- Burkina Faso's leading prelate warns jihadists could eliminate the Christian presence there (Fides)
The West African nation of 19.7 million (map) is 62% Muslim, 23% Catholic, 7% Protestant, and 8% animist. - Prelates applaud proposed regulations preventing government discrimination against faith-based federal contractors (USCCB)
Three bishops who chair committees of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops welcomed a US Department of Labor proposal clarifying civil rights protections for religious organizations. The proposal also attracted some criticism. - Pope welcomes presence of autistic girl who interrupts general audience (CNS)
A 10-year-old autistic girl unexpectedly started singing and dancing on stage during his August 21 general audience. The Pope then said, “I ask one thing, but everyone should respond in their heart: ‘Did I pray for her; looking at her, did I pray so that the Lord would heal her, would protect her? Did I pray for her parents and for family?’ When we see any person suffering, we must always pray.” - Melbourne, Sydney archbishops react to Pell decision (Archdiocese of Melbourne)
“I respectfully receive the Court’s decision, and I encourage everyone to do the same,” said Archbishop Peter Comensoli of Melbourne. Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney added, “Reasonable people have taken different views when presented with the same evidence and I urge everyone to maintain calm and civility.” The Holy See and Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference also issued statements. - Christian woman named to Sudan's transitional ruling council (Vatican News)
Sudan (map) is a Muslim nation of 43.1 million in which Christians have faced persecution. Omar al-Bashir, Sudan’s ruler since 1989, was overthrown in an April coup. - Jesuit superior general says Satan is a 'symbolic reality' (CNA)
After Father Arturo Sosa, SJ, made similar comments in 2017, a Jesuit spokesman said that the superior general does not deny the devil’s existence. - British bishops call for a Christian spirituality of ecology (CBCEW)
“The challenge before us is to learn to care, in the same breath, not only for the beauty of God’s creation, its bounteous biodiversity and life sustaining ecosystems, but also for the unborn, the elderly, those who are victims of exploitation, and others thrown away by a society focused on the satisfaction of our supposed needs as consumers,” the bishops of England and Wales said in a statement. - Hindu extremists attack 40 Catholic pilgrims walking to Marian shrine in India (UCANews)
“The attack is an open threat to the constitutional freedom of expression and freedom of movement to a citizen of the country,” said Father Cyril Joseph, director spokesman for the Archdiocese of Bangalore. - Catholics rally in prayer as Satanic 'black mass' takes place in Ottawa (Canadian Catholic News)
Archbishop Terrence Prendergast offered a Mass of reparation and spoke of “this evening’s Satanic inversion of the truths of our faith, as some 50 individuals renounce God and choose Satan as the symbol to guide their unbelief and rebellious spirits. We pray for them and make reparation today for the blasphemies uttered against God in our midst.” - Thousands of pro-life supporters march against radical Australian abortion bill (CNS)
Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney called on Australians to “say no to a bill that says you can kill babies right up to birth and even after they’re born.” - Pakistani archbishop rues 'frightening news' from Kashmir, calls for peace (AsiaNews)
Citing concerns about terrorism, the Indian government recently stripped the Muslim-majority state (map) of its constitutional autonomous status. Pakistan and later China have staked claims to the region since India gained independence from Great Britain in 1947. - Lebanon is 'adrift,' Maronite patriarch warns (AsiaNews)
Headquartered in Bkerké, Lebanon, the Maronite Catholic Church (CNEWA profile) is an Eastern Catholic church in full communion with the Holy See. - In Colombia, bishops, religious listen to Amazonians before synod (CNS)
“Amazonia: new paths for the Church and for an integral ecology” is the theme of the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region, which will take place October 6-27. - In Italy, speculation abounds that Vatican opposes Salvini becoming prime minister (Crux)
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigned on August 20. Matteo Salvini, the deputy prime minister and interior minister, is known for his stance against immigration; with negotiations to form a new coalition government underway, Salvini is a leading candidate to become the next prime minister. - In Thailand, Pakistani Christian refugee flees from more threats (Catholic Register)
The refugee, Faraz Pervaiz, “frankly admits he committed blasphemy by producing cartoons that satirize Islam’s founder,” according to the report. - Cardinal Pell's conviction upheld; Vatican, Australian bishops react (CWN)
In a 2-1 ruling, an Australian appeals court has upheld the conviction of Cardinal George Pell on charges of sexually abusing two choir boys in the Melbourne cathedral in 1996. - Theme of Pope's general audience: 'They shared everything they had' (Vatican Press Office)
On May 29, Pope Francis began a series of audiences devoted to the Acts of the Apostles. On August 21 (video), he reflected on Acts 4:32. - Fearing Turkish invasion, Christians in northeastern Syria appeal for prayer, safety (CNS)
Turkey has “massed its army and allied jihadists along the border,” three Syriac Christian organizations warned. “Even though the US and French armies are present in northeast Syria, we know that Turkey will attack and destroy us.” - Mexican bishops: It is urgent to stop violence against women (Fides)
After protesters damaged a national monument, Archbishop Víctor Sánchez Espinosa said that “the recent protests by women, accompanied by vandalism, are not the best way to express dissent.” - Muslim-Catholic committee created to promote document signed by Pope, grand imam (Vatican News)
Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar signed the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in February.