Europe News

Father Edward Flanagan with baseball players at Boys Town.

Irish-born founder of Boys Town, Father Flanagan, may soon be declared Venerable

Sep 16, 2023

By Madeleine Teahan

Following a premiere of a film on the saintly priest’s life, CNA spoke to Bishop Kevin Doran about the cause... Read more

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Seriously ill UK teen dies fighting mental competence ruling

Sep 15, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

“I want to die trying to live,” the young woman told a psychiatrist evaluating her. “We have to try everything.” Read more

Bishop Rafael Zornoz of Cádiz and Ceuta, Spain, celebrates Mass in the chapel of the Hospital of Puerto Real.

Consecrated hosts stolen from hospital chapel tabernacle in Spain

Sep 14, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

Sources at the diocese told ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, that chaplains witnessed the tabernacle had been profaned on... Read more

Men process with the historic cross on the feast of the Holy Cross in Montemaggiore Belsito on Sept. 14, 2022. It is considered a great honor to be one of the people to transport the heavy float in which the cross is carried.

One Sicilian town’s centuries-old devotion to the Holy Cross

Sep 14, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

For hundreds of years, the town of Montemaggiore Belsito has marked the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross... Read more

European Parliament.

European bishops concerned about draft bill on medical use of ‘human substances’

Sep 13, 2023

By ACI Prensa

The bishops stated that “as the Catholic Church we are convinced ... that human life from the beginning, including unborn... Read more

Procession at the Sanctuary of Torreciudad in Spain.

Spanish bishop open to mediation regarding non-Opus Dei priest as rector of Opus Dei shrine

Sep 12, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

Bishop Ángel Pérez Pueyo said he has waited for things to calm down before making a statement about the Torreciudad... Read more

Switzerland.

Swiss bishops’ study finds more than 1,000 cases of clergy sexual abuse

Sep 12, 2023

By AC Wimmer

The 136-page report documents 1,002 cases of abuse since the mid-20th century involving 510 accused and 921 victims. Read more

The Swiss bishops' call for adherence to Catholic "rules" followed an internet controversy over an August 2022 video of a laywoman who seemed to concelebrate Mass with priests.

Swiss bishop reprimands clergy after viral video of woman ‘concelebrating’ Mass

Sep 11, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The laywoman stood at the altar in ordinary dress, with two priests beside her. She extended her arms and pronounced... Read more

A portrait of the Ulma family was unveiled at their beatification Mass on Sept. 10, 2023, in Markowa, Poland.

Ulma family beatified on a ‘day of joy’ in Poland

It was the first time the Church has beatified an entire family at the same time. Read more

Armenian Caritas, with the support of Catholic Relief Services and USAID (United States Agency for International Development), launched the Immediate Assistance to Displaced Families of the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict program in the Ararat region. Food and non-food assistance is provided to help vulnerable households displaced from Nagorno-Krabakh to meet their needs while they figure out what next steps to take amid the uncertain situation.

U.S. bishops call for opening of corridor to allow aid to Armenian Christians 

Sep 8, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The USCCB said in a press release Thursday that recent reports have indicated a “devastating impact” of the blockade of... Read more

The world’s fourth shrine of Mary, Mother of Persecuted Christians, was dedicated at the Holy Martyrs Syriac Catholic Church in Kista, Northern Stockholm, in Sweden on July 22, 2023.

There are now 4 shrines dedicated to Mary, Mother of Persecuted Christians

Sep 8, 2023

By Madeleine Teahan

On the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we highlight shrines in the United States, England, and Sweden dedicated to... Read more

"Stumbling blocks" in Rome, Italy. Plates inscribed with the name and dates of life of the victim of Nazi persecution.

Documents identify thousands of Jews hidden by Catholic religious during Nazi occupation of Rome

Sep 7, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The newly rediscovered documentation references more than 4,300 people hidden by 100 women’s religious congregations and 55 men’s religious congregations. Read more

Father Antonio Coluccia, “anti-Mafia” priest in Rome.

Rome Diocese expresses solidarity with anti-Mafia priest following attempted assassination

Aug 31, 2023

By Ary Waldir Ramos Díaz

On Tuesday, the priest was participating in a march for law and order and against the Mafia when a man... Read more

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki blesses the new studio of Catholic TV station EWTN.TV in Cologne, Germany, on Aug. 30, 2023.

Cardinal blesses new German EWTN studio, highlights role in new evangelization

Aug 31, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne, Germany, on Aug. 30 emphasized the importance of the Catholic television network EWTN.TV. Read more

Päivi Räsänen, Finland’s interior minister from 2011 to 2015.

Finnish lawmaker on trial for ‘hate speech’ for defending traditional marriage

Aug 30, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Päivi Räsänen is on trial this week for using Bible verses to express her support for traditional marriage.  Read more

Pope Francis and Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk.

Vatican reassures Ukrainian Catholics that pope did not intend to praise Russian imperialism

Aug 29, 2023

By Alexey Gotovskiy, Courtney Mares

Pope Francis made the comment while speaking off the cuff during a live video conference with Russian youth Aug. 25.  Read more

Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz, prelate of Opus Dei.

Opus Dei does not want to be an exception in the Church, prelate says

Aug 28, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz, the prelate of Opus Dei, said the institution he has led since January 2017 “does not want... Read more

Killorglin Parish, Co. Kerry, Biodiversity Garden, September 2022.

Ireland’s bishops decide to return 30% of Church grounds to nature by 2030

Aug 27, 2023

By Anna Kurian

The Church in Ireland is implementing the encyclical Laudato Si’ by setting a goal for all dioceses and parishes: Make... Read more

Young Catholics participating in the 10th edition of the Russian Youth Gathering in St. Petersburg, Russia, watch a livestream of Pope Francis at the Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria on Aug. 25, 2023.

Pope Francis encourages young Russian Catholics to be ‘bridge builders’

Aug 26, 2023

By Alexey Gotovskiy

Without referring directly to Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Holy Father called on the youth to pursue peace “in the... Read more

Rendition of the Eternal Wall interactive monument being constructed near Birmingham, England, featuring a million prayers. It is expected to be completed in 2026.

Christian monument ‘Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer’ being constructed in England 

Aug 26, 2023

By Madeleine Teahan

The interactive sculpture near Birmingham, England, will be made up of a million bricks, each representing an individual’s answered prayer. Read more