Catholic News

• Pope, in weekly general audience, emphasizes importance of Sacred Scripture in life of prayer (Vatican Press Office)
  In May 2020, Pope Francis began a series Wednesday general audiences on prayer; that series has continued in 2021. Pope Francis delivered his January 27 address (video) in the Library of the Apostolic Palace.
• 'Ethiopia is living a nightmare': churches, convents robbed and destroyed (Aid to the Church in Need)
  “Hundreds of citizens are being killed in the conflicts in the Tigray region” (map), said Regina Lynch, project manager for Aid to the Church in Need. “Shops, schools, churches and convents have been robbed and destroyed. Thousands of people have fled their homes.”
• Typical new US religious: 38-year-old cradle Catholic who regularly took part in Eucharistic adoration (CWN)
  The typical religious who professed perpetual vows in 2020 is a 38-year-old cradle Catholic who regularly prayed the Rosary and took part in Eucharistic adoration before entering religious life, according to a survey released by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
• Sitting in pew, Pope attends funeral of his personal physician (Vatican News)
  Pope Francis, suffering from sciatica, attended the funeral Mass of Dr. Fabrizio Soccorsi, 78, who died from Covid complications. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, celebrated the Mass, which took place in Church of Holy Mary, Queen of the Family, in Vatican City State.
• With priests 'far fewer in number,' Quebec cardinal announces focus on missionary outreach (CNS)
  “Over the past decade, the number of parishes in the Archdiocese of Quebec decreased from 200 to 38,” according to the report. “These 38 parishes were then organized into 29 large ‘pastoral units.’ 22 of these “pastoral units” will become 10 “missionary units.” “Priests, far fewer in number than before, cannot limit themselves to multiplying sacramental celebrations while neglecting other forms of presence,” said Cardinal Gerald Lacroix.
• After Islamic militants abduct orphans, Nigerian prelate pleads for improved security (Vatican News)
  “One would have imagined that being around the federal capital territory one would be safer,” said Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, the nation’s capital. “But we can see that even the children are not safe.”
• Plenary indulgence available for those who participate virtually in National Prayer Vigil for Life (USCCB)
  The National Prayer Vigil for Life, which takes place at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, begins on the evening of January 28 and concludes the following morning. According to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, “a plenary indulgence is available this year for those participating in the Opening or Closing Mass and/or the Prayer Vigil, whether virtually or in person (the other usual conditions for a plenary indulgence apply).”
• Retired Belarus archbishop pledges to remain active in national life (CNS)
  Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, who returned to Belarus in December (map) after being denied entry for four months, resigned as Archbishop of Minsk on January 3, the day he turned 75. “The Church stands and acts, and the gates of hell will never prevail against it,” he said at a Mass welcoming the new apostolic administrator. “If we wish to save our country, we must follow the call of Jesus by believing in the Gospels and seeking conversion.”
• Jailed Indian Jesuit pens letter on prisoners' plight (UCANews)
  India’s bishops have called for the release of Father Stan Swamy, SJ. The 83-year-old Jesuit, who was arrested on charges of Maoist terrorism, said that many poor people in custody “don’t know what charges have been put on them, have not seen their charge sheet and just remain in prison for years without any legal or other assistance.”
• Thousands attend San Francisco's in-person Walk for Life (Walk for Life West Coast)
  “The day began with the annual Walk for Life West Coast Mass, celebrated at 10:30AM by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone and 12 priests at St. Mary’s Cathedral,” according to the report. “The Cathedral’s capacity under Covid regulations is 480, and worshippers spilled out onto the plaza.” During the event, Father Joseph Fessio, SJ, paid tribute to Joe Scheidler, the recently deceased pro-life activist.
• Cardinal Sako laments recent Iraqi insecurity, launches prayer and fasting initiative (Vatican News)
  Born in 1948, Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako became Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church in 2013. The church (CNEWA profile) is among the Eastern Catholic churches in full communion with the Holy See.
• USCCB publishes interfaith guidebook on ecology (National Catholic Reporter)
  The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers, and Catholic Climate Covenant have jointly published the ecumenical and interreligious guidebook.
• Vatican finds retired Wyoming bishop guilty of 'flagrant' behavior (AP)
  The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) has found that Bishop Joseph Hart, the retired Bishop of Cheyenne, was guilty of a “flagrant lack of prudence” in his relationships with boys, but found that accusations of sexual abuse by the bishop could not be proven “with moral certitude.” The CDF also criticized Bishop Hart for “his disregard of the urgent requests that he refrain from public engagements that would cause scandal” after a diocesan investigation found that the accusations against him were credible.
• Abiding in Jesus, unity with Christians, serving humanity: papal homily concludes Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Vatican Press Office)
  The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity concluded with Vespers at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (video, booklet). Pope Francis, suffering from sciatica, did not attend; Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, read the Pope’s homily
• USCCB chairmen welcome President Biden's executive order on Census and undocumented immigrants (USCCB)
  Responding to an executive order, two bishops who chair US bishops’ committees wrote, “We welcome this return to more than a century of American precedent that ensures all residents will be counted and included in the census and apportionment. This return to our previous policy reflects the inalienable truth that all people matter and are imbued with human dignity.”
• San Francisco archbishop celebrates indoor Mass despite ban (ABC7)
  Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone celebrated Mass for a large congregation inside St. Mary’s cathedral on January 24, despite the governor’s order banning indoor worship. The San Francisco archdiocese explained that the Mass—which had been scheduled for outdoors—was moved into the cathedral because of security concerns, because a demonstration was to occur at the Chinese consulate, next door to the original outdoor venue.
• Pontifical academy urges EU, WHO to take action to make Covid vaccines universally accessible (Pontifical Academy for Life)
  “Faced with the serious problems surrounding the production and distribution of Covid-19 vaccine, the Pontifical Academy for Life strongly reaffirms the urgency of identifying ways to guarantee transparency and collaboration,” the academy’s president and chancellor said in a January 22 statement.
• Drive-in, drive-up, walk-up: Vancouver archbishop issues guidelines for receiving Communion during pandemic (The B.C. Catholic)
  “In light of the fact that the provincial restrictions on Masses with a congregation have been extended until at least February 5, and because many of the faithful have been without Holy Communion for a lengthy period, I sincerely hope that you are able to make arrangements in your parish for the distribution of Holy Communion to your parishioners,” said Archbishop J. Michael Miller.
• Patriarch reaffirms Christ's baptismal site is in Jordan (CNS)
  Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said, “It is clear from the historical, archaeological, and indeed all the points of view that the actual site of Jesus Christ’s baptism is on the Jordanian side,” and not the Israeli side, according to the report. “Traditionally, historically and according to the Bible, it is on this side.”
• Iraqi prelate promotes prayer campaign for security in Iraq (Vatican News)
  Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako of the Chaldean Catholic Church has announced a 3-day prayer campaign for peace and security in Iraq, following a suicide bombing in Baghdad. The Iraqi prelate urged fasting and prayer for the “Resurrection of Nineveh,” alluding to the story of Jonah and to the status of the Nineveh plains as a region traditionally populated by the Christian minority.
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