OSV Newscast

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for June 20, 2025. In this episode: On World Refugee Day (June 20), Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, said that solidarity with refugees and migrants "is not optional," but rather "a living testimony of the Gospel." Ahead of Canada's National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, that nation's Catholic bishops said Indigenous peoples are "a blessing to the Church and Canadian society." England's bishops expressed their sadness after an assisted suicide bill was passed in the House of Commons by a narrow majority today and now heads to the House of Lords. A major pro-life win may be on the horizon as President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" moves through the Senate, but some -- including Metropolitan Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia --are warning the bill could hurt families and persons in need. In Brazil, new data shows while Catholic numbers are still falling and evangelical churches continue to grow, the pace of this religious shift has noticeably slowed. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

In this episode:

Bishop Seitz on World Refugee Day
https://www.osvnews.com/bishop-seitz-solidarity-with-refugees-migrants-a-living-testimony-of-the-gospel/

Canada's Bishops: Indigenous Peoples Are Blessing
https://www.osvnews.com/indigenous-peoples-a-blessing-to-the-church-and-canadian-society-say-bishops/

England's Bishops on Assisted Suicide Bill
https://www.osvnews.com/uk-parliaments-lower-house-oks-assisted-suicide-bill-measure-heads-to-upper-house/

One Big Beautiful Bill?
https://www.osvnews.com/catholic-experts-see-harms-for-low-income-americans-in-bills-snap-medicaid-cuts/

Brazil's Catholic Decline Slows
https://www.osvnews.com/brazilian-church-continues-to-lose-churchgoers-to-evangelical-groups-but-pace-is-slowing/

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless!

Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for June 19, 2025. In this episode: Catholics in Poland mark the feast of Corpus Christi as a public witness to their faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. In the U.S., the federal Juneteenth holiday is being marked by Catholics as a call to continue to work for the end of racism, based on God-given human dignity. Amid the month of June, traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bishop David J. Bonnar of Youngstown, Ohio, has released a pastoral letter on this timeless devotion, through which Christ makes his personal love for each soul profoundly known. Bishop Mark Brennan of Wheeling-Charleston West Virginia is asking for prayers after flash floods devastated communities in Ohio County June 14. National Eucharistic Pilgrimage organizers have changed plans for the pilgrimage's culminating events in Los Angeles June 22 due to "deep pastoral concern for the safety of the faithful and the city of Los Angeles." Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this podcast:

Polish Catholics and Corpus Christi
https://www.osvnews.com/hundreds-of-thousands-march-in-polands-corpus-christi-processions/

Juneteenth and Catholics
https://www.osvnews.com/juneteenth-seen-as-day-to-reflect-on-freedom-ending-racism-and-black-catholics-contributions/

Bishop David Bonnar on the Sacred Heart of Jesus
https://www.osvnews.com/bishop-bonnar-urges-faithful-to-take-heart-by-beholding-the-sacred-heart/

Bishop Mark Brennan Prays for Flood Victims
https://www.osvnews.com/west-virginia-bishops-calls-for-prayers-help-for-victims-of-devastating-flash-floods/

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Plans Revised
https://www.osvnews.com/pilgrimages-final-corpus-christi-event-in-la-truncated-for-safety-of-the-faithful-city/

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless!

Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for June 18, 2025. In this episode: The Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's ban against certain types of medical or surgical gender reassignment procedures for minors who identify as transgender. Cuba's Catholic bishops are speaking out about deteriorating economic and social conditions on the island. UK lawmakers advance a bill that would decriminalize abortion up to birth in England and Wales. A former Catholic high school counselor is sentenced to prison for sexual battery of a teen student. The Knights of Columbus launch a Sacred Heart novena for the intentions of Pope Leo XIV, beginning on the feats of his priestly ordination and concluding on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this episode:

Supreme Court on Transgender Procedures for Minors
https://www.osvnews.com/supreme-court-upholds-tennessees-gender-transition-ban-for-minors/

Cuba's Catholic Bishops Speak Out
https://www.osvnews.com/cuban-bishops-urge-leaders-to-address-nations-economic-crisis/

UK Bill to Decriminalize Abortion up to Birth
https://www.osvnews.com/british-parliament-effectively-decriminalizes-abortion-up-to-birth/

Former Catholic High School Counselor Abuse Sentence
https://www.osvnews.com/former-catholic-high-school-counselor-sentenced-for-abusing-teen-student/

Knights of Columbus' Sacred Heart Novena
https://www.osvnews.com/knights-launch-sacred-heart-novena-for-pope-leo-xivs-intentions/

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless!

Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for June 17, 2025. In this episode: Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York and Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, are among the leaders who gathered for yesterday's first Religious Liberty Commission meeting following the group's creation by President Donald Trump. The Supreme Court sends a long-running religious liberty case back to New York State. The top court of New Jersey rules the state can empanel grand juries for clerical abuse cases, with the Diocese of Camden recently reversing course and expressing support for the measure. In the Holy Land, Catholic leaders plea for peace and warn of ongoing suffering amid the Israel-Hamas and Israel-Iran hostilities. Pope Leo XIV exhorted young astronomers studying at the Vatican Observatory this summer to share their knowledge with joy. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this episode:

Religious Liberty Commission
https://www.osvnews.com/religious-liberty-commission-examines-imperiled-native-american-sacred-site-mandatory-reporter-law/

Supreme Court on Religious Liberty Case
https://www.osvnews.com/high-court-sends-catholic-groups-challenge-to-ny-abortion-coverage-mandate-back-to-state-courts/

New Jersey and Grand Juries for Clerical Abuse
https://www.osvnews.com/nj-top-court-ruling-allows-grand-injury-investigations-for-clerical-abuse/

Suffering, Prayer in the War-Torn Holy Land
https://www.osvnews.com/as-new-nightmare-unfolds-between-israel-and-iran-never-ending-tragedy-in-gaza-continues/

Pope Leo XIV and Young Astronomy Scholars
https://www.osvnews.com/sharing-joy-of-discovery-contributes-to-peace-pope-tells-astronomers/

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless!

Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for June 16, 2025. In this episode: Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, chair of the U.S. Catholic bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace, calls for ardent prayer and robust diplomacy as Israel and Iran trade strikes for a fourth day. Catholic leaders in Minnesota, among them Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis, are calling for prayer, civility and respect for human dignity following a fatal shooting rampage on several state lawmakers. Pope Leo XIV prayed that newly beatified martyr Blessed Floribert Bwana Chui, slain in 2007 for refusing a bribe, would intercede to finally bring peace to Congo. The pope also decried recent killings of Christians in Sudan and in Nigeria, including a June 13-14 massacre in the latter nation that killed some 200. In France, Catholics celebrated the 150th anniversary of Sacré-Coeur, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this episode:

Bishop Zaidan on Israel-Iran Strikes
https://www.osvnews.com/us-bishop-calls-for-ardent-prayer-diplomacy-as-israel-iran-strikes-continue/

Catholic Leaders on Minnesota Lawmaker Shootings
https://www.osvnews.com/suspect-arrested-in-murder-of-catholic-minnesota-lawmaker-husband/

https://www.osvnews.com/minnesota-lawmaker-who-once-taught-catholic-sunday-school-shot-and-killed-in-apparent-politically-motivated-assassination/

Blessed Floribert Bwana Chui
https://www.osvnews.com/at-audience-with-martyrs-mother-pope-prays-for-peace-in-congo/

Christians Killed in Nigeria, Sudan
https://www.osvnews.com/pope-addresses-instances-of-violence-against-christians-prays-for-peace/

Sacré-Coeur at 150
https://www.osvnews.com/iconic-sacre-coeur-basilica-in-paris-celebrates-its-150th-birthday/

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless!

Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for June 13, 2025. In this episode: Jesuit Father John Paul, rector of the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem, shares how he focuses on supporting Palestinians and Israelis amid Israel's strike on Iran, and the Israel-Hamas war. The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo XIV will canonize Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati together Sept. 7. Calls from bipartisan lawmakers and faith leaders across denominations are growing for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children deported to Russia, as the Trump administration withholds approved funding from a key research effort by Yale University to track the kids -- research has informed Vatican-mediated efforts to bring home the children, whose numbers range anywhere from 20,000 to more than a million. The world's tallest sculpture of a soon-to-be canonized Blessed José Gregorio Hernández was unveiled May 24 by 16-year-old Venezuelan artist Josué Benjamín Figueroa -- weeks ahead of the Vatican's announcement today that the beloved doctor and layman will be canonized, along with several others, on Oct. 19 which is World Mission Sunday. Catholic radio host Glen Lewerenz says he has a ministry of listening and of holy and lively conversation. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this episode:

Jesuit Priest in Jerusalem
https://www.osvnews.com/priest-in-jerusalem-faith-fear-and-frustration-after-strikes-on-iran/

Acutis and Frassati Canonizations
https://www.osvnews.com/pope-sets-sept-7-for-joint-canonization-of-blesseds-acutis-and-frassati/

Ukrainian Kids Abducted by Russia
https://www.osvnews.com/lawmakers-faith-leaders-call-for-restored-funding-to-track-ukraines-deported-children/

Blessed José Gregorio Hernández Statue
https://www.osvnews.com/teenager-makes-worlds-tallest-sculpture-of-iconic-venezuelan-doctor-who-will-be-canonized/

Catholic Radio Host Glen Lewerenz
https://www.osvnews.com/holy-curiosity-is-driving-force-behind-radio-personalitys-ministry-of-listening/

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless!

Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for June 12, 2025. In this episode: Pope Leo XIV expresses his condolences over the loss of at least 241 following the crash of an Air India jet shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. A Ukrainian child advocate shares how the Vatican can play an even greater role than it already has in helping to return Ukrainian kids deported by Russia. Amid immigration raids and protests, Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles calls for prayer, healing and trust in Jesus and Mary. Mexico's bishops echoed that message, and expressed their solidarity with migrants. Pope Leo revives a custom by St. John Paul II, by having metropolitan archbishops travel to the Vatican for the imposition of the pallium, the liturgical vestment they wear as a sign of fidelity to the pope and service to God's people. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

In this episode:

Pope Leo XIV on Air India Crash
https://www.osvnews.com/pope-deeply-saddened-by-tragic-air-india-plane-crash/

Vatican and Ukraine's Missing Kids
https://www.osvnews.com/vatican-can-take-3-key-steps-to-bring-ukrainian-kids-back-from-russia-says-child-advocate/

Archbishop Gomez on Peace Amid LA Protests, Raids
https://www.osvnews.com/amid-unrest-in-la-over-ice-raids-faithful-urged-to-pray-for-peace-in-streets-city/

Mexico's Bishops and Migration Solidarity
https://www.osvnews.com/mexican-bishops-express-solidarity-with-migrants-amid-protests-in-us-cities/

Pope Leo and the Pallium
https://www.osvnews.com/pope-leo-to-return-to-practice-of-imposing-pallium-on-new-archbishops/

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless!

Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for June 11, 2025. In this episode: A massive Russian drone assault on Ukraine yesterday killed at least 7 and injured 13, while damaging Holy Wisdom Cathedral - St. Sophia Cathedral, an ancient church in Kyiv that's a UNESCO World Heritage site and the spiritual heart of Eastern Christianity. Pope Leo XIV met with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres during a private audience in the pope's study at the Vatican. Faithful on two continents are praying for the safe return of Nigerian priest Father Alphonsus Afina, who once served in Alaska and has been kidnapped by Boko Haram in his home country. Leaders from several schools gathered in Washington June 9 for the second convening of the Commission on Faith-Based Colleges and Universities of the American Council on Education. The National Eucharistic Revival continues, and organizers say their movement is not just something faithful Catholics do, but is something they are -- it's a grace from God, stirring up the hearts of his people. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this episode:

Ukrainian Cathedral Strike
https://www.osvnews.com/kyivs-historic-cathedral-damaged-in-russian-air-strikes/

Pope Leo XIV Meets UN Head
https://www.osvnews.com/un-secretary-general-meets-pope-leo-top-vatican-officials/

Nigerian Priest Kidnapped
https://www.osvnews.com/prayers-continue-for-release-of-abducted-nigerian-priest-who-recently-served-in-alaska/

Faith-based College and University Leaders Meet
https://www.osvnews.com/how-faith-based-higher-education-can-best-serve-society-is-focus-of-symposium/

National Eucharistic Revival Continues
https://www.osvnews.com/as-revivals-year-of-mission-draws-to-close-organizers-look-back-and-ahead/

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless!

Gina Christian catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for June 10, 2025. In this episode: Catholic bishops in Austria call for prayer as a school shooting kills 9 and injures 12. Parishes in the Diocese of Buffalo, New York, will soon begin paying a total of $80 million towards the diocese's $150 million bankruptcy settlement, amid almost 900 abuse claims. Catholic pro-life advocates lament New York State's passage of a physician-assisted suicide measure that now heads to the governor's desk. Pope Leo XIV tells papal diplomats he counts on them to let the world know the Catholic Church is always on the side of the marginalized and is ready to face everything "out of love." In Poland, a severe storm couldn't stop thousands of Catholic youth from worshiping the Lord at an annual gathering. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless!

Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for June 9, 2025. In this episode: Pope Leo XIV, speaking in his Pentecost homily, said the Holy Spirit "breaks down barriers and tears down the walls of indifference and hatred." Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles is calling for prayer, while urging "restraint and calm" as clashes have broken out in that city over recent immigration arrests, with President Donald Trump federalizing the National Guard to address the protests. Vatican News has begun removing from its website artwork by Father Marko Rupnik, the once-renowned mosaicist now accused of abusing over two dozen women and at least one man. Pope Leo underlined the connection between the mission of the Church and Mary as Mother of the Church, with conformity to Christ at the center of both. Observers say Pope Leo's Augustinian identity, shaped by decades of missionary work in Peru and community life within the order, will define his papacy. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this podcast

Pope Leo on Pentecost
https://www.osvnews.com/pope-on-pentecost-gods-love-breaks-down-walls-opens-borders-dispels-hatred/

Full text of Pope Leo's Pentecost Homily
https://www.osvnews.com/full-text-pope-leo-xiv-homily-for-pentecost/

Archbishop Gomez on LA ICE Protests
https://www.osvnews.com/la-archbishop-calls-for-prayer-restraint-reform-amid-immigration-protests/

Vatican News and Rupnik Art
https://www.osvnews.com/father-rupniks-mosaics-disappear-from-vatican-news/