Pope Leo XIV to move into papal apartment of Apostolic Palace #Catholic Pope Leo XIV on March 14 took possession of the traditional papal apartment within the Apostolic Palace, moving into the quarters traditionally reserved for his predecessors. The move was announced on March 14 by the Holy See Press Office, more than ten months after Leoʼs election.The Holy Father had been staying at an apartment at the Palace of the Holy Office but will now reside in what has long served as the home of the reigning pontiff. The custom was discontinued in March of 2013 by Pope Francis, who chose to reside at Casa Santa Marta from the beginning of his pontificate.Pope Leo XIV has also reinstated the papal tradition of staying at the summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. In the summer of 2025 the pope stayed at Villa Barberini; subsequently, he decided to travel to Castel Gandolfo almost every week, staying from Monday evening until Tuesday evening.The papal apartment has undergone a lengthy and meticulous restoration, having remained unoccupied since the conclusion of Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate on February 28, 2013. The previous renovation dated back to the spring of 2005, following the death of Pope John Paul II and prior to Benedict XVI taking up residence in the quarters.In addition to the bedrooms, the apartment comprises a private study for the pope — from the window of which he appears every Sunday to recite the Angelus — as well as a dining room and a private chapel, where pontiffs have traditionally celebrated Mass at the start of each day.Residing alongside Pope Leo XIV in the papal apartment within the Apostolic Palace will likely be his two secretaries, the Peruvian Monsignor Edgard Iván Rimaycuna Inga and the Italian Father Marco Billeri.This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Pope Leo XIV to move into papal apartment of Apostolic Palace #Catholic Pope Leo XIV on March 14 took possession of the traditional papal apartment within the Apostolic Palace, moving into the quarters traditionally reserved for his predecessors. The move was announced on March 14 by the Holy See Press Office, more than ten months after Leoʼs election.The Holy Father had been staying at an apartment at the Palace of the Holy Office but will now reside in what has long served as the home of the reigning pontiff. The custom was discontinued in March of 2013 by Pope Francis, who chose to reside at Casa Santa Marta from the beginning of his pontificate.Pope Leo XIV has also reinstated the papal tradition of staying at the summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. In the summer of 2025 the pope stayed at Villa Barberini; subsequently, he decided to travel to Castel Gandolfo almost every week, staying from Monday evening until Tuesday evening.The papal apartment has undergone a lengthy and meticulous restoration, having remained unoccupied since the conclusion of Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate on February 28, 2013. The previous renovation dated back to the spring of 2005, following the death of Pope John Paul II and prior to Benedict XVI taking up residence in the quarters.In addition to the bedrooms, the apartment comprises a private study for the pope — from the window of which he appears every Sunday to recite the Angelus — as well as a dining room and a private chapel, where pontiffs have traditionally celebrated Mass at the start of each day.Residing alongside Pope Leo XIV in the papal apartment within the Apostolic Palace will likely be his two secretaries, the Peruvian Monsignor Edgard Iván Rimaycuna Inga and the Italian Father Marco Billeri.This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The move was announced on March 14 by the Holy See Press Office, more than ten months after Leo’s election.

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Psychiatrist Paul McHugh speaks about decades-long career, opposition to sex-reassignment surgeries – #Catholic – Psychologist Dr. Paul McHugh spoke with “EWTN News In Depth” about his decades-long career, detailing how sexual reassignment surgeries are not the answer for transgender individuals.McHugh is a 94-year-old American psychiatrist and educator. He is a distinguished service professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he was previously the Henry Phipps professor and psychiatrist-in-chief from 1975 to 2001.McHugh has conducted years of research on sexual reassignment surgeries, which are medical procedures that alter a person’s physical sex characteristics such as the chest, genitals, or facial features. McHugh found they do not resolve underlying psychological issues. While some may believe McHugh’s view on the surgeries comes from his faith as a Catholic, he said it is also based in research.“I am Catholic, and I can’t tell in what way my faith influences any of the things I do. I’m sure it’s important in everything I do. So I can’t deny that it may play a role,” he said. “But … I try to use the information that everybody else uses in determining the fixity or the ‘born that way’ idea.”McHugh’s careerMcHugh is known for many actions in his career, including a move to shut down Johns Hopkins Gender Identity Clinic in 1979 that was performing sex reassignment operations.When McHugh started to work at Johns Hopkins, the treatment had been going on for about 10 years at the clinic. There were some faculty members following up on the cases to decide if the patients were getting better or worse.While “most of the patients at the time felt that they had done the right thing when they subjected themselves to the surgery,” all of the issues that they were told would be corrected “didn’t improve,” he said.“Their difficulties in interpersonal relationships, their difficulties in their jobs. They had difficulty with their families, which was the whole reason for doing it. They were not better,” he said.“So it didn’t seem to me that this experiment was working out,” McHugh said, noting that it was in fact “an experiment,” because “it wasn’t that they knew perfectly well that these patients would benefit from it.” “And when they weren’t benefiting … I thought: ‘Well, why do it? Let’s find another way of helping them.’” The clinic was then shut down because of “the evidence,” McHugh said. “I didn’t think at the time that we had enough experience to be able to justify such a radical procedure.”After years of further research, in 2016, McHugh released a special report in The New Atlantis, “Sexuality and Gender: Findings from the Biological and Psychological and Social Sciences.” Among other findings, the report detailed that there’s no scientific evidence to support that sexual orientation is biologically fixed.At the time, McHugh’s colleagues at Johns Hopkins took out an op-ed in the Baltimore Sun with pushback on his views. “I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised because the truth of the matter is many people want to know the answer to a question, but they don’t want to have an answer that they don’t like,” McHugh said.“And if you start asking, just asking the question, it causes them anxiety because they want a particular answer. So I wasn’t particularly surprised that it didn’t go down easily. But I just think we ought to continue asking the question because it’s a very important question,” he said.Transgender movement todayMcHugh has been “astonished” by the momentum from 1979 to today of the transgender movement, the social and political effort advocating for the rights and inclusion of people whose say their gender identity differs from their biological sex.By closing the clinic, “it didn’t seem to me that we were doing anything terribly radical,” McHugh said. “But gradually, the idea became that somehow or another we were denying these people their honest sex. And I kept saying, ‘Look, we have two things here. We have the facts of the body, and we got the ideas of the patient.’”Instead of the program building upon “facts,” it was “generating more concern about the ideas and giving the ideas primary focus,” McHugh said. “And I thought that was one of the kinds of things where psychiatry has gone wrong in the past and could go wrong again — imagining things rather than knowing things.”“We don’t know enough” about the psychiatric impact, especially on children who undergo these operations, “because we’re not spending enough time studying them,” McHugh said.“The whole idea of doing this to children to … presumably get them to think more about what they’re experiencing has been a track towards … persuading them and has not been a good idea,” he said.“I’ve, after all, seen a lot of young people … especially young girls, being persuaded that there are some aspects of themselves, in their body, that needs correction,” he said. “It’s really the foundation of anorexia nervosa and things of that sort.”Children need to be “encouraged to just grow up and let their body take it,” McHugh said. “It turns out that 85% to 90% of them drop off of this. So if you don’t treat them with so-called gender affirming treatments, hormones, or surgery, they gradually give it up.”Puberty is “a very vulnerable time … all kinds of things are changing in your body and in your mind,” McHugh said. “Once you get through puberty, a new kind of person comes to think about what life is going to be like, what they would commit themselves to.”“Human beings are different from animals,” he said. “Animals, when they go through puberty, just become what they were from the start. Human beings have a rebirth after puberty as they think in terms of who they are, and what they would like to do. And those ideas would be best appreciated, and filled out, if you were what God made you, as it were.”“But if you are changed, then you have to spend your life committed to this change, and defending it, rather than moving forward,” he said.‘Many more lawsuits’ to comeMcHugh has stated publicly over the years that he thought it would be lawsuits that ultimately cease the surgeries for minors.In February, a New York jury awarded million to a woman who underwent a double mastectomy at age 16 in what is believed to be the first U.S. malpractice case of its kind to reach a trial verdict.Following the first malpractice suit, “it should be” the end of transgender surgeries for minors, McHugh said. “But there are going to be many more lawsuits coming down the pike now, as I predicted it would come.”The “ million is a small thing,” McHugh said. “It’s going to be a lot higher as more and more people come to realize, and they’re going to be mostly women in their mid-20s.”Next steps At 94, McHugh said “I’m not retiring yet.” He added: “I’m going to see if I can go a bit further. God got me this far. Maybe he’ll carry me on another while. I’ve got wonderful grandchildren I want to see more of and see how they flourish.”While he has no plans to retire yet, when that day comes he spoke to what he hopes his legacy is. He said: “I want people to think … that I was part of my times and that I didn’t shy away from the things that occupied the attention of my fellow Americans.”“I think it’s really important to see that the role you have calls for certain kinds of courage. And if you don’t have that, you shouldn’t have that role. And I had some adventures. And it turns out I was right about a lot of things — that’s the fun part.”
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Psychiatrist Paul McHugh speaks about decades-long career, opposition to sex-reassignment surgeries – #Catholic – Psychologist Dr. Paul McHugh spoke with “EWTN News In Depth” about his decades-long career, detailing how sexual reassignment surgeries are not the answer for transgender individuals.McHugh is a 94-year-old American psychiatrist and educator. He is a distinguished service professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he was previously the Henry Phipps professor and psychiatrist-in-chief from 1975 to 2001.McHugh has conducted years of research on sexual reassignment surgeries, which are medical procedures that alter a person’s physical sex characteristics such as the chest, genitals, or facial features. McHugh found they do not resolve underlying psychological issues. While some may believe McHugh’s view on the surgeries comes from his faith as a Catholic, he said it is also based in research.“I am Catholic, and I can’t tell in what way my faith influences any of the things I do. I’m sure it’s important in everything I do. So I can’t deny that it may play a role,” he said. “But … I try to use the information that everybody else uses in determining the fixity or the ‘born that way’ idea.”McHugh’s careerMcHugh is known for many actions in his career, including a move to shut down Johns Hopkins Gender Identity Clinic in 1979 that was performing sex reassignment operations.When McHugh started to work at Johns Hopkins, the treatment had been going on for about 10 years at the clinic. There were some faculty members following up on the cases to decide if the patients were getting better or worse.While “most of the patients at the time felt that they had done the right thing when they subjected themselves to the surgery,” all of the issues that they were told would be corrected “didn’t improve,” he said.“Their difficulties in interpersonal relationships, their difficulties in their jobs. They had difficulty with their families, which was the whole reason for doing it. They were not better,” he said.“So it didn’t seem to me that this experiment was working out,” McHugh said, noting that it was in fact “an experiment,” because “it wasn’t that they knew perfectly well that these patients would benefit from it.” “And when they weren’t benefiting … I thought: ‘Well, why do it? Let’s find another way of helping them.’” The clinic was then shut down because of “the evidence,” McHugh said. “I didn’t think at the time that we had enough experience to be able to justify such a radical procedure.”After years of further research, in 2016, McHugh released a special report in The New Atlantis, “Sexuality and Gender: Findings from the Biological and Psychological and Social Sciences.” Among other findings, the report detailed that there’s no scientific evidence to support that sexual orientation is biologically fixed.At the time, McHugh’s colleagues at Johns Hopkins took out an op-ed in the Baltimore Sun with pushback on his views. “I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised because the truth of the matter is many people want to know the answer to a question, but they don’t want to have an answer that they don’t like,” McHugh said.“And if you start asking, just asking the question, it causes them anxiety because they want a particular answer. So I wasn’t particularly surprised that it didn’t go down easily. But I just think we ought to continue asking the question because it’s a very important question,” he said.Transgender movement todayMcHugh has been “astonished” by the momentum from 1979 to today of the transgender movement, the social and political effort advocating for the rights and inclusion of people whose say their gender identity differs from their biological sex.By closing the clinic, “it didn’t seem to me that we were doing anything terribly radical,” McHugh said. “But gradually, the idea became that somehow or another we were denying these people their honest sex. And I kept saying, ‘Look, we have two things here. We have the facts of the body, and we got the ideas of the patient.’”Instead of the program building upon “facts,” it was “generating more concern about the ideas and giving the ideas primary focus,” McHugh said. “And I thought that was one of the kinds of things where psychiatry has gone wrong in the past and could go wrong again — imagining things rather than knowing things.”“We don’t know enough” about the psychiatric impact, especially on children who undergo these operations, “because we’re not spending enough time studying them,” McHugh said.“The whole idea of doing this to children to … presumably get them to think more about what they’re experiencing has been a track towards … persuading them and has not been a good idea,” he said.“I’ve, after all, seen a lot of young people … especially young girls, being persuaded that there are some aspects of themselves, in their body, that needs correction,” he said. “It’s really the foundation of anorexia nervosa and things of that sort.”Children need to be “encouraged to just grow up and let their body take it,” McHugh said. “It turns out that 85% to 90% of them drop off of this. So if you don’t treat them with so-called gender affirming treatments, hormones, or surgery, they gradually give it up.”Puberty is “a very vulnerable time … all kinds of things are changing in your body and in your mind,” McHugh said. “Once you get through puberty, a new kind of person comes to think about what life is going to be like, what they would commit themselves to.”“Human beings are different from animals,” he said. “Animals, when they go through puberty, just become what they were from the start. Human beings have a rebirth after puberty as they think in terms of who they are, and what they would like to do. And those ideas would be best appreciated, and filled out, if you were what God made you, as it were.”“But if you are changed, then you have to spend your life committed to this change, and defending it, rather than moving forward,” he said.‘Many more lawsuits’ to comeMcHugh has stated publicly over the years that he thought it would be lawsuits that ultimately cease the surgeries for minors.In February, a New York jury awarded $2 million to a woman who underwent a double mastectomy at age 16 in what is believed to be the first U.S. malpractice case of its kind to reach a trial verdict.Following the first malpractice suit, “it should be” the end of transgender surgeries for minors, McHugh said. “But there are going to be many more lawsuits coming down the pike now, as I predicted it would come.”The “$2 million is a small thing,” McHugh said. “It’s going to be a lot higher as more and more people come to realize, and they’re going to be mostly women in their mid-20s.”Next steps At 94, McHugh said “I’m not retiring yet.” He added: “I’m going to see if I can go a bit further. God got me this far. Maybe he’ll carry me on another while. I’ve got wonderful grandchildren I want to see more of and see how they flourish.”While he has no plans to retire yet, when that day comes he spoke to what he hopes his legacy is. He said: “I want people to think … that I was part of my times and that I didn’t shy away from the things that occupied the attention of my fellow Americans.”“I think it’s really important to see that the role you have calls for certain kinds of courage. And if you don’t have that, you shouldn’t have that role. And I had some adventures. And it turns out I was right about a lot of things — that’s the fun part.”

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McHugh told “EWTN News In Depth” that “we don’t know enough” about the psychiatric impact of gender reassignment surgeries.

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Scotland bishops on assisted suicide legislation: ‘Safeguards do not work’ – #Catholic – Here is a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed:Scotland bishops on assisted suicide legislation: ‘Safeguards do not work’The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is urging Catholics to express opposition to the latest assisted suicide legislation proposed in the country to their representatives in Parliament.“One of the most serious concerns about assisted suicide legislation is this: Safeguards do not work,” the bishops wrote in a March 6 statement. “We only have to look at countries that have already introduced these laws. In places such as Holland, Belgium, and Canada, what began with strict limits has steadily expanded. Boundaries shift. Protections weaken. And the most vulnerable are placed at risk.” The bishops’ latest statement comes ahead of a final vote on March 17 for the bill that would give terminally ill adults access to assisted suicide.Italian Church calls for day of prayer and fasting for peaceItaly’s bishops designated Friday, March 13, as a national day of prayer and fasting for peace, responding to growing alarm over widening conflict in the Middle East and the risk of broader international destabilization.The initiative, backed by the presidency of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, aligns with Pope Leo’s repeated warnings against allowing violence to spiral beyond control, ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, reported Thursday. The bishops said war cannot become a solution and insisted that diplomacy, dialogue, and the pursuit of the common good remain the only serious path forward.Parishes and Catholic communities across the country were invited to mark the day through special liturgical intentions, the Stations of the Cross offered for the Middle East, and acts of fasting in solidarity with those enduring war, displacement, and deprivation. The Church in Italy is also urging prayers for world leaders, refugees, the wounded, and grieving families, while calling the faithful to recover charity as the true foundation of peace.Diocese of Hong Kong anticipates thousands of baptisms this EasterThe Diocese of Hong Kong is preparing for 2,500 baptisms at Easter, according to a report from Fides News Agency.The new members of the Church in China include 1,600 adults and 900 infants, according to a recent diocesan bulletin cited in the report, which said this year’s numbers were comparable to those in 2025. Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan celebrated the rite of scrutiny with catechumens in the diocese at Christ the King Church on March 8 and instructed the future members of the Church to “be bearers of hope.”Syria feeling fallout of Iranian war despite lack of involvementSyria is once again absorbing the shockwaves of regional war, as Iranian missiles and drones headed toward Israel pass through its airspace, with projectiles frequently falling inside southern Syria and areas with a Christian presence, ACI MENA reported March 9.Along the Syrian-Lebanese border, the city of Damascus has increased its military deployment, describing the move as defensive and aimed at border control, anti-smuggling efforts, and preventing infiltration as fighting intensifies inside Lebanon. The war has also deepened Syria’s humanitarian and economic strain: Thousands of Syrians have returned from Lebanon to escape Israeli strikes, fuel stations have seen panic buying, cooking gas has become harder to obtain, and electricity shortages have worsened amid reduced natural gas flows.Ethiopian bishops call for investigations into Christian killings Catholic bishops in Ethiopia have expressed “profound sorrow and unequivocal condemnation” of the recent killings of innocent civilians across the country, including the brutal attacks in the Arsi Zone, a major administrative division within the Oromia Region, located in the southeastern highlands.“The deliberate taking of innocent human life is a grave sin before God and a violation of the sacred dignity bestowed upon every person created in the image of God,” the bishops said in a statement to ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, on March 10. “Such violence against defenseless civilians can never be justified by religion, ethnicity, or political interest. We call upon the responsible authorities to undertake investigations and to ensure that those responsible for these crimes are brought to justice.”Tanzanian bishop condemns police use of tear gas at cathedral Bishop Michael George Msongazila of Tanzania’s Diocese of Musoma has condemned what he described as “the excessive use of force” by the Tanzania Police Force after officers reportedly hurled tear gas canisters at Holy Mother of God Cathedral.“I condemn this act of police using force at the headquarters of the Catholic Diocese of Musoma,” Msongazila said in a statement on March 10, ACI Africa reported. In his statement, Msongazila recounted that a group of women reportedly affiliated with an opposition political party joined other faithful for Mass on March 8 at the cathedral and that, as they were leaving, police officers threw tear gas canisters into the cathedral compound.The bishop further described the police action as “an act of oppression and cruelty,” insisting that such conduct undermines public trust and calls for urgent reform within the country’s law enforcement structures.Catholic Church in Philippines to establish mission on island disputed with ChinaApostolic Vicar Socrates Calamba Mesiona of Puerto Princesa in the Philippines is establishing a Catholic presence on Pag-asa Island, part of the Philippines-occupied Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The islands are a strategic and contested archipelago in the South China Sea and a source of tension between China and the Philippines due to its natural resources, according to Asia News.Mesiona met with government officials to discuss building a church on the island. The bishop said he expected to complete initial preparations for the mission by the end of March. A groundbreaking ceremony is also expected to take place by the end of the month. A parish name and patron saint have yet to be announced, the report said.
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Scotland bishops on assisted suicide legislation: ‘Safeguards do not work’ – #Catholic – Here is a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed:Scotland bishops on assisted suicide legislation: ‘Safeguards do not work’The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is urging Catholics to express opposition to the latest assisted suicide legislation proposed in the country to their representatives in Parliament.“One of the most serious concerns about assisted suicide legislation is this: Safeguards do not work,” the bishops wrote in a March 6 statement. “We only have to look at countries that have already introduced these laws. In places such as Holland, Belgium, and Canada, what began with strict limits has steadily expanded. Boundaries shift. Protections weaken. And the most vulnerable are placed at risk.” The bishops’ latest statement comes ahead of a final vote on March 17 for the bill that would give terminally ill adults access to assisted suicide.Italian Church calls for day of prayer and fasting for peaceItaly’s bishops designated Friday, March 13, as a national day of prayer and fasting for peace, responding to growing alarm over widening conflict in the Middle East and the risk of broader international destabilization.The initiative, backed by the presidency of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, aligns with Pope Leo’s repeated warnings against allowing violence to spiral beyond control, ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, reported Thursday. The bishops said war cannot become a solution and insisted that diplomacy, dialogue, and the pursuit of the common good remain the only serious path forward.Parishes and Catholic communities across the country were invited to mark the day through special liturgical intentions, the Stations of the Cross offered for the Middle East, and acts of fasting in solidarity with those enduring war, displacement, and deprivation. The Church in Italy is also urging prayers for world leaders, refugees, the wounded, and grieving families, while calling the faithful to recover charity as the true foundation of peace.Diocese of Hong Kong anticipates thousands of baptisms this EasterThe Diocese of Hong Kong is preparing for 2,500 baptisms at Easter, according to a report from Fides News Agency.The new members of the Church in China include 1,600 adults and 900 infants, according to a recent diocesan bulletin cited in the report, which said this year’s numbers were comparable to those in 2025. Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan celebrated the rite of scrutiny with catechumens in the diocese at Christ the King Church on March 8 and instructed the future members of the Church to “be bearers of hope.”Syria feeling fallout of Iranian war despite lack of involvementSyria is once again absorbing the shockwaves of regional war, as Iranian missiles and drones headed toward Israel pass through its airspace, with projectiles frequently falling inside southern Syria and areas with a Christian presence, ACI MENA reported March 9.Along the Syrian-Lebanese border, the city of Damascus has increased its military deployment, describing the move as defensive and aimed at border control, anti-smuggling efforts, and preventing infiltration as fighting intensifies inside Lebanon. The war has also deepened Syria’s humanitarian and economic strain: Thousands of Syrians have returned from Lebanon to escape Israeli strikes, fuel stations have seen panic buying, cooking gas has become harder to obtain, and electricity shortages have worsened amid reduced natural gas flows.Ethiopian bishops call for investigations into Christian killings Catholic bishops in Ethiopia have expressed “profound sorrow and unequivocal condemnation” of the recent killings of innocent civilians across the country, including the brutal attacks in the Arsi Zone, a major administrative division within the Oromia Region, located in the southeastern highlands.“The deliberate taking of innocent human life is a grave sin before God and a violation of the sacred dignity bestowed upon every person created in the image of God,” the bishops said in a statement to ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, on March 10. “Such violence against defenseless civilians can never be justified by religion, ethnicity, or political interest. We call upon the responsible authorities to undertake investigations and to ensure that those responsible for these crimes are brought to justice.”Tanzanian bishop condemns police use of tear gas at cathedral Bishop Michael George Msongazila of Tanzania’s Diocese of Musoma has condemned what he described as “the excessive use of force” by the Tanzania Police Force after officers reportedly hurled tear gas canisters at Holy Mother of God Cathedral.“I condemn this act of police using force at the headquarters of the Catholic Diocese of Musoma,” Msongazila said in a statement on March 10, ACI Africa reported. In his statement, Msongazila recounted that a group of women reportedly affiliated with an opposition political party joined other faithful for Mass on March 8 at the cathedral and that, as they were leaving, police officers threw tear gas canisters into the cathedral compound.The bishop further described the police action as “an act of oppression and cruelty,” insisting that such conduct undermines public trust and calls for urgent reform within the country’s law enforcement structures.Catholic Church in Philippines to establish mission on island disputed with ChinaApostolic Vicar Socrates Calamba Mesiona of Puerto Princesa in the Philippines is establishing a Catholic presence on Pag-asa Island, part of the Philippines-occupied Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The islands are a strategic and contested archipelago in the South China Sea and a source of tension between China and the Philippines due to its natural resources, according to Asia News.Mesiona met with government officials to discuss building a church on the island. The bishop said he expected to complete initial preparations for the mission by the end of March. A groundbreaking ceremony is also expected to take place by the end of the month. A parish name and patron saint have yet to be announced, the report said.

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The bishops of Scotland speak out on assisted suicide legislation, Italy’s bishops call for prayer and fasting for peace, the Hong Kong Diocese prepares for thousands of baptisms at Easter, and more.

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March 14, 1879: The birth of a genius

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On March 14, 1879, Albert Einstein was born in Germany. Early in his life, he demonstrated passion for music and science; in 1896, he began studying physics and mathematics at the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich. When his degree was completed, he was unable to find a position as a teacher, and instead beganContinue reading “March 14, 1879: The birth of a genius”

The post March 14, 1879: The birth of a genius appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Man’s 47-minute Video Of Son’s Pee Wee Soccer Game Snubbed For Oscar #BabylonBee – PHOENIX, AZ — Local dad Ben Grant was disappointed to learn that the 47-minute-long video he took of his 5-year-old son’s pee wee soccer game was snubbed for any consideration at the Oscars this year.
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Man’s 47-minute Video Of Son’s Pee Wee Soccer Game Snubbed For Oscar #BabylonBee – PHOENIX, AZ — Local dad Ben Grant was disappointed to learn that the 47-minute-long video he took of his 5-year-old son’s pee wee soccer game was snubbed for any consideration at the Oscars this year.

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PHOENIX, AZ — Local dad Ben Grant was disappointed to learn that the 47-minute-long video he took of his 5-year-old son’s pee wee soccer game was snubbed for any consideration at the Oscars this year.

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Protestant Quarterback Throws Beautiful Hail Christ Alone Pass #BabylonBee – SAN DIEGO, CA — A local protestant quarterback in a competitive amateur spring league made waves this week after throwing a beautiful Hail Christ Alone pass for the game-winning touchdown.
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Protestant Quarterback Throws Beautiful Hail Christ Alone Pass #BabylonBee – SAN DIEGO, CA — A local protestant quarterback in a competitive amateur spring league made waves this week after throwing a beautiful Hail Christ Alone pass for the game-winning touchdown.

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SAN DIEGO, CA — A local protestant quarterback in a competitive amateur spring league made waves this week after throwing a beautiful Hail Christ Alone pass for the game-winning touchdown.

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New biblical series depicts Book of Genesis through eyes of its best-known women – #Catholic – A new biblical series will depict the Book of Genesis through the eyes of the book’s most well-known women. “The Faithful: Women of the Bible” follows the stories of Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel and how each of these women, and their descendants, shaped the story of salvation.The three-week event will begin airing on March 22 on Fox and end on Easter Sunday, April 5.René Echevarria, executive producer and showrunner of the series, told EWTN News that the creators “set out to try to tell these stories in an emotionally grounded way and really try to understand what their lives were like — what their emotional lives were like.”“One thing that emerges is that all of the three stories that we chose to tell … all of these women stumble,” he said. “They’re trying to figure out how to proceed in life against different complicated circumstances — sometimes encounters with the divine that are asking them to do difficult things — and so that was our sort of North Star, was always to try to understand them on an emotional level.”The filmmaker highlighted the idea of the relatability behind these stories and how they resonate with modern audiences, especially that of Sarah and Abraham, who were unable to conceive a child for decades.Echevarria shared that he and his wife struggled with infertility for several years. They realized they needed to place their trust in God’s plan for them. Eventually, they were blessed with three children. Actress Minnie Driver as Sarah in Fox’s “The Faithful: Women of the Bible.” | Credit: Fox Broadcasting Company He also pointed out the importance he and his team placed on staying true to Scripture.“Our guiding principle was that if we were going to dramatize some part of the story, a scene, let’s call it, that’s described in the Bible, then we’re going to dramatize it the way it’s described and including dialogue if there is some,” he explained.“If we choose not to show something from the Bible, we wanted to make sure that there was nothing that we didn’t present that would make those sort of off-camera scenes impossible to have had occurred,” Echevarria added. “And then the rest was filling in the blanks. The Bible can be very specific, but it can also be profound in its silences … We need to do the research to find out about life at that time to fill in those gaps.”Echevarria said he hopes viewers are reminded that the men and women in these stories were “flawed, strong, people dealing with extraordinary circumstances and sometimes they made mistakes and yet God always made a good work of it.”Reflecting on the release of the series being during Lent and the start of Easter, Echevarria said: “We’re coming out of a time for many of us, a time of fasting, a time of reflection.”“We all love Christmas but Easter is the heart of our faith, isn’t it? So to be able to present these stories, which are the beginning of the Easter story in a sense, the beginning of God’s unfolding story, and his love for his children, and how he set it all in motion 4,000 years ago through Sarah and Abraham.”
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New biblical series depicts Book of Genesis through eyes of its best-known women – #Catholic – A new biblical series will depict the Book of Genesis through the eyes of the book’s most well-known women. “The Faithful: Women of the Bible” follows the stories of Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel and how each of these women, and their descendants, shaped the story of salvation.The three-week event will begin airing on March 22 on Fox and end on Easter Sunday, April 5.René Echevarria, executive producer and showrunner of the series, told EWTN News that the creators “set out to try to tell these stories in an emotionally grounded way and really try to understand what their lives were like — what their emotional lives were like.”“One thing that emerges is that all of the three stories that we chose to tell … all of these women stumble,” he said. “They’re trying to figure out how to proceed in life against different complicated circumstances — sometimes encounters with the divine that are asking them to do difficult things — and so that was our sort of North Star, was always to try to understand them on an emotional level.”The filmmaker highlighted the idea of the relatability behind these stories and how they resonate with modern audiences, especially that of Sarah and Abraham, who were unable to conceive a child for decades.Echevarria shared that he and his wife struggled with infertility for several years. They realized they needed to place their trust in God’s plan for them. Eventually, they were blessed with three children. Actress Minnie Driver as Sarah in Fox’s “The Faithful: Women of the Bible.” | Credit: Fox Broadcasting Company He also pointed out the importance he and his team placed on staying true to Scripture.“Our guiding principle was that if we were going to dramatize some part of the story, a scene, let’s call it, that’s described in the Bible, then we’re going to dramatize it the way it’s described and including dialogue if there is some,” he explained.“If we choose not to show something from the Bible, we wanted to make sure that there was nothing that we didn’t present that would make those sort of off-camera scenes impossible to have had occurred,” Echevarria added. “And then the rest was filling in the blanks. The Bible can be very specific, but it can also be profound in its silences … We need to do the research to find out about life at that time to fill in those gaps.”Echevarria said he hopes viewers are reminded that the men and women in these stories were “flawed, strong, people dealing with extraordinary circumstances and sometimes they made mistakes and yet God always made a good work of it.”Reflecting on the release of the series being during Lent and the start of Easter, Echevarria said: “We’re coming out of a time for many of us, a time of fasting, a time of reflection.”“We all love Christmas but Easter is the heart of our faith, isn’t it? So to be able to present these stories, which are the beginning of the Easter story in a sense, the beginning of God’s unfolding story, and his love for his children, and how he set it all in motion 4,000 years ago through Sarah and Abraham.”

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“The Faithful: Women of the Bible” follows the stories of Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel and how each of these women shaped the story of salvation.

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‘God wants to cover us in robes of grace,’ Catholic fashion writer says #Catholic According to Catholic author Mary Harper, the way we dress can be a way to express faith, human dignity, and personal identity.Harper, author of “The Liturgical Style Guide,” in which she explores how faith should influence how we dress, noted that the Bible shows the symbolic importance of clothing: “It’s actually pretty amazing how, throughout both the Old Testament and the New … clothing is mentioned over 100 times... The majority of times, it’s meant to be a sign of God’s mercy and providence.”This symbolism appears from the very beginning of the Bible, she said in a recent interview posted by the Archdiocese of Miami. Mary Harper, author of “The Liturgical Style Guide,” explores how faith can influence even everyday dress. | Credit: Archdiocese of Miami After original sin, Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves by sewing together fig leaves, which Harper called “flimsy.”“What does God do? He literally slaughters an animal, the first sacrifice in Scripture. He covers them in leather garments because he wants them to have something that’s worthy, something that’s good, something that’s actually going to protect them and be lasting,” she explained.According to Harper, this biblical image helps us understand human dignity. “God wants to cover us in robes of grace,” she said, also recalling the parable of the prodigal son, when the father “puts a robe on him and a ring on him, as a reminder of his goodness and his dignity and his identity.”That’s why even something as ordinary as getting dressed every day can have a spiritual dimension. “Even through something that we do every day — getting dressed for the day — the Lord is speaking his providence over you. He desires to lavish you in grace. Even getting dressed in the morning is a way to remember putting on Christ, putting on your baptismal garment again, remembering who you are and who you’re called to be in Christ,” she pointed out.Harper grew up Catholic in New Orleans. She earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in theology from Ave Maria University and is the founder of LiturgicalStyle.com, a project dedicated to reflecting on the theological significance of clothing based on the Bible, the stories of the saints, and the liturgical calendar.She also writes for litanynyc.com a Catholic made-to-measure clothing company that seeks to apply the Church’s social teaching in its production process.Clothing as a form of Christian witness“Whether I intend it or not, my clothing is going to communicate something. You wear a school uniform, it tells you what school you go to; priests put on vestments that tell you about the liturgical season. Well, there’s great power in that,” she said.From that perspective, she added, clothing can become a form of Christian witness. “I have the capacity to communicate the Gospel through my very garments, through intentionality, creativity, and beauty.”The author also cautioned that the Christian view of modesty avoids two extremes: absolute individualism and fear of the body.“One extreme is, I can wear whatever I want, I don’t care what anyone else thinks about it. At the same time, we don’t want to get to the point of, ‘I don’t know how to dress myself well, and I’m so scared of doing the wrong thing … [and] nothing can show because my body is bad,’” she explained.“The Church has never said that,” Harper added, noting that Christian teaching on the goodness of the human body is developed in depth in St. John Paul II’s theology of the body.More than strict rules, she argued, the key lies in discerning: “What is it that I want to communicate through what I’m wearing?” Harper also explained that modesty involves considering the context and the activity.“It is my responsibility to wear something that makes sense for the activity at hand, for the environment that I’m in, and that allows me to be fully present. That’s a service to everyone around me and to myself,” she stated, citing as an example the impracticality of wearing flip flops to hike in the Rocky Mountains.Drawing inspiration from the saintsHarper also proposed a creative idea for living out one’s faith in everyday life: finding inspiration in the saints when choosing what to wear.This does not mean, she clarified, that we imitate them literally. “I’m not telling you to go around wearing a Carmelite habit,” she joked.Rather, she suggested small symbolic gestures: “If you have Western boots, you can say you’re wearing them in honor of St. Teresa of the Andes,” who loved horseback riding. Or “when you wear jeans, you can think of her, because she just loved to be this great adventurer and going into the mountains” and “I’m going to ask her to pray for me."Creativity and freedom in the Christian lifeFor Harper, the relationship between faith and clothing should not become a source of scrupulosity or pressure.“Sometimes we can get so caught up saying, ‘If I’m a ‘real Catholic,’ then I’m going to dress in this particular way.’ I think it’s really easy to get kind of scrupulous when it comes to clothing,” she reflected.Instead, she recommended bringing the matter to prayer and discernment with trusted individuals. “If you have any concern about, ‘Am I dressing in a way that is good?’, talk to someone who knows your heart,” she advised.Finally, Harper encouraged living out Christian creativity in these everyday details as well: “The Holy Spirit is creative."“When you get dressed for the day, if you just say, ‘Come, Holy Spirit,’ he’s going to show up. It’s going to be awesome and joyful, and it’ll be more fun.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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‘God wants to cover us in robes of grace,’ Catholic fashion writer says #Catholic According to Catholic author Mary Harper, the way we dress can be a way to express faith, human dignity, and personal identity.Harper, author of “The Liturgical Style Guide,” in which she explores how faith should influence how we dress, noted that the Bible shows the symbolic importance of clothing: “It’s actually pretty amazing how, throughout both the Old Testament and the New … clothing is mentioned over 100 times… The majority of times, it’s meant to be a sign of God’s mercy and providence.”This symbolism appears from the very beginning of the Bible, she said in a recent interview posted by the Archdiocese of Miami. Mary Harper, author of “The Liturgical Style Guide,” explores how faith can influence even everyday dress. | Credit: Archdiocese of Miami After original sin, Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves by sewing together fig leaves, which Harper called “flimsy.”“What does God do? He literally slaughters an animal, the first sacrifice in Scripture. He covers them in leather garments because he wants them to have something that’s worthy, something that’s good, something that’s actually going to protect them and be lasting,” she explained.According to Harper, this biblical image helps us understand human dignity. “God wants to cover us in robes of grace,” she said, also recalling the parable of the prodigal son, when the father “puts a robe on him and a ring on him, as a reminder of his goodness and his dignity and his identity.”That’s why even something as ordinary as getting dressed every day can have a spiritual dimension. “Even through something that we do every day — getting dressed for the day — the Lord is speaking his providence over you. He desires to lavish you in grace. Even getting dressed in the morning is a way to remember putting on Christ, putting on your baptismal garment again, remembering who you are and who you’re called to be in Christ,” she pointed out.Harper grew up Catholic in New Orleans. She earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in theology from Ave Maria University and is the founder of LiturgicalStyle.com, a project dedicated to reflecting on the theological significance of clothing based on the Bible, the stories of the saints, and the liturgical calendar.She also writes for litanynyc.com a Catholic made-to-measure clothing company that seeks to apply the Church’s social teaching in its production process.Clothing as a form of Christian witness“Whether I intend it or not, my clothing is going to communicate something. You wear a school uniform, it tells you what school you go to; priests put on vestments that tell you about the liturgical season. Well, there’s great power in that,” she said.From that perspective, she added, clothing can become a form of Christian witness. “I have the capacity to communicate the Gospel through my very garments, through intentionality, creativity, and beauty.”The author also cautioned that the Christian view of modesty avoids two extremes: absolute individualism and fear of the body.“One extreme is, I can wear whatever I want, I don’t care what anyone else thinks about it. At the same time, we don’t want to get to the point of, ‘I don’t know how to dress myself well, and I’m so scared of doing the wrong thing … [and] nothing can show because my body is bad,’” she explained.“The Church has never said that,” Harper added, noting that Christian teaching on the goodness of the human body is developed in depth in St. John Paul II’s theology of the body.More than strict rules, she argued, the key lies in discerning: “What is it that I want to communicate through what I’m wearing?” Harper also explained that modesty involves considering the context and the activity.“It is my responsibility to wear something that makes sense for the activity at hand, for the environment that I’m in, and that allows me to be fully present. That’s a service to everyone around me and to myself,” she stated, citing as an example the impracticality of wearing flip flops to hike in the Rocky Mountains.Drawing inspiration from the saintsHarper also proposed a creative idea for living out one’s faith in everyday life: finding inspiration in the saints when choosing what to wear.This does not mean, she clarified, that we imitate them literally. “I’m not telling you to go around wearing a Carmelite habit,” she joked.Rather, she suggested small symbolic gestures: “If you have Western boots, you can say you’re wearing them in honor of St. Teresa of the Andes,” who loved horseback riding. Or “when you wear jeans, you can think of her, because she just loved to be this great adventurer and going into the mountains” and “I’m going to ask her to pray for me."Creativity and freedom in the Christian lifeFor Harper, the relationship between faith and clothing should not become a source of scrupulosity or pressure.“Sometimes we can get so caught up saying, ‘If I’m a ‘real Catholic,’ then I’m going to dress in this particular way.’ I think it’s really easy to get kind of scrupulous when it comes to clothing,” she reflected.Instead, she recommended bringing the matter to prayer and discernment with trusted individuals. “If you have any concern about, ‘Am I dressing in a way that is good?’, talk to someone who knows your heart,” she advised.Finally, Harper encouraged living out Christian creativity in these everyday details as well: “The Holy Spirit is creative."“When you get dressed for the day, if you just say, ‘Come, Holy Spirit,’ he’s going to show up. It’s going to be awesome and joyful, and it’ll be more fun.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Mary Harper explains the positive dimension of choosing what to wear and what it can express, urging Catholics to invite the Holy Spirit into their fashion choices.

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REPORT: Democrats Already Plotting Investigations of Companies, Colleges, and Law Firms for Working With Trump – Democrats in the Senate and the House are apparently already planning to investigate companies, schools, and even law firms for the crime of working with President Trump. The post REPORT: Democrats Already Plotting Investigations of Companies, Colleges, and Law Firms for Working With Trump appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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REPORT: Democrats Already Plotting Investigations of Companies, Colleges, and Law Firms for Working With Trump – Democrats in the Senate and the House are apparently already planning to investigate companies, schools, and even law firms for the crime of working with President Trump. The post REPORT: Democrats Already Plotting Investigations of Companies, Colleges, and Law Firms for Working With Trump appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Democrats in the Senate and the House are apparently already planning to investigate companies, schools, and even law firms for the crime of working with President Trump.

The post REPORT: Democrats Already Plotting Investigations of Companies, Colleges, and Law Firms for Working With Trump appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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HUH? Dem Senator Elissa Slotkin Says ‘We Must Fund the Department of Homeland Security’ Right After She Voted Against It (VIDEO) – This week, after the terror attack on a synagogue in Michigan, Dem Senator Elissa Slotkin stood in front of TV cameras and said that we need to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which is odd considering she voted against doing that just hours before then. The post HUH? Dem Senator Elissa Slotkin Says ‘We Must Fund the Department of Homeland Security’ Right After She Voted Against It (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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HUH? Dem Senator Elissa Slotkin Says ‘We Must Fund the Department of Homeland Security’ Right After She Voted Against It (VIDEO) – This week, after the terror attack on a synagogue in Michigan, Dem Senator Elissa Slotkin stood in front of TV cameras and said that we need to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which is odd considering she voted against doing that just hours before then. The post HUH? Dem Senator Elissa Slotkin Says ‘We Must Fund the Department of Homeland Security’ Right After She Voted Against It (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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This week, after the terror attack on a synagogue in Michigan, Dem Senator Elissa Slotkin stood in front of TV cameras and said that we need to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which is odd considering she voted against doing that just hours before then.

The post HUH? Dem Senator Elissa Slotkin Says ‘We Must Fund the Department of Homeland Security’ Right After She Voted Against It (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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J.D. Vance Applauded in North Carolina After Saying We Must Keep Illegals From Voting in Our Elections (VIDEO) – Vice President J.D. The post J.D. Vance Applauded in North Carolina After Saying We Must Keep Illegals From Voting in Our Elections (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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J.D. Vance Applauded in North Carolina After Saying We Must Keep Illegals From Voting in Our Elections (VIDEO) – Vice President J.D. The post J.D. Vance Applauded in North Carolina After Saying We Must Keep Illegals From Voting in Our Elections (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Vice President J.D.

The post J.D. Vance Applauded in North Carolina After Saying We Must Keep Illegals From Voting in Our Elections (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Prayer for God’s Help in Daily Actions: Prayer of the Day for Saturday, March 14, 2026 – #Prayer – Our Father, may everything I do begin with Your Inspiration, continue with Your Help, and reach perfection under Your Guidance. With Your loving care guide me in my daily actions. Help me to persevere with love and sincerity. Teach me to judge wisely the things of earth and to love the things of Heaven. Keep me in Your presence and never let me be separated from You. Your Spirit made me Your child, confident to call You Father. Make Your Love the foundation of …

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Our Father, may everything I do begin with Your Inspiration,
continue with Your Help,
and reach perfection under Your Guidance.
With Your loving care guide me in my daily actions.
Help me to persevere with love and sincerity.
Teach me to judge wisely the things of earth
and to love the things of Heaven.
Keep me in Your presence
and never let me be separated from You.
Your Spirit made me Your child,
confident to call You Father.
Make Your Love the foundation of …

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 14 March 2026 – A reading from the Book of Hosea 6:1-6 "Come, let us return to the LORD, it is he who has rent, but he will heal us; he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds. He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, to live in his presence. Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD; as certain as the dawn is his coming, and his judgment shines forth like the light of day! He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth." What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your piety is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away. For this reason I smote them through the prophets, I slew them by the words of my mouth; For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.From the Gospel according to Luke 18:9-14 Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”Both the Pharisee and the tax collector go up to the Temple to pray. We could say that they “go up together” or, at least, they find themselves together in the sacred place. Yet they are divided; and there is no communication between them. Both take the same path, but they do not walk together. Both are in the Temple; but one takes the first place, and the other remains behind. Both pray to the Father, but without being brothers and without having anything in common. This division depends above all on the Pharisee’s attitude. His prayer, though seemingly addressed to God, is only a mirror in which he looks at, justifies and praises himself. As Saint Augustine writes, he “went up to pray: he had no mind to pray to God, but to laud himself” (Discourse 115, 2). Feeling superior, he judges the other with contempt and looks down on him. The Pharisee is obsessed with his own ego and, in this way, ends up focused on himself without having a relationship with either God or others. Brothers and sisters, this can also happen in the Christian community. It happens when the ego prevails over the collective, causing an individualism that prevents authentic and fraternal relationships. It also occurs when the claim to be better than others, as the Pharisee does with the tax collector, creates division and turns the community into a judgmental and exclusionary place; and when one leverages one’s role to exert power, rather than to serve. We should, however, focus our attention on the tax collector. With the same humility that he showed, we too must recognize within the Church that we are all in need of God and of one another, which leads us to practice reciprocal love, listen to each other and enjoy walking together. It is based on the knowledge that Christ belongs to those who are humble, not to those who elevate themselves above the flock (cf. Saint Clement of Rome, Letter to the Corinthians, c. XVI). (Leo XIV – Homily for the Jubilee of the Synodal Teams and Participatory Bodies, 26 October 2025)

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A reading from the Book of Hosea
6:1-6

"Come, let us return to the LORD,
it is he who has rent, but he will heal us;
he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds.
He will revive us after two days;
on the third day he will raise us up,
to live in his presence.
Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD;
as certain as the dawn is his coming,
and his judgment shines forth like the light of day!
He will come to us like the rain,
like spring rain that waters the earth."

What can I do with you, Ephraim?
What can I do with you, Judah?
Your piety is like a morning cloud,
like the dew that early passes away.
For this reason I smote them through the prophets,
I slew them by the words of my mouth;
For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice,
and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

From the Gospel according to Luke
18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity —
greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week,
and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Both the Pharisee and the tax collector go up to the Temple to pray. We could say that they “go up together” or, at least, they find themselves together in the sacred place. Yet they are divided; and there is no communication between them. Both take the same path, but they do not walk together. Both are in the Temple; but one takes the first place, and the other remains behind. Both pray to the Father, but without being brothers and without having anything in common. This division depends above all on the Pharisee’s attitude. His prayer, though seemingly addressed to God, is only a mirror in which he looks at, justifies and praises himself. As Saint Augustine writes, he “went up to pray: he had no mind to pray to God, but to laud himself” (Discourse 115, 2). Feeling superior, he judges the other with contempt and looks down on him. The Pharisee is obsessed with his own ego and, in this way, ends up focused on himself without having a relationship with either God or others. Brothers and sisters, this can also happen in the Christian community. It happens when the ego prevails over the collective, causing an individualism that prevents authentic and fraternal relationships. It also occurs when the claim to be better than others, as the Pharisee does with the tax collector, creates division and turns the community into a judgmental and exclusionary place; and when one leverages one’s role to exert power, rather than to serve. We should, however, focus our attention on the tax collector. With the same humility that he showed, we too must recognize within the Church that we are all in need of God and of one another, which leads us to practice reciprocal love, listen to each other and enjoy walking together. It is based on the knowledge that Christ belongs to those who are humble, not to those who elevate themselves above the flock (cf. Saint Clement of Rome, Letter to the Corinthians, c. XVI). (Leo XIV – Homily for the Jubilee of the Synodal Teams and Participatory Bodies, 26 October 2025)

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Suspect arrested after Nebraska deacon found murdered, police say #Catholic Local police have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a Catholic deacon in the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, this week. The Omaha Police Officers Association said in a March 13 Facebook post that a “person of interest” was taken into custody on March 12 after Deacon John Zak was reportedly murdered the previous night. Zak “was an active member of the community and a deacon at St. Peter’s Catholic Church” in the city’s Leavenworth neighborhood, the police association said. Father John Broheimer, the pastor of St. Peter’s, said in a statement on the parish website that Zak had been a member of the parish for more than 30 years and served as a deacon there for 25 years. “Through his ministry he touched countless lives, especially the young people of our parish, whom he served with generosity and sincere faith,” the pastor said. The priest urged parishioners to pray for Zak’s family and to “support them with your charity in the days ahead.”Police had not publicly identified a motive in the killing as of March 13, but local news reports said a “family member” named Martin Zak had been booked in local jail on homicide and felony theft charges.Jail records showed that an individual named Martin Zak was being held without bond.The Archdiocese of Omaha did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the tragedy.
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Suspect arrested after Nebraska deacon found murdered, police say #Catholic Local police have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a Catholic deacon in the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, this week. The Omaha Police Officers Association said in a March 13 Facebook post that a “person of interest” was taken into custody on March 12 after Deacon John Zak was reportedly murdered the previous night. Zak “was an active member of the community and a deacon at St. Peter’s Catholic Church” in the city’s Leavenworth neighborhood, the police association said. Father John Broheimer, the pastor of St. Peter’s, said in a statement on the parish website that Zak had been a member of the parish for more than 30 years and served as a deacon there for 25 years. “Through his ministry he touched countless lives, especially the young people of our parish, whom he served with generosity and sincere faith,” the pastor said. The priest urged parishioners to pray for Zak’s family and to “support them with your charity in the days ahead.”Police had not publicly identified a motive in the killing as of March 13, but local news reports said a “family member” named Martin Zak had been booked in local jail on homicide and felony theft charges.Jail records showed that an individual named Martin Zak was being held without bond.The Archdiocese of Omaha did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the tragedy.

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Deacon John Zak was “an active member of the community” before he was killed on March 11, police said.

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Cuban government to release 51 prisoners following Vatican talks #Catholic The Cuban government announced that it will release 51 people from prison because of its “smooth” relations with the Vatican — a move that coincides with the upcoming observance of Holy Week.“In the spirit of goodwill, and of the close and smooth relations between the Cuban state and the Vatican — with which communication regarding processes for the review and release of persons deprived of liberty has historically been maintained — the government of Cuba has decided to release, in the coming days, 51 individuals sentenced to deprivation of liberty [prison],” the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported in a March 12 statement.The director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, confirmed to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, on March 13 that “conversations regarding the release of prisoners have recently taken place.”The statement from the Cuban ministry notes that all these individuals “have served a significant portion of their sentences and have maintained good conduct in prison”; however, it does not indicate whether the group includes political prisoners.The communist regime states that since 2010, it “has granted pardons to 9,905 inmates, while — over the last three years, as part of Cuban practice and pursuant to the provisions of our legislation — another 10,000 individuals sentenced to deprivation of liberty were released based on certain conditions.”This announcement comes amid renewed tensions between Cuba and the United States, which began in January, and the recent meetings that representatives from both countries have held with Vatican officials.On Feb. 20, the U.S. chief of mission in Cuba, Mike Hammer, held a meeting at the Vatican with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s secretary for relations with states.Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin stated on March 9 that the Holy See has taken “the necessary steps” regarding the situation in Cuba, “always with a view to a solution to the existing problems through dialogue.”In January 2025, the Cuban regime also announced the release of 553 prisoners following mediation by Pope Francis and “in the spirit of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025.”Victoria Cardiel, EWTN News correspondent in Rome, contributed to this report.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Cuban government to release 51 prisoners following Vatican talks #Catholic The Cuban government announced that it will release 51 people from prison because of its “smooth” relations with the Vatican — a move that coincides with the upcoming observance of Holy Week.“In the spirit of goodwill, and of the close and smooth relations between the Cuban state and the Vatican — with which communication regarding processes for the review and release of persons deprived of liberty has historically been maintained — the government of Cuba has decided to release, in the coming days, 51 individuals sentenced to deprivation of liberty [prison],” the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported in a March 12 statement.The director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, confirmed to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, on March 13 that “conversations regarding the release of prisoners have recently taken place.”The statement from the Cuban ministry notes that all these individuals “have served a significant portion of their sentences and have maintained good conduct in prison”; however, it does not indicate whether the group includes political prisoners.The communist regime states that since 2010, it “has granted pardons to 9,905 inmates, while — over the last three years, as part of Cuban practice and pursuant to the provisions of our legislation — another 10,000 individuals sentenced to deprivation of liberty were released based on certain conditions.”This announcement comes amid renewed tensions between Cuba and the United States, which began in January, and the recent meetings that representatives from both countries have held with Vatican officials.On Feb. 20, the U.S. chief of mission in Cuba, Mike Hammer, held a meeting at the Vatican with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s secretary for relations with states.Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin stated on March 9 that the Holy See has taken “the necessary steps” regarding the situation in Cuba, “always with a view to a solution to the existing problems through dialogue.”In January 2025, the Cuban regime also announced the release of 553 prisoners following mediation by Pope Francis and “in the spirit of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025.”Victoria Cardiel, EWTN News correspondent in Rome, contributed to this report.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The regime stated the decision was made in a “spirit of goodwill” and because of its good relations with the Holy See, but did not indicate if any of those to be released are political prisoners.

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Renovación Carismática Católica de la Diócesis de Paterson presenta su nueva coordinación y plan pastoral 2026 #Catholic – En un ambiente de oración, comunión fraterna y presencia del Espíritu Santo, el comité de la Renovación Carismática Católica (RCC) de la Diócesis de Paterson sostuvo un significativo encuentro el jueves 5 de marzo con el Padre Duberney Villamizar, Vicario para Asuntos Hispanos de la diócesis. Durante la reunión, el comité diocesano presentó formalmente la nueva coordinación de la Renovación y el plan pastoral que guiará las actividades y proyectos para el año 2026. También se compartieron los primeros frutos y avances alcanzados desde el inicio de esta nueva etapa pastoral, comenzada en diciembre de 2025. Uno de los puntos centrales del encuentro fue la presentación del lema pastoral del año: “Alma Sana, Corazón Libre”, una invitación a vivir una vida interior sanada, renovada por la gracia del Espíritu Santo y abierta a una experiencia más profunda del amor del Padre Celestial. Para suscribirse a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal, haga click aquí. El Padre Duberney recibió con entusiasmo las iniciativas presentadas y ofreció valiosos aportes pastorales, ideas y orientaciones que fortalecerán el desarrollo de las actividades programadas en la diócesis. La RCC Paterson cuenta además con el acompañamiento pastoral del Padre Yasid Salas como Director Espiritual y con la misión de intercesión confiada a Yamily Rosario, Coordinadora del Ministerio de Intercesión.  
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Renovación Carismática Católica de la Diócesis de Paterson presenta su nueva coordinación y plan pastoral 2026 #Catholic – En un ambiente de oración, comunión fraterna y presencia del Espíritu Santo, el comité de la Renovación Carismática Católica (RCC) de la Diócesis de Paterson sostuvo un significativo encuentro el jueves 5 de marzo con el Padre Duberney Villamizar, Vicario para Asuntos Hispanos de la diócesis. Durante la reunión, el comité diocesano presentó formalmente la nueva coordinación de la Renovación y el plan pastoral que guiará las actividades y proyectos para el año 2026. También se compartieron los primeros frutos y avances alcanzados desde el inicio de esta nueva etapa pastoral, comenzada en diciembre de 2025. Uno de los puntos centrales del encuentro fue la presentación del lema pastoral del año: “Alma Sana, Corazón Libre”, una invitación a vivir una vida interior sanada, renovada por la gracia del Espíritu Santo y abierta a una experiencia más profunda del amor del Padre Celestial. Para suscribirse a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal, haga click aquí. El Padre Duberney recibió con entusiasmo las iniciativas presentadas y ofreció valiosos aportes pastorales, ideas y orientaciones que fortalecerán el desarrollo de las actividades programadas en la diócesis. La RCC Paterson cuenta además con el acompañamiento pastoral del Padre Yasid Salas como Director Espiritual y con la misión de intercesión confiada a Yamily Rosario, Coordinadora del Ministerio de Intercesión.  

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Renovación Carismática Católica de la Diócesis de Paterson presenta su nueva coordinación y plan pastoral 2026 #Catholic –

En un ambiente de oración, comunión fraterna y presencia del Espíritu Santo, el comité de la Renovación Carismática Católica (RCC) de la Diócesis de Paterson sostuvo un significativo encuentro el jueves 5 de marzo con el Padre Duberney Villamizar, Vicario para Asuntos Hispanos de la diócesis.

Durante la reunión, el comité diocesano presentó formalmente la nueva coordinación de la Renovación y el plan pastoral que guiará las actividades y proyectos para el año 2026. También se compartieron los primeros frutos y avances alcanzados desde el inicio de esta nueva etapa pastoral, comenzada en diciembre de 2025.

Uno de los puntos centrales del encuentro fue la presentación del lema pastoral del año: “Alma Sana, Corazón Libre”, una invitación a vivir una vida interior sanada, renovada por la gracia del Espíritu Santo y abierta a una experiencia más profunda del amor del Padre Celestial.

Para suscribirse a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal, haga click aquí.

El Padre Duberney recibió con entusiasmo las iniciativas presentadas y ofreció valiosos aportes pastorales, ideas y orientaciones que fortalecerán el desarrollo de las actividades programadas en la diócesis.

La RCC Paterson cuenta además con el acompañamiento pastoral del Padre Yasid Salas como Director Espiritual y con la misión de intercesión confiada a Yamily Rosario, Coordinadora del Ministerio de Intercesión.

 

– En un ambiente de oración, comunión fraterna y presencia del Espíritu Santo, el comité de la Renovación Carismática Católica (RCC) de la Diócesis de Paterson sostuvo un significativo encuentro el jueves 5 de marzo con el Padre Duberney Villamizar, Vicario para Asuntos Hispanos de la diócesis. Durante la reunión, el comité diocesano presentó formalmente la nueva coordinación de la Renovación y el plan pastoral que guiará las actividades y proyectos para el año 2026. También se compartieron los primeros frutos y avances alcanzados desde el inicio de esta nueva etapa pastoral, comenzada en diciembre de 2025. Uno de los puntos

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Webb Spots Details in Nearby Spiral Galaxy – Two powerful instruments of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope joined forces to create this scenic galaxy view. This spiral galaxy is named NGC 5134, and it’s located 65 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo.
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Webb Spots Details in Nearby Spiral Galaxy – Two powerful instruments of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope joined forces to create this scenic galaxy view. This spiral galaxy is named NGC 5134, and it’s located 65 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo.

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Two powerful instruments of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope joined forces to create this scenic galaxy view. This spiral galaxy is named NGC 5134, and it’s located 65 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo.

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Nicaraguan dictator Ortega bans ordinations in dioceses of 4 exiled bishops – #Catholic – Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife and co-president, Rosario Murillo, have banned the ordination of priests and deacons in four dioceses in Nicaragua whose bishops remain in exile. The measure exacerbates a pastoral crisis already marked by years of religious persecution, although vocations continue.The four dioceses without a bishop present in the country are Jinotega, Siuna, Matagalpa, and Estelí. Bishop Carlos Herrera of Jinotega, president of the bishops’ conference, was expelled in November 2024 after criticizing a mayor aligned with the regime who had interfered with a Mass Herrera was celebrating by blasting loud music outside.Months earlier, in July of that year, Herrera had ordained a priest and seven deacons in the neighboring Diocese of Matagalpa, whose bishop, Rolando Álvarez, after spending 18 months in detention, was deported to Rome by the regime in January 2024.This ordination represented a “liturgical oasis” for the Church, in the words of Martha Patricia Molina, author of the report “Nicaragua: A Persecuted Church.” “It occurred six months after Álvarez, who is also apostolic administrator of Estelí, and Bishop Isidoro Mora of Siuna were deported by the dictatorship.”The dictatorship’s ‘hatred’ of Álvarez prevents ordinationsACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, spoke with three Nicaraguan priests in exile who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals from the regime.“The government is the one affecting the ordinations. And besides the ordinations, there are many other things, like a little more surveillance” of the priests, said one of the clergy.He pointed out that “the police are the ones enforcing all of this” and attributed the ban in Matagalpa to “the dictatorship’s hatred of Bishop Rolando.”The same priest charged that the regime seeks to “supplant the bishops” and that some clergy “don’t put up a fight to avoid making their lives more difficult, with the idea of ​​saving their dioceses, but in the end they are surrendering their mandate to whatever the government says.”The priest noted that Matagalpa is probably the most affected diocese, with at least 32 of its priests outside the country.‘More extreme surveillance’ where there is no bishop“Especially in dioceses without a bishop, surveillance is even more extreme to prevent a bishop from another diocese from coming” for some liturgical event, the second priest contacted by ACI Prensa stated.According to this priest, there are currently about seven candidates for the priesthood in Siuna who completed their studies in 2025, plus another group that finished in 2024, and both groups are still waiting to be ordained. Despite this situation, the phenomenon “does not seem to have affected new admissions” to the seminary.Why can some dioceses perform ordinations while others cannot?The third priest explained that “León, Granada, Juigalpa, and Bluefields are dioceses that have their diocesan bishop there and maintain a very prudent approach, even though some media outlets have labeled one of [the bishops] as an ally of the regime. That’s not true; they are simply more practical for the good of their pastors and their flock.”He also explained that to carry out an ordination, a letter of authorization from the bishop is required, which “can be easily obtained because it can be sent by email, and they can allow candidates to be ordained in other dioceses.”However, the obstacle is political. “The problem is that the government interprets that permission, those letters, as an intrusion into their sovereignty and sees as a threat a bishop who is away but continues to govern his diocese,” he explained.Problems caused by the lack of ordinationsFor Molina, the ban on ordinations has an “alarming” impact since, for example, “Matagalpa is currently operating with barely 30% of its active clergy. Seven out of 10 priests have been forced into exile or banishment,” while “Estelí and Jinotega have experienced reductions of up to 50% in their pastoral capacity, leaving entire communities without the regular celebration of the Eucharist.”“The human drama is concentrated in the seminaries. Dozens of young men who have successfully completed their studies in philosophy, theology, and pastoral training find themselves in a legal and spiritual limbo. They possess the aptitude and the calling, but they cannot receive the sacrament [of holy orders],” the researcher told ACI Prensa.“Without replacements for the priests who have been banished, expelled, or who have died, the Catholic Church in Nicaragua faces the real possibility of a gradual closure of parishes,” she warned, adding that “the absence of a priest means” for the faithful “the end of social support and the loss of [the graces of] the sacraments.” ACI Prensa contacted the five dioceses where priestly and diaconal ordinations are permitted to inquire why they are allowed there but not in the other four but has not yet received a response.The dioceses where ordinations are permitted are the Archdiocese of Managua along with the dioceses of León, Juigalpa, Granada, and Bluefields. In December 2025, three deacons were ordained in Juigalpa, and in January of this year, two were ordained in Bluefields.In June 2025, eight deacons were ordained in Managua, and in November they were ordained priests. Six of them were assigned their pastoral missions in February, while in León a deacon was ordained on Feb. 28.ACI Prensa also contacted the dioceses where ordinations are prohibited to inquire about the issue but has not yet received a response.Vocations continue to flourishOne point on which the three exiled priests agree is that vocations continue to flourish in Nicaragua and “the Lord continues to raise up courageous young men who listen to him and enter into the process of vocational discernment.”The third priest contacted by ACI Prensa emphasized that “even though the government wants to prevent priestly ordinations, there have been ways in which the Church, the bishops, have managed and sought to make them happen without the government noticing. This demonstrates the Church’s resourcefulness in the face of adversity, how it reinvents itself, how it continues to evangelize.”Mosaico CSI reported in February that “two Nicaraguans were ordained priests in the Diocese of Limón, Costa Rica, in a secretly held ceremony” to avoid reprisals from the Nicaraguan regime.The third priest emphasized that “obstacles are not a problem for the Church, but rather a cross that the Church bravely embraces, as Our Lord taught us, and that propels it on this path to resurrection.”The Church is ‘crucified but not immobilized’This last priest offered a reflection on the dictatorship’s persecution of the Catholic Church, which has intensified since the anti-regime protests of 2018.“One day, those people who ordered us not to celebrate these ordination rites will also find that glorious cross in the Church and will realize the harm they are doing, but in the meantime, the Church has continued working,” he emphasized.“The Church in Nicaragua is crucified, but it’s not immobilized; that is to say, the cross continues to bear even more fruit because the Church is not complacent, it’s not static. It’s on the move,” he said.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Nicaraguan dictator Ortega bans ordinations in dioceses of 4 exiled bishops – #Catholic – Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife and co-president, Rosario Murillo, have banned the ordination of priests and deacons in four dioceses in Nicaragua whose bishops remain in exile. The measure exacerbates a pastoral crisis already marked by years of religious persecution, although vocations continue.The four dioceses without a bishop present in the country are Jinotega, Siuna, Matagalpa, and Estelí. Bishop Carlos Herrera of Jinotega, president of the bishops’ conference, was expelled in November 2024 after criticizing a mayor aligned with the regime who had interfered with a Mass Herrera was celebrating by blasting loud music outside.Months earlier, in July of that year, Herrera had ordained a priest and seven deacons in the neighboring Diocese of Matagalpa, whose bishop, Rolando Álvarez, after spending 18 months in detention, was deported to Rome by the regime in January 2024.This ordination represented a “liturgical oasis” for the Church, in the words of Martha Patricia Molina, author of the report “Nicaragua: A Persecuted Church.” “It occurred six months after Álvarez, who is also apostolic administrator of Estelí, and Bishop Isidoro Mora of Siuna were deported by the dictatorship.”The dictatorship’s ‘hatred’ of Álvarez prevents ordinationsACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, spoke with three Nicaraguan priests in exile who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals from the regime.“The government is the one affecting the ordinations. And besides the ordinations, there are many other things, like a little more surveillance” of the priests, said one of the clergy.He pointed out that “the police are the ones enforcing all of this” and attributed the ban in Matagalpa to “the dictatorship’s hatred of Bishop Rolando.”The same priest charged that the regime seeks to “supplant the bishops” and that some clergy “don’t put up a fight to avoid making their lives more difficult, with the idea of ​​saving their dioceses, but in the end they are surrendering their mandate to whatever the government says.”The priest noted that Matagalpa is probably the most affected diocese, with at least 32 of its priests outside the country.‘More extreme surveillance’ where there is no bishop“Especially in dioceses without a bishop, surveillance is even more extreme to prevent a bishop from another diocese from coming” for some liturgical event, the second priest contacted by ACI Prensa stated.According to this priest, there are currently about seven candidates for the priesthood in Siuna who completed their studies in 2025, plus another group that finished in 2024, and both groups are still waiting to be ordained. Despite this situation, the phenomenon “does not seem to have affected new admissions” to the seminary.Why can some dioceses perform ordinations while others cannot?The third priest explained that “León, Granada, Juigalpa, and Bluefields are dioceses that have their diocesan bishop there and maintain a very prudent approach, even though some media outlets have labeled one of [the bishops] as an ally of the regime. That’s not true; they are simply more practical for the good of their pastors and their flock.”He also explained that to carry out an ordination, a letter of authorization from the bishop is required, which “can be easily obtained because it can be sent by email, and they can allow candidates to be ordained in other dioceses.”However, the obstacle is political. “The problem is that the government interprets that permission, those letters, as an intrusion into their sovereignty and sees as a threat a bishop who is away but continues to govern his diocese,” he explained.Problems caused by the lack of ordinationsFor Molina, the ban on ordinations has an “alarming” impact since, for example, “Matagalpa is currently operating with barely 30% of its active clergy. Seven out of 10 priests have been forced into exile or banishment,” while “Estelí and Jinotega have experienced reductions of up to 50% in their pastoral capacity, leaving entire communities without the regular celebration of the Eucharist.”“The human drama is concentrated in the seminaries. Dozens of young men who have successfully completed their studies in philosophy, theology, and pastoral training find themselves in a legal and spiritual limbo. They possess the aptitude and the calling, but they cannot receive the sacrament [of holy orders],” the researcher told ACI Prensa.“Without replacements for the priests who have been banished, expelled, or who have died, the Catholic Church in Nicaragua faces the real possibility of a gradual closure of parishes,” she warned, adding that “the absence of a priest means” for the faithful “the end of social support and the loss of [the graces of] the sacraments.” ACI Prensa contacted the five dioceses where priestly and diaconal ordinations are permitted to inquire why they are allowed there but not in the other four but has not yet received a response.The dioceses where ordinations are permitted are the Archdiocese of Managua along with the dioceses of León, Juigalpa, Granada, and Bluefields. In December 2025, three deacons were ordained in Juigalpa, and in January of this year, two were ordained in Bluefields.In June 2025, eight deacons were ordained in Managua, and in November they were ordained priests. Six of them were assigned their pastoral missions in February, while in León a deacon was ordained on Feb. 28.ACI Prensa also contacted the dioceses where ordinations are prohibited to inquire about the issue but has not yet received a response.Vocations continue to flourishOne point on which the three exiled priests agree is that vocations continue to flourish in Nicaragua and “the Lord continues to raise up courageous young men who listen to him and enter into the process of vocational discernment.”The third priest contacted by ACI Prensa emphasized that “even though the government wants to prevent priestly ordinations, there have been ways in which the Church, the bishops, have managed and sought to make them happen without the government noticing. This demonstrates the Church’s resourcefulness in the face of adversity, how it reinvents itself, how it continues to evangelize.”Mosaico CSI reported in February that “two Nicaraguans were ordained priests in the Diocese of Limón, Costa Rica, in a secretly held ceremony” to avoid reprisals from the Nicaraguan regime.The third priest emphasized that “obstacles are not a problem for the Church, but rather a cross that the Church bravely embraces, as Our Lord taught us, and that propels it on this path to resurrection.”The Church is ‘crucified but not immobilized’This last priest offered a reflection on the dictatorship’s persecution of the Catholic Church, which has intensified since the anti-regime protests of 2018.“One day, those people who ordered us not to celebrate these ordination rites will also find that glorious cross in the Church and will realize the harm they are doing, but in the meantime, the Church has continued working,” he emphasized.“The Church in Nicaragua is crucified, but it’s not immobilized; that is to say, the cross continues to bear even more fruit because the Church is not complacent, it’s not static. It’s on the move,” he said.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Having deported four bishops for their criticism of the regime, the Nicaraguan dictator seeks to punish them further by not allowing any ordinations in their dioceses.

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Miami archbishop warns on ending Haiti temporary protective status and deepening crisis in Cuba – #Catholic – Ending temporary residency protections for Haitians would be “sending people into a burning building,” Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami said.This week the Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to strip legal protections from Haitians living in the United States with temporary protected status (TPS).TPS provides hundreds of thousands of eligible Haitians in the U.S. with protection from deportation and work authorization, due to ongoing safety concerns in Haiti. The Justice Department requested the court to lift a judge’s Feb. 2 decision that blocked the Trump administration from ending TPS that was granted in 2010.“I would hope that the court does not support the Trump initiative at this time because this would create tremendous pain … both with the Haitians affected by the end of TPS, but also of the local community here, which today benefits from these people’s participation in our labor force,” Wenski said in an interview March 12 with “EWTN News Nightly.”It is not only relevant to “the humanitarian aspects” but also “the business aspects,” Wenski said. “And the president is a businessman; he should understand that this would hurt business in a very, very real way.”Working Haitians in the Miami Archdiocese “pay millions of dollars in taxes,” Wenski said. The city would lose workers benefiting the “full labor market” Miami has within the agriculture business, construction business, hospitality business, and health care.Ending TPS would ultimately be “sending people into a burning building,” he said. “Haiti is a country that is in free fall.”“It has not had an elected official, it has not had a real government, in over six years. There’s no end in sight to the violence that is affecting about a third of the country, especially the capital area, where gangs control many parts of the neighborhoods, which make schooling impossible,” Wenski said.“And that’s the exact opposite of what the TPS provisions when passed by Congress in the ’90s was designed to prevent,” Wenski said. “Of course, TPS means temporary protective status, but there’s no way for us to determine what temporary means because it’s beyond our control, because the situation in Haiti obviously hasn’t improved for a very long time.”“That’s true as well as Nicaragua to a great degree, still true of Venezuela, and it’s certainly true of Cuba,” as “a lot of people came here during the Biden administration on a special humanitarian visa,” he said. “Over 500,000 people came to this country in that way. That means that they never spent a day illegal in this country because they came here legally, invited by the U.S. government, if you will, given a humanitarian visa, and then all of a sudden, in one fell swoop, they become without legal status and are told to go home,” Wenski said.Situation in CubaWenski also discussed how “Cubans in Miami are very hopeful that there will be some type of a regime change,” following the Trump administration suggesting a possible “friendly takeover” of the island nation.“I would say Cubans in Cuba are also very hopeful, but everybody’s a bit nervous too,” he said. Based on conversation with members of the Cuban Church, “they’ve always been advocating a soft landing for when necessary changes come to Cuba.”“They need a soft landing, not a landing that would be harsh, that would cause more violence,” Wenski said. “Whether the Trump administration has the ability to engineer such a soft landing still remains to be seen.”“But right now, Cuba is being choked. There’s no food, there’s no fuel, there’s no freedom, and for many people, no hope,” he said. “And so even with some changes coming to Cuba, it’ll be a long time before the economy can be rebooted to provide for the needs of the population on an island.”Church’s roleThe Church has been a source to promote “dialogue” and “reconciliation,” Wenski said. “Right now, the Church in Cuba is cooperating with the United States because after Hurricane Melissa that affected Cuba several months ago, the first aid that reached Cuba was from the Archdiocese of Miami.”Then, Secretary of State Marco Rubio “approved million from the U.S. government, and for the first time in history, the Cuban government accepted money coming from the U.S. government. It was going to be distributed through Cáritas, which is … the charity agency of the Church in Cuba.”“After that first million was distributed, the Trump administration also granted another million for that hurricane,” he explained. “But it’s the Catholic Church that is leading the aid and distributing it on the island, cooperating with the United States, and at the same time, cooperating with the Cuban authorities, because the Cuban authorities have to step back and allow the Church to distribute the aid, and things are happening.”“So the Church is a very important player in Cuba and beyond,” he said.
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Miami archbishop warns on ending Haiti temporary protective status and deepening crisis in Cuba – #Catholic – Ending temporary residency protections for Haitians would be “sending people into a burning building,” Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami said.This week the Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to strip legal protections from Haitians living in the United States with temporary protected status (TPS).TPS provides hundreds of thousands of eligible Haitians in the U.S. with protection from deportation and work authorization, due to ongoing safety concerns in Haiti. The Justice Department requested the court to lift a judge’s Feb. 2 decision that blocked the Trump administration from ending TPS that was granted in 2010.“I would hope that the court does not support the Trump initiative at this time because this would create tremendous pain … both with the Haitians affected by the end of TPS, but also of the local community here, which today benefits from these people’s participation in our labor force,” Wenski said in an interview March 12 with “EWTN News Nightly.”It is not only relevant to “the humanitarian aspects” but also “the business aspects,” Wenski said. “And the president is a businessman; he should understand that this would hurt business in a very, very real way.”Working Haitians in the Miami Archdiocese “pay millions of dollars in taxes,” Wenski said. The city would lose workers benefiting the “full labor market” Miami has within the agriculture business, construction business, hospitality business, and health care.Ending TPS would ultimately be “sending people into a burning building,” he said. “Haiti is a country that is in free fall.”“It has not had an elected official, it has not had a real government, in over six years. There’s no end in sight to the violence that is affecting about a third of the country, especially the capital area, where gangs control many parts of the neighborhoods, which make schooling impossible,” Wenski said.“And that’s the exact opposite of what the TPS provisions when passed by Congress in the ’90s was designed to prevent,” Wenski said. “Of course, TPS means temporary protective status, but there’s no way for us to determine what temporary means because it’s beyond our control, because the situation in Haiti obviously hasn’t improved for a very long time.”“That’s true as well as Nicaragua to a great degree, still true of Venezuela, and it’s certainly true of Cuba,” as “a lot of people came here during the Biden administration on a special humanitarian visa,” he said. “Over 500,000 people came to this country in that way. That means that they never spent a day illegal in this country because they came here legally, invited by the U.S. government, if you will, given a humanitarian visa, and then all of a sudden, in one fell swoop, they become without legal status and are told to go home,” Wenski said.Situation in CubaWenski also discussed how “Cubans in Miami are very hopeful that there will be some type of a regime change,” following the Trump administration suggesting a possible “friendly takeover” of the island nation.“I would say Cubans in Cuba are also very hopeful, but everybody’s a bit nervous too,” he said. Based on conversation with members of the Cuban Church, “they’ve always been advocating a soft landing for when necessary changes come to Cuba.”“They need a soft landing, not a landing that would be harsh, that would cause more violence,” Wenski said. “Whether the Trump administration has the ability to engineer such a soft landing still remains to be seen.”“But right now, Cuba is being choked. There’s no food, there’s no fuel, there’s no freedom, and for many people, no hope,” he said. “And so even with some changes coming to Cuba, it’ll be a long time before the economy can be rebooted to provide for the needs of the population on an island.”Church’s roleThe Church has been a source to promote “dialogue” and “reconciliation,” Wenski said. “Right now, the Church in Cuba is cooperating with the United States because after Hurricane Melissa that affected Cuba several months ago, the first aid that reached Cuba was from the Archdiocese of Miami.”Then, Secretary of State Marco Rubio “approved $3 million from the U.S. government, and for the first time in history, the Cuban government accepted money coming from the U.S. government. It was going to be distributed through Cáritas, which is … the charity agency of the Church in Cuba.”“After that first $3 million was distributed, the Trump administration also granted another $6 million for that hurricane,” he explained. “But it’s the Catholic Church that is leading the aid and distributing it on the island, cooperating with the United States, and at the same time, cooperating with the Cuban authorities, because the Cuban authorities have to step back and allow the Church to distribute the aid, and things are happening.”“So the Church is a very important player in Cuba and beyond,” he said.

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Ending temporary protected status would be “sending people into a burning building,” he said. “Haiti is a country that is in free fall.”

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Who was Father Pierre al-Rahi, the Maronite priest who died helping the wounded in Lebanon? – #Catholic – Thousands of people gathered March 11 in the border town of Qlayaa in southern Lebanon to bid farewell to Father Pierre al-Rahi, a Maronite priest who died after being wounded in an Israeli attack during the recent offensive in the region.The funeral was held at St. George’s Church and drew crowds of local families, displaced people who had sought refuge in the area, Maronite priests from across the country, and civil authorities, according to The Eastern Church.Many of those present felt “as if they were burying their own father,” a reflection of the close relationship the priest had forged with the community over the years.Al-Rahi was the parish priest of St. George’s Church in Qlayaa, a predominantly Christian village of about 8,000 inhabitants, near the border with Israel.The parish became the center of his ministry within the Maronite Church, an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the pope and the Maronite patriarchate in Bkerke.A shepherd who chose to stay with his flockAmid the escalating violence in southern Lebanon, the priest reiterated his decision to remain with his community, even as many residents of the region were forced to flee their homes.In one of his last television interviews, according to the National Catholic Register, the sister partner of EWTN News, he stated that he would stay there “until death.”Southern Lebanon’s Christian communities have refused to comply with Israeli evacuation orders fearing that if they left they would never get their land back, as it would be occupied by some group — whether it be Israelis or other local groups. In his last public statement, reported by France24 on March 8 from the steps of his parish, the priest explained the spirit with which the Christian community was facing the crisis.“We are obliged to stay despite the danger, when we defend our land, and we do so peacefully. None of us carry weapons. We all bring peace, kindness, and love. All the churches are gathered, all the religions together … it can only be for peace.”On March 9, hours before he died, al-Rahi addressed his community again with words that today resonate with many as a spiritual testament: “You know that we are walking the path of the Passion; there is death, and after it, resurrection with Our Lord Jesus Christ … I am ready to die in my house, because this is my house.”He died while helping the woundedThe priest died in Marjayoun Hospital after suffering shrapnel wounds during a shelling of a house in Qlayaa.According to María Lozano, project director for the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) foundation, the priest died while trying to help victims of the first strike.“Father Pierre went to see how he could help the wounded … and that’s when a second projectile hit and killed him,” she explained.“He was a very dedicated person, very dedicated to his people,” Lozano added in an interview with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News.The ACN project director explained that the Christian communities in southern Lebanon “had decided to stay despite the war, saying: ‘We are a Christian population and we have nothing to do with this war and we don’t want to leave.’”‘The father of the community’French journalist Nathalie Duplan, who specializes in the Middle East, described the priest as a figure deeply beloved by the villagers.“He truly was the father of the community, a symbol,” she stated in an interview with ACI Prensa. “He used to say something incredible: ‘Yes, there is death, but I am not afraid, because after death there is resurrection.’”According to The Eastern Church, testimonies gathered after his death consistently describe al-Rahi as a man who was approachable, present, and deeply committed to his people.He was frequently seen on the streets of Qlayaa, visiting the sick, accompanying families at births and funerals, and knowing children by name.Al-Rahi was born in 1975 in the village of Dibeh in northern Lebanon and was ordained a Maronite priest in the early 2000s.His most significant pastoral assignment was at St. George’s Parish in Qlayaa, where he served for many years.For many villagers, his death symbolizes the determination of southern Lebanese Christians to remain in their land despite the violence. As he himself said in one of his last public statements: “We are here, in our land.”His name in Arabic, al-Rahi, means “the shepherd,” an interesting fact that Pope Leo XIV highlighted this week: “Father Pierre was a true shepherd who always remained with his people with the love and sacrifice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Who was Father Pierre al-Rahi, the Maronite priest who died helping the wounded in Lebanon? – #Catholic – Thousands of people gathered March 11 in the border town of Qlayaa in southern Lebanon to bid farewell to Father Pierre al-Rahi, a Maronite priest who died after being wounded in an Israeli attack during the recent offensive in the region.The funeral was held at St. George’s Church and drew crowds of local families, displaced people who had sought refuge in the area, Maronite priests from across the country, and civil authorities, according to The Eastern Church.Many of those present felt “as if they were burying their own father,” a reflection of the close relationship the priest had forged with the community over the years.Al-Rahi was the parish priest of St. George’s Church in Qlayaa, a predominantly Christian village of about 8,000 inhabitants, near the border with Israel.The parish became the center of his ministry within the Maronite Church, an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the pope and the Maronite patriarchate in Bkerke.A shepherd who chose to stay with his flockAmid the escalating violence in southern Lebanon, the priest reiterated his decision to remain with his community, even as many residents of the region were forced to flee their homes.In one of his last television interviews, according to the National Catholic Register, the sister partner of EWTN News, he stated that he would stay there “until death.”Southern Lebanon’s Christian communities have refused to comply with Israeli evacuation orders fearing that if they left they would never get their land back, as it would be occupied by some group — whether it be Israelis or other local groups. In his last public statement, reported by France24 on March 8 from the steps of his parish, the priest explained the spirit with which the Christian community was facing the crisis.“We are obliged to stay despite the danger, when we defend our land, and we do so peacefully. None of us carry weapons. We all bring peace, kindness, and love. All the churches are gathered, all the religions together … it can only be for peace.”On March 9, hours before he died, al-Rahi addressed his community again with words that today resonate with many as a spiritual testament: “You know that we are walking the path of the Passion; there is death, and after it, resurrection with Our Lord Jesus Christ … I am ready to die in my house, because this is my house.”He died while helping the woundedThe priest died in Marjayoun Hospital after suffering shrapnel wounds during a shelling of a house in Qlayaa.According to María Lozano, project director for the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) foundation, the priest died while trying to help victims of the first strike.“Father Pierre went to see how he could help the wounded … and that’s when a second projectile hit and killed him,” she explained.“He was a very dedicated person, very dedicated to his people,” Lozano added in an interview with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News.The ACN project director explained that the Christian communities in southern Lebanon “had decided to stay despite the war, saying: ‘We are a Christian population and we have nothing to do with this war and we don’t want to leave.’”‘The father of the community’French journalist Nathalie Duplan, who specializes in the Middle East, described the priest as a figure deeply beloved by the villagers.“He truly was the father of the community, a symbol,” she stated in an interview with ACI Prensa. “He used to say something incredible: ‘Yes, there is death, but I am not afraid, because after death there is resurrection.’”According to The Eastern Church, testimonies gathered after his death consistently describe al-Rahi as a man who was approachable, present, and deeply committed to his people.He was frequently seen on the streets of Qlayaa, visiting the sick, accompanying families at births and funerals, and knowing children by name.Al-Rahi was born in 1975 in the village of Dibeh in northern Lebanon and was ordained a Maronite priest in the early 2000s.His most significant pastoral assignment was at St. George’s Parish in Qlayaa, where he served for many years.For many villagers, his death symbolizes the determination of southern Lebanese Christians to remain in their land despite the violence. As he himself said in one of his last public statements: “We are here, in our land.”His name in Arabic, al-Rahi, means “the shepherd,” an interesting fact that Pope Leo XIV highlighted this week: “Father Pierre was a true shepherd who always remained with his people with the love and sacrifice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Amid a new Israeli military incursion into southern Lebanon, a local parish priest embodied Christ in the way he lived and died.

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Morbidly Obese Pete Hegseth Denies Any Knowledge Of What Happened To Leftover Lobster For The Troops #BabylonBee – WASHINGTON, D.C. — An uncharacteristically rotund Pete Hegseth held a press conference to deny having any knowledge of what happened to all the leftover lobster that had been procured for the troops.
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Morbidly Obese Pete Hegseth Denies Any Knowledge Of What Happened To Leftover Lobster For The Troops #BabylonBee – WASHINGTON, D.C. — An uncharacteristically rotund Pete Hegseth held a press conference to deny having any knowledge of what happened to all the leftover lobster that had been procured for the troops.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — An uncharacteristically rotund Pete Hegseth held a press conference to deny having any knowledge of what happened to all the leftover lobster that had been procured for the troops.

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Jew Converts To Christianity After Internet Commenter Says, ‘Christ Is King, You Filthy Money-Grubbing Jew’ #BabylonBee – NEW YORK, NY — Heaven rejoiced today after a Jewish man accepted Jesus and converted to Christianity. Sources confirmed that the man was converted thanks to the powerful witness of an X user who proclaimed, "Christ is King, you filthy money-grubbin’ Jew."
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Jew Converts To Christianity After Internet Commenter Says, ‘Christ Is King, You Filthy Money-Grubbing Jew’ #BabylonBee – NEW YORK, NY — Heaven rejoiced today after a Jewish man accepted Jesus and converted to Christianity. Sources confirmed that the man was converted thanks to the powerful witness of an X user who proclaimed, "Christ is King, you filthy money-grubbin’ Jew."

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NEW YORK, NY — Heaven rejoiced today after a Jewish man accepted Jesus and converted to Christianity. Sources confirmed that the man was converted thanks to the powerful witness of an X user who proclaimed, "Christ is King, you filthy money-grubbin’ Jew."

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UPDATE: ROTC Students at Old Dominion Beat Shooter to Death With Their Bare Hands (VIDEO) – When a shooter attacked at Old Dominion University today, he managed to kill at least one person and injure others, but he didn’t last long. The post UPDATE: ROTC Students at Old Dominion Beat Shooter to Death With Their Bare Hands (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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UPDATE: ROTC Students at Old Dominion Beat Shooter to Death With Their Bare Hands (VIDEO) – When a shooter attacked at Old Dominion University today, he managed to kill at least one person and injure others, but he didn’t last long. The post UPDATE: ROTC Students at Old Dominion Beat Shooter to Death With Their Bare Hands (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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When a shooter attacked at Old Dominion University today, he managed to kill at least one person and injure others, but he didn’t last long.

The post UPDATE: ROTC Students at Old Dominion Beat Shooter to Death With Their Bare Hands (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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REPORT: As a Public School Teacher, Texas Democrat James Talarico Had Students Write ‘Obama Memoirs’ and Encouraged Them to Watch the DNC – Prior to getting into politics, Texas Democrat James Talarico was a middle school teacher in San Antonio. The post REPORT: As a Public School Teacher, Texas Democrat James Talarico Had Students Write ‘Obama Memoirs’ and Encouraged Them to Watch the DNC appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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REPORT: As a Public School Teacher, Texas Democrat James Talarico Had Students Write ‘Obama Memoirs’ and Encouraged Them to Watch the DNC – Prior to getting into politics, Texas Democrat James Talarico was a middle school teacher in San Antonio. The post REPORT: As a Public School Teacher, Texas Democrat James Talarico Had Students Write ‘Obama Memoirs’ and Encouraged Them to Watch the DNC appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Man in a suit smiling in front of a bookshelf filled with various books, showcasing a professional and academic environment.

Man in a suit smiling in front of a bookshelf filled with various books, showcasing a professional and academic environment.

Prior to getting into politics, Texas Democrat James Talarico was a middle school teacher in San Antonio.

The post REPORT: As a Public School Teacher, Texas Democrat James Talarico Had Students Write ‘Obama Memoirs’ and Encouraged Them to Watch the DNC appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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BACKFIRE: How Lobstergate Makes Our Liberal Elites Look Even More Out of Touch – The recent non-troversy now known as Lobstergate is a fake outrage, ginned up by the usual Trump haters in our liberal media and embraced by various Democrats and late night propagandists. The post BACKFIRE: How Lobstergate Makes Our Liberal Elites Look Even More Out of Touch appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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BACKFIRE: How Lobstergate Makes Our Liberal Elites Look Even More Out of Touch – The recent non-troversy now known as Lobstergate is a fake outrage, ginned up by the usual Trump haters in our liberal media and embraced by various Democrats and late night propagandists. The post BACKFIRE: How Lobstergate Makes Our Liberal Elites Look Even More Out of Touch appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

unitedyam

Man in a suit seated in an office, with an American flag and a state flag in the background, conveying a serious demeanor.

Man in a suit seated in an office, with an American flag and a state flag in the background, conveying a serious demeanor.

The recent non-troversy now known as Lobstergate is a fake outrage, ginned up by the usual Trump haters in our liberal media and embraced by various Democrats and late night propagandists.

The post BACKFIRE: How Lobstergate Makes Our Liberal Elites Look Even More Out of Touch appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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To Perceive Animals as God’s Gifts: Prayer of the Day for Friday, March 13, 2026 – #Prayer – God Our Heavenly Father, You created the world to serve humanity’s needs and to lead them to You. By our own fault we have lost the beautiful relationship which we once had with all Your creation. Help us to see that by restoring our relationship with You we will also restore it with all Your creation. Give us the grace to see all animals as gifts from You and to treat them with respect for they are Your creation. We pray for all animals who are suffering as a result of …

unitedyam

God Our Heavenly Father,
You created the world to serve humanity’s needs
and to lead them to You.
By our own fault
we have lost the beautiful relationship
which we once had with all Your creation.
Help us to see that by restoring our relationship with You
we will also restore it with all Your creation.
Give us the grace to see all animals as gifts from You
and to treat them with respect
for they are Your creation.
We pray for all animals
who are suffering as a result of …

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 13 March 2026 – A reading from the Book of Hosea 14:2-10 Thus says the LORD: Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt. Take with you words, and return to the LORD; Say to him, "Forgive all iniquity, and receive what is good, that we may render as offerings the bullocks from our stalls. Assyria will not save us, nor shall we have horses to mount; We shall say no more, ‘Our god,’ to the work of our hands; for in you the orphan finds compassion." I will heal their defection, says the LORD, I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them. I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar, and put forth his shoots. His splendor shall be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar. Again they shall dwell in his shade and raise grain; They shall blossom like the vine, and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols? I have humbled him, but I will prosper him. "I am like a verdant cypress tree"– Because of me you bear fruit! Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is prudent know them. Straight are the paths of the LORD, in them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them.From the Gospel according to Mark 12:28-34 One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And no one dared to ask him any more questions.We can ask ourselves, in giving his assent, why did that scribe feel the need to repeat Jesus’ same words? (…) This repetition is a teaching for all of us who are listening. For the Word of the Lord cannot be received as any other type of news. The Word of the Lord should be repeated, made one’s own, safeguarded. (…) We could say that it is so nutritious that it must reach every aspect of life: to involve, as Jesus says today, the entire heart, the entire soul, the entire mind, all of our strength (cf. v. 30). (…) Let us take for example today’s Gospel: it is not enough to read it and understand that we should love God and our neighbour. It is necessary that this commandment, which is the “great commandment”, resound in us, that it be assimilated, that it become the voice of our conscience. This way, it does not remain a dead letter, in the drawer of the heart, because the Holy Spirit makes the seed of that Word germinate in us. (…) Today, therefore, let us take the example of this scribe. Let us repeat Jesus’ words, making them resound in us: “To love God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with all our strength and my neighbour as myself”. And let us ask ourselves: does this commandment truly orient my life? Does this commandment resonate in my daily life? It would be good this evening, before going to sleep, to make an examination of conscience on this Word, to see if we have loved the Lord today and if we have done a little good to those we happened to meet. May every encounter bring about a little bit of good, a little bit of love that comes from this Word. (Francis – Angelus, 31 October 2021)

unitedyam

A reading from the Book of Hosea
14:2-10

Thus says the LORD:
Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God;
you have collapsed through your guilt.
Take with you words,
and return to the LORD;
Say to him, "Forgive all iniquity,
and receive what is good, that we may render
as offerings the bullocks from our stalls.
Assyria will not save us,
nor shall we have horses to mount;
We shall say no more, ‘Our god,’
to the work of our hands;
for in you the orphan finds compassion."

I will heal their defection, says the LORD,
I will love them freely;
for my wrath is turned away from them.
I will be like the dew for Israel:
he shall blossom like the lily;
He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar,
and put forth his shoots.
His splendor shall be like the olive tree
and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar.
Again they shall dwell in his shade
and raise grain;
They shall blossom like the vine,
and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols?
I have humbled him, but I will prosper him.
"I am like a verdant cypress tree"–
Because of me you bear fruit!

Let him who is wise understand these things;
let him who is prudent know them.
Straight are the paths of the LORD,
in them the just walk,
but sinners stumble in them.

From the Gospel according to Mark
12:28-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
"Which is the first of all the commandments?"
Jesus replied, "The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these."
The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
He is One and there is no other than he.
And to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding,
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him,
"You are not far from the Kingdom of God."
And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

We can ask ourselves, in giving his assent, why did that scribe feel the need to repeat Jesus’ same words? (…) This repetition is a teaching for all of us who are listening. For the Word of the Lord cannot be received as any other type of news. The Word of the Lord should be repeated, made one’s own, safeguarded. (…) We could say that it is so nutritious that it must reach every aspect of life: to involve, as Jesus says today, the entire heart, the entire soul, the entire mind, all of our strength (cf. v. 30). (…) Let us take for example today’s Gospel: it is not enough to read it and understand that we should love God and our neighbour. It is necessary that this commandment, which is the “great commandment”, resound in us, that it be assimilated, that it become the voice of our conscience. This way, it does not remain a dead letter, in the drawer of the heart, because the Holy Spirit makes the seed of that Word germinate in us. (…) Today, therefore, let us take the example of this scribe. Let us repeat Jesus’ words, making them resound in us: “To love God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with all our strength and my neighbour as myself”. And let us ask ourselves: does this commandment truly orient my life? Does this commandment resonate in my daily life? It would be good this evening, before going to sleep, to make an examination of conscience on this Word, to see if we have loved the Lord today and if we have done a little good to those we happened to meet. May every encounter bring about a little bit of good, a little bit of love that comes from this Word. (Francis – Angelus, 31 October 2021)

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Pompton Lakes workshop sparks deeper conversations about mental health #Catholic - About 40 people attended “Mental Health Matters,” an interactive workshop held March 5 at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes, N.J. They discussed common mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. The Paterson Diocese in New Jersey hosted the Mental Health Association of New Jersey (MHA-NJ) for a workshop. Presenters clearly explained mental health to attendees, including those who support others. The workshop aimed to build audience confidence in supporting people experiencing these challenges. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney opened the workshop with a prayer. Lynette Sheard, director of the MHA-NJ’s New Jersey Mental Health Players, led a skit with her team about a person experiencing a mental health crisis, then discussed the situation in character with the audience. John Cammarata, executive director of St. Paul Inside the Walls Evangelization Center in Madison, N.J., and director of diocesan Youth Ministry, coordinated the event with Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, the diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious. “Experiencing the N.J. Mental Health Players opened the door to deeper conversations about mental illness and the role faith can play in comfort and healing. The evening was an important first step toward understanding, compassion, and hope for those who need it most,” Cammarata said. BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI   [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  
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Pompton Lakes workshop sparks deeper conversations about mental health #Catholic – About 40 people attended “Mental Health Matters,” an interactive workshop held March 5 at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes, N.J. They discussed common mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. The Paterson Diocese in New Jersey hosted the Mental Health Association of New Jersey (MHA-NJ) for a workshop. Presenters clearly explained mental health to attendees, including those who support others. The workshop aimed to build audience confidence in supporting people experiencing these challenges. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney opened the workshop with a prayer. Lynette Sheard, director of the MHA-NJ’s New Jersey Mental Health Players, led a skit with her team about a person experiencing a mental health crisis, then discussed the situation in character with the audience. John Cammarata, executive director of St. Paul Inside the Walls Evangelization Center in Madison, N.J., and director of diocesan Youth Ministry, coordinated the event with Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, the diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious. “Experiencing the N.J. Mental Health Players opened the door to deeper conversations about mental illness and the role faith can play in comfort and healing. The evening was an important first step toward understanding, compassion, and hope for those who need it most,” Cammarata said. BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI   [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  

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Pompton Lakes workshop sparks deeper conversations about mental health #Catholic –

About 40 people attended “Mental Health Matters,” an interactive workshop held March 5 at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes, N.J. They discussed common mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

The Paterson Diocese in New Jersey hosted the Mental Health Association of New Jersey (MHA-NJ) for a workshop. Presenters clearly explained mental health to attendees, including those who support others. The workshop aimed to build audience confidence in supporting people experiencing these challenges.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney opened the workshop with a prayer. Lynette Sheard, director of the MHA-NJ’s New Jersey Mental Health Players, led a skit with her team about a person experiencing a mental health crisis, then discussed the situation in character with the audience.

John Cammarata, executive director of St. Paul Inside the Walls Evangelization Center in Madison, N.J., and director of diocesan Youth Ministry, coordinated the event with Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, the diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious.

“Experiencing the N.J. Mental Health Players opened the door to deeper conversations about mental illness and the role faith can play in comfort and healing. The evening was an important first step toward understanding, compassion, and hope for those who need it most,” Cammarata said.

BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
 

– About 40 people attended “Mental Health Matters,” an interactive workshop held March 5 at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes, N.J. They discussed common mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. The Paterson Diocese in New Jersey hosted the Mental Health Association of New Jersey (MHA-NJ) for a workshop. Presenters clearly explained mental health to attendees, including those who support others. The workshop aimed to build audience confidence in supporting people experiencing these challenges. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney opened the workshop with a prayer. Lynette Sheard, director of the

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Lebanon mourns Father Pierre El-Rahi as calls for peace echo at his funeral #Catholic Amid a war weighing heavily on southern Lebanon with fear and destruction, a prayer of farewell rose from the town of Qlayaa for a priest who chose to remain beside his people until the very end. In the courtyard of St. George Church in a scene marked by tears, prayer, and hope, mourners bid farewell to Father Pierre El-Rahi, who was killed after shelling struck his town.The funeral and burial rites were held with the participation of Bishop Elias Nassar, representing Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, and Maronite Archbishop of Tyre Charbel Abdallah, along with Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal, members of the clergy, and a large crowd of townspeople and loved ones who came to bid farewell to their pastor.In a message read on his behalf by Nassar, al-Rahi expressed his “deep pain and sorrow” at the news of the priest’s martyrdom. He described him as a “zealous and courageous pastor” and a man marked by “priestly virtues filled with divine grace.” Recalling El-Rahi’s priestly journey and pastoral service, the patriarch noted that the late priest was a son of the town of Debel and had lived his priesthood, since his ordination in 2014, with unconditional love, remaining close to children, youth, and families. As a result, St. George Parish in Qlayaa, which he had served for about five years, became “a model of a vibrant parish of Christ.”Al-Rahi noted that the martyred priest’s role was not limited to pastoral work. He also held ecclesial, canonical, and social responsibilities in the Archdiocese of Tyre, while serving those who were suffering, the poor, and prisoners. Mourners gather for the funeral of Father Pierre El-Rahi at St. George Church in the town of Qlayaa in southern Lebanon. | Credit: ACI MENA The patriarch also stressed El-Rahi’s “courageous” decision to remain with the steadfast people of Qlayaa while the region bears the cost of the ongoing war. He added in his message: “We pray that his martyrdom may be an act of redemption for the people of Qlayaa and for all Lebanon and the Lebanese who reject this war and long for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace.”Pope Leo XIV mourned the martyred priest at the end of his weekly general audience on Wednesday. He said El-Rahi embodied the meaning of his family name, becoming “a true shepherd,” always close to his flock and filled with the love and sacrifice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. He added that the priest rushed without hesitation to help members of his parish as soon as he heard they had been wounded in the shelling. The pope concluded with a prayer for peace in the Middle East, saying: “We ask God to make his shed blood a seed of peace for beloved Lebanon.”This story was first published by ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Lebanon mourns Father Pierre El-Rahi as calls for peace echo at his funeral #Catholic Amid a war weighing heavily on southern Lebanon with fear and destruction, a prayer of farewell rose from the town of Qlayaa for a priest who chose to remain beside his people until the very end. In the courtyard of St. George Church in a scene marked by tears, prayer, and hope, mourners bid farewell to Father Pierre El-Rahi, who was killed after shelling struck his town.The funeral and burial rites were held with the participation of Bishop Elias Nassar, representing Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, and Maronite Archbishop of Tyre Charbel Abdallah, along with Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal, members of the clergy, and a large crowd of townspeople and loved ones who came to bid farewell to their pastor.In a message read on his behalf by Nassar, al-Rahi expressed his “deep pain and sorrow” at the news of the priest’s martyrdom. He described him as a “zealous and courageous pastor” and a man marked by “priestly virtues filled with divine grace.” Recalling El-Rahi’s priestly journey and pastoral service, the patriarch noted that the late priest was a son of the town of Debel and had lived his priesthood, since his ordination in 2014, with unconditional love, remaining close to children, youth, and families. As a result, St. George Parish in Qlayaa, which he had served for about five years, became “a model of a vibrant parish of Christ.”Al-Rahi noted that the martyred priest’s role was not limited to pastoral work. He also held ecclesial, canonical, and social responsibilities in the Archdiocese of Tyre, while serving those who were suffering, the poor, and prisoners. Mourners gather for the funeral of Father Pierre El-Rahi at St. George Church in the town of Qlayaa in southern Lebanon. | Credit: ACI MENA The patriarch also stressed El-Rahi’s “courageous” decision to remain with the steadfast people of Qlayaa while the region bears the cost of the ongoing war. He added in his message: “We pray that his martyrdom may be an act of redemption for the people of Qlayaa and for all Lebanon and the Lebanese who reject this war and long for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace.”Pope Leo XIV mourned the martyred priest at the end of his weekly general audience on Wednesday. He said El-Rahi embodied the meaning of his family name, becoming “a true shepherd,” always close to his flock and filled with the love and sacrifice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. He added that the priest rushed without hesitation to help members of his parish as soon as he heard they had been wounded in the shelling. The pope concluded with a prayer for peace in the Middle East, saying: “We ask God to make his shed blood a seed of peace for beloved Lebanon.”This story was first published by ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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In the courtyard of St. George Church, in a scene marked by tears, prayer, and hope, mourners bid farewell to a beloved priest who was killed after shelling struck his town.

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Pope names Spanish Augustinian as papal almoner #Catholic Pope Leo XIV has appointed Spanish Augustinian Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín as papal almoner and prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity.Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who has led the office since 2022, will return to his native Poland as the new metropolitan archbishop of Łódź.Marín de San Martín, titular bishop of Suliana, became a more prominent figure in the Vatican during the Synod on Synodality, when Pope Francis named him undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops in 2021.He and Leo XIV, both Augustinians, have known each other for years. In 2008, when the current pontiff was serving as prior general of the Augustinian order, he asked Marín de San Martín to take charge of the order’s archive in Rome, where he has now served for 18 years.Born in Madrid in 1961, Marín de San Martín holds degrees in spiritual theology from the Pontifical Comillas University in Madrid and in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He also earned a doctorate in theology from Comillas with a dissertation on the ecclesiology of St. John XXIII and holds a diploma in archival studies.He served as provincial councilor of the Augustinian Province of Spain from 1999 to 2002 and was pastor of the parish of Santa Ana y la Esperanza in Madrid. Until 2008, he was prior of the Monastery of Santa María de la Vid in Burgos. He has also taught at the San Agustín Theological Center in El Escorial and at the Augustinian Theological Study Center in Valladolid.With extensive experience in lay pastoral ministry, he has served since 2008 as general archivist of the Order of St. Augustine and since 2013 as assistant general to the prior general of the order, as well as president of the Augustinian Spirituality Institute.The Apostolic Almonry, formally renamed the Dicastery for the Service of Charity under Pope Francis’ 2022 reform of the Roman Curia, is the Vatican office responsible for carrying out charitable works for the poor in the name of the Holy Father, especially in Rome and in conflict zones.The papal almoner is also delegated by the pope to grant apostolic blessings through parchment certificates. The office carries the dignity of archbishop and membership in the pontifical family, allowing participation in papal liturgies and official audiences.Krajewski, born in Łódź in 1963, entered the diocesan seminary there in 1982 and earned a theology degree from the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin before being ordained a priest on June 11, 1988.He later earned a licentiate in liturgy from the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of Sant’Anselmo in Rome and a doctorate in theology with a specialization in liturgy from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, also in Rome. He also worked with the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.Over the years, he served as master of ceremonies to the metropolitan archbishop of Łódź, taught at the diocesan seminary and at Franciscan and Salesian seminaries in the archdiocese, and was a professor at the Warsaw academy.He also served as pontifical master of ceremonies in the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff. In 2013, he was named papal almoner and titular archbishop, receiving episcopal ordination on Sept. 17 of that year.Pope Francis made him a cardinal in the June 28, 2018, consistory, assigning him the deaconry of Santa Maria Immacolata all’Esquilino. Since 2022, he has served as prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity.This story was first published by EWTN’s Spanish-language news partner, ACI Prensa. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News.
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Pope names Spanish Augustinian as papal almoner #Catholic Pope Leo XIV has appointed Spanish Augustinian Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín as papal almoner and prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity.Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who has led the office since 2022, will return to his native Poland as the new metropolitan archbishop of Łódź.Marín de San Martín, titular bishop of Suliana, became a more prominent figure in the Vatican during the Synod on Synodality, when Pope Francis named him undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops in 2021.He and Leo XIV, both Augustinians, have known each other for years. In 2008, when the current pontiff was serving as prior general of the Augustinian order, he asked Marín de San Martín to take charge of the order’s archive in Rome, where he has now served for 18 years.Born in Madrid in 1961, Marín de San Martín holds degrees in spiritual theology from the Pontifical Comillas University in Madrid and in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He also earned a doctorate in theology from Comillas with a dissertation on the ecclesiology of St. John XXIII and holds a diploma in archival studies.He served as provincial councilor of the Augustinian Province of Spain from 1999 to 2002 and was pastor of the parish of Santa Ana y la Esperanza in Madrid. Until 2008, he was prior of the Monastery of Santa María de la Vid in Burgos. He has also taught at the San Agustín Theological Center in El Escorial and at the Augustinian Theological Study Center in Valladolid.With extensive experience in lay pastoral ministry, he has served since 2008 as general archivist of the Order of St. Augustine and since 2013 as assistant general to the prior general of the order, as well as president of the Augustinian Spirituality Institute.The Apostolic Almonry, formally renamed the Dicastery for the Service of Charity under Pope Francis’ 2022 reform of the Roman Curia, is the Vatican office responsible for carrying out charitable works for the poor in the name of the Holy Father, especially in Rome and in conflict zones.The papal almoner is also delegated by the pope to grant apostolic blessings through parchment certificates. The office carries the dignity of archbishop and membership in the pontifical family, allowing participation in papal liturgies and official audiences.Krajewski, born in Łódź in 1963, entered the diocesan seminary there in 1982 and earned a theology degree from the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin before being ordained a priest on June 11, 1988.He later earned a licentiate in liturgy from the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of Sant’Anselmo in Rome and a doctorate in theology with a specialization in liturgy from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, also in Rome. He also worked with the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.Over the years, he served as master of ceremonies to the metropolitan archbishop of Łódź, taught at the diocesan seminary and at Franciscan and Salesian seminaries in the archdiocese, and was a professor at the Warsaw academy.He also served as pontifical master of ceremonies in the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff. In 2013, he was named papal almoner and titular archbishop, receiving episcopal ordination on Sept. 17 of that year.Pope Francis made him a cardinal in the June 28, 2018, consistory, assigning him the deaconry of Santa Maria Immacolata all’Esquilino. Since 2022, he has served as prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity.This story was first published by EWTN’s Spanish-language news partner, ACI Prensa. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News.

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Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín will succeed Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who has been appointed metropolitan archbishop of Łódź, Poland.

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US Maronite bishops mourn priest killed in Israeli strike on Lebanon village #Catholic – (OSV News) — Two Maronite bishops in the U.S. are calling for prayer, dialogue and solidarity after a Maronite priest was killed in Lebanon amid the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. Father Pierre al-Rahi succumbed to injuries sustained March 9 when an Israeli artillery tank fired on a house in the southern Lebanon village of Qlayaa. Lebanon and several other Middle East nations have come under attack since U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, launched Feb. 28 and met with counterattacks by that nation, have plunged the region — as well as global relations and markets — into uncertainty. Father al-Rahi, also known by his French name Pierre el-Raï, had along with other priests refused Israeli orders to evacuate the Maronite village, located a few miles from the border with Israel and home to some 8,000. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. When the strike took place, Father al-Rahi “didn’t wait” but “went to jump in right away” after hearing “one of the homes in his town was bombarded,” Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, who heads the St. Louis-based Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, told OSV News. But, said Bishop Zaidan, the priest was injured in a second strike that took place “right away” after the first, and then “died in the hospital.” In a message shared with OSV News, Maronite Bishop Gregory J. Mansour of the Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn, New York, reflected on Father al-Rahi’s death by quoting John 15:13: “No greater love has any man than to give his life for his friends.” “May God’s good servant, Father Pierre Al Rahi, rest in peace,” said Bishop Mansour. “May his patriarch, bishop, brother priests, parishioners and family be consoled by the Holy Spirit.” Bishop Zaidan called the priest’s death a “sad story and unfortunate situation.” With roots in Syria and Lebanon, the global Maronite Catholic Church — one of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches that, along with the Roman Catholic Church, comprise the universal Catholic Church — mourns to see Lebanon ravaged again by war, said Bishop Zaidan. “It’s definitely a sadness and a sorrow, because Lebanon is a spiritual home for Maronites, like the Vatican is for all Catholics,” he said. “And we feel that attachment.” Yet in the midst of death, the hope of new life through Christ is present, said Bishop Zaidan. “The blood of martyrs helps to build the Church in that way, and gives us the determination to keep going despite everything, and to witness to the love of Christ in that perspective,” he said. Bishop Zaidan offered a message for the faithful following the priest’s death. “I would say, as Pope Leo XIV has, enough violence; let’s dialogue, let’s talk,” he said. In addition, “keep praying and praying and praying,” Bishop Zaidan urged. And, he said, “stand in solidarity” with those suffering in the war by thinking about and reflecting on what they are experiencing. “I think we go a long way from that perspective, because ‘whatever you have done to the least of my brothers and sisters, you’ve done it to me,’” said Bishop Zaidan, quoting Matthew 25:40. “This gesture of support that says, ‘We’re praying for you, we’re thinking about you, we’re feeling for you’ — I think this beautiful support can help our brothers and sisters.” Gina Christian is a multimedia reporter for OSV News. Follow her on X @GinaJesseReina.
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US Maronite bishops mourn priest killed in Israeli strike on Lebanon village #Catholic – (OSV News) — Two Maronite bishops in the U.S. are calling for prayer, dialogue and solidarity after a Maronite priest was killed in Lebanon amid the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. Father Pierre al-Rahi succumbed to injuries sustained March 9 when an Israeli artillery tank fired on a house in the southern Lebanon village of Qlayaa. Lebanon and several other Middle East nations have come under attack since U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, launched Feb. 28 and met with counterattacks by that nation, have plunged the region — as well as global relations and markets — into uncertainty. Father al-Rahi, also known by his French name Pierre el-Raï, had along with other priests refused Israeli orders to evacuate the Maronite village, located a few miles from the border with Israel and home to some 8,000. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. When the strike took place, Father al-Rahi “didn’t wait” but “went to jump in right away” after hearing “one of the homes in his town was bombarded,” Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, who heads the St. Louis-based Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, told OSV News. But, said Bishop Zaidan, the priest was injured in a second strike that took place “right away” after the first, and then “died in the hospital.” In a message shared with OSV News, Maronite Bishop Gregory J. Mansour of the Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn, New York, reflected on Father al-Rahi’s death by quoting John 15:13: “No greater love has any man than to give his life for his friends.” “May God’s good servant, Father Pierre Al Rahi, rest in peace,” said Bishop Mansour. “May his patriarch, bishop, brother priests, parishioners and family be consoled by the Holy Spirit.” Bishop Zaidan called the priest’s death a “sad story and unfortunate situation.” With roots in Syria and Lebanon, the global Maronite Catholic Church — one of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches that, along with the Roman Catholic Church, comprise the universal Catholic Church — mourns to see Lebanon ravaged again by war, said Bishop Zaidan. “It’s definitely a sadness and a sorrow, because Lebanon is a spiritual home for Maronites, like the Vatican is for all Catholics,” he said. “And we feel that attachment.” Yet in the midst of death, the hope of new life through Christ is present, said Bishop Zaidan. “The blood of martyrs helps to build the Church in that way, and gives us the determination to keep going despite everything, and to witness to the love of Christ in that perspective,” he said. Bishop Zaidan offered a message for the faithful following the priest’s death. “I would say, as Pope Leo XIV has, enough violence; let’s dialogue, let’s talk,” he said. In addition, “keep praying and praying and praying,” Bishop Zaidan urged. And, he said, “stand in solidarity” with those suffering in the war by thinking about and reflecting on what they are experiencing. “I think we go a long way from that perspective, because ‘whatever you have done to the least of my brothers and sisters, you’ve done it to me,’” said Bishop Zaidan, quoting Matthew 25:40. “This gesture of support that says, ‘We’re praying for you, we’re thinking about you, we’re feeling for you’ — I think this beautiful support can help our brothers and sisters.” Gina Christian is a multimedia reporter for OSV News. Follow her on X @GinaJesseReina.

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US Maronite bishops mourn priest killed in Israeli strike on Lebanon village #Catholic –

(OSV News) — Two Maronite bishops in the U.S. are calling for prayer, dialogue and solidarity after a Maronite priest was killed in Lebanon amid the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.

Father Pierre al-Rahi succumbed to injuries sustained March 9 when an Israeli artillery tank fired on a house in the southern Lebanon village of Qlayaa.

Lebanon and several other Middle East nations have come under attack since U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, launched Feb. 28 and met with counterattacks by that nation, have plunged the region — as well as global relations and markets — into uncertainty.

Father al-Rahi, also known by his French name Pierre el-Raï, had along with other priests refused Israeli orders to evacuate the Maronite village, located a few miles from the border with Israel and home to some 8,000.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

When the strike took place, Father al-Rahi “didn’t wait” but “went to jump in right away” after hearing “one of the homes in his town was bombarded,” Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, who heads the St. Louis-based Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, told OSV News.

But, said Bishop Zaidan, the priest was injured in a second strike that took place “right away” after the first, and then “died in the hospital.”

In a message shared with OSV News, Maronite Bishop Gregory J. Mansour of the Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn, New York, reflected on Father al-Rahi’s death by quoting John 15:13: “No greater love has any man than to give his life for his friends.”

“May God’s good servant, Father Pierre Al Rahi, rest in peace,” said Bishop Mansour. “May his patriarch, bishop, brother priests, parishioners and family be consoled by the Holy Spirit.”

Bishop Zaidan called the priest’s death a “sad story and unfortunate situation.”

With roots in Syria and Lebanon, the global Maronite Catholic Church — one of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches that, along with the Roman Catholic Church, comprise the universal Catholic Church — mourns to see Lebanon ravaged again by war, said Bishop Zaidan.

“It’s definitely a sadness and a sorrow, because Lebanon is a spiritual home for Maronites, like the Vatican is for all Catholics,” he said. “And we feel that attachment.”

Yet in the midst of death, the hope of new life through Christ is present, said Bishop Zaidan.

“The blood of martyrs helps to build the Church in that way, and gives us the determination to keep going despite everything, and to witness to the love of Christ in that perspective,” he said.

Bishop Zaidan offered a message for the faithful following the priest’s death.

“I would say, as Pope Leo XIV has, enough violence; let’s dialogue, let’s talk,” he said.

In addition, “keep praying and praying and praying,” Bishop Zaidan urged.

And, he said, “stand in solidarity” with those suffering in the war by thinking about and reflecting on what they are experiencing.

“I think we go a long way from that perspective, because ‘whatever you have done to the least of my brothers and sisters, you’ve done it to me,’” said Bishop Zaidan, quoting Matthew 25:40. “This gesture of support that says, ‘We’re praying for you, we’re thinking about you, we’re feeling for you’ — I think this beautiful support can help our brothers and sisters.”

Gina Christian is a multimedia reporter for OSV News. Follow her on X @GinaJesseReina.

– (OSV News) — Two Maronite bishops in the U.S. are calling for prayer, dialogue and solidarity after a Maronite priest was killed in Lebanon amid the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. Father Pierre al-Rahi succumbed to injuries sustained March 9 when an Israeli artillery tank fired on a house in the southern Lebanon village of Qlayaa. Lebanon and several other Middle East nations have come under attack since U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, launched Feb. 28 and met with counterattacks by that nation, have plunged the region — as well as global relations and markets — into uncertainty. Father al-Rahi, also known

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US peacebuilding a ‘strategic and moral imperative,’ advocates say at Notre Dame event #Catholic – WASHINGTON (OSV News) — With American peacebuilding at a “crossroads,” amid global conflict and changes in U.S. foreign policy, a Notre Dame conference March 10 in the nation’s capital examined how to meet new challenges facing international conflict resolution and fostering peace. The conference, titled “American Peacebuilding at a Crossroads: Lessons, Risks and the Road Ahead,” and hosted by University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs and its Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, in partnership with the Alliance for Peacebuilding, came as the U.S. engaged in new military actions in Iran. The evening before the conference, in remarks at the House GOP policy retreat, President Donald Trump was unclear about how long the combat operations against Iran in concert with Israel that killed Iran’s longtime supreme leader, 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would last. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. “We could call it a tremendous success right now, as we leave here, I could call it, or we could go further, and we’re going to go further,” Trump said. In remarks at the conference, retired Adm. Gary Roughead, former U.S. Navy chief of naval operations, referenced that conflict, among others, telling the audience, “I could use my time offering thoughts on the wars in Ukraine and the Gulf, which are indeed the future of warfare.” “But,” the former admiral continued, “we have to be more strategic and forward looking. For the past few years, we’ve known that we were at a geopolitical and security inflection point.” “I’ve spent my career in uniform, and believe deeply in maintaining a strong defense and deterrence, but I’ve also unclenched the hard fist of military power and extended that hand to relieve suffering and disasters and to help weave the fabric of peace,” Roughead said. “That is not weakness or woke. It conveys the moral strength of a nation. Both hard and soft power, and the uses of that power, demand intention, investment, and collaboration among institutions committed to preventing conflict.” Roughead, who commanded fleets in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans during his time in active service, argued that the U.S. “faces a strategic and moral imperative to invest deliberately in peacebuilding.” He further argued that peacebuilding is “essential, not peripheral to national security.” “To meet this moment, American peacebuilding must evolve, building broader coalitions, forging new partnerships and preparing a new generation of leaders and peacebuilders to collaboratively, comfortably and confidently operate across military and civilian domains, employing public and private initiatives,” he said. In a panel discussion, former Ambassador Mark Green, who was also previously administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, and is a former Republican member of Congress from Wisconsin, and former Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., also a former U.S. special envoy to the Great Lakes Region of Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo, urged participants to find a bipartisan path forward. “We have to recognize that there is no monopoly on wisdom,” Green said, citing cooperation by the late Sen. John McCain, a Republican, and late Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, a Democrat. “They disagreed on damn near everything, but it’s the way they disagreed,” he said. Feingold urged ways to emphasize the “congressional role in warmaking,” over “unilateral military intervention.” “It’s up to Congress to assert the authority, and it’s up to the people of the states to demand that they do that,” he said. “They’re not going to do it on their own.” Green concurred. “Whether it be the Millennium Challenge Corporation, President (Barack) Obama’s Feed the Future or President (George W.) Bush’s PEPFAR AIDS initiative, they’ve lasted and been successful because Congress took it upon themselves to seriously debate and discuss and hone and sharpen and authorize those important tools,” he said. “And that seems gone.” Liz Hume, executive director of the Alliance for Peacebuilding, said in remarks at the conference that the challenges facing their cause also presented opportunity. “As terrible as this has been,” Hume said in reference to cuts to international development programs, “we have to see that there’s an opportunity to rebuild it in a way that we’re centering and prioritizing conflict prevention in our policies, laws and strategies.” Kate Scanlon is a national reporter for OSV News covering Washington. Follow her on X @kgscanlon.  
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US peacebuilding a ‘strategic and moral imperative,’ advocates say at Notre Dame event #Catholic – WASHINGTON (OSV News) — With American peacebuilding at a “crossroads,” amid global conflict and changes in U.S. foreign policy, a Notre Dame conference March 10 in the nation’s capital examined how to meet new challenges facing international conflict resolution and fostering peace. The conference, titled “American Peacebuilding at a Crossroads: Lessons, Risks and the Road Ahead,” and hosted by University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs and its Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, in partnership with the Alliance for Peacebuilding, came as the U.S. engaged in new military actions in Iran. The evening before the conference, in remarks at the House GOP policy retreat, President Donald Trump was unclear about how long the combat operations against Iran in concert with Israel that killed Iran’s longtime supreme leader, 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would last. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. “We could call it a tremendous success right now, as we leave here, I could call it, or we could go further, and we’re going to go further,” Trump said. In remarks at the conference, retired Adm. Gary Roughead, former U.S. Navy chief of naval operations, referenced that conflict, among others, telling the audience, “I could use my time offering thoughts on the wars in Ukraine and the Gulf, which are indeed the future of warfare.” “But,” the former admiral continued, “we have to be more strategic and forward looking. For the past few years, we’ve known that we were at a geopolitical and security inflection point.” “I’ve spent my career in uniform, and believe deeply in maintaining a strong defense and deterrence, but I’ve also unclenched the hard fist of military power and extended that hand to relieve suffering and disasters and to help weave the fabric of peace,” Roughead said. “That is not weakness or woke. It conveys the moral strength of a nation. Both hard and soft power, and the uses of that power, demand intention, investment, and collaboration among institutions committed to preventing conflict.” Roughead, who commanded fleets in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans during his time in active service, argued that the U.S. “faces a strategic and moral imperative to invest deliberately in peacebuilding.” He further argued that peacebuilding is “essential, not peripheral to national security.” “To meet this moment, American peacebuilding must evolve, building broader coalitions, forging new partnerships and preparing a new generation of leaders and peacebuilders to collaboratively, comfortably and confidently operate across military and civilian domains, employing public and private initiatives,” he said. In a panel discussion, former Ambassador Mark Green, who was also previously administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, and is a former Republican member of Congress from Wisconsin, and former Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., also a former U.S. special envoy to the Great Lakes Region of Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo, urged participants to find a bipartisan path forward. “We have to recognize that there is no monopoly on wisdom,” Green said, citing cooperation by the late Sen. John McCain, a Republican, and late Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, a Democrat. “They disagreed on damn near everything, but it’s the way they disagreed,” he said. Feingold urged ways to emphasize the “congressional role in warmaking,” over “unilateral military intervention.” “It’s up to Congress to assert the authority, and it’s up to the people of the states to demand that they do that,” he said. “They’re not going to do it on their own.” Green concurred. “Whether it be the Millennium Challenge Corporation, President (Barack) Obama’s Feed the Future or President (George W.) Bush’s PEPFAR AIDS initiative, they’ve lasted and been successful because Congress took it upon themselves to seriously debate and discuss and hone and sharpen and authorize those important tools,” he said. “And that seems gone.” Liz Hume, executive director of the Alliance for Peacebuilding, said in remarks at the conference that the challenges facing their cause also presented opportunity. “As terrible as this has been,” Hume said in reference to cuts to international development programs, “we have to see that there’s an opportunity to rebuild it in a way that we’re centering and prioritizing conflict prevention in our policies, laws and strategies.” Kate Scanlon is a national reporter for OSV News covering Washington. Follow her on X @kgscanlon.  

unitedyam

US peacebuilding a ‘strategic and moral imperative,’ advocates say at Notre Dame event #Catholic –

WASHINGTON (OSV News) — With American peacebuilding at a “crossroads,” amid global conflict and changes in U.S. foreign policy, a Notre Dame conference March 10 in the nation’s capital examined how to meet new challenges facing international conflict resolution and fostering peace.

The conference, titled “American Peacebuilding at a Crossroads: Lessons, Risks and the Road Ahead,” and hosted by University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs and its Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, in partnership with the Alliance for Peacebuilding, came as the U.S. engaged in new military actions in Iran.

The evening before the conference, in remarks at the House GOP policy retreat, President Donald Trump was unclear about how long the combat operations against Iran in concert with Israel that killed Iran’s longtime supreme leader, 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would last.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

“We could call it a tremendous success right now, as we leave here, I could call it, or we could go further, and we’re going to go further,” Trump said.

In remarks at the conference, retired Adm. Gary Roughead, former U.S. Navy chief of naval operations, referenced that conflict, among others, telling the audience, “I could use my time offering thoughts on the wars in Ukraine and the Gulf, which are indeed the future of warfare.”

“But,” the former admiral continued, “we have to be more strategic and forward looking. For the past few years, we’ve known that we were at a geopolitical and security inflection point.”

“I’ve spent my career in uniform, and believe deeply in maintaining a strong defense and deterrence, but I’ve also unclenched the hard fist of military power and extended that hand to relieve suffering and disasters and to help weave the fabric of peace,” Roughead said. “That is not weakness or woke. It conveys the moral strength of a nation. Both hard and soft power, and the uses of that power, demand intention, investment, and collaboration among institutions committed to preventing conflict.”

Roughead, who commanded fleets in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans during his time in active service, argued that the U.S. “faces a strategic and moral imperative to invest deliberately in peacebuilding.”

He further argued that peacebuilding is “essential, not peripheral to national security.”

“To meet this moment, American peacebuilding must evolve, building broader coalitions, forging new partnerships and preparing a new generation of leaders and peacebuilders to collaboratively, comfortably and confidently operate across military and civilian domains, employing public and private initiatives,” he said.

In a panel discussion, former Ambassador Mark Green, who was also previously administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, and is a former Republican member of Congress from Wisconsin, and former Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., also a former U.S. special envoy to the Great Lakes Region of Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo, urged participants to find a bipartisan path forward.

“We have to recognize that there is no monopoly on wisdom,” Green said, citing cooperation by the late Sen. John McCain, a Republican, and late Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, a Democrat.

“They disagreed on damn near everything, but it’s the way they disagreed,” he said.

Feingold urged ways to emphasize the “congressional role in warmaking,” over “unilateral military intervention.”

“It’s up to Congress to assert the authority, and it’s up to the people of the states to demand that they do that,” he said. “They’re not going to do it on their own.”

Green concurred.

“Whether it be the Millennium Challenge Corporation, President (Barack) Obama’s Feed the Future or President (George W.) Bush’s PEPFAR AIDS initiative, they’ve lasted and been successful because Congress took it upon themselves to seriously debate and discuss and hone and sharpen and authorize those important tools,” he said. “And that seems gone.”

Liz Hume, executive director of the Alliance for Peacebuilding, said in remarks at the conference that the challenges facing their cause also presented opportunity.

“As terrible as this has been,” Hume said in reference to cuts to international development programs, “we have to see that there’s an opportunity to rebuild it in a way that we’re centering and prioritizing conflict prevention in our policies, laws and strategies.”

Kate Scanlon is a national reporter for OSV News covering Washington. Follow her on X @kgscanlon.

 

– WASHINGTON (OSV News) — With American peacebuilding at a “crossroads,” amid global conflict and changes in U.S. foreign policy, a Notre Dame conference March 10 in the nation’s capital examined how to meet new challenges facing international conflict resolution and fostering peace. The conference, titled “American Peacebuilding at a Crossroads: Lessons, Risks and the Road Ahead,” and hosted by University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs and its Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, in partnership with the Alliance for Peacebuilding, came as the U.S. engaged in new military actions in Iran. The evening before the conference, in

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Church’s unity comes from faith in Christ and from love, pope says #Catholic – VATICAN CITY (CNS) –The Catholic Church is made up of diverse people who are united by their faith in Christ and are called to welcome all of humanity, Pope Leo XIV said during his weekly general audience. “Its unifying principle is not a language, a culture, an ethnicity, but faith in Christ,” he said in St. Peter’s Square March 11. Continuing his series of reflections on the Second Vatican Council, the pope focused on the Dogmatic Constitution “Lumen Gentium,” which describes the Church as the “People of God.” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The Church is the assembly of “all those who in faith look upon Jesus,” he said, united not by nationality or culture but by their shared faith in Christ. Pope Leo said this understanding is rooted in the Bible, pointing to God’s covenant with Abraham and the people of Israel, which prepared the way for the new covenant established through the death and resurrection of Jesus. The pope said love is the law that governs relationships within the Church, as believers receive and experience it through Jesus. Through Christ, believers from every nation are united in faith, he said. The Church is the people of God who “draw their existence from the body of Christ and who are themselves the body of Christ.” Rather than turning inward, the pope said, the Church must remain open to everyone. “Unified in Christ, Lord and Savior of every man and woman, the Church can never turn inwards on herself, but is open to everyone and is for everyone,” he said. In a world marked by conflict and division, Pope Leo added, the diversity of the Church is a sign of hope. “It is a great sign of hope — especially in our times, marked by so many conflicts and wars — to know that the Church is a people in which women and men of different nationalities, languages and cultures live together in faith,” he said. Before greeting Italian-speakers, the pope said he was close to the Lebanese people “in this moment of grave trial,” following the death of Father Pierre El-Rahi. The Maronite priest was killed in an Israeli bombing of southern Lebanon March 9. The pope said his funeral was to be held March 11 in Al-Qlayaa, a Christian village. “In Arabic, ‘El Raii’ means shepherd. Father Pierre was a true shepherd who always remained close to his people with the love and sacrifice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd,” he said in Italian. “As soon as he heard that some parishioners had been wounded in a bombing, without hesitation, he ran to help them.” Before the audience, Pope Leo met privately with Cardinal Dominique J. Mathieu, Archbishop of Tehran and Isfahan, Iran. The Belgian cardinal, who is a member of the Franciscans, arrived in Rome March 8 after being evacuated along with every member of the Italian Embassy, where he is based. During the general audience, Pope Leo asked for prayers of peace in Iran and throughout the Middle East, above all for the many civilian victims and innocent children. “May our prayer be a comfort to those who suffer and a seed of hope for the future,” he said.
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Church’s unity comes from faith in Christ and from love, pope says #Catholic – VATICAN CITY (CNS) –The Catholic Church is made up of diverse people who are united by their faith in Christ and are called to welcome all of humanity, Pope Leo XIV said during his weekly general audience. “Its unifying principle is not a language, a culture, an ethnicity, but faith in Christ,” he said in St. Peter’s Square March 11. Continuing his series of reflections on the Second Vatican Council, the pope focused on the Dogmatic Constitution “Lumen Gentium,” which describes the Church as the “People of God.” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The Church is the assembly of “all those who in faith look upon Jesus,” he said, united not by nationality or culture but by their shared faith in Christ. Pope Leo said this understanding is rooted in the Bible, pointing to God’s covenant with Abraham and the people of Israel, which prepared the way for the new covenant established through the death and resurrection of Jesus. The pope said love is the law that governs relationships within the Church, as believers receive and experience it through Jesus. Through Christ, believers from every nation are united in faith, he said. The Church is the people of God who “draw their existence from the body of Christ and who are themselves the body of Christ.” Rather than turning inward, the pope said, the Church must remain open to everyone. “Unified in Christ, Lord and Savior of every man and woman, the Church can never turn inwards on herself, but is open to everyone and is for everyone,” he said. In a world marked by conflict and division, Pope Leo added, the diversity of the Church is a sign of hope. “It is a great sign of hope — especially in our times, marked by so many conflicts and wars — to know that the Church is a people in which women and men of different nationalities, languages and cultures live together in faith,” he said. Before greeting Italian-speakers, the pope said he was close to the Lebanese people “in this moment of grave trial,” following the death of Father Pierre El-Rahi. The Maronite priest was killed in an Israeli bombing of southern Lebanon March 9. The pope said his funeral was to be held March 11 in Al-Qlayaa, a Christian village. “In Arabic, ‘El Raii’ means shepherd. Father Pierre was a true shepherd who always remained close to his people with the love and sacrifice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd,” he said in Italian. “As soon as he heard that some parishioners had been wounded in a bombing, without hesitation, he ran to help them.” Before the audience, Pope Leo met privately with Cardinal Dominique J. Mathieu, Archbishop of Tehran and Isfahan, Iran. The Belgian cardinal, who is a member of the Franciscans, arrived in Rome March 8 after being evacuated along with every member of the Italian Embassy, where he is based. During the general audience, Pope Leo asked for prayers of peace in Iran and throughout the Middle East, above all for the many civilian victims and innocent children. “May our prayer be a comfort to those who suffer and a seed of hope for the future,” he said.

unitedyam

Church’s unity comes from faith in Christ and from love, pope says #Catholic –

VATICAN CITY (CNS) –The Catholic Church is made up of diverse people who are united by their faith in Christ and are called to welcome all of humanity, Pope Leo XIV said during his weekly general audience.

“Its unifying principle is not a language, a culture, an ethnicity, but faith in Christ,” he said in St. Peter’s Square March 11.

Continuing his series of reflections on the Second Vatican Council, the pope focused on the Dogmatic Constitution “Lumen Gentium,” which describes the Church as the “People of God.”

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

The Church is the assembly of “all those who in faith look upon Jesus,” he said, united not by nationality or culture but by their shared faith in Christ.

Pope Leo said this understanding is rooted in the Bible, pointing to God’s covenant with Abraham and the people of Israel, which prepared the way for the new covenant established through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The pope said love is the law that governs relationships within the Church, as believers receive and experience it through Jesus. Through Christ, believers from every nation are united in faith, he said. The Church is the people of God who “draw their existence from the body of Christ and who are themselves the body of Christ.”

Rather than turning inward, the pope said, the Church must remain open to everyone.

“Unified in Christ, Lord and Savior of every man and woman, the Church can never turn inwards on herself, but is open to everyone and is for everyone,” he said.

In a world marked by conflict and division, Pope Leo added, the diversity of the Church is a sign of hope.

“It is a great sign of hope — especially in our times, marked by so many conflicts and wars — to know that the Church is a people in which women and men of different nationalities, languages and cultures live together in faith,” he said.

Before greeting Italian-speakers, the pope said he was close to the Lebanese people “in this moment of grave trial,” following the death of Father Pierre El-Rahi. The Maronite priest was killed in an Israeli bombing of southern Lebanon March 9. The pope said his funeral was to be held March 11 in Al-Qlayaa, a Christian village.

“In Arabic, ‘El Raii’ means shepherd. Father Pierre was a true shepherd who always remained close to his people with the love and sacrifice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd,” he said in Italian. “As soon as he heard that some parishioners had been wounded in a bombing, without hesitation, he ran to help them.”

Before the audience, Pope Leo met privately with Cardinal Dominique J. Mathieu, Archbishop of Tehran and Isfahan, Iran. The Belgian cardinal, who is a member of the Franciscans, arrived in Rome March 8 after being evacuated along with every member of the Italian Embassy, where he is based.

During the general audience, Pope Leo asked for prayers of peace in Iran and throughout the Middle East, above all for the many civilian victims and innocent children.

“May our prayer be a comfort to those who suffer and a seed of hope for the future,” he said.

– VATICAN CITY (CNS) –The Catholic Church is made up of diverse people who are united by their faith in Christ and are called to welcome all of humanity, Pope Leo XIV said during his weekly general audience. “Its unifying principle is not a language, a culture, an ethnicity, but faith in Christ,” he said in St. Peter’s Square March 11. Continuing his series of reflections on the Second Vatican Council, the pope focused on the Dogmatic Constitution “Lumen Gentium,” which describes the Church as the “People of God.” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The Church is the

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Joyful music rings out at Morristown youth choir festival #Catholic - On March 7, several youth choral groups from the Paterson Diocese helped fill Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Morristown, N.J., with the joyful sounds of sacred music as they participated in the historic 2026 New Jersey Pueri Cantores Youth Choral Festival and Mass alongside other youth choirs. The March 7 event at Assumption marked the first time a Pueri Cantores Youth Choral Festival and Mass was hosted in the Paterson Diocese. Youth in grades 4-12 from choirs across the Paterson Diocese and their directors participated in the Pueri Cantores experience, representing several parishes and a school. They included choirs from the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., Assumption Parish in Morristown, N.J., St. Vincent Martyr Parish in Madison, N.J., Holy Spirit School and Parish in Pequannock, N.J. and Our Lady of Fatima Parish in the Highland Lakes neighborhood of Vernon, N.J. A few of the 11 participating choirs originated from other dioceses in the Garden State, as well as Brooklyn and Pennsylvania. According to Holy Spirit School, the children spent the day in focused rehearsals led by guest conductor Dr. Alfred Calabrese from Texas, preparing for a choral prelude and Mass with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. Dr. Calabrese engaged the group throughout, ending the event with a group selfie that captured the day’s spirit. Families of choir members and members of the parish and school communities also attended to support the children. Pueri Cantores is the international student choral organization of the Roman Catholic Church. All participating children received a medal in recognition of their hard work and to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the organization’s receipt of Vatican approval. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. In 1907, Pueri Cantores was founded in France to evangelize and serve through sacred music. What began in Europe quickly spread across continents. Today, Pueri Cantores includes national federations in 43 countries, representing more than 70,000 young singers worldwide. BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  
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Joyful music rings out at Morristown youth choir festival #Catholic – On March 7, several youth choral groups from the Paterson Diocese helped fill Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Morristown, N.J., with the joyful sounds of sacred music as they participated in the historic 2026 New Jersey Pueri Cantores Youth Choral Festival and Mass alongside other youth choirs. The March 7 event at Assumption marked the first time a Pueri Cantores Youth Choral Festival and Mass was hosted in the Paterson Diocese. Youth in grades 4-12 from choirs across the Paterson Diocese and their directors participated in the Pueri Cantores experience, representing several parishes and a school. They included choirs from the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., Assumption Parish in Morristown, N.J., St. Vincent Martyr Parish in Madison, N.J., Holy Spirit School and Parish in Pequannock, N.J. and Our Lady of Fatima Parish in the Highland Lakes neighborhood of Vernon, N.J. A few of the 11 participating choirs originated from other dioceses in the Garden State, as well as Brooklyn and Pennsylvania. According to Holy Spirit School, the children spent the day in focused rehearsals led by guest conductor Dr. Alfred Calabrese from Texas, preparing for a choral prelude and Mass with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. Dr. Calabrese engaged the group throughout, ending the event with a group selfie that captured the day’s spirit. Families of choir members and members of the parish and school communities also attended to support the children. Pueri Cantores is the international student choral organization of the Roman Catholic Church. All participating children received a medal in recognition of their hard work and to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the organization’s receipt of Vatican approval. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. In 1907, Pueri Cantores was founded in France to evangelize and serve through sacred music. What began in Europe quickly spread across continents. Today, Pueri Cantores includes national federations in 43 countries, representing more than 70,000 young singers worldwide. BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  

unitedyam

Joyful music rings out at Morristown youth choir festival #Catholic –

On March 7, several youth choral groups from the Paterson Diocese helped fill Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Morristown, N.J., with the joyful sounds of sacred music as they participated in the historic 2026 New Jersey Pueri Cantores Youth Choral Festival and Mass alongside other youth choirs.

The March 7 event at Assumption marked the first time a Pueri Cantores Youth Choral Festival and Mass was hosted in the Paterson Diocese.

Youth in grades 4-12 from choirs across the Paterson Diocese and their directors participated in the Pueri Cantores experience, representing several parishes and a school. They included choirs from the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., Assumption Parish in Morristown, N.J., St. Vincent Martyr Parish in Madison, N.J., Holy Spirit School and Parish in Pequannock, N.J. and Our Lady of Fatima Parish in the Highland Lakes neighborhood of Vernon, N.J.

A few of the 11 participating choirs originated from other dioceses in the Garden State, as well as Brooklyn and Pennsylvania.

According to Holy Spirit School, the children spent the day in focused rehearsals led by guest conductor Dr. Alfred Calabrese from Texas, preparing for a choral prelude and Mass with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. Dr. Calabrese engaged the group throughout, ending the event with a group selfie that captured the day’s spirit.

Families of choir members and members of the parish and school communities also attended to support the children.

Pueri Cantores is the international student choral organization of the Roman Catholic Church. All participating children received a medal in recognition of their hard work and to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the organization’s receipt of Vatican approval.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In 1907, Pueri Cantores was founded in France to evangelize and serve through sacred music. What began in Europe quickly spread across continents. Today, Pueri Cantores includes national federations in 43 countries, representing more than 70,000 young singers worldwide.

BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI

– On March 7, several youth choral groups from the Paterson Diocese helped fill Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Morristown, N.J., with the joyful sounds of sacred music as they participated in the historic 2026 New Jersey Pueri Cantores Youth Choral Festival and Mass alongside other youth choirs. The March 7 event at Assumption marked the first time a Pueri Cantores Youth Choral Festival and Mass was hosted in the Paterson Diocese. Youth in grades 4-12 from choirs across the Paterson Diocese and their directors participated in the Pueri Cantores experience, representing several parishes and a school. They

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More than 80 scientists sign Vatican peace manifesto – #Catholic – The Pontifical Academy for Life launched the initiative Scientists for Peace, an appeal to scientists, researchers, and academics worldwide to promote the concrete pursuit of peace through scientific research and international cooperation.The project, promoted under the auspices of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, was announced amid global tensions and armed conflicts that, according to the organizers, threaten not only the affected populations but also freedom and cooperation in scientific research.Promotion and defense of human lifeIn a press release, the Vatican body recalled that its mission is to study, from an interdisciplinary perspective, issues related to the promotion and defense of human life. Within this framework, it poses a central question: “Can scientific research, in its methods and objects of study, contribute to the pursuit of peace?”TweetAccording to the document, science — guided by the pursuit of truth and based on rigorous methodologies — develops through the exchange of knowledge and a constant willingness to engage in critical debate.Although competition and debate are part of academic life, the manifesto’s proponents emphasize that these can be addressed through transparent communication and an effort to overcome individual interests in favor of the common good and the advancement of knowledge beyond national borders.In this context, the initiative invites the international scientific community to actively advocate for peace and to work toward reconciliation and conflict resolution through the daily practice of research.The appeal is also inspired by the words of Pope Leo XIV in his message for the 59th World Day of Peace in 2026, where he states: “Peace exists; it wants to dwell within us. It has the gentle power to enlighten and expand our understanding; it resists and overcomes violence.”The initiative is open to scientists from all disciplines, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds, regardless of their political or religious beliefs.Researchers with a significant international presenceSo far, 80 scientists have already signed it. Among them are several researchers with a significant international presence in academic and media debate.One signatory is ecologist David Tilman, considered one of the most influential researchers in the fields of biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable agriculture; another is developmental psychologist Michael Lamb, a professor at the University of Cambridge recognized for his studies on child development and family law.In the field of education, prominent figures include character development expert Thomas Lickona, professor emeritus at the State University of New York at Cortland, and cultural psychologist Barbara Rogoff, a researcher at the University of California Santa Cruz, known for her work on sociocultural learning.In the field of bioethics, the Dutch expert Henk ten Have, professor at Duquesne University and former head of scientific ethics at UNESCO, signed on, along with philosopher of law Laura Palazzani, professor at LUMSA University, and Spanish jurist Federico de Montalvo Jääskeläinen, professor at the Comillas Pontifical University and former president of the Bioethics Committee of Spain.The list also includes social theologian Emilce Cuda, responsible for the Pontifical Commission for Latin America; Italian pediatrician Alberto Villani of the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital in Rome, known for his media presence during the pandemic; neonatologist Daniele De Luca, professor at Paris-Saclay University; and agricultural researcher Felix Prinz zu Löwenstein of the FiBL Research Institute for Organic Agriculture, a leading figure in the European debate on organic farming and food sustainability.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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More than 80 scientists sign Vatican peace manifesto – #Catholic – The Pontifical Academy for Life launched the initiative Scientists for Peace, an appeal to scientists, researchers, and academics worldwide to promote the concrete pursuit of peace through scientific research and international cooperation.The project, promoted under the auspices of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, was announced amid global tensions and armed conflicts that, according to the organizers, threaten not only the affected populations but also freedom and cooperation in scientific research.Promotion and defense of human lifeIn a press release, the Vatican body recalled that its mission is to study, from an interdisciplinary perspective, issues related to the promotion and defense of human life. Within this framework, it poses a central question: “Can scientific research, in its methods and objects of study, contribute to the pursuit of peace?”TweetAccording to the document, science — guided by the pursuit of truth and based on rigorous methodologies — develops through the exchange of knowledge and a constant willingness to engage in critical debate.Although competition and debate are part of academic life, the manifesto’s proponents emphasize that these can be addressed through transparent communication and an effort to overcome individual interests in favor of the common good and the advancement of knowledge beyond national borders.In this context, the initiative invites the international scientific community to actively advocate for peace and to work toward reconciliation and conflict resolution through the daily practice of research.The appeal is also inspired by the words of Pope Leo XIV in his message for the 59th World Day of Peace in 2026, where he states: “Peace exists; it wants to dwell within us. It has the gentle power to enlighten and expand our understanding; it resists and overcomes violence.”The initiative is open to scientists from all disciplines, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds, regardless of their political or religious beliefs.Researchers with a significant international presenceSo far, 80 scientists have already signed it. Among them are several researchers with a significant international presence in academic and media debate.One signatory is ecologist David Tilman, considered one of the most influential researchers in the fields of biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable agriculture; another is developmental psychologist Michael Lamb, a professor at the University of Cambridge recognized for his studies on child development and family law.In the field of education, prominent figures include character development expert Thomas Lickona, professor emeritus at the State University of New York at Cortland, and cultural psychologist Barbara Rogoff, a researcher at the University of California Santa Cruz, known for her work on sociocultural learning.In the field of bioethics, the Dutch expert Henk ten Have, professor at Duquesne University and former head of scientific ethics at UNESCO, signed on, along with philosopher of law Laura Palazzani, professor at LUMSA University, and Spanish jurist Federico de Montalvo Jääskeläinen, professor at the Comillas Pontifical University and former president of the Bioethics Committee of Spain.The list also includes social theologian Emilce Cuda, responsible for the Pontifical Commission for Latin America; Italian pediatrician Alberto Villani of the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital in Rome, known for his media presence during the pandemic; neonatologist Daniele De Luca, professor at Paris-Saclay University; and agricultural researcher Felix Prinz zu Löwenstein of the FiBL Research Institute for Organic Agriculture, a leading figure in the European debate on organic farming and food sustainability.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The Pontifical Academy for Life has launched a new initiative appealing to the scientific and academic world to contribute to the pursuit of peace.

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Telescopes Team Up for New View of Cat’s Eye Nebula – In Euclid’s wide, near-infrared, and visible light view, the arcs and filaments of the nebula’s bright central region are situated within a halo of colorful fragments of gas zooming away from the star. This ring was ejected from the star at an earlier stage, before the main nebula at the center formed. Hubble captures the very core of the billowing gas with high-resolution visible-light images, adding extra detail in the center of this image. The whole nebula stands out against a backdrop teeming with distant galaxies, demonstrating how local astrophysical beauty and the farthest reaches of the cosmos can be seen together in modern astronomical surveys. Together, these missions provide a rich and complementary view of NGC 6543 — revealing the delicate interplay between stellar end-of-life processes and the vast cosmic tapestry beyond.
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Telescopes Team Up for New View of Cat’s Eye Nebula – In Euclid’s wide, near-infrared, and visible light view, the arcs and filaments of the nebula’s bright central region are situated within a halo of colorful fragments of gas zooming away from the star. This ring was ejected from the star at an earlier stage, before the main nebula at the center formed. Hubble captures the very core of the billowing gas with high-resolution visible-light images, adding extra detail in the center of this image. The whole nebula stands out against a backdrop teeming with distant galaxies, demonstrating how local astrophysical beauty and the farthest reaches of the cosmos can be seen together in modern astronomical surveys. Together, these missions provide a rich and complementary view of NGC 6543 — revealing the delicate interplay between stellar end-of-life processes and the vast cosmic tapestry beyond.

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In Euclid’s wide, near-infrared, and visible light view, the arcs and filaments of the nebula’s bright central region are situated within a halo of colorful fragments of gas zooming away from the star. This ring was ejected from the star at an earlier stage, before the main nebula at the center formed. Hubble captures the very core of the billowing gas with high-resolution visible-light images, adding extra detail in the center of this image. The whole nebula stands out against a backdrop teeming with distant galaxies, demonstrating how local astrophysical beauty and the farthest reaches of the cosmos can be seen together in modern astronomical surveys. Together, these missions provide a rich and complementary view of NGC 6543 — revealing the delicate interplay between stellar end-of-life processes and the vast cosmic tapestry beyond.

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7 key things to know about the Catholic Church in Cameroon ahead of papal visit – #Catholic – YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon — After concluding the first leg of his African apostolic journey in Algeria, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to travel to Cameroon from April 15–18. In the Central African nation, the Holy Father is set to visit the capital, Yaoundé, and the metropolitan sees of Bamenda and Douala.If Algeria represents the Church as a small minority navigating a Muslim-majority society, Cameroon presents a different ecclesial landscape. The Catholic Church there is demographically significant, institutionally entrenched, socially influential, and politically attentive.Ahead of the papal visit officially announced on Feb. 25, here are seven structural realities that define the Church’s profile in Cameroon.1. A numerically significant and growing Catholic populationCameroon’s population is religiously diverse, comprising Christians, Muslims, and practitioners of African traditional religions. Within the Christian bloc, Catholics constitute one of the largest denominations. Current estimates place Catholics at roughly 30% to 35% of the national population, translating into several million Catholics.This scale gives the Catholic Church measurable public presence. Parishes are numerous, Catholic diocesan structures are well developed, and lay movements are active across urban and rural areas. The Church is not a marginal actor; it is a central stakeholder in national life.Growth trends remain steady rather than explosive. Unlike some East African contexts where Catholic numbers have surged, Cameroon’s expansion is incremental and closely tied to demographic growth. Nonetheless, vocations to the priesthood and Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL) continue at levels that sustain ecclesial institutions.In Cameroon, Pope Leo XIV is set to encounter with a people of God neither defensive nor peripheral but fully embedded in national society.2. Robust ecclesiastical structure and metropolitan seesThe Catholic Church in Cameroon is organized into five ecclesiastical provinces, each headed by a metropolitan archbishop. These include Yaoundé, Bamenda, Douala, Garoua, and Bertoua.The Archdiocese of Yaoundé serves the political capital and functions as a strategic center for Church-state engagement. Douala, the country’s economic hub, anchors the Littoral region and reflects the Church’s engagement with commerce, urbanization, and migration.Bamenda, in the Anglophone Northwest Region, carries particular pastoral and political weight due to ongoing instability in that part of the country. Garoua Archdiocese is in the north of the country, while Bertoua Archdiocese is in the east.The bishops collectively operate through the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC), which regularly issues pastoral letters on social, political, and moral issues.Pope Leo XIV’s decision to visit three metropolitan sees signals recognition of Cameroon’s regional diversity and ecclesial complexity.3. A Church with deep historical rootsCatholic missionary activity in Cameroon dates to the late 19th century, particularly under German colonial administration and later French and British rule. Missionaries established schools, clinics, and parishes that became foundational to local communities.Over time, ecclesial leadership transitioned from missionary congregations to Indigenous clergy. Today, Cameroonian Catholic bishops and priests lead the Church across the country, and missionary institutes have shifted toward collaboration rather than control.This historical trajectory — from missionary implantation to local ownership — has shaped a confident Church. Catholic institutions in education and health care are not peripheral supplements; they are pillars of national infrastructure.The historical memory of missionary sacrifice and local perseverance still informs Catholic identity in Cameroon. Papal visits are therefore received not as external interventions but as moments of communion within an already mature ecclesial body.4. Education and health: The Church as social architectFew institutions in Cameroon rival the Catholic Church in educational reach. Catholic primary and secondary schools are widespread, often regarded for discipline and academic performance. The Church also sponsors tertiary institutions and teacher training colleges.Health care is similarly significant. Catholic hospitals and clinics serve urban centers and remote areas alike. In regions where public health systems are strained, Catholic Church-run facilities frequently fill service gaps.This social footprint gives the Catholic Church influence but also responsibility. It must negotiate regulatory frameworks, maintain quality standards, and manage financial sustainability.This also means that papal messaging on social justice, youth formation, and health care ethics resonates concretely rather than abstractly.In Cameroon, the Church’s credibility is measured as much by service delivery as by liturgical vitality.5. Political engagement and social commentaryCameroon’s Catholic bishops have consistently engaged in public discourse on governance, elections, corruption, and national unity. Pastoral letters issued around electoral cycles often emphasize transparency, accountability, and peaceful participation.This engagement places the Catholic Church in a delicate position. While she does not function as a political party, she operates as a moral voice. Her statements can attract both public support and governmental scrutiny.The Anglophone crisis in the Northwest and Southwest regions — marked by tension between separatist groups and state forces — has intensified the Church’s mediating role. Bishops in affected regions, particularly in Bamenda, have appealed for dialogue and protection of civilians.Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Bamenda is therefore not merely ceremonial. It unfolds against a backdrop of social fragility and political complexity. Any public remarks in that region will be closely analyzed for diplomatic nuance.6. Vocations, seminaries, and local clergy formationCameroon is considered one of the more vocally productive Churches in Central Africa. Major seminaries in the country train diocesan clergy, and religious congregations attract local candidates.The presence of Indigenous clergy has allowed the Church to contextualize liturgy, catechesis, and pastoral strategy. Inculturation — integrating elements of local culture within Catholic worship and life — has developed within the framework permitted by universal Church norms.However, vocations also present governance challenges: ensuring adequate formation, preventing clericalism, and addressing global concerns about safeguarding and accountability. As elsewhere, the Cameroonian Church must navigate expectations of transparency and ethical leadership.A papal visit often includes meetings with clergy and religious. In Cameroon, such encounters are likely to reinforce standards of pastoral responsibility and ecclesial communion.7. Diversity: Linguistic, cultural, and religious pluralismCameroon is frequently described as “Africa in miniature” due to its linguistic and cultural diversity. The country officially operates in both French and English, with numerous Indigenous languages in daily use.This diversity shapes ecclesial life. The Church must minister across Francophone and Anglophone regions, urban and rural contexts, and varied ethnic identities. Liturgies may incorporate local languages and music while maintaining doctrinal unity.Religiously, Cameroon is pluralistic. Alongside Catholics are Protestants, Pentecostals, Muslims, and adherents of traditional religions. Inter-Christian competition — particularly with rapidly growing Pentecostal movements — poses pastoral challenges. The Catholic Church must articulate its identity in an environment where charismatic worship and prosperity preaching attract large followings.Interreligious coexistence with Muslim communities, particularly in northern regions, remains a factor in national stability. The Church has often collaborated with Muslim leaders to promote peace and counter extremism.For Pope Leo XIV, this pluralistic setting requires calibrated messaging — affirming Catholic identity without undermining interreligious harmony.Yaoundé: Political and ecclesial nerve centerThe capital, Yaoundé, is more than an administrative stop. It is the seat of government and the archdiocese that frequently hosts national Catholic events. Meetings with civil authorities are likely to occur here, reflecting the Vatican’s diplomatic engagement with the Cameroonian state.Historically, Yaoundé has hosted major ecclesial gatherings and international visitors. A papal Mass in the capital would draw large crowds and symbolize national unity.Douala: Economic pulse and urban CatholicismDouala, as Cameroon’s commercial capital, presents a different pastoral profile. Rapid urbanization, youth unemployment, migration, and informal economies characterize the city. The Church in Douala must address urban pastoral issues: catechesis in dense neighborhoods, youth outreach, and social advocacy.The Archdiocese of Douala has been vocal on national issues, and its leadership has often carried moral authority beyond ecclesiastical boundaries.A papal stop in Douala situates the Church within the country’s economic heart, where questions of inequality and development are acute.Bamenda: Faith amid instabilityBamenda lies at the epicenter of the Anglophone crisis. Parishes in the region have experienced disruptions, and clergy have navigated security risks. The Church has called for dialogue, ceasefire, and protection of civilians.A papal presence in Bamenda carries symbolic weight. It signals solidarity with communities affected by violence and underscores the Vatican’s concern for peace.However, such a visit must balance encouragement with diplomatic caution. Explicit political statements could complicate local dynamics, while silence might disappoint those seeking moral clarity.Continuity with past papal engagementCameroon has previously hosted a papal visit. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI visited the country, marking a major ecclesial event that included the promulgation of the Instrumentum Laboris for the Second Synod for Africa. That visit reinforced Cameroon’s role within the continental Church.Pope Leo XIV’s 2026 journey will inevitably be compared with past papal engagements. Expectations will be shaped by memory: large public liturgies, strong doctrinal messages, and calls for ethical governance.A Church of scale, influence, and responsibilityIf Algeria represents the Church as historical memory and minority witness, Cameroon represents scale, institutional density, and public influence. The Catholic Church in Cameroon is not fragile in numbers; it is substantial. Its challenges are not invisibility but responsibility — how to steward influence in a politically sensitive and religiously competitive environment.From April 15–18, as Pope Leo XIV moves through Yaoundé, Douala, and Bamenda, he will engage a Church that is confident yet tested, numerous yet diverse, socially influential yet morally scrutinized.For observers of African Catholicism, Cameroon offers a case study in how demographic strength intersects with political engagement and social service. The papal visit will not redefine that structure overnight. It will, however, place it within the broader narrative of a global Church attentive to Africa not as periphery but as center.In that sense, Cameroon stands not only as the second stop on the Holy Father’s itinerary, but as a microcosm of the contemporary African Catholic experience — complex, vibrant, and consequential.
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7 key things to know about the Catholic Church in Cameroon ahead of papal visit – #Catholic – YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon — After concluding the first leg of his African apostolic journey in Algeria, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to travel to Cameroon from April 15–18. In the Central African nation, the Holy Father is set to visit the capital, Yaoundé, and the metropolitan sees of Bamenda and Douala.If Algeria represents the Church as a small minority navigating a Muslim-majority society, Cameroon presents a different ecclesial landscape. The Catholic Church there is demographically significant, institutionally entrenched, socially influential, and politically attentive.Ahead of the papal visit officially announced on Feb. 25, here are seven structural realities that define the Church’s profile in Cameroon.1. A numerically significant and growing Catholic populationCameroon’s population is religiously diverse, comprising Christians, Muslims, and practitioners of African traditional religions. Within the Christian bloc, Catholics constitute one of the largest denominations. Current estimates place Catholics at roughly 30% to 35% of the national population, translating into several million Catholics.This scale gives the Catholic Church measurable public presence. Parishes are numerous, Catholic diocesan structures are well developed, and lay movements are active across urban and rural areas. The Church is not a marginal actor; it is a central stakeholder in national life.Growth trends remain steady rather than explosive. Unlike some East African contexts where Catholic numbers have surged, Cameroon’s expansion is incremental and closely tied to demographic growth. Nonetheless, vocations to the priesthood and Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL) continue at levels that sustain ecclesial institutions.In Cameroon, Pope Leo XIV is set to encounter with a people of God neither defensive nor peripheral but fully embedded in national society.2. Robust ecclesiastical structure and metropolitan seesThe Catholic Church in Cameroon is organized into five ecclesiastical provinces, each headed by a metropolitan archbishop. These include Yaoundé, Bamenda, Douala, Garoua, and Bertoua.The Archdiocese of Yaoundé serves the political capital and functions as a strategic center for Church-state engagement. Douala, the country’s economic hub, anchors the Littoral region and reflects the Church’s engagement with commerce, urbanization, and migration.Bamenda, in the Anglophone Northwest Region, carries particular pastoral and political weight due to ongoing instability in that part of the country. Garoua Archdiocese is in the north of the country, while Bertoua Archdiocese is in the east.The bishops collectively operate through the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC), which regularly issues pastoral letters on social, political, and moral issues.Pope Leo XIV’s decision to visit three metropolitan sees signals recognition of Cameroon’s regional diversity and ecclesial complexity.3. A Church with deep historical rootsCatholic missionary activity in Cameroon dates to the late 19th century, particularly under German colonial administration and later French and British rule. Missionaries established schools, clinics, and parishes that became foundational to local communities.Over time, ecclesial leadership transitioned from missionary congregations to Indigenous clergy. Today, Cameroonian Catholic bishops and priests lead the Church across the country, and missionary institutes have shifted toward collaboration rather than control.This historical trajectory — from missionary implantation to local ownership — has shaped a confident Church. Catholic institutions in education and health care are not peripheral supplements; they are pillars of national infrastructure.The historical memory of missionary sacrifice and local perseverance still informs Catholic identity in Cameroon. Papal visits are therefore received not as external interventions but as moments of communion within an already mature ecclesial body.4. Education and health: The Church as social architectFew institutions in Cameroon rival the Catholic Church in educational reach. Catholic primary and secondary schools are widespread, often regarded for discipline and academic performance. The Church also sponsors tertiary institutions and teacher training colleges.Health care is similarly significant. Catholic hospitals and clinics serve urban centers and remote areas alike. In regions where public health systems are strained, Catholic Church-run facilities frequently fill service gaps.This social footprint gives the Catholic Church influence but also responsibility. It must negotiate regulatory frameworks, maintain quality standards, and manage financial sustainability.This also means that papal messaging on social justice, youth formation, and health care ethics resonates concretely rather than abstractly.In Cameroon, the Church’s credibility is measured as much by service delivery as by liturgical vitality.5. Political engagement and social commentaryCameroon’s Catholic bishops have consistently engaged in public discourse on governance, elections, corruption, and national unity. Pastoral letters issued around electoral cycles often emphasize transparency, accountability, and peaceful participation.This engagement places the Catholic Church in a delicate position. While she does not function as a political party, she operates as a moral voice. Her statements can attract both public support and governmental scrutiny.The Anglophone crisis in the Northwest and Southwest regions — marked by tension between separatist groups and state forces — has intensified the Church’s mediating role. Bishops in affected regions, particularly in Bamenda, have appealed for dialogue and protection of civilians.Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Bamenda is therefore not merely ceremonial. It unfolds against a backdrop of social fragility and political complexity. Any public remarks in that region will be closely analyzed for diplomatic nuance.6. Vocations, seminaries, and local clergy formationCameroon is considered one of the more vocally productive Churches in Central Africa. Major seminaries in the country train diocesan clergy, and religious congregations attract local candidates.The presence of Indigenous clergy has allowed the Church to contextualize liturgy, catechesis, and pastoral strategy. Inculturation — integrating elements of local culture within Catholic worship and life — has developed within the framework permitted by universal Church norms.However, vocations also present governance challenges: ensuring adequate formation, preventing clericalism, and addressing global concerns about safeguarding and accountability. As elsewhere, the Cameroonian Church must navigate expectations of transparency and ethical leadership.A papal visit often includes meetings with clergy and religious. In Cameroon, such encounters are likely to reinforce standards of pastoral responsibility and ecclesial communion.7. Diversity: Linguistic, cultural, and religious pluralismCameroon is frequently described as “Africa in miniature” due to its linguistic and cultural diversity. The country officially operates in both French and English, with numerous Indigenous languages in daily use.This diversity shapes ecclesial life. The Church must minister across Francophone and Anglophone regions, urban and rural contexts, and varied ethnic identities. Liturgies may incorporate local languages and music while maintaining doctrinal unity.Religiously, Cameroon is pluralistic. Alongside Catholics are Protestants, Pentecostals, Muslims, and adherents of traditional religions. Inter-Christian competition — particularly with rapidly growing Pentecostal movements — poses pastoral challenges. The Catholic Church must articulate its identity in an environment where charismatic worship and prosperity preaching attract large followings.Interreligious coexistence with Muslim communities, particularly in northern regions, remains a factor in national stability. The Church has often collaborated with Muslim leaders to promote peace and counter extremism.For Pope Leo XIV, this pluralistic setting requires calibrated messaging — affirming Catholic identity without undermining interreligious harmony.Yaoundé: Political and ecclesial nerve centerThe capital, Yaoundé, is more than an administrative stop. It is the seat of government and the archdiocese that frequently hosts national Catholic events. Meetings with civil authorities are likely to occur here, reflecting the Vatican’s diplomatic engagement with the Cameroonian state.Historically, Yaoundé has hosted major ecclesial gatherings and international visitors. A papal Mass in the capital would draw large crowds and symbolize national unity.Douala: Economic pulse and urban CatholicismDouala, as Cameroon’s commercial capital, presents a different pastoral profile. Rapid urbanization, youth unemployment, migration, and informal economies characterize the city. The Church in Douala must address urban pastoral issues: catechesis in dense neighborhoods, youth outreach, and social advocacy.The Archdiocese of Douala has been vocal on national issues, and its leadership has often carried moral authority beyond ecclesiastical boundaries.A papal stop in Douala situates the Church within the country’s economic heart, where questions of inequality and development are acute.Bamenda: Faith amid instabilityBamenda lies at the epicenter of the Anglophone crisis. Parishes in the region have experienced disruptions, and clergy have navigated security risks. The Church has called for dialogue, ceasefire, and protection of civilians.A papal presence in Bamenda carries symbolic weight. It signals solidarity with communities affected by violence and underscores the Vatican’s concern for peace.However, such a visit must balance encouragement with diplomatic caution. Explicit political statements could complicate local dynamics, while silence might disappoint those seeking moral clarity.Continuity with past papal engagementCameroon has previously hosted a papal visit. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI visited the country, marking a major ecclesial event that included the promulgation of the Instrumentum Laboris for the Second Synod for Africa. That visit reinforced Cameroon’s role within the continental Church.Pope Leo XIV’s 2026 journey will inevitably be compared with past papal engagements. Expectations will be shaped by memory: large public liturgies, strong doctrinal messages, and calls for ethical governance.A Church of scale, influence, and responsibilityIf Algeria represents the Church as historical memory and minority witness, Cameroon represents scale, institutional density, and public influence. The Catholic Church in Cameroon is not fragile in numbers; it is substantial. Its challenges are not invisibility but responsibility — how to steward influence in a politically sensitive and religiously competitive environment.From April 15–18, as Pope Leo XIV moves through Yaoundé, Douala, and Bamenda, he will engage a Church that is confident yet tested, numerous yet diverse, socially influential yet morally scrutinized.For observers of African Catholicism, Cameroon offers a case study in how demographic strength intersects with political engagement and social service. The papal visit will not redefine that structure overnight. It will, however, place it within the broader narrative of a global Church attentive to Africa not as periphery but as center.In that sense, Cameroon stands not only as the second stop on the Holy Father’s itinerary, but as a microcosm of the contemporary African Catholic experience — complex, vibrant, and consequential.

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After concluding the first leg of his African apostolic journey in Algeria, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to travel to Cameroon from April 15–18.

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‘Massports’ initiative urges kids to attend Mass during Lent – #Catholic – Children at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, have a little more incentive to attend Mass during Lent.The parish instituted an incentive program called Massports during Advent in 2025 and brought it back for Lent this year. All children from 3 years old to eighth grade are encouraged to bring their passport booklets to Mass each weekend to receive a sticker after Mass, personally handed out by the priests and deacons.After the Feb. 21 Saturday night Mass, kids swarmed pastor Father Daniel Velasco, associate pastor Father Joji Reddy Allam, and Deacon Quinton Thomas, eager to get their first sticker.After Easter, children who received a sticker for all six Sundays in Lent will get a special treat. For those who are traveling during spring break, they can attend Mass at another parish and ask their parents or the priest to sign the booklet. For school students who aren’t Catholic, they can ask their minister or parents to sign off each Sunday they go to church.Principal Amber Bagby said the pastoral council began discussing how to encourage greater attendance at Mass, especially among families with children, and the idea of Massports was born.Bagby said she was encouraged by how the program went during Advent, seeing children attend Mass with neighbors or grandparents if their parents couldn’t bring them. The program expanded during Lent to include seventh- and eighth-graders this year.Of the 350 students in pre-K through sixth grade, 220 turned in their Massports after the Christmas break and received a treat from the snow cone truck. After Easter, Bagby said they will plan for another surprise for the students who participated.“The kids thrive off incentives and just the sheer challenge of it all,” Bagby said. “We started small with the Advent season to see how it would play out the first time around, and it was wildly successful. So I told Father, ‘Why don’t we try it one more time at Lent,’ and then we will see how it progresses from there, if it grows into maybe a summer challenge. It’s just a way to get more kids actively invested in their Sunday Mass obligation and try not to put any guilt or shame in there.”Sixth grader Harper Couch said: “Sometimes I would put Mass off, but the Massports motivated me to go. It was more about being with God rather than the big prize. So now I like going.”Classmate Lillian Richards agreed. “I think it is good for kids who typically don’t like going to Mass. It brings me closer to Jesus and keeps me motivated.”After Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, Massports were given to all children in the parish, including those who attend Youth Faith Formation classes on Sunday mornings. Andrew Baka, youth faith formation director, said Massports were given to the 49 students in parish religious education during Advent, but sadly, none of the children turned them in after Christmas.He said he had already begun promoting it to the parents and students on Feb. 22 in the hope that most of them would get more involved. He said he already noticed that at Sunday Masses, he saw some new families or one student brought a friend to Mass so they could get their sticker.“I know there are a lot of people who don’t go to Mass. I can’t tell you in Advent and (the first Sunday in Lent Feb. 22) how many of the people that I see normally at Mass, with their friends with them that don’t normally come to Mass or families that I don’t always see all the time,” Baka said. “You could tell it was one mom or one dad or one parent was there so the kid could get their sticker. I definitely think the kids are pushing mom and dad or asking if they can go with a friend.”Velasco said he supports the program, encouraging the children at the end of Mass: “Bring your parents to Mass next week.”“I got to see kids that I didn’t see regularly at Mass,” he said of when Massports was introduced during Advent. “The kids had to have the initiative to go to Mass. Sometimes I remember the kids saying they had to ask grandma or grandpa to bring them.”This story was first published by the Arkansas Catholic and is reprinted here with permission.
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‘Massports’ initiative urges kids to attend Mass during Lent – #Catholic – Children at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, have a little more incentive to attend Mass during Lent.The parish instituted an incentive program called Massports during Advent in 2025 and brought it back for Lent this year. All children from 3 years old to eighth grade are encouraged to bring their passport booklets to Mass each weekend to receive a sticker after Mass, personally handed out by the priests and deacons.After the Feb. 21 Saturday night Mass, kids swarmed pastor Father Daniel Velasco, associate pastor Father Joji Reddy Allam, and Deacon Quinton Thomas, eager to get their first sticker.After Easter, children who received a sticker for all six Sundays in Lent will get a special treat. For those who are traveling during spring break, they can attend Mass at another parish and ask their parents or the priest to sign the booklet. For school students who aren’t Catholic, they can ask their minister or parents to sign off each Sunday they go to church.Principal Amber Bagby said the pastoral council began discussing how to encourage greater attendance at Mass, especially among families with children, and the idea of Massports was born.Bagby said she was encouraged by how the program went during Advent, seeing children attend Mass with neighbors or grandparents if their parents couldn’t bring them. The program expanded during Lent to include seventh- and eighth-graders this year.Of the 350 students in pre-K through sixth grade, 220 turned in their Massports after the Christmas break and received a treat from the snow cone truck. After Easter, Bagby said they will plan for another surprise for the students who participated.“The kids thrive off incentives and just the sheer challenge of it all,” Bagby said. “We started small with the Advent season to see how it would play out the first time around, and it was wildly successful. So I told Father, ‘Why don’t we try it one more time at Lent,’ and then we will see how it progresses from there, if it grows into maybe a summer challenge. It’s just a way to get more kids actively invested in their Sunday Mass obligation and try not to put any guilt or shame in there.”Sixth grader Harper Couch said: “Sometimes I would put Mass off, but the Massports motivated me to go. It was more about being with God rather than the big prize. So now I like going.”Classmate Lillian Richards agreed. “I think it is good for kids who typically don’t like going to Mass. It brings me closer to Jesus and keeps me motivated.”After Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, Massports were given to all children in the parish, including those who attend Youth Faith Formation classes on Sunday mornings. Andrew Baka, youth faith formation director, said Massports were given to the 49 students in parish religious education during Advent, but sadly, none of the children turned them in after Christmas.He said he had already begun promoting it to the parents and students on Feb. 22 in the hope that most of them would get more involved. He said he already noticed that at Sunday Masses, he saw some new families or one student brought a friend to Mass so they could get their sticker.“I know there are a lot of people who don’t go to Mass. I can’t tell you in Advent and (the first Sunday in Lent Feb. 22) how many of the people that I see normally at Mass, with their friends with them that don’t normally come to Mass or families that I don’t always see all the time,” Baka said. “You could tell it was one mom or one dad or one parent was there so the kid could get their sticker. I definitely think the kids are pushing mom and dad or asking if they can go with a friend.”Velasco said he supports the program, encouraging the children at the end of Mass: “Bring your parents to Mass next week.”“I got to see kids that I didn’t see regularly at Mass,” he said of when Massports was introduced during Advent. “The kids had to have the initiative to go to Mass. Sometimes I remember the kids saying they had to ask grandma or grandpa to bring them.”This story was first published by the Arkansas Catholic and is reprinted here with permission.

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A parish in Little Rock, Arkansas, has instituted a program to encourage children to bring a “passport booklet” to Mass each weekend to receive a sticker from priests and deacons.

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The Sky Today on Thursday, March 12: Europa and its shadow cross Jupiter

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Looking for a sky event this week? Check out our full Sky This Week column.  March 11: Time to spot the zodiacal light Europa transits Jupiter this evening, beginning shortly before 10 P.M. EDT. A few hours later, the small moon’s shadow follows it across as a dark blot on the cloud tops.  Early in the evening,Continue reading “The Sky Today on Thursday, March 12: Europa and its shadow cross Jupiter”

The post The Sky Today on Thursday, March 12: Europa and its shadow cross Jupiter appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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10 Famous Terrorist Attacks As Described By CNN #BabylonBee – CNN has been a mainstay of the American media since its inception in 1980. The prestigious network has won several awards covering everything from the 1993 World Trade Center bombing to 9/11, making it the most trusted name in news. Aspiring journalists, take note! CNN’s reporting on terrorist attacks is second to none.
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10 Famous Terrorist Attacks As Described By CNN #BabylonBee – CNN has been a mainstay of the American media since its inception in 1980. The prestigious network has won several awards covering everything from the 1993 World Trade Center bombing to 9/11, making it the most trusted name in news. Aspiring journalists, take note! CNN’s reporting on terrorist attacks is second to none.

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CNN has been a mainstay of the American media since its inception in 1980. The prestigious network has won several awards covering everything from the 1993 World Trade Center bombing to 9/11, making it the most trusted name in news. Aspiring journalists, take note! CNN’s reporting on terrorist attacks is second to none.

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Iran Cancels Plan To Attack California After Seeing Gavin Newsom Already Destroyed It #BabylonBee – TEHRAN — Rumors of the Ayatollah regime’s nefarious plot to launch an assault on the west coast of the United States hit a snag on Wednesday, as Iran canceled plans to attack California after seeing Gavin Newsom had already destroyed it.
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Iran Cancels Plan To Attack California After Seeing Gavin Newsom Already Destroyed It #BabylonBee – TEHRAN — Rumors of the Ayatollah regime’s nefarious plot to launch an assault on the west coast of the United States hit a snag on Wednesday, as Iran canceled plans to attack California after seeing Gavin Newsom had already destroyed it.

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TEHRAN — Rumors of the Ayatollah regime’s nefarious plot to launch an assault on the west coast of the United States hit a snag on Wednesday, as Iran canceled plans to attack California after seeing Gavin Newsom had already destroyed it.

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Picture of the day Doll (musha-ningyo) featuring Takenouchi no Sukune, minister of Emperor Ōjin; end of the Edo period, 19th century, Japan. Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas (Texas) ; the photograph was taken during an exhibition in the Musée des Arts Premiers in Paris #ImageOfTheDay
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Picture of the day Doll (musha-ningyo) featuring Takenouchi no Sukune, minister of Emperor Ōjin; end of the Edo period, 19th century, Japan. Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas (Texas) ; the photograph was taken during an exhibition in the Musée des Arts Premiers in Paris #ImageOfTheDay

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Picture of the day
Doll (musha-ningyo) featuring Takenouchi no Sukune, minister of Emperor Ōjin; end of the Edo period, 19th century, Japan. Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas (Texas) ; the photograph was taken during an exhibition in the Musée des Arts Premiers in Paris
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President Trump Orders MASSIVE 172 MILLION Barrel Oil Release from Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Crush Energy Prices – President Donald Trump has ordered the release of 172 MILLION barrels of oil from the United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to combat record-high energy prices triggered by the ongoing war with Iran. The post President Trump Orders MASSIVE 172 MILLION Barrel Oil Release from Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Crush Energy Prices appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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President Trump Orders MASSIVE 172 MILLION Barrel Oil Release from Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Crush Energy Prices – President Donald Trump has ordered the release of 172 MILLION barrels of oil from the United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to combat record-high energy prices triggered by the ongoing war with Iran. The post President Trump Orders MASSIVE 172 MILLION Barrel Oil Release from Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Crush Energy Prices appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Donald Trump delivers a speech at the podium in front of an American flag backdrop during a congressional address, with two officials seated behind him.

Donald Trump delivers a speech at the podium in front of an American flag backdrop during a congressional address, with two officials seated behind him.

President Donald Trump has ordered the release of 172 MILLION barrels of oil from the United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to combat record-high energy prices triggered by the ongoing war with Iran.

The post President Trump Orders MASSIVE 172 MILLION Barrel Oil Release from Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Crush Energy Prices appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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