The Latest News & Updates

Heidi Overton, President Trump’s new appointee for the position of Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has previously expressed criticism of the FDA’s policies on chemical abortions. This appointment could potentially lead to significant changes in these policies, given Overton’s new influential role.

In Lourdes, the bishop has announced that the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) is no longer authorized to celebrate Mass or sacraments at the shrine. However, individuals are still permitted to visit the shrine for private prayer. This decision has effectively banned SSPX Masses and sacraments from being conducted at this significant Catholic site.

In Colombia, a legislator has proposed a bill to ban surrogacy. The proposed legislation aims to penalize all parties involved in surrogacy, with the exception of the woman carrying the baby, who would be recognized as the legal mother. This bill, if passed, would significantly alter the legal landscape surrounding surrogacy in the country.

In Ghana, Bishop Emmanuel Kofi Fianu announced that all remaining liturgical practices that were restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic have now been restored. The decision was made after health authorities did not issue any new cautions or restrictions, allowing the diocese to return to its regular liturgical practices.

In India, a senior official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference has rejected claims of a ‘Christian conspiracy’ related to a bill on foreign donations. The official challenged critics to provide evidence supporting their allegations that the Church was involved in stalling the bill, which aims to tighten controls on foreign donations.

The Mexico Archdiocese has issued a statement calling for the dignified burial of abandoned or aborted babies. The archdiocese has expressed concern over the frequent abandonment of the bodies of deceased newborns and late-term pregnancy losses in public places, hospitals, and even in trash. The statement underscores the Church’s belief in the sanctity of life and the dignity of every human being, from conception to natural death.

In San Antonio, Archbishop García-Siller has announced the laicization of a priest due to schism and disobedience to the Pope. The Archbishop has also prohibited Catholics from attending any Mass, liturgy, or event sponsored by the former priest or the Mission of Divine Mercy, which the priest leads. This action is a serious measure taken to maintain unity and obedience within the Church.

The Organization of American States (OAS) council has approved a call for a meeting of foreign ministers to discuss the political situation in Nicaragua. The U.S. is urging for the meeting to be held before September 1, when the Ortega regime is expected to codify policy reforms, including the suspension of future elections. This move reflects the international community’s concern over the political and human rights situation in the Central American nation.

Leading U.S. Catholic bishops are urging the faithful to dedicate time for prayer against the rising trend of chemical abortions by mail, which they believe leaves women vulnerable. This call to prayer is part of the Church’s ongoing efforts to promote the sanctity of life and to support women facing difficult pregnancy decisions.

In Brazil, Bishop Flávio Giovenale has spoken of people ‘thirsting for Christ’ during a religious procession. In his homily, the Bishop presented Mary as the faithful disciple who, like her son Jesus, served others. This event is an example of the deep faith and devotion of the Catholic community in Brazil.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has been granted a portion of $1.4 billion in aid intended for faith-based organizations. The funds will be used to enhance hospitals, clinics, and health networks in rural regions of Cameroon, Liberia, and Nigeria. A representative from CRS confirmed that the organization will be working alongside other faith-based groups to implement these improvements.

In Mexico, a congregation of 15,000 faithful, along with the pope’s representative, gathered to mark the centenary of four Mexican martyrs. A special Mass was held in honor of Sts. Luis Bátis Sáinz, Manuel Morales, Salvador Lara Puente, and David Roldán Lara. These saints were martyred during the Cristero period, a time of intense persecution of the Church.

Mexican bishops have expressed concern over proposed government regulations on media. They cautioned that these regulations could potentially limit freedom of expression, making it dependent on the government’s definition of “truth”. This proposal has sparked a debate about the balance between government oversight and freedom of speech.

Archbishop Moth, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has called on the United Nations to take action against the global persecution of believers. He urged world leaders to uphold the religious freedom standards outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This call to action comes amid increasing concerns about religious persecution worldwide.

In the United States, bishops are advocating for the Supreme Court to mandate 12-person juries in criminal cases. They argue that historically, the term “jury” in the U.S. has referred to a group of 12 jurors. This proposal is part of ongoing discussions about the structure and function of the judicial system in the country.

Poland has unveiled Europe’s tallest statue of the Virgin Mary. The statue, named Our Lady of Mercy, stands over 180 feet tall, surpassing the height of both Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer statue and Poland’s own Christ the King statue.

In Colombia, a priest and a nun risked their lives to recover sacred hosts from the rubble of a chapel after an earthquake. Despite the danger of aftershocks, they entered the destroyed chapel to find the tabernacle and retrieve the hosts.

In Florida, a disagreement has arisen between the state’s Catholic bishops and the attorney general regarding vaccine exemptions in Catholic schools. This dispute is challenging the boundaries between state law and Church authority, as both sides seek to uphold their respective responsibilities and rights.

A new film titled ‘American Martyr’ is set to tell the story of Blessed Stanley Rother, an Oklahoma priest and martyr. The film will be available in theaters on August 25-26 in English, and on August 27 in Spanish.

In Nigeria, a seminarian who was abducted from the bishop’s residence has managed to escape unharmed. The Diocese of Otukpo expressed gratitude for his safe return and the care he received, and urged prayers for other captives.

Christians in the Middle East and North Africa recently celebrated the Assumption, despite ongoing challenges. Communities across the region gathered in various locations, including churches, streets, and homes, to honor the Virgin Mary. These celebrations combined a shared devotion to Mary with local traditions that have been passed down through generations.

EWTN News recently provided an explanation of how the bread used for Catholic Communion is made. The rules for producing this bread date back to the Last Supper and the tradition of using unleavened bread. These rules and traditions continue to guide the production of Communion hosts today.

In Nigeria, a federal high court has barred Islamic police from arresting a Christian woman who converted from Islam and refused to marry. The court described the actions against the woman as a “flagrant violation” of her fundamental rights to human dignity and freedom of religion. This ruling represents a significant decision in the ongoing struggle for religious freedom in the country.

Pope Leo XIV has called for an end to violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. During his Angelus address on August 16 at Castel Gandolfo, the Pope advocated for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. This statement represents the Pope’s ongoing commitment to peace and justice in the region.

Finally, several dioceses in the United States are experiencing a significant increase in the number of men discerning into the priesthood. This trend is noteworthy, as it contrasts with national trends. The dioceses attribute this increase to the work of the Holy Spirit, demonstrating the continued vitality of religious vocations in these areas.