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European bishops mark 30th anniversary of fall of Berlin Wall

Catholic bishops from the European Union marked 30 years since the breaching of the Berlin Wall with tributes to those who worked for peaceful change, as well as warnings against resurgent “ideologies behind the building of walls.” “The fall of the Berlin Wall was one of the most important events in European history of the […]

Ukrainian Catholic Church faces new struggles, archbishop says

Addressing an audience at Georgetown University on Oct. 25, the leader of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States said the world news in Washington is as “Ukrainian as it ever has been.” But although he made reference to the current political interest in Ukraine, he also said “no one in Washington would give […]

Majority of Hispanics in U.S. no longer Catholic, new study finds

A new study shows that the percentage of Catholics in the United States has fallen from nearly one-in-four to one-in-five, with the added news that Hispanics in America are no longer majority-Catholic. The Pew Research Centre survey released Oct. 17 noted that in general, religious practice in the country has declined at a “rapid pace.” […]

Patriarchs at war as Russian ‘cancels’ Alexandrian from prayers

The Patriarchate of Alexandria has become the latest to recognise Ukraine’s new independent Orthodox Church, prompting angry reactions from Russian leaders who bitterly opposed its establishment by the Ecumenical Patriarchate a year ago. In a brief statement during a Cairo service, Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All-Africa said the recognition had been conferred after […]

French bishops vote to compensate abuse victims with Church funds 

The bishops of France approved plans to offer financial compensation to victims of sexual abuse by clergy. According to the Associated Press, any person recognized by their bishop as a victim will be eligible to receive money, and the Church in France will appeal for donations to cover the costs. The French bishops also voted […]

‘Young Bergoglio’ and ‘Pope Francis’: Two Stamps for His 50th Anniversary

This coming December 13, Pope Francis will celebrate the 50th anniversary of his Ordination to the priesthood. Made the occasion, on Monday, November 4, 2019, the Vatican’s Philatelic and Numismatic Office issued two stamps, which reproduce two paintings made by Spanish paint-er Raul Berzosa. The first of the stamps, with the value of 1.10 euros, reproduces […]

Slum Jesus to be part of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival in 2020

One of Brazil’s most traditional samba schools – the popular associations that organize annual Carnival parades in the country – announced that the theme of its 2020 performance would be the story of Jesus taken to a Rio de Janeiro slum. Estacao Primeira de Mangueira also announced its performance song, which alludes to the increasing […]

Armenian Catholic priest and his father shot dead in Syria

Gunmen  shot dead an Armenian Catholic priest and his father as they were traveling in a car in northeastern Syria.  The attack was claimed by the so-called Islamic State group. Father Hovsep Bedoyan, the head of the Armenian Catholic community in the the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli near the border with Turkey, and his father, […]