- Abortion to avoid birth defects is like Nazi eugenics, Pope tells family associations (Reuters)
“In the last century the whole world was scandalized by what the Nazis did to pursue the pureness of the race,” Pope Francis said in extemporaneous remarks to members of the Forum of Family Associations (Italian-language link). “Today, we are doing the same thing, with white gloves.” (Click here for the Pope’s prepared remarks.) - Work is 'at the heart of the very vocation given by God to man,' Pope tells labor federation (Vatican Press Office)
Pope Francis received participants in the national convention of the Italian Federation of Masters of Labor (Italian-language link). - Pope reflects on Kingdom of God, parable of mustard seed (Vatican Press Office)
During his June 17 Sunday Angelus address (video), Pope Francis spoke about the Gospel reading of the day (Mark 4:26-34). - Ecumenical Patriarch pays tribute to World Council of Churches, acknowledges challenges on path to unity (World Council of Churches)
On June 17, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who holds a primacy of honor in Eastern Orthodoxy, visited Geneva, Switzerland, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the World Council of Churches; over 300 Protestant and Orthodox communities belong to the ecumenical body. On June 21, Pope Francis will make his own ecumenical pilgrimage to Geneva. - Nicaragua's bishops broker truce after weeks of deadly violence (BBC)
Under the agreement, representatives of the UN and EU will investigate recent violence. - Papal appeals on behalf of Yemen, refugees (Vatican News)
Pope Francis prayed for Yemen, site of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The Pope also noted that June 20 is World Refugee Day. - Canada's Supreme Court upholds denial of accreditation to Christian law school (CBC News)
LGBT groups had complained that Trinity Western University’s covenant, in which students pledge to refrain from “sexual intimacy that violates the sacredness of marriage between a man and a woman,” is discriminatory. - Nicaragua: opposition, with backing of archdiocese, stages general strike (Deutsche Welle)
As Nicaragua’s bishops called for a renewal of talks between the repressive leftist regime and opposition leaders, the Archdiocese of Managua backed the opposition’s call for a general strike, according to the report. - Bring Jesus to the poor, Pope tells Theatine sisters (Vatican Press Office)
Pope Francis also discussed contemplation, prayer, and community life in his address to the Theatine Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (Italian-language link), founded by Venerable Orsola Benincasa (1547-1618). - Holy See, Mexico: human person should be at center of migration policy (Vatican Press Office)
“We wish to actively contribute to the process that will lead the United Nations to adopt a Global Pact for Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration this year,” according to a statement issued at the conclusion of the Second Holy See – Mexico Conference on International Migration. For its part, the Church in Mexico recommitted itself to ministry to migrants. - Vatican official explains why Cardinal Parolin attended Bilderberg meeting (National Catholic Register)
For background, see “Vatican Secretary of State taking part in Bilderberg meeting” (CWN, 6/7). - Vatican's chief diplomat at UN renews call for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations (Holy See Mission)
Archbishop Bernardito Auza made his remarks at a UN meeting devoted to protection of the Palestinian civilian population. - Venezuelan nun beatified (VPI-TV (YouTube))
Blessed Carmen Rendiles Martínez (1903-77) founded the Servants of Jesus of Caracas. “Along with her sisters, she served with love in the parishes, in the schools, and beside those most in need,” Pope Francis said on June 17. “Let us praise the Lord for her, His faithful disciple, and entrust our prayers for the Venezuelan people to her intercession.” - Study finds more self-discipline, less disruptive behavior at Catholic schools (Thomas B. Fordham Institute)
Thomas Burnford, president and CEO of the National Catholic Educational Association, commented on the study. - Vatican dicastery awarded prize for video on migrants, refugees (Vatican News)
The award was bestowed at the International Social Advertising Festival, also known as Publifestival (Spanish-language link). - Exploiting women is a sin against God, Pope preaches at weekday Mass (Vatican News)
On June 15, Pope Francis preached on Matthew 5:27-32, the Gospel reading of the day. - New Jersey bishop laments mass shooting (Trenton Monitor)
Bishop David O’Connell of Trenton issued a statement following a shooting that left one dead and 22 injured. - Sudanese scientist named to Pontifical Academy of Sciences (Vatican Press Office)
Mohamed Hag Ali Hassan joins the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, founded in 1603 and reconstituted in 1936. The academy, whose membership is open to non-Christians, is a consultative body and not an organ of the Church’s teaching authority. - Vatican Secretary of State speaks on migration, emphasizes 'primary right' to remain in home country (Vatican Press Office)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin addressed participants in the Second Holy See – Mexico Conference on International Migration (Spanish-language link). The Vatican Secretary of State assessed the current political climate, called for the humane treatment of migrants and a greater multilateral response to migration flows, and discussed the “primary right” to live with dignity in one’s home country. - Guam archbishop appeals Vatican guilty verdict on abuse charges (USA Today)
As expected, Archbishop Anthony Apuron of Agana, Guam has appealed the decision of a Vatican tribunal that found him guilty of sex-abuse charges. Archbishop Michael Byrnes, who was appointed by the Vatican as a coadjutor to lead the Guam archdiocese after Archbishop Apuron was recalled to Rome, remarked that the long canonical process is having a “very detrimental” impact on the local Church. “We need final closure,” he said.