- Pope speaks on Communion for pro-abortion politicians (CWN)
Pope Francis insisted that “abortion is murder,” but cautioned against disciplining politicians who support the practice, in an airplane exchange with reporters who accompanied him on his flight home from Slovakia on September 15. - Mary's faith is 'journey, prophecy, and compassion,' Pope preaches at final Mass in Slovakia (Vatican Press Office)
On September 15, the final day of the 34th apostolic journey of his pontificate, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows in Sastin.Following a prayer of entrustment to Our Lady with Slovakia’s bishops, Pope Francis presided at an outdoor Mass (video). “May Mary Most Holy obtain for you the grace of a faith that ever sets out anew, is deeply prophetic and abounds in compassion,” he said at the conclusion of his homily.Following a farewell ceremony (video), the Pope returned to Rome and prayed at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. During his in-flight press conference, he discussed abortion and Catholic politicians who support it. - Bishops' migration chairman welcomes House provisions on immigration (USCCB)
In a move welcomed by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the House Judiciary Committee has “approved language to be included in the forthcoming budget reconciliation bill that, if enacted, would provide legalization with a pathway to citizenship for millions of Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) beneficiaries, undocumented agricultural workers, and other undocumented essential workers.” - New Jersey bishop: Vaccination exemption for clergy 'will be minimal' (National Catholic Register)
“Our clergy should be vaccinated voluntarily as a good example to others and in solidarity with them,” said Bishop Kevin Sweeney of Paterson.The Pillar site offers a roundup of how other American dioceses are responding to the federal Covid-vaccine mandate. - Pope, in Slovakia, preaches on the crucified Jesus, encourages young people to go to Confession (CWN)
On September 14, the third day of the 34th apostolic journey of his pontificate, Pope Francis flew from Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital and largest city, to eastern Slovakia, where he spent the day in the nation’s second—and third-largest cities, Kosice and Presov (map). - Kenyan bishops bar politicians from addressing church congregations (CNS)
The East African nation of 53.5 million (map) is 61% Protestant, 21% Catholic, 8% Muslim, and 8% ethnic religionist. An Anglican archbishop issued a similar ban on September 12. - Maronite Church returns to receiving Communion on the tongue as anti-Covid measures loosened (Fides)
Based in Bkerké, Lebanon, the church (CNEWA profile) is among the Eastern Catholic churches in full communion with the Holy See. According to the report, Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai, who has led the Maronite Church since 2011, mandated Communion in the hand in March 2020. He has now advised Maronites in Lebanon to return to the traditional way of receiving Communion, common in the Eastern Catholic churches. His mandate allows exemptions for those suffering from Covid, and directs Maronite churches outside Lebanon to abide by the decisions of local episcopal conferences. - We are living 'in the valley of death,' 3 Philippine archbishops say (Fides)
The prelates from northern Luzon (map) rued “the killing of drug addicts and opponents; victims of the pandemic; death from hardship due to a visionless government and blatant corruption that seems to break all records.” - Historic Viennese church given to SSPX (The Tablet)
The Minoritenkirche was completed in 1350. An Austrian emperor gave the church to an Italian society, the Congregazione Italiana Madonna della Neve, in the 18th century, and the church became the Italian church in Vienna. The society has given the church to the Society of St. Pius X, founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. - In Madhya Pradesh, priest on trial for Christmas caroling is acquitted (AsiaNews)
The central Indian state (map) is 91% Hindu, 7% Muslim, and 0.3% Christian.According to the report, “the case dates back to 14 December 2017, when Hindu radicals attacked 32 students from St Ephrem’s Theological College” as they sang Christmas carols. - Abductors release Nigerian priest (The Guardian (Nigeria))
Father Benson Luka had been abducted from his residence in a village in Kaduna State, which is located in north-central Nigeria. - Australian bishop's resignation 'raises some big questions' (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Pope Francis recently accepted the resignation of 71-year-old Bishop Christopher Saunders of Broome.“The matter has proven highly contentious,” according to the report. “Sexual misconduct allegations have been aired, along with claims of significant managerial problems — all of which the bishop has strongly denied.” - British doctors' union drops opposition to assisted suicide (National Catholic Register)
“Numerous attempts to legalize assisted suicide in the United Kingdom have failed, most recently in 2015,” the Register reports. “Parliament, however, is once again considering whether or not to legalize the practice.” - Hmong Catholics in Vietnam are imprisoned for evangelization efforts (Aid to the Church in Need)
The Hmong (Encyclopaedia Britannica article) are an ethnic group in China and Southeast Asia. This article discusses an instance of persecution in Yên Bái Province (map). - Pope, in Slovakia, deplores anti-Semitism, says Christian society is based on Beatitudes, not 'culture wars' (CWN)
As he continued the 34th apostolic journey of his pontificate, Pope Francis spent September 13 in Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital and largest city. - Gunmen abduct priest in Nigerian village (This Day (Lagos))
The kidnapping took place in Kaduna State (map), which is located in north-central Nigeria. - Pope declines resignation of German archbishop (AP)
Pope Francis has declined to accept the resignation of Archbishop Stefan Hesse of Hamburg, who had been criticized for his handling of sex-abuse cases. A Vatican-ordered inquiry into the Archdiocese of Cologne, where Archbishop Hesse had previously been an administration, faulted him for “procedural errors” in abuse cases but concluded that he had not covered up evidence. The investigation thus confirmed the claim of Archbishop Hesse, who—while he admitted to errors—insisted that he had never concealed the truth about abuse cases. Archbishop Hesse had offered his resignation in March. Pope Francis instead authorized a “time out” while the investigation continued. - Vatican cardinal urges Mexican bishops to prioritize care for migrants (CNS)
“Especially since the governments of the region are aligning themselves with an anti-migrant policy, the voice of the Church . . . can help promote solidarity, Christian fraternity in an environment that is tending to be exclusive, xenophobic,” said Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, undersecretary for migrants and refugees at the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. - Priests who advocate vaccine refusal will not receive salary, Orthodox prelate says (Orthodox Times)
Archbishop Chrysostomos, 80, is head of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, one of the Eastern Orthodox autocephalous churches. - Southern African bishops decry corruption in member nations, urge 'solidarity with needy' (ACI Africa)
“We have witnessed acts of corruption connected with the misappropriation of resources which were earmarked for the alleviation of those affected by the pandemic,” said the bishops of Mozambique, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Botswana.