Catholic News

• Cardinal Parolin: 'time is short' on climate change (Vatican News)
  Cardinal Pietro Parolin said that the world is running out of time to address the climate-change crisis, in a November 7 interview with Vatican News. Speaking from Brazil, where he is participating in the UN’s Climate Summit next week, the Vatican’s Secretary of State cited the words of St. Paul (1 Cor. 7:29) that “time is short.” The cardinal added: “He said it about life, but it applies here too—the sense of urgency must be real.” Cardinal Parolin made the striking claim that “there are now more displaced persons because of climate change than because of wars.”
• Use AI 'at the service of evangelization,' Pope urges (Vatican News)
  In a message to a forum on artificial intelligence (AI) at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Pope Leo XIV called for “research, entrepreneurship, and pastoral vision” in those who use AI to serve the mission of the Church. AI, the Pope said, “like all human invention, springs from the creative capacity that God has entrusted to us,” and properly used, “can be a form of participation in the divine act of creation.” The Pontiff encouraged participants in the November 7 conference to use AI technology “at the service of evangelization and the integral development of every person.” He observed: The question is not merely what AI can do, but who we are becoming through the technologies we build.
• Communication means helping people evaluate things critically, Pope says (Vatican News)
  Speaking on November 7 to board members of the RCS Academy, an institution that trains people for careers in the field of communications, Pope Leo XIV said: “The world needs honest and courageous entrepreneurs and communicators, who care for the common good.” The Pope told the group that work in communications “consists in informing responsibly,” and professionals in that field should be “enabling their recipients to evaluate everything critically, in order to distinguish facts from opinions, true news from false.”
• Pope welcomes revised European Ecumenical Charter (Dicastery for Communication )
  Pope Leo XIV welcomed the revised Charta Oecumenica (Ecumenical Charter), signed on November 5 by the presidents of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC). Addressing members of a joint committee of the two organizations, as well as other European Christian leaders, Pope Leo said yesterday that “one of the notable achievements of the process of revising the Charta has been the ability to take a shared view on contemporary challenges and draw up priorities for the future of the continent, while maintaining a firm belief in the unending relevance of the Gospel. In some ways, this can be described as a ‘synodal’ effort of walking together.” The CCEE represents European Catholic bishops’ conferences; the CEC is a fellowship of over 100 Orthodox and Protestant communities. The original Charta Oecumenica was signed in 2001.
• Italian bishops, Jewish organization publish introduction to Judaism for use in schools (CEI (Italian))
  The Italian Episcopal Conference and the Union of Italian Jewish Communities have jointly published 16 chapters on Judaism for use in schools—and have taken the additional step of making the chapters available in English as well, as part of a larger work, An Introduction to Judaism in 16 Chapters. “The chapters are the result of years of common work and were born from the need to ensure quality texts in Italian schools, promoting knowledge as a true antidote to all forms of anti-Semitism,” the bishops’ conference said in a statement. A cursory glance at the chapters raises questions about apparent inconsistencies between their content and Catholic teaching. The treatment of the Second Coming in the 12th chapter is difficult to reconcile with the teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (n. 674). Likewise, the categorical statement in the 13th chapter that “Paul is not a convert” is difficult to reconcile with the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul (January 25), as well as Pope Benedict’s general audience on his conversion.
• Leaven of the Gospel transformed Mexican culture, Pope says (Vatican Press Office)
  In a message to the 17th National Missionary Congress of Mexico, Pope Leo XIV likened the work of evangelization to the kneading of dough to activate leaven. Citing the words of Jesus—“The kingdom of heave is like leaven...” (Mt 13:33)—the Pope said that the leaven of the Gospel which came to Mexico through a few missionaries has been kneaded into “the new flour of a continent that did not yet know Christ’s name,” transforming the culture with the faith “until the Gospel took root in the people’s hearts and blossomed into works of unique holiness and beauty.”
• Philippine cardinal calls for truth commission on drug-war killings (CBCP News)
  The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines called upon the nation’s president to form a National Truth and Reconciliation Commission that would investigate extrajudicial killings in the Philippine drug war. “Truth-telling is not an act of reopening wounds—it is the only path by which wounds can finally heal,” said Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan. “It would reaffirm a principle that lies at the heart of our democracy and our shared faith traditions: that every human life has dignity and worth.”
• 'Only pacified hearts can dare to make peace,' Jerusalem cardinal preaches (Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem)
  In a homily preached in Rome, in the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem preached on the conditions necessary for peace. “Only pacified hearts can pacify; only pacified hearts can dare to make peace,” said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM. Peace begins in recognizing “the truth and dignity of every human being. It is knowing how to see the face of God in others. When the face of the other disappears, the face of God also vanishes—and with it, the possibility of authentic peace.” Cardinal Pizzaballa preached the homily on October 26; the Latin Patriarchate released significant excerpts yesterday.
• Pray and be attentive to the needy, Pope tells women religious (Dicastery for Communication)
  Pope Leo XIV encouraged members of two women’s religious institutes to pray and be attentive to the needy as they take part in their institutes’ general chapters. “What matures in the meeting rooms of the Chapter needs to be sown and sifted before the Tabernacle and in listening to the word,” the Pontiff said yesterday to participants in the general chapters of the Religious of Jesus and Mary and of the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo (Scalabrinians). “For it is only by listening to the Lord that we learn to truly listen to one another.” Pope Leo recalled that St. Claudine Thévenet founded the Religious of Jesus and Mary to assist “young women in difficult circumstances,” and that St. Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, Bl. Assunta Marchetti, and Ven. Giuseppe Marchetti founded the Scalabrinians to assist migrants.
• Holy See reaffirms support for Haiti, calls for care of creation (Vatican News)
  Addressing the Organization of American States (OAS), a Vatican diplomat expressed solidarity with the victims of Hurricane Melissa and support for strife-torn Haiti. Msgr. Juan Antonio Cruz Serrano added that he “considers commendable the task of international and regional organizations, such as the OAS, in raising awareness among governments and civil society about the abuses committed against nature and in promoting mechanisms aimed at fulfilling the non-delegable duty to preserve the environment and the natural resources of each country.”
• USCCB opposes EPA deregulation of greenhouse gas emission reporting (USCCB)
  In a 13-page letter to the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), four attorneys for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops urged the EPA to reconsider its proposed deregulation of greenhouse gas emission reporting requirements. The current regulations “can serve to protect our ‘common home’ for current and future generations and allow the EPA to carry forth its mission to ensure Americans (especially the most vulnerable) have clean air, land, and water, and to protect human health and the environment,” the attorneys stated. “Our concerns with [the proposal] are founded on the Catholic Church’s commitment to care for creation and the ‘least of these’ among us, as these tenets are integral components of Catholic faith.”
• Vatican newspaper raises alarm about jihadist advance in Mali (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
  The Vatican newspaper has raised the alarm about the advance of jihadist forces in Mali—a subject that has received scant media attention in the US. “Forces of the jihadist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam al-Muslimin (JNIM) have been besieging the capital Bamako for several weeks and have imposed a blockade on fuel supplies in the city, which is paralyzing the population’s daily activities,” Andrea Walton reported in yesterday’s edition of L’Osservatore Romano. “The siege by jihadist forces, part of a truly large-scale operation, represents a significant change for the country’s fortunes,” Walton reported. “The coming months will be crucial for the survival of the Mali government and for the international community’s potential involvement in the conflict in the Sahel.” Mali, a West African nation of 22 million (map), is 88% Muslim and 4% Christian, with 8% adhering to ethnic religions.
• Papal message pays tribute to Blessed Rosario Livatino, slain by Mafia (Società San Vincenzo De Paoli)
  Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Blessed Rosario Livatino (1952-1990), an Italian magistrate slain by the Mafia, and praised the organizers of a new prize for justice that bears his name. The pontifical message, dated October 25, was the subject of a November 6 Vatican newspaper article. The message was signed by Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State.
• Vatican cardinal opens 'Laundry of St. Francis' in Parma (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
  Joined by local diocesan officials, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, opened a “Laundry of St. Francis of Assisi” yesterday in Parma, Italy, to allow homeless persons there to wash and dry their clothes in a free facility. Begun in 2017 in Rome, the initiative has since spread to Genoa, Turin, Naples, Catania, San Ferdinando, and now Parma with the assistance of Procter & Gamble. The dicastery noted that the initiative was originally called the “Laundries of Pope Francis,” but has recently been renamed after the beloved saint of Assisi.
• Vatican diplomat: produce more food with fewer chemicals (Vatican News (Spanish))
  Addressing a conference on agronomy and forestry, a Vatican diplomat lamented food waste as he called for sustainable agriculture to “feed the planet without waste, shifting from the logic of abundance to the logic of sufficiency.” Msgr. Fernando Chica Arellano, the Vatican’s representative to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, called for “producing more, but with less water, fewer chemicals, less environmental impact, and greater attention to quality and sustainability.” At the same time, he called for technological innovation “that is profoundly transforming the way fields are cultivated,” as well as “an instrument of social justice if it is put at the service of the most vulnerable populations.” In its report, Vatican News, the news agency of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, inaccurately described the Vatican diplomat as an archbishop.
• Pope speaks on US immigration crisis, Rupnik trial, Gaza truce (CNA)
  Pope Leo XIV offered comments on the treatment of illegal immigrants by the Trump administration, the pending trial of Father Marko Rupnik, and the “fragile” truce in Gaza, during an exchange with reporters at Castel Gandolfo on November 4. The Pope urged US authorities to “allow pastoral workers to attend to the needs” of detained immigrants. Stressing that a society is judged by its treatment of those in need, the Pontiff called for “deep reflection” on how immigrants are being treated. Questioned about the display of Father Rupnik’s art in many churches, the Pope remarked that some sites have removed or covered over the art. “That issue is certainly something that we’re aware of,” he said. The Pontiff went on to remind reporters that Vatican trial of Father Rupnik—who is charged with spiritual and sexual abuse—will soon take place. He said: I know it is very hard for victims to be asked for patience, but the Church must respect the rights of all individuals. The presumption of innocence until proven guilty applies in the Church as well. We hope this process will bring clarity and justice for everyone involved. Regarding the situation in Gaza, the Pope said that a “very fragile” truce is holding, but movement is needed toward a more stable and lasting accord. He went on to question Israel’s policy regarding settlements on the West Bank, saying: “Israel said one thing, but sometimes it does another.” Pope Leo also suggested that the US should “seek dialogue” with Venezuela rather than using military action to stop drug trafficking. He argued that “violence never brings victory.”
• Vatican cautions against Marian title: 'Co-Redemptrix' (CWN)
  In a document released on November 4, the Vatican discourages referring to the Virgin Mary as “Co-Redemptrix,” explaining that the title can convey an inaccurate understanding of Mary’s role in the work of salvation.
• DDF had no doubts that Newman should be declared doctor of the Church, official says (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
  In remarks delivered at Pontifical Urban University, the secretary of the doctrinal section of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith reflected on the significance of Pope Leo XIV’s proclamation of St. John Henry Newman as the 38th doctor of the Church. Newman “was not only faithful to the Church’s magisterium but also developed a theological knowledge so enlightened and illuminating that it could inspire theological research of the present and future,” said Msgr. Armando Matteo. “I would like to point out here that, when the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith received the request to verify the presence of eminent doctrine in Newman’s extensive body of work, none of us had any doubts. And the process for this request was initiated and concluded rather quickly.”
• Chaldean patriarch: Vatican officials do not understand Eastern churches (The Tablet)
  Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Sako has complained that Vatican officials do not have a proper understanding of the Eastern Catholic churches. In conversation with The Tablet, the Iraqi prelate said that staff members of the Dicastery for Eastern Churches “should know that they are there to serve the churches.” He said that Vatican officials do not show proper respect for the status of the Eastern Catholic patriarchs, who “precede all bishops” in hierarchical rank. Cardinal Sako said that Vatican officials lack “practical exprience” with the Eastern churches, so that: “When they speak, they speak in occidental speech.”
• Pope, Palestinian President Abbas confer on Gaza (Vatican News)
  Pope Leo XIV met on November 6 with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, for talks that centered on the “urgent need to provide assistance to the civilian population in Gaza.” The meeting was the first face-to-face encounter between the Pope and Abbas. The Palestinian leader was in Rome for observances of the 10th anniversary of the “comprehensive agreement” with which the Holy See recognized the Palestinian state. Before his meeting with the Pontiff, Abbas visited the tomb of Pope Francis. He explained: “I came to see Pope Francis because I cannot forget what he did for Palestine and for the Palestinian people, and I cannot forget that he recognized Palestine without anyone having to ask him to do so.”
• More...