The New York state Legislature passed a bill that replaces the words “mother” and “father” in some state laws with gender-neutral language, a move that New York’s bishops say will further “muddy what is true and good.” The bill, passed by the state Assembly in March and by the state Senate on June 2, now…
Category: World Report
Ahead of runoff, Church concerned about political violence in Colombia
Colombia’s highly polarised presidential election has become a source of concern for the nation’s Catholic Church, which has released a number of statements during the process in an effort to steer Catholics away from the paths of violence and irrationality. The upcoming runoff, scheduled for June 21, will pit right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella…
Pope Leo welcomes statement from Bishops’ Conferences of Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales for Day of Life
The Bishops’ Conferences of Ireland, Scotland and England and Wales published a joint statement for the 2026 ‘Day for Life’, which will take place on June 21. The statement is titled, The Wonder of the Child in the Womb – Reflecting on the humanity of the unborn. The message to the bishops was delivered by…
Proud of Ireland’s leadership in making this world a better place
From unexploded ordinance in the Mekong Delta to Gaelic football on the streets of Hanoi, Ireland’s presence in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos runs deeper than most Irish people realise, Garry O’Sullivan reports There is something quietly remarkable about the Irish embassy in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Tucked into one of the world’s most dynamic…
Priest gets life in prison in Texas for sexual abuse of women under his spiritual care
A Catholic priest from Nigeria has been sentenced in a Texas court to life in prison, as well as to two 20-year prison terms plus $30,000 in fines, for sexually abusing several women under his spiritual care — a felony crime in that state. Fr Anthony Odiong, a priest of the Diocese of Uyo, Nigeria,…
World’s oldest priest dies at 110 in Germany
In late February, Pope Leo XIV thanked Fr Bruno Kant of the Diocese of Fulda in Germany for his “many years of faithful and devoted priestly service.” Kant, the oldest priest in the world at 110 years of age, passed away on the night of Friday, May 29. He had been a priest since 1950.…
Pope pushes pro-life message in speech to Spanish lawmakers
Pope Leo XIV delivered a comprehensive pro-life message on Monday in an address to members of the Spanish parliament, urging lawmakers to defend the unborn and the migrant and to opt for peace over war through dialogue free of inflammatory rhetoric. Speaking at the Congress of Deputies – Spain’s lower legislative house – on June…
Christians arrested in Uttar Pradesh for holding prayer meeting
Police in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh arrested two Pentecostal pastors and one other man late last week after hearing they were involved in efforts to convert people to Christianity, another incident highlighting the plight of India’s minority Christians. The Press Trust of India reported Pentecostal pastors Vivek Kumar, Mohit Chaudhary and another man…
Christians in Sri Lanka protest against abuse by monks
Christians in Sri Lanka are taking to the streets to protest against abuse by Buddhist clergy. During demonstrations in the country’s major cities on May 28 and 29, they called for those responsible to be held accountable without political or religious interference, as reported by Ucanews. The protests follow allegations against a high-ranking Buddhist monk.…
One of the masterminds behind killing of Catholic activist arrested in Honduras
After a year and a half, one of the masterminds behind the tragic killing of Catholic environmental activist Juan López – which occurred in September 2024 in Honduras – was finally charged and detained by authorities, giving the local Church hope that justice will be served. Adán Fúnez, formerly the mayor of the municipality of…