U.S. bishops announce new office for justice and peace
Just over a month after laying off several staff members of a controversial department specializing in social justice initiatives, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has announced a new “Secretariat for Justice and Peace” with a similar mission.
Knights of Columbus report rise in membership, charitable donations at annual convention
Despite a global rise in secularism, the Knights of Columbus reported a significant increase in membership and a record-high amount in charitable donations in 2023 at the group’s annual convention in Quebec, Canada, this week.
Catholic Charities unite to meet prisoner hospice needs
In response to the concerns for the rising numbers of incarcerated Canadians asking to end their lives by medical assistance in dying (MAID), Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto has brought together two organizations that serve the marginalized of society in a unique collaboration to provide end-of-life care for prisoners.
Between earth and sky: ‘Lady of the East’ statue rises in Syria
A new landmark honoring the Virgin Mary was inaugurated in a grand celebration that began Aug. 1 and ran through Aug. 4 in the town of Al-Hwash near the city of Homs, Syria.
Seoul paves the way for World Youth Day 2027 with launch event
In celebration of the next World Youth Day (WYD), the Catholic Church in South Korea hosted a grand launch event at the Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul on July 28.
Seven routes to Notre-Dame: Pilgrims take off across France ahead of cathedral’s reopening
In anticipation of the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris, seven French pilgrimages began on July 28 to meet at the medieval Catholic cathedral in September.
Laws to protect children from online exploitation passed by Senate
Two bills meant to protect children and teens from online exploitation were passed in a bipartisan vote in the Senate on July 30.
As marriage rates continue to plunge, how can the Church get more people to the altar?
The Catholic Church needs to be focused at the parish level to drive up plunging marriage rates among the faithful, experts say, as low marriage rates in the Church mirror the collapse of matrimony in wider society.
Italy prime minister proposes aid for women in financial straits who reject abortion
The government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is also president of the Council of Ministers of Italy, has proposed a “maternity income” bill to provide financial assistance to pregnant women in need who reject abortion.
Pope Francis meets Russian Orthodox Church foreign minister at the Vatican
Pope Francis received a top-ranking member of the Russian Orthodox Church for private discussions at the Vatican in mid-July.
