International

ABp Aupetit at Paris farewell Mass: ‘I lost my life for the love of Christ’

At a farewell Mass in Paris on December 10 , Archbishop Michel Aupetit directly addressed media reports claiming that he had “lost himself for love.” Preaching at a Mass of thanksgiving at the Church of Saint-Sulpice in the French capital on Dec. 10, the archbishop referred to a headline published by the magazine Paris Match. […]

In Athens, Pope Francis sounds alarm over the ‘retreat from democracy’

As Pope Francis arrived in the birthplace of democracy on Dec. 4, he immediately sounded the alarm that democracy is under threat across the globe, as authoritarian leaders fuelled by populist and nationalistic interests are on the rise. “Today, and not only in Europe, we are witnessing a retreat from democracy,” the pope said, warning […]

A Requiem for the Disappearing Christians of Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and Gaza

“Islamic fundamentalist groups, in particular ISIS, have ravaged parts of Iraq and Syria and brought those countries’ already decimated Christian population to the verge of extin-ction. In Egypt, Christian Copts face legal and societal discrimi-nation. In Gaza, which in the fourth century was entirely Chri-stian, fewer than one thousand Christians remain.” Sobering statistics like these […]

For Those with Eyes to See, There Is Theological Truth in Church Architecture

God is bigger than a church building. He reveals himself to us in myriad ways: through the Bible savoured in silence or thundered in a sermon, through prayerful solitude or bread broken with others. He reveals himself in the contours of nature and whispers of wind. We do not rely on church buildings for divine […]

Bahrain inaugurates Cathedral of Mary Queen of Arabia

The small Catholic commu-nity of the Emirate of Bahrain is preparing to celebrate the solemn opening of the largest Catholic Church in the Arabic Peninsula dedicated to their Patron Saint. The Cathedral of Mary Queen of Arabia will be inaugurated on December 9 – significantly, one day after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – by […]

France’s interior minister condemns threats against Catholics during procession

France’s interior minister on Saturday condemned threats made against Catholics taking part in a Marian procession in the western suburbs of Paris. Gérald Darmanin deplored what he said were “unacceptable acts” during a torchlight procession in Nanterre on Dec. 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. “Freedom of worship must be able to be exercised […]

Pope: New meeting with Russian Orthodox patriarch possible

Pope Francis said on December 6 there were plans for a possible second meeting with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, after their historic 2016 encounter in Cuba became a landmark in mending relations severed by the 1,000-year-old schism that divided Christianity. Francis said he planned to meet next week with the Russian church’s […]

Catholic Priests Survey Finds Lower Morale, ‘Conservative Shift’ Among U.S. Clergy

A new survey released this month suggests a more “pessimistic” view of the Catholic Church among U.S. priests today as compared to 2002, as well as an increasing perception of “more theologically conser-vative or orthodox” young priests as compared to their older counterparts. A Nov. 1 report summarized findings from the 2021 Survey of American Catholic Priests (SACP), […]

Indian bishops slam terror attack on tourists in India’s Kashmir

No action taken against police who assaulted Catholic priests in India