Stories for February 2024

Ordered from most to least recent.

Released Thursday, Feb. 29

 Spanish archdiocese decries same-sex wedding in Catholic chapel
 Haitian bishop recovering in Miami after explosion at home
 Ukrainian Church opens beatification cause for former leader
 France advances pro-abortion amendment to constitution
 Cardinal Burke launches novena for ‘a very troubled time’
 ‘Demos II’—identified as cardinal—writes ‘profile of the next Pope’
 Group of US, Canadian, Latin American bishops hold summit
 Vatican overturns Canadian archbishop’s decision to close parish
 Man breaks into, vandalizes Oregon monastery
 In Alaska, permanent deacons are primary spiritual leaders in remote villages
 Pope warns Armenia’s bishops against ecclesiastical ambition
 Let Jesus guide efforts to protect rights, Pope tells Argentine judges
 Bishop named for troubled French archdiocese
 Papal condemnation of landmines

Released Wednesday, Feb. 28

 400 violent attacks on Catholic churches in US
 Cardinal Parolin frightened by French leader’s mention of troops in Ukraine
 Pope briefly hospitalized for tests
 Pope, at general audience, warns against envy and vainglory
 Cardinal Nichols forbids traditional Latin Mass during Triduum
 Sierra Leone’s leading prelate laments decline of Sacrament of Penance
 Outrage in Poland prompts Vatican to give reason for bishop’s resignation
 The courage of Christian martyrs is a blessing for everyone, Pope says
 Following Texas suit, USCCB committee chairman defends Catholic efforts to serve migrants
 Vatican newspaper draws attention to plight of Kenya’s Ogiek people
 Vatican spokesman: Ratzinger CDF document is ‘important precedent’ for Fiducia Supplicans

Released Tuesday, Feb. 27

 Palestinian-American wins international peace prize
 Vatican prelate clarifies: Catholicism incompatible with Masonry
 Congo cardinal questions EU support for Rwandan mining
 Uruguay: bishop clarifies blessing for same-sex couple
 Finnish study disputes reported link between ‘trans’ identity, youth suicide
 Catholic ethicists decry lax ‘brain-death’ standards [Exclusive]
 Brazilian study warns Catholic ‘digital influencers’ spurn bishops
 Pope condemns bloodshed in Burkina Faso and calls for peace
 Cardinal reinstates lay charismatic leader who admitted abuse
 USCCB committee chairman calls for humanitarian aid to Ukraine, rues Russian persecution of Church
 Women Synod participants share reflections in webinars
 Ethiopian monastery attacked; 4 monks slain
 Philippine shrine designated an international shrine
 Papal appeal for just and lasting peace in Ukraine, prayer for nations suffering from violence, cold

Released Monday, Feb. 26

 Poison in priest’s chalice seen as Mafia threat
 Cardinal Sarah urges unity within Church
 Church mediates truce in Mexican drug-cartel conflict
 New major seminary opens in Vietnam
 Bishop explains Christian vision at Dubai interfaith event
 Polish archbishop, charged with neglect, resigns
 Six religious, one priest kidnapped in Haiti
 Ailing Pope again cancels audiences
 Angelus address: ‘Never direct your eyes away from the light of Jesus’
 Pope cancels meeting with Rome’s deacons due to mild flu, Vatican says
 Pontiff, Curial officials conclude retreat
 Theme of 1st Lenten sermon to Curia: ‘I am the bread of life’
 Tennessee governor signs law allowing potential officiants to refuse to solemnize a marriage
 Papal prayer for Valencia fire victims
 Malawi president’s leadership has failed, bishops say
 Vatican diplomat advocates for women
 India’s bishops urge voters to keep country secular
 More than 1,000 children take part in Via Crucis for peace in Jerusalem
 Gunmen open fire during Mass in Burkina Faso village; at least 15 dead
 Vatican newspaper downplays lunar landing

Released Friday, Feb. 23

 Catholic group seeks hate-crime investigation after New York cathedral funeral
 El Paso bishop defends migrant shelter facing state lawsuit
 Kenyan archbishop sees ‘unprecedented’ attack on family life
 Pakistani bishop hails court rejection of anti-Christian pogrom whitewash
 Greece’s minority Catholic Church condemns Parliament’s same-sex marriage vote
 New Secretary named for Christian unity dicastery
 USCCB criticizes Biden administration’s proposed expansion of abortion funding for Native Americans
 Bernini’s baldachin masterpiece disappears from public view until jubilee year
 Vatican newspaper rues damage to ocean from Ghana’s dumping of used clothes
 Papal preacher takes to social media during Lent
 In rare move, Pope names coadjutor for leading Argentine bishop, who is past retirement age
 Papal basilicas launch ‘From Tourist to Pilgrim’ minisite as Jubilee guide

Released Thursday, Feb. 22

 Vandalism at Philadelphia shrine causes $20,000 damage
 Australian bishop faces multiple criminal charges
 Ukrainian bishops reject compromise with Russia
 End to celibacy could attract more men to priesthood: Cardinal Hollerich
 German cab driver faces fine for Jesus decal
 Pope opposes reform on abuse, victims’ advocate charges
 Russian Orthodox reject Fiducia Supplicans
 Vatican announces theme for World Day of Migrants
 Texas attorney general files suit against Catholic migrant shelter
 ‘Opium’ of new ministries erodes credibility of Catholicism, priest tells Nigeria’s bishops
 DR Congo bishops plead for prayers for peace as jihadist violence intensifies
 Canadian Christian leaders issue joint pastoral letter on Ukraine
 India’s Cardinal Ferrão elected head of Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences
 Philippine bishops deplore Chinese incursions into territorial waters
 Papal delegate to troubled French lay association resigns
 USCCB announces ‘Love Means More’ initiative
 Dicastery for Evangelization publishes resource for Year of Prayer
 US State Department official has ‘whirlwind day’ at Vatican
 ‘Under bombs and without food’: Vatican newspaper laments Gaza suffering

Released Wednesday, Feb. 21

 German Catholic charity mobilizes against populist party
 Australian bishop arrested
 Gay activists demand apology from New York cathedral
 Irish poll shows strong support for mothers at home
 Belgian bishops want Synod discussion of female diaconate, celibacy
 Arson, vandalism doubled at US churches in 2023
 Cardinal Dolan applauds cathedral response to funeral uproar
 Vatican says Rupnik investigation is continuing
 Women detail alleged abuses by Rupnik
 NY-area church vandalized
 In Germany, 650 churches have closed since 2005
 Report: Cardinal calls for ‘permanent’ dialogue with Freemasons
 Proponents of women’s ordination among new consultors to Synod of Bishops
 Dalit Catholics seek representation in India’s synodality process
 2025 papal prayer intentions released
 Leading Vatican cardinals: German vote in favor of synodal council would be null and void
 ‘The shock wave of war’: Vatican newspaper laments suffering in Sudan

Released Tuesday, Feb. 20

 Cardinal Zen renews criticism of Fiducia Supplicans
 Haitian bishop hurt in house explosion
 Papal envoy calls for ceasefire in Gaza
 Oregon bishop: no blessings for same-sex couples
 Priests under increased surveillance in Nicaragua; Ortega regime reportedly approving diocesan appointments
 Cardinal Schönborn to German bishops: Maintain unity with Rome
 Retiring Vatican archivist publishes book, criticizes Pius XII’s sainthood cause
 Long after Pope’s abuse summit, victims still traumatized by the system meant to address their cases
 In US, almost all Catholic women’s colleges admit men who identify as women
 Alabama Supreme Court: Wrongful death law covers destruction of frozen embryos
 European bishops announce Lenten initiative for peace, Synod
 Vatican commissions street artist to illustrate Pope’s Lenten message
 ‘Deadly desert’: Vatican newspaper draws attention to plight of migrants in Niger

Released Monday, Feb. 19

 Rethink strategy, emphasize dialogue, Filipino cardinal urges pro-lifers
 German bishops back off confrontation with Vatican
 Pope decries armed violence in Sudan, Mozambique, and elsewhere
 Week-long retreat begins for Roman Curia
 Cardinal McElroy says criticism of Fiducia rooted in anti-LGBT animus
 New York archdiocese decries ‘scandalous behavior’ at funeral
 Angelus address: wild beasts and angels
 Rome says no to German bishops’ synodal committee vote
 Vatican releases handbook for ‘24 Hours for the Lord’ confession initiative
 Leading Nigerian prelate rips government economic policies—and Fiducia Supplicans
 Jihadists destroy Catholic mission as attacks resume in Mozambique
 Curial study groups to explore themes from Synod’s first session
 Dates set for October Synod of Bishops
 Irish bishops hold day of prayer for abuse victims
 Following Christ can involve martyrdom, Cardinal Koch recalls at commemoration of Coptic martyrs
 Cimabue fresco restored for St. Francis’s 800th anniversary

Released Friday, Feb. 16

 Vatican Secretary of State responds to Russian dissident’s death
 Cardinal Müller: Fiducia is ‘doctrinally problematic’
 German Catholic group urges bishops to leave Synodal Path
 Church is a work in progress, Pope tells seminarians
 Hong Kong Christians jailed for offering religious material on mainland
 Vatican: solidarity with Nigerian Catholics, decries kidnapping
 Milan archbishop to join in seminar with Freemasons
 Biden administration challenges Tennessee law on prostitution
 Pontifical commission nears publication of report on child protection policies
 Indian Catholic school suspends nun for alleged anti-Hindu remark
 Wisconsin legislature passes parental bill of rights; governor promises veto
 Mexican bishops negotiated with drug cartel leaders for possible peace accord
 Greece legalizes same-sex marriage
 Vatican newspaper recalls bombing of Monte Cassino
 Rabbis, scholars thank Pope for sowing friendship amid animosity
 Pope appoints former Italian army chief to Vatican City post
 Theme announced for World Day of Grandparents and Elderly

Released Thursday, Feb. 15

 Could the Vatican go broke?
 German bishops face crucial decision on Synodal Council
 Romanian prime minster meets with Pontiff
 Syrian group seeks to help Christians return
 Israeli embassy rips Vatican criticism of Gaza offensive
 Pope sees art as ‘bridge between heaven and earth’
 Panamanian cardinal resigns after mysterious disappearance
 Priest resigns as head of Pontifical Mission Societies, admitting misconduct
 Pope accused of opposing reforms to tackle clerical sexual abuse
 Michigan priest convicted of stealing from retired priests
 Pope calls for collective action to address world hunger, cites ‘proper rationing’ of food
 Amid scandal, Strasbourg auxiliary bishop resigns for ‘health reasons’
 Coptic martyrs of Libya commemorated in St. Peter’s Basilica for first time
 Pontifical commission, Opus Dei university sign collaboration agreement
 ‘Return to the heart,’ Pope Francis preaches at Ash Wednesday Mass
 As Lent begins, Pope recalls suffering in Ukraine, Holy Land, urges prayer for peace

Released Wednesday, Feb. 14

 TV network censored Super Bowl ad for Catholic prayer app
 Nigeria: tops in Mass attendance despite persecution
 Papal support for Brazilian Lenten campaign
 Could Vatican have saved Monte Cassino from WWII bombing?
 Pope honors Albanian cardinal as ‘living martyr’
 Israeli military campaign is not proportionate: Cardinal Parolin
 Prelates detail humanitarian costs of war in Ukraine
 Pope, at general audience, warns against sloth
 Irish bishops’ publishing house to cease operations
 Jesuits in US bolster Outreach LGBTQ initiative
 Ireland’s Jesuits ‘ashamed’ of order’s failure to act on abuse
 Belgian ban on kosher, halal slaughter legitimately interferes with religious freedom, European court rules
 Church of England faces controversy over insincere conversions to gain asylum
 Impoverished Indonesian island described as ‘promised land for vocations’
 Vatican diplomat tells UN he is ‘deeply concerned’ about denigration of the family
 Pope to visit Venice art festival in April
 Vatican newspaper decries ‘river of plastic’ in Bolivia

Released Tuesday, Feb. 13

 New book collects Pope’s statements, retreat meditations
 Pro-abortion papal appointee rejects criticisms
 Attempts to explain Fiducia are dividing the Church: Cardinal Müller
 Scottish priest who made ‘gay mafia’ claim says he has been ‘bullied and silenced’
 Nigerian police arrest fleeing suspected kidnapper of 2 priests
 Key official: Synod’s central purpose is creating ‘new style’ of Church leadership
 Florida diocese places Grammy-winning priest on leave amid misconduct allegation
 ‘How China miscalculated its way to a baby bust’
 Pope writes preface to book on slain Argentine bishop
 Pope Francis: I think of countries at war, where human rights are violated
 At lunar new year, Cardinal Tagle compares Church to moon
 Citing brain tumor, 54-year-old Brazilian archbishop resigns

Released Monday, Feb. 12

 Attorney rues Catholic failures to save marriages, oppose divorce
 Make technology serve the person, Pope urges
 Tanzania’s president meets with Pope
 More Israeli settlers moving to West Bank
 Pope meets with Argentine President Milei
 Vatican studying false mysticism as portal to abuse
 Italian theologian reports Pope favors female diaconate
 Nicaragua’s crackdown on Church spreads fear among the faithful, there and in exile
 Scientist whose research paved way for COVID vaccine named to Pontifical Academy for Life
 Pontiff splits Paraguayan diocese in two
 Have high moral qualities, sacrifice for the common good: papal remarks to police officers
 The hands, the eyes, the feet: papal encouragement for craftsmen
 Pope Francis: The Church is close to all who are sick or frail
 Listen and act with concern, as Christ did, Pope tells pilgrims
 Pope Francis canonizes ‘Mama Antula,’ Argentine consecrated woman

Released Sunday, Feb. 11

 Background: World Day of the Sick

Released Friday, Feb. 9

 Listen to European farmers, Cardinal Parolin advises
 Texas archbishop discourages participation in ‘retreat center’ activities
 Climate protestors appeal Vatican court sentence
 ‘One step forward?’: how some American Catholics experience Fiducia Supplicans
 Vatican newspaper highlights ‘a fragile planet’
 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast speakers highlight Eucharistic Congress, Nigerian persecution
 Senegal’s leading prelate pushes back against election postponement
 Lagos-area bishops reject blessings for same-sex couples
 Police raid Australian bishop’s home for 2nd time in abuse investigation
 USCCB backs EPA’s ‘ambitious’ proposed regulation on lead water pipes
 Italy, Vatican reach deal on new headquarters for Bambino Gesù Hospital
 Buenos Aires archbishop highlights Mama Antula’s courage on eve of her canonization

Released Thursday, Feb. 8

 Silence can be complicity in human trafficking, Pope warns
 Always forgive, Pope urges priest-confessors
 Italian corruption investigators uncover plan to seek Vatican influence
 Two kidnapped priests released in Nigeria
 Pakistani bishops’ leader calls for Christian political party
 Pope encourages formation of liturgical reform
 Federal court to decide whether Massachusetts diocese may remove windows from closed church
 Leading Anglican cathedral hosts disco in the church’s nave
 Renewed papal appeal for prayer for peace
 USCCB action alert: ‘Urge Congress to reject harmful changes to immigration law’
 Families of abuse victims may sue Australian dioceses for damages, High Court rules
 India’s bishops: ‘Attacks on Christians now common’
 Council of Cardinals concludes meeting; role of women, evangelization discussed

Released Wednesday, Feb. 7

 Papal tribute to deceased director of Vatican Museums
 Pope in regular contact with Gaza pastor, Jerusalem patriarch
 Pope sees ‘hypocrisy’ in opposition to Fiducia Supplicans
 Pope, at general audience, warns against sorrow
 Catholics join battle for Poland’s pro-life laws
 ‘American bishops offer the world an example of courage,’ says French Bishop
 Archbishop Paglia: Theological reflection on the family is insufficient
 Montreal archbishop files suit against Quebec’s euthanasia law
 India’s bishops reelect president
 Quebec cardinal accused of abuse attends Council of Cardinals’ meeting in Rome
 Federal court dismisses Satanic Temple’s challenge to Idaho’s abortion law
 USCCB committee chairman warns against provisions of Senate’s bipartisan immigration legislation
 Theme of National Marriage Week: ‘love beyond words’

Released Tuesday, Feb. 6

 Northern Ireland’s first Catholic leader at odds with Church teaching
 Cardinal Fernandez regrets writing ‘inconvenient’ book
 Bishops in Virginia urge faithful to oppose assisted suicide
 Benedictine abbot in Jerusalem questions Jewish extremism
 Argentine archbishop criticizes cardinals who back Fiducia Supplicans
 Church in Sri Lanka to begin canonization process for hundreds killed in 2019 Easter attack
 Female Anglican prelate addresses Pope’s Council of Cardinals
 Cardinal Nichols offers prayers for King Charles after cancer diagnosis
 El Salvador’s Bukele wins second term, as bishops express concern for democracy
 USCCB publishes Q & A on chemical abortion
 Senate passes National Catholic Schools Week resolution
 Papal message to scholars of Islam calls for understanding, listening, intellectual flexibility
 Pope congratulates Zayed Award winners, praises fraternal solidarity

Released Monday, Feb. 5

 Panamanian cardinal apologizes for ‘stupid’ disappearance
 Mystery correspondence opens new front on ‘Vatican Girl’ disappearance
 Two more Nigerian priests kidnapped; banks’ role in ransom payments eyed
 Paris archdiocese unveils plans for reopening Notre Dame
 Council of Cardinals meeting this week
 Belarus bishops decline approval for same-sex blessings
 Christ’s ‘continual movement’ shows us the Father’s mercy, Pope tells pilgrims
 Argentina’s ambassador bids farewell to Pontiff
 New DDF document: for validity of sacraments, form and matter cannot be changed
 The Eucharistic Jesus is at the center of seminary life, Pope tells Madrid seminarians
 Be lovers of the truth and open to change, Pope tells Italian students
 Pontiff, Spanish cabinet member discuss peace, environment, labor rights
 Pope, in letter to Jews in Israel, condemns anti-Semitism as a sin
 Papal encouragement for cultural dialogue between Italy, China
 Waiting, not worldliness, leads to the Lord, Pope tells religious

Released Friday, Feb. 2

 Caritas Jordan director raps defunding of UNRWA
 Invite guests to the Eucharistic banquet, Pope write in World Mission Day message
 Priests, laity appeal for withdrawal of Fiducia Supplicans
 Catholic, Anglican bishops pledge work for unity
 Argentine bishops decline government payments for clergy
 Hong Kong diocese is suppressing information about persecution of Church, report charges
 Missing Panamanian cardinal found after unexplained disappearance
 FBI deleted records on anti-Catholic memo, senators charge
 Canadian government pauses plan for euthanasia for the mentally ill
 USCCB action alert on child protection online
 Collective action needed to prevent human trafficking, says US bishops’ migration chairman
 São Tomé and Príncipe’s prime minister meets with Pontiff
 Former CDF official critiques Fiducia Supplicans

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