Catholic News

• Canonizations set for Bl. Carlo Acutis, Pier Giorgio Frassati (CNA)
  Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati will be canonized in 2025, the Vatican has announced. Blessed Carlo Acutis will be canonized during the Jubilee for Teenagers, which is scheduled for April 25-27. The ceremony is expected to be held in St. Peter’s Square on April 27. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati will be canonized during the Jubilee for Youth, scheduled for July 28 to August 3. The dates for the two canonizations were released on November 20, at the conclusion of the weekly papal audience, after Pope Francis announced plans for a celebration of a World Meeting on Children’s Rights in February.
• Pope Francis changes rules for papal funeral, wants plain casket (AP)
  Pope Francis has revised the ritual for a papal funeral, and said that he wants to be buried in a plain casket, eliminating much of the pomp of previous ceremonies. The new ritual, which the Pontiff approved in April, emphasizes the simplicity of the service. Msgr. Diego Ravelli, the master of ceremonies for papal liturgies, told L’Osservatore Romano that the revised service will “emphasize even more that the Roman Pontiff’s funeral is that of a shepherd and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful man of this world.” Pope Francis had already said that he wants to be buried in the basilica of St. Mary Major, rather than in the crypt of St. Peter’s, where his predecessors have been laid to rest. The new ritual allows for him to be buried in a simple casket, rather than the traditional three caskets: one cyprus, one lead, and one oak.
• At weekly audience, Pope speaks on charisms (Vatican News)
  At his weekly public audience on November 20, Pope Francis continued his series of talks on the Holy Spirit, speaking about the diversity of gifts, or charisms, that the Spirit bestows. “To each individual, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit,” the Pope said. These gifts, he stressed, are intended to serve the common good, not the welfare of the individuals who receive them. At the same time the charisms are specially designed for the individuals who may benefit from them. These charisms, the Pontiff continued, may be conferred by the Holy Spirit upon lay people, who “have their own charisms and gifts.”
• France hit hardest in attacks on Catholic churches (Pillar)
  Nearly 1,500 Catholic churches in France have been damaged by vandalism since the year 2000, and 396 have been desecrated, the French bishops’ conference reports. The report also shows that nearly 1,700 Catholic churches in France are now closed—for reasons ranging from safety problems to a lack of parishioners. Some 149 churches have been demolished since 2000. Only 16 churches are currently under construction. The bishops’ conference had undertaken an inventory of the country’s churches, in response to a request for an overview of their condition. Under the strict French policy of secularism, church buildings are regarded as the property of the government and part of the nation’s cultural patrimony.
• Pope sends letter of closeness to Ukraine, marking 1,000 days of war (Vatican News)
  Pope Francis has written a letter to Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the apostolic nuncio to Ukraine, marking the 1,000th day since the Russian invasion. “I am well aware that no human words can protect their lives from daily bombings, console those mourning their dead, heal the wounded, bring children back home, free prisoners, or restore justice and peace,” the Pope wrote. “May the Lord comfort our hearts and strengthen the hope that, while gathering every tear shed and holding all accountable, He remains close to us even when human efforts seem fruitless and actions inadequate,” he added.
• Ukrainian Catholic leader marks 1,000 days of death, hope (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church)
  In a message marking 1,000 days since the Russian invasion, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church said that “it is fair to say that for a thousand days, the enemy has relentlessly sought to kill, destroy, and annihilate. But at the same time, this has been a period of great hope for the Ukrainian people. A thousand days of hope.” Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk added: We are a people who rely on the power of the resurrected Savior and bear witness to this power daily in our personal history. That is why we now declare to the whole world: Ukraine stands, fights, and prays! Ukraine trusts in God’s power, which is revealed even through our wounds, tears, and grief! Ukraine is rising today with our risen Savior!
• Pope announces plan for World Meeting on Children's Rights (Vatican News)
  Pope Francis has announced plans for a World Meeting on Children’s Rights, to be held at the Vatican on February 3, 2025. The Pontiff made his announced on November 20 during his regular weekly audience, noting that the date coincided with the International Day for the Rights of Children and Adolescents. On the same day, November 20, the Pope released a document establishing the Pontifical Committee for the World Day of Children, and appointing Father Enzo Fortunato as its first president. “Family, Church, and State exist for children, not the other way around,” the Pope said in that document.
• Jimmy Lai testifies at Hong Kong national-security trial (AP)
  Jimmy Lai, the Catholic publisher and human-rights activist, testified on November 20 at his trial on charges of violating Hong Kong’s security law. Lai, who has already been in prison for almost four years on other charges, told the court that he had never asked American officials to take action against the Hong Kong government. He said that he had only asked for an American statement of support for the people of Hong Kong. Cardinal Joseph Zen, who has also been charged with violations of the sweeping national-security statutes in Hong Kong, sat with Lai’s family in the courtroom as he testified. The trial is widely seen as a test of China’s promise to protect human rights in Hong Kong.
• Pope urges prayers to escape nuclear threat (Vatican News)
  At a November 20 audience with participants in an inter-religious peace conference, Pope Francis called urgently for prayers, citing in particular the danger of nuclear war. All believers, the Pontiff said, should join in prayer to save a world “divided and rent by hatred, hostility, wars and the threat of a nuclear conflict.”
• Vatican 'foreign minister' offers overview of diplomatic activity in Africa (Vatican News)
  Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, visited Cameroon to receive an honorary degree and delivered a speech in which he offered an historical overview of the Holy See’s diplomatic activity in Africa. The Holy See, he said, has been focused on maintaining the Church’s autonomy and fostering the common good. The Holy See has diplomatic relations with 51 of Africa’s 54 nations.
• Abuse is a 'betrayal of life,' Pope tweets (@Pontifex_it)
  “I join the Church in Italy, which today proposes again the Day of Prayer for the victims and survivors of abuse,” Pope Francis tweeted on November 18. He continued, “Every abuse is a betrayal of trust, it is a betrayal of life! Prayer is indispensable to ‘rebuild trust.’” In a departure from typical practice, the Pope’s tweet, published on his Italian X account, was not also published on his English-language account.
• Priest executed by Nazis is beatified in Germany (Erzbistum Freiburg)
  Father Max Josef Metzger (1887-1944), an advocate for peace and Christian unity who was imprisoned and executed by the Nazi regime, was beatified as a martyr in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, on November 17. Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, was the principal celebrant at the beatification Mass (video). “Today’s beatification is a great honor for the Archdiocese of Freiburg,” Cardinal Koch preached. “At the same time, however, this also means that we are called to bear witness to peace and unity in today’s world in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.”
• 'Red Wednesday' puts persecution of Christians in spotlight (Our Sunday Visitor)
  Buildings around the world—including 26 Irish cathedrals—will be illumined in red on November 20 to draw attention to the persecution of Christians. ‘Red Wednesday” is an initiative of Aid to the Church in Need. Some 300 associated events are taking place, including events at the houses of Parliament in London and Edinburgh, Scotland.
• Iranian convert sentenced to 10 years for evangelizing (AsiaNews)
  A judge in the Islamic Republic of Iran has sentenced a Christian to ten years in prison on several charges, including “propagandizing” Christianity. Toomaj Aryan-Kia, a convert to Christianity, was also charged with collaboration with the governments of Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• Armenian leader discusses peace with Pontiff (Prime Minister of Armenia)
  Pope Francis received Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on November 18. The prime minister “emphasized Armenia’s full support for the peace agenda of the Holy See,” his office stated following the meeting. He also “informed His Holiness about the latest developments in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process” and “thanked His Holiness for the continuous efforts of the Holy See to release the Armenian prisoners of war.” Since 1988, predominantly Christian Armenia and predominantly Muslim Azerbaijan have been in conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan. Tens of thousands of Armenians fled the enclave in 2023, amid an Azeri military offensive.
• USCCB awards $8.8M to 329 projects in Central, Eastern Europe (USCCB)
  The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has published an annual report for its Collection for the Church in Eastern and Central Europe. In 2023, the collection had $9,446,185 in revenue and $9,665,263 in expenses, of which 91% ($8.76 million) was expended on 329 grants, 5% on program costs, 3% on promotions and fundraising expenses, and 1% on administrative expenses. The grants were divided into eleven categories, of which the largest were construction, emergency humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and evangelization. Despite the $219,000 operating deficit, the collection’s assets grew by over $3.1 million, to $23.96 million, because of investment gains.
• End the scourge of hunger, Pope urges G20 leaders (Vatican Press Office)
  In a message to the G20 Summit in Brazil, Pope Francis called on the world’s wealthiest nations to work together to end hunger. “It is a matter of great concern that society has not yet found a way to address the tragic situation of those facing starvation,” the Pope wrote in his November 18 message. “The silent acceptance by human society of famine is a scandalous injustice and a grave offense.” “Those who, through usury and greed, cause the starvation and death of their brothers and sisters in the human family are indirectly committing a homicide, which is imputable to them (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2269),” the Pope continued. “No effort should be spared to lift people out of poverty and hunger.” The Pope added: It is important to keep in mind that the issue of hunger is not merely a matter of insufficient food; rather, it is a consequence of broader social and economic injustices. Poverty, in particular, is a significant contributing factor to hunger, perpetuating a cycle of economic and social inequalities that are pervasive in our global society. The relationship between hunger and poverty is inextricably linked. It is thus evident that immediate and decisive action must be taken to eradicate the scourge of hunger and poverty. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Pope’s Secretary of State, is attending the summit and delivered the papal message.
• World needs more international cooperation, Cardinal Parolin tells G20 (Vatican News)
  Cardinal Pietro Parolin called for “rethinking of the frameworks that should facilitate effective international cooperation” in an address to the G20 meeting in Brazil. The Vatican Secretary of State said that political leaders should work together to establish “global mechanisms that can respond to environmental, public health, cultural and social issues, as well as artificial intelligence.” At the same time—citing the apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum by Pope Francis—he warned against any “global authority concentrated in one person or in an elite with excessive power.” To guard against such a concentration of power, Cardinal Parolin recommended adhering to the principle of subsidiarity and allowing the widest participation in the decision-making process.
• Vatican approves special norms for Mayan liturgy (Pillar)
  The Vatican has given formal recognition to special liturgical changes presented by the Mexican bishops’ conference for use in the diocese of San Cristobal de Las Casas. Cardinal Arthur Roche, the prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship, wrote to give approval for the liturgical changes, to be used “for some indigenous peoples of Mexico,” specifically in the southern diocese which developed the special liturgy. He said that the Vatican would now consider whether the special liturgy would be approved for other Mexican dioceses, with minor changes “to respect the specific characteristics of each ethnic group.” The liturgical changes that the Vatican approved include the use of a lay man or woman to “guide the people, at the invitation of the priest presiding at the celebration, in moments of communal prayer;“ and a prayer of thanksgiving after Communion in which the people are invited to join in a sort of dance: “a rhythmic pendulum movement.” Cardinal Felipe Arizmendi, the retired bishop of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, emphasized the importance of the Vatican approval for this special liturgy. He noted that only once before has the Vatican approved such special adaptations of the post-conciliar liturgy: the “aboriginal liturgy” approved earlier this year for the Australian Diocese of Broome.
• Make prison visits a priority, Pope tells Spanish seminarians (Vatican Press Office)
  Pope Francis received seminarians from two Spanish dioceses and emphasized the importance of visiting prisoners. “We must go into the prisons; certainly, into the government prisons, to offer to those who are detained in them the oil of consolation and the wine of hope, but also to all those prisons that confine the men and women of our society: ideological prisons, the moral ones, those that create exploitation, discouragement, ignorance or forgetfulness of God,” the Pope said to seminarians of the Archdiocese of Pamplona and Tudela, the Diocese of San Sebastián, and the Neocatechumenal Way. “I return to prisons: please, go into the prisons, go, make the effort,” the Pope continued. “Ever since I became bishop, on Holy Thursday, I perform the washing of the feet in a prison. They are those who most need us to wash their feet.”
• More...