get podcasts.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

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Breaking: A Catholic priest has been murdered in western France, according to an announcement from the country’s Interior Minister on Monday. The Diocese of Luçon named the murdered priest as Fr. Olivier Maire, French provincial superior of the Montfort Missionaries, ​​and a popular retreat-giver. A suspect has reportedly handed himself in to the police.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248621/breaking-catholic-priest-murdered-in-france-says-countrys-interior-minister

An envelope addressed to Pope Francis, containing three bullets, was intercepted in Milan late on Sunday night, according to Italian media reports. The piece of mail had no return address, but carried a French stamp. Local law enforcement have seized the note and are investigating its origins.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248622/report-envelope-with-three-bullets-addressed-to-pope-francis-intercepted

Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta of Argentina will go on trial on sexual abuse charges in October. The 57-year-old bishop is charged with abusing two men, reports of which surfaced as early as 2015, and which he denies. The Vatican has repeatedly denied having prior knowledge of sexual abuse allegations against Zanchetta before his December 2017 appointment to a high-level post.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248617/bishop-zanchetta-faces-trial-on-sexual-abuse-charges-in-october

American pop star Britney Spears announced last week that she is Catholic now, and attends Mass. In a since-deleted Instagram post, Spears, who was raised Baptist, said she is Catholic and asked her followers to pray. It is not certain if she was previously baptized, and it is unclear if she has received any other sacraments. Her statements about her faith come amid revelations that as part of a conservatorship, Spears has been forced to wear an intrauterine device despite wanting to have another child.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248608/update-britney-spears-says-she-is-catholic-now-in-social-media-post

Today the Church honors St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Born Edith Stein, St. Teresa converted from Judaism to Catholicism in the course of her work as a philosopher, and later entered the Carmelite Order. She died in the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz in 1942.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-teresa-benedicta-of-the-cross-edith-stein-557