Today's Catholic Highlights:
A recent study has drawn attention to the issue of women being coerced or pressured into having abortions, and the negative outcomes that can result from this. The study found that abortion providers often do not screen for signs of coercion, which can lead to women feeling forced into making decisions that they may not be comfortable with. This lack of screening can have serious implications for the mental and physical health of these women.
The sainthood cause for Tom Vander Woude, a Virginia farmer and Catholic father of seven, has progressed to the information gathering stage. Vander Woude tragically lost his life while saving his youngest son, and his heroic actions have led to calls for his canonization. The process is now in the hands of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, who will examine his life and virtues.
A report has raised concerns about the funding and completion rates of natural family planning programs. The report found that in 2025, 18,211 individuals received some instruction on natural family planning across various dioceses. However, only 7,518 individuals completed a full course. This discrepancy points to potential issues with the accessibility and effectiveness of these programs.
In Iraq, nearly 700 young Christians gathered for the Baghdeda Youth Festival. The attendees came together to pray and listen to talks, under the theme “In the Footsteps of St. Francis.” This event represents a significant gathering of young Christians in a region that has often been marked by religious conflict.
Finally, there has been a request for the United Nations to recognize surrogate motherhood as a new form of slavery. The request argues that surrogacy fits the definition of slavery as laid out in the 1926 Slavery Convention, as it involves the rights of ownership over a person. This controversial viewpoint has sparked a debate about the ethics and implications of surrogate motherhood.