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Catholic News Agency
Pope Francis names religious sister to No. 2 position in Vatican’s social development office
by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Aug 26, 2021 / 08:00 am Pope Francis on Thursday named Italian economist and Catholic religious sister Alessandra Smerilli as secretary of the Vatican’s social development office on an interim basis. Smerilli was appointed “ad interim” secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development …
Poland’s Catholic bishops call for solidarity with refugees amid Belarus border standoff
by CNA Staff Warsaw, Poland, Aug 25, 2021 / 12:00 pm Poland’s Catholic bishops have appealed for solidarity with refugees amid rising tensions at the country’s border with Belarus. In an Aug. 22 statement, the bishops described the situation at the Poland-Belarus border as “disturbing.” “Recently, there has been a …
Venerable Fulton Sheen ‘should be made a saint’, says Peoria coadjutor bishop
by Kate Scanlon Peoria, Ill., Aug 25, 2021 / 10:58 am Proponents of the beatification of Venerable Fulton Sheen are still searching for answers about the cause, nearly two years after that process was paused. “I don’t know much,” Bishop Louis Tylka, Coadjutor Bishop of Peoria, told CNA in an …
August 25: Saint Louis IX of France
St. Louis was born to King Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile, at Poissy on April 25th 1215. Louis was made King at only 11 years of age, and was the father of 11 children. He led an exemplary life, bearing constantly in mind his mother’s words: “I would rather …
Cleveland Diocese plans second round of ‘Nine Nights of Night Prayer’
by Joe Bukuras Washington D.C., Aug 24, 2021 / 13:01 pm After Catholics in the Cleveland diocese participated in a “Nine Nights of Night Prayer” initiative earlier this month, the diocese will hold a second round later this year. The event, which featured nine consecutive nights of night prayer at …
An encounter at an abortion clinic changed this Catholic actor’s life
by Matt Hadro Orange, Calif., Aug 23, 2021 / 14:00 pm Eduardo Verastegui, the producer and star of the film “Bella,” on Saturday recalled a moment where he realized his movie helped save a life. Verastegui addressed the Aug. 21 gala of the pro-life group Live Action, held in Dana …
He once rescued 14,000 refugees – now could he intercede in Afghanistan’s crisis?
by Christine Rousselle Washington D.C., Aug 24, 2021 / 03:00 am As thousands try to escape a crisis in Afghanistan, Catholics could ask the intercession of a man who orchestrated the largest humanitarian rescue operation by a single ship – Servant of God Marinus (Leonard) LaRue. LaRue, a merchant marine …
Catholics in Sri Lanka fly black flags to protest perceived government failure to prosecute over Easter attack
by Jose Torres Jr. Colombo, Sri Lanka, Aug 24, 2021 / 10:03 am Catholics in Sri Lanka wore black and hoisted black flags on Saturday to show their indignation over what they see as the government’s failure to respond adequately the 2019 Easter Sunday attack on churches. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith …
August 24: St. Bartholomew, Apostle
Saint Bartholomew is one of the Twelve Apostles, mentioned sixth in the three Gospel lists (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14), and seventh in the list of Acts (1:13). The name (Bartholomaios) means “son of Talmai” which was an ancient Hebrew name. Besides being listed as an Apostle, he is …
Vandals steal cross from altar of Catholic church in the Holy Land
by Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Aug 23, 2021 / 06:00 am Vandals have stolen a cross from the Catholic church in the Holy Land built on the site where tradition holds that Jesus performed the miracle of multiplying five loaves and two fishes to feed 5,000 people. Israeli police are …