- China: 'underground' bishop formally cedes role to government-appointed prelate (AsiaNews)
Bishop Vincent Guo Xijin has officially handed over control of the Mindong diocese to Bishop Vincent Zhan Silu, with a Vatican spokesman, Msgr. Claudio Celli, witnessing the event. Bishop Guo Xijin has never been recognized by Beijing; Bishop Zhan Silu was appointed by the government without Vatican authorization—thus incurring the penalty of excommunication. Pope Francis lifted that penalty as part of a recent agreement with the Chinese regime. Msgr. Celli announced that another “underground” bishop, Bishop Peter Zhuang Jianjian of Shantou, will surrender his place to a government-appointed prelate, Bishop Giuseppe Huang Bingzhang, in a similar transfer of authority. - Ukrainian Orthodox leaders to meet, plan autocephalous future (AsiaNews)
Leaders of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will meet in Kiev on Saturday, December 15, in a “unification council” proposed by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, to plan the future of a self-governing Church. The Moscow patriarchate has declared the meeting illicit, and it is not clear whether any of the bishops affiliated with Moscow will participate. The Orthodox prelates in attendance will choose a patriarch, to be confirmed by Constantinople as leader of the (theoretically) unified Orthodox churches in Ukraine. The meeting will be held at St. Sophia cathedral—a building that was seized by the Soviet regime and is still owned by the government, but has been proposed as a cathedral for the new patriarch. - Holy See delegate calls for 'urgent action and urgent decisions' at UN climate change conference (Vatican Press Office)
The 24th UN Climate Change Conference (COP24) began on December 2 in Katowice, Poland. As the conference began to draw to a close, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said a failure to act “would not only be immoral, it would be suicidal,” and the coordinator of the Holy See’s delegation issued his own appeal at a press conference. - Pope urges Telepace TV to avoid gossip, be voice of voiceless (Vatican News)
Telepace (link) is an Italian Catholic television network founded in 1979. - Ecumenical Patriarch raps Moscow's stand on Ukrainian Orthodox unity (AsiaNews)
Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople voiced his regret at the Moscow’ patriarchate’s opposition to the recognition of an autocephalous (self-governing) Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and asserted his own role as worldwide leader of Orthodoxy, as he met on December 14 with visitors from Russia. Patriarch Bartholomew said that it is “unacceptable” for Russian prelates to impose their views on the situation in Ukraine, adding that “I am also the spiritual father of the Russians.” - Bishop: UAE's Christians enthusiastic about Pope's upcoming visit (Vatican News)
The Pope’s three-day apostolic journey to the United Arab Emirates begins on February 3. Islam is the official religion of the Arabian Peninsula nation of 6.1 million; 76% of its residents are Muslim, and 9% are Christian. - Pope offers condolences following Brazil cathedral shooting (Zenit)
At least four people were killed when a lone gunman began firing inside the cathedral in Campinas, Brazil. - Pope condemns Strasbourg terrorist attack, expresses compassion for victims (Vatican News)
The papal telegram, written in French, was addressed to Strasbourg’s archbishop. On December 11, a terrorist, shouting “Allahu akbar” (Allah is great), killed three and injured 13 during an attack on the Christmas market in front of Strasbourg Cathedral (photograph). Strasbourg is a city of 275,000 in eastern France and headquarters of the European Parliament, which Pope Francis visited in 2014. - At audience, Pope thanks performers for Vatican Christmas concert (Vatican News)
“The Church’s mission has always been expressed through the creativity and talent of artists,” Pope Francis said as he welcomed performers who will participate in the Vatican Christmas concert. - African governments escalate fight against abortion giant Marie Stopes (C-FAM)
British Prime Minister Theresa May recently pledged significant funding for Marie Stopes and other contraceptive and abortion providers in Africa. - Church renovation lifts Christmas spirit in Bethlehem (AP)
The renovation of the Church of the Nativity allows pilgrims to see “ancient mosaics and columns that have been restored to their original glory for the first time in 600 years,” according to the report. - Recent study finds 'baby bust' in half of world's nations (The Scotsman)
“In 91 nations, [fertility] rates are now not high enough to maintain current population levels,” according to the report. - San Diego priest on trial for sexual assault of seminarian (NBC 7)
The seminarian is an attorney and former US naval officer. - Cardinal Nichols expresses 'shock' that vicar general had earlier sent abusive priests to US (CNS)
Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster testified before the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in England and Wales. - US bishops' committee, Catholic Charities back criminal justice reform bill (Catholic Charities USA)
The Revised First Step Act of 2018 (S.3649) is sponsored by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA). - Jerusalem Patriarchate CEO emphasizes education, humanitarian aid in Christmas message (Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem)
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s 41 schools and 33 kindergartens serve 19,000 students. These schools “are truly parish schools bringing life to our 55 parishes, serving in the most economically challenged areas and truly catering to the poor, weak and marginalized,” the Patriarchate’s lay CEO, Sami El-Yousef, wrote in his Christmas message. - San Antonio archbishop says Catholics must lead on immigration (San Antonio Express-News)
Click here for a video of Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller’s talk. - Ohio senate approves pro-life 'heartbeat bill' (AP)
Gov. John Kasich has promised to veto the bill, which would ban most abortions, but Gov.-elect Mike DeWine has pledged to sign it. - Catholic Relief Services marks 75th anniversary (OSV Newsweekly)
Sean Callahan, president and CEO of the US bishops’ international relief agency since 2017, wrote this article. - USCCB grants $4M to Church in Eastern Europe (USCCB)
A subcommittee of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has granted $4 million to 143 projects in the formerly Communist nations of Central and Eastern Europe. The support, funded by a collection that is taken up in many dioceses on Ash Wednesday, “helps rebuild and restore the faith where people continue to feel the repercussions of decades of Communism and oppression,” said Archbishop Paul Etienne of Anchorage.