Archive for April 3, 2020

Adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist. ?w=200&h=150

By Mary Farrow

Jesus, livestreamed: Priests, bishops to offer 40 Hours Devotion via Facebook Live 

When the plague struck the Italian city of Milan and the surrounding area in the 1570s, St. Charles Borromeo, then... Read more

Pope Francis prays during Mass in Casa Santa Marta April 2, 2020. ?w=200&h=150

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis: Reflect on the seven sorrows of Mary, our Mother

It is good to think about the seven sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who freely accepted her calling to... Read more

Bishop Edward Braxton. Courtesy of The Catholic University of America Communications Office?w=200&h=150

Pope Francis names new bishop of Belleville, Illinois

Pope accepts resignation of Bishop Braxton, names new Bishop of Belleville  Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Holy See Secretary of State. ?w=200&h=150

Cardinal Parolin says he hopes closed churches will reopen soon

Vatican cardinal hopes churches will reopen "as soon as possible"  Read more

A red cross ambulance passes in front of the Vatican as Italy prepares for the coronavirus, March 9, 2020. ?w=200&h=150

By Hannah Brockhaus

Vatican extends lockdown measures through Easter Monday

The Holy See has extended its lockdown measures through April 13, the Monday of the Octave of Easter, in accordance... Read more

This picture taken March 21, 2020 shows coffins on the ground of the church in Serina, near Bergamo, northern Italy. ?w=200&h=150

By Hannah Brockhaus

Bergamo bishop: In coronavirus, churches as mortuaries an 'act of tenderness'

The bishop at the epicenter of Italy’s coronavirus outbreak has said churches are serving as makeshift mortuaries as there are... Read more

Japanese pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before the General Audience, Oct. 22, 2014. ?w=200&h=150

In Japan, Church finds 16 cases of child sex abuse

A Japanese news agency reported Thursday that an investigation by the country's bishops' conference has found 16 cases of sexual... Read more

Closed church. ?w=200&h=150

By Ed Condon,JD Flynn

Analysis: Policy and pastoral leadership in a time of crisis

Bishops are struggling to adjust to the pastoral emergency which has accompanied the coronavirus pandemic. The results have been mixed.  Read more

Cardinal Peter Turkson visits Agostino Gemelli University Policlinic in Rome. Copyright: Vatican Media?w=200&h=150

Cardinal Turkson brings rosaries to Rome hospital treating coronavirus patients

Cardinal Peter Turkson visited Rome’s largest hospital on Friday, encouraging staff and handing out rosaries blessed by Pope Francis.  Read more

Doctor with a clipboard. ?w=200&h=150

Coronavirus crisis cannot justify discrimination, bishops say

The coronavirus pandemic does not justify abandoning medical ethics, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops told medical professionals in... Read more

Stock image via hxdbzxy/Shutterstock?w=200&h=150

Coronavirus brings crackdown on house churches in China

Communist authorities in China are using efforts to control the coronavirus pandemic to step up enforcement action against Christians who worship... Read more

Pope Francis in an April 3 Easter message. ?w=200&h=150

'In the risen Jesus, life conquered death,' Pope Francis says in Holy Week video

Pope Francis on Friday sent a video message to Catholics around the world, urging them amid the global coronavirus pandemic... Read more

U.S. Ambassador for Religious Freedom Sam Brownback. ?w=200&h=150

US religious freedom ambassador calls for release of prisoners of conscience

The U.S. religious freedom ambassador on Thursday called on governments to release prisoners of conscience during the new coronavirus pandemic.  Read more

New York state capitol, Albany. ?w=200&h=150

New York uses budget bill to legalize commercial surrogacy during coronavirus

The state of New York legalized commercial surrogacy as part of a budget bill passed on April 3. The law... Read more

Little Sisters of the Poor outside the Supreme Court in March, 2016 , for the Zubik v. Burwell case. ?w=200&h=150

Supreme Court delays Little Sisters of the Poor hearing because of coronavirus

The Supreme Court announced Friday that oral arguments in the case of the Little Sisters of the Poor have been... Read more

President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Hershey, Pa. ?w=200&h=150

By Matt Hadro

'Catholics for Trump' launches with online broadcast

The 2020 Catholics for Trump group said it aims to focus on its view that the president’s policies model and... Read more

Palm cross. ?w=200&h=150

By Jonah McKeown

Palm supplier sees business halved by coronavirus cancelations

Thomas Sowell and his wife own Southeast Palm and Foliage in Astor, Florida, in the middle of the state, about... Read more

Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Puerto Princesa, Philippines. ?w=200&h=150

Filipino seminary shelters tourists trapped on holiday

A Filipino seminary has opened its doors to over a dozen trapped tourists, who have been stranded since a mandatory... Read more

Stock image.?w=200&h=150

By Matt Hadro

NY Catholic nursing homes in 'desperate need' of supplies to fight coronavirus

The threat of the coronavirus has hit nursing homes of the Archdiocese of New York especially hard, with families now... Read more

Diana Maria Toro on the day of her release. Courtesy photo.?w=200&h=150

Colombian kidnapping victim says God is faithful

Diana María Toro Vélez was kidnapped on a September day, as she drove home from Mass in the Colombian city... Read more