Catholic news for Tuesday, August 18

Pope Leo XIV urged world leaders to pursue a two-state solution and end violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. He made the appeal after the Angelus prayer in Castel Gandolfo.

SourcesVatican News

Pope Leo XIV expressed his spiritual closeness to the victims of the earthquake in Indonesia. The earthquake struck the eastern coast of Indonesia, triggering a tsunami warning and leaving thousands displaced. The Pope conveyed his solidarity with the people of Indonesia and encouraged ongoing humanitarian and relief efforts.

SourcesVatican News

Pope Leo XIV has appointed 12 new consultors to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The consultors include three U.S.-based leaders with ties to the University of Notre Dame. The Dicastery is a Vatican department created by Pope Francis in 2016.

SourcesVatican NewsDiocese of São José dos CamposAngelus NewsDiocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend

Pope Leo XIV expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of a ferry disaster in Zimbabwe. The accident occurred on Lake Kariba and resulted in the loss of over 80 lives, including children. The Pope offered prayers for the victims and their families, as well as for the civil authorities and rescue teams responding to the tragedy.

SourcesVatican News

Pope Leo XIV prayed for those suffering from war and natural disasters. He invoked Mary's intercession and reflected on the Gospel. The Pope also spoke against inequality and discrimination.

SourcesVatican NewsAgência Ecclesia

Bishop Krzysztof Wętkowski blessed a 55.6m statue of Our Lady of Mercy in Konotopie, Poland. The statue is now the tallest statue of the Virgin Mary in Europe. Over 2,000 faithful attended the ceremony.

SourcesFSSPX.NewsVatican NewsVida NuevaCatholic News AgencyNational Catholic RegisterMagyar Kurír

Cardinal Pietro Parolin invited the faithful to pray for persecuted Christians worldwide during his homily at the Pontifical Mass marking the ninth centenary of the translation of the relics of Saint Agatha in Catania, Sicily. He emphasized the importance of faith, hope, and charity in the face of persecution.

SourcesVatican NewsDiocese of Hallam

Israeli settlers have been bringing their sheep herd up to the Kaabnah family compound just outside Taybeh village twice a day. The situation is getting worse by the day.

SourcesThe Catholic WeeklyCatholic ReviewThe Catholic SunOSV NewsAmerica

The US Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities is inviting Catholics to join a focused effort of prayer and action to stop the spread of abortion pills. The initiative will take place August 18 through October 31. The effort comes as data have shown an overall rise in abortion rates.

SourcesCatholicPhillyDiocese of RichmondDiocese of LaredoCruxCatholic New York

A priest of the Archdiocese of San Antonio was found guilty of schism and removed from the clerical state and excommunicated. The priest had called Popes Francis and Leo 'usurpers'.

SourcesCatholic ReviewNational Catholic ReporterVida NuevaAmerica

Archbishop Moth, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, urged world leaders to enforce religious freedom standards in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He called on the UN to act against global persecution of believers. The archbishop made the appeal as part of his role as president of the conference.

SourcesAngelus NewsCatholic News AgencyNational Catholic RegisterCatholic World Report

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia, particularly the island of Flores, on Saturday, killing at least 68 people and injuring 213. Nearly 13,000 people have been forced to leave their homes. Save the Children is drawing attention to children as the most vulnerable group impacted by the disaster. Caritas is working in coordination with local dioceses to provide aid.

SourcesVatican NewsDiocese of Hallam

Women who worked with Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen recall his missionary work ahead of his beatification. They helped transform his words into material support for missionaries and young churches. The women opened thousands of letters and recorded donations.

SourcesDiocese of Fort Wayne-South BendOSV NewsThe Catholic SunThe Texas Catholic

The Archdiocese of Quebec will pay more than $30 million in a major abuse settlement. The class action suit was brought against the archdiocese in 2020.

SourcesCatholic News AgencyNational Catholic RegisterACI PrensaCatholic World Report