Father Benjamin Okwy Madu, 54, a Nigerian Catholic priest serving in the Archdiocese of Boston, died by suicide on July 2. The tragic sin happened weeks before his U.S. religious-worker visa expired and he was required to return to Nigeria. He had served as a hospital chaplain and a weekend Mass celebrant for a parish collective on Cape Ann. An email message on behalf of Archbishop Richard Henning said the priest “tragically took his own life.” Friends and parishioners said the prospect of leaving America deeply distressed him. "I sensed he was afraid of something. He never would communicate what it was." — George Lieser, parishioner at St. Joachim Church, told ACI Africa on July 14. Days before his death, he reportedly suffered a panic attack on his way to celebrate Mass. In a farewell letter, he admitted that returning to Nigeria was "not my wish," but said circumstances beyond his control had ended his ministry in the United States. #newsWzcstejqob
In a constitutional republic like the United States, faithful Catholic presence in civil life directly serves the Church’s mission to defend life. When nuns must approach the courts to protect the unborn, well-formed Catholics engaged in the political and legal process become essential allies. This recent case shows why informed civic participation is not optional, it is a concrete way to advance the Culture of Life. As St. Augustine wrote in The City of God, the heavenly city, while a pilgrim on earth, “calls forth citizens from all peoples” and makes use of the earthly city’s laws and institutions to help secure the peace needed for its mission. Deo gratias for Catholics who answer the call in both the City of God and the city of man.
Mass Using the 1927 Vajs Missal: On 1 July, the Feast of the Most Precious Blood, a Mass according to the Croatian Glagolitic Rite was celebrated at St Michael's Parish, Belfield, Sydney. The liturgy, celebrated in Old Church Slavonic, was attended by hundreds of Croatian Australian Catholics. It was celebrated using the 1927 Vajs Missal, the last printed Glagolitic Missal.
Sydney's Croatian Catholics celebrated the traditional Croatian Glagolitic Rite Mass in Australia in early July, a rare occasion which revived a ninth-century tradition tracing back to Saints Cyril and Methodius.
Leo XIV Visits Monte Cassino: Today, Pope Leo XIV made a private pilgrimage to the Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino, where he prayed at the tomb of St. Benedict, Patron Saint of Europe. Entrusting to the saint his plea for peace in regions torn by war and violence, the Pope joined the Benedictine community in prayer before sharing lunch with the monks.
Questa mattina Papa Leone ha visitato la comunità benedettina di Monte Cassino, dove ha pregato sulla tomba di San Benedetto, «affidandogli la sua supplica per la pace in quelle regioni del mondo segnate da spargimenti di sangue e conflitti». Monte Cassino è la casa madre dell’Ordine benedettino. Ufficio Stampa della Santa Sede
Pope Leo joined his older brother, John Prevost, on July 18 for a classical concert in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo, organized by the Diocese of Albano in honor of the Holy Father's summer stay.
The monk who disappeared during the night of June 23–24 from Notre-Dame de Bellaigue Abbey in central France was Dom Placide Dumas, prior of the monastery. His absence was discovered at Matins the following morning. More than two days later, he was found injured in the neighboring department of Haute-Vienne. French prosecutors opened an investigation for kidnapping and unlawful confinement. French media report that he was found bearing injuries consistent with an assault, although authorities have not disclosed the nature of his injuries or explained how he came to be in Haute-Vienne. Eleven monks allegedly attempted to take control of the monastery on the same night that Dom Placide disappeared. An email sent from Dom Placide's account announced his resignation as prior. Investigators are trying to determine whether he wrote it voluntarily, under duress, or whether someone else sent it. They also reportedly found his room completely emptied and carefully cleaned, suggesting his departure …Máis
To celebrate the 1,250th anniversary of the Westphalian State in Germany, a performance was staged inside Paderborn Cathedral last year. This is one of the acts that was presented, featuring dead chickens wrapped in diapers. Faced with the outrage of the Catholic faithful, archdiocesan authorities apologized and stated that they were unaware of the nature of the performance that was to take place.
On Tuesday, a woman in her 50s was seriously injured after being stabbed during the morning Rosary at Holy Cross Church in Tramore, Co. Waterford, Ireland. The attack occurred at around 9:45 a.m., shortly before the church's 10 a.m. Mass. Parishioners quickly intervened and alerted emergency services. The victim was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Police arrested an Irish man in his 30s at a nearby house. According to Irish reports, the suspect was not known to the victim but was known to police. The parish priest, Fr. Richard O'Halloran, described the attack as "random in nature." "It has been a very shocking event," Fr. O'Halloran said. "The people and my colleague who was there at the time responded wonderfully well. All the emergency services were called, and they looked after everything." In a statement, the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore said it was "deeply shocked" by the violence. #newsPkskyldybf
Taylor Marshall warning that Robert Prevost would be “worst case scenario” and “dangerous” as pope before he was elected. Marshall later deleted the video from his channel.
If you cry, Captain, the things cry too, the things you treated like an artist, all that footballing artistry: the corner kick, the spirited dribbles. the brave, Argentine comebacks. Then the World Cup reverence of millions of hands and your gaze fixed on stormy plays. If you cry, Captain, know that Fierro's sobs rolled down his cheeks, a manly lament, pulse, adrenaline. The gringo knew death and burial, the athlete's bulging heart. And Malvinas, yes, they are Argentine!
Religious Sisters Calls Listening to Fetal Heartbeat "Torture": Chilean Dominican sister Licarayén Torres has called a proposed law requiring women to listen to a fetal heartbeat before an abortion “torture.” Speaking in a social media video on July 15, she criticized the Chilean “Listen to His Heart” bill, saying: “Is it Christian, is it evangelical to make women go through this obligation that some lawmakers want to impose?”
Una religiosa chilena calificó de «tortura» el proyecto de ley que obligaría a las mujeres a escuchar el latido fetal antes de abortar, reabriendo el debate sobre el aborto en Chile. La iniciativa, impulsada por partidos de derecha, exige informar sobre la actividad cardíaca embrionaria y permitir escucharla antes del procedimiento, medida que ha generado fuerte controversia política y social.
Together we explore what Catholics mean by the interior life, why virtue is simply a good habit, practical ways to introduce meditation into family life, how to choose saints over celebrities as our children's heroes, and why the liturgical calendar provides the rhythms every Catholic family longs for.
Bishop Hugh Gilbert of Aberdeen, Scotland, issued a pastoral letter on Saturday ahead of the planned episcopal consecration of Fr. Michael Mary, F.SS.R., superior general and founder of the Transalpine Redemptorists. The "consecration" is scheduled to take place on July 25 on Papa Stronsay in Orkney. It is performed by three Sedevacantist "bishops" from the Americas. Bishop Gilbert said the consecration would constitute an act of schism. He compared it with the July 1 consecration of four bishops by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X. The bishop noted that the planned consecration directly concerns the Diocese of Aberdeen because Papa Stronsay lies within its geographical boundaries. At the same time, Bishop Gilbert expanded the provision of the Mass in the Roman rite at the Church of Our Lady of the Garioch and St. John the Evangelist in Fetternear. The Mass, previously offered once a month, will now be celebrated every Sunday. After the Transalpine Redemptorists became Sedevacantist …Máis
On 19 July, from Menzingen, Switzerland, Fr Davide Pagliarani, Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX), issued another pastoral letter published on LaPorteLatine.org justifying the illicit consecration of bishops against the will of Pope Leo XIV. Key phrases (full letter below). - "Until the very last day, I hoped for a gesture of goodwill—or at least of simple understanding—from the Holy See." - "This condemnation, wholly unjust, represents an immense humiliation for people whose only desire is to defend the true Faith and to labor for the salvation of souls." - " I want you to understand that this profound humiliation, which first affects the members of the Society, has a meaning in the eyes of God that must not escape you." - "The sanctions are also intended to strike you in a rather cruel way." - "If, in order to ensure for it the teaching of the true Faith and the administration of the true sacraments, it is necessary to pay the price of such humiliation …Máis
I entrust all of you to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom the Society of Saint Pius X has been consecrated in a very special way. May she always protect you amid every storm and every difficulty, and may she keep alive that little flame burning in your souls whenever all the contrary winds rage against it.
198 reactions · 14 shares | Last week I attended the opening of the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs Renovation … the last part of a complete refurbishment of the entire park … we’ve been coming for decades now … and just want to thank … @crystalpalace.park @crystalpalaceparktrust @heritagefunduk and @lbbromley for such a brilliant beautiful and respectful upgrade … Spielberg would be proud … | Mark Adderley Last week I attended the opening of the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs Renovation … the last part of a complete refurbishment of the entire park … we’ve been coming for decades now … and just want to thank … @crystalpalace.park @crystalpalaceparktrust @heritagefunduk and @lbbromley for such a brilliant beautiful and respectful upgrade … Spielberg would be proud …
Vance Praises Francis as "Genius": In a recent interview with Bishop Robert Barron, U.S. Vice President JD Vance praised Pope Francis, saying: "I always liked the way Pope Francis would make bold statements in the media because it forced people to talk about them. Sometimes he would say things that made me think, 'Wait a second, is that consistent or correct?'" However, the politician concluded that Francis had "forced a dialogue, and he was kind of a genius at that".
U.S. Vice President JD Vance praised Pope Francis in a recent interview with Bishop Robert Barron for being a “kind of genius” at forcing conversation with rhetorical “bombs.”