Catholic news for Thursday, August 27

Pope Leo XIV held a General Audience, continuing his catechesis on the Documents of the Second Vatican Council. He reflected on the motivations of the liturgical reform, citing the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium. The Pope emphasized the importance of active participation by the faithful in the liturgy.

SourcesThe Holy SeeHoly See Press Office

Faithful across the Honolulu Diocese rally after Hurricane Lala devastates Hawaii island's Kau district. Several Catholic organizations kept close watch over one of the hardest-hit areas. Cleanup efforts continued at Sacred Heart Church in Naalehu.

SourcesDiocese of Fort Wayne-South BendCatholic ReviewOSV NewsThe Catholic SunNational Catholic ReporterThe Monitor

Hundreds of faith leaders and organizations urged the Trump administration to extend Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador before it expires in September. The U.S. government has classified El Salvador as a low-risk destination. Faith leaders describe conditions in El Salvador as “unsafe”.

SourcesDiocese of Fort Wayne-South BendAngelus NewsCatholic ReviewDiocese of ScrantonOSV NewsThe Catholic Sun

SourcesFSSPX.NewsVatican News

SourcesDiocese of Fort Wayne-South BendOSV NewsThe Catholic SunNational Catholic ReporterThe MonitorNational Catholic Register

A federal judge temporarily blocks Illinois assisted suicide law. The Diocese of Springfield and Bishop Thomas Paprocki brought a suit. The state agreed to a federal court order.

SourcesAngelus NewsDiocese of Fort Wayne-South BendCatholic News AgencyNational Catholic RegisterOSV NewsThe Catholic Sun

SourcesFSSPX.NewsDiocese of NeversAlfa y OmegaReligión DigitalDOMRADIO.DEcath.ch

Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Mass for the World Day of Prayer for Creation on September 1 at Castel Gandolfo. The Mass will be held in the Pontifical Gardens. The Pope will preside over the celebration.

SourcesVatican NewsDiocese of Hallam

SourcesLa CroixAleteiaDOMRADIO.DEGość Niedzielnycath.ch

Pope Leo XIV received the bishops of the Lutheran Church of Norway in the Vatican Apostolic Palace. He delivered an address, expressing gratitude for their presence and shared desire to seek ways of building communion. The Pope emphasized the need for a concerted effort to seek concrete paths of reconciliation and fraternity, citing Jesus as an example of how goodness and charity can disarm. He also recalled the saints who helped unite the people, and prayed for growth in service to promote peace and justice.

SourcesHoly See Press OfficeThe Holy SeeVatican News

About 80 students at Harvard University are set to officially join the Catholic Church this year. This is double the number from last year and the highest in the history of the university's Catholic community. Fr. Nathaniel Sanders, the Catholic chaplain at Harvard, announced the news.

SourcesOpokaACI PrensaGość NiedzielnyCatholic News AgencyNational Catholic RegisterDeon

Archbishop Thomas Wenski urges the US to halt Haiti deportations after a deadly gang massacre. The US plans to end deportation protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitians. Archbishop Wenski warns that this will worsen Haiti's humanitarian crisis.

SourcesDiocese of Fort Wayne-South BendVatican NewsThe Catholic SunOSV NewsThe Catholic RegisterNational Catholic Reporter

The Diocese of Knoxville is mourning the death of Dolly Parton, a singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist. Bishop Mark Beckman expressed his condolences and said he is praying for those who are mourning her loss. Parton died at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer.

SourcesCatholic ReviewDiocese of Fort Wayne-South BendDiocese of ScrantonDesde la FeThe Catholic SunOSV News

Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram to the bishop of Montepulciano-Chiusi-Pienza on the 80th anniversary of the restoration of the cross on Monte Amiata. The cross was restored after being damaged during World War II. The Pope expressed his hope that the light of the cross would shine in the hearts of those who admire it.

SourcesDiocese of Montepulciano–Chiusi–PienzaVatican News

Pope Leo XIV visited the Rimini Meeting, a gathering organized by the Communion and Liberation movement. He delivered a speech and met with people with disabilities and the poor. The Pope emphasized the importance of attraction and mercy in the Church's mission.

SourcesVatican NewsAgenzia FidesL'Osservatore Romano

A 68-year-old man has been charged with arson after a fire destroyed the historic Saint-Simon Catholic Church in New Brunswick, Canada. The church was a total loss after the massive blaze. A suspect has been arrested.

SourcesCatholic News AgencyNational Catholic RegisterACI DigitalACI PrensaThe Catholic RegisterCatholic World Report

The Diocese of Santa Rosa de Lima in Guatemala is investigating a possible Eucharistic miracle. A consecrated host was placed in water after a young man attempted to spit it out, but it did not dissolve and showed red spots. The diocese has urged prudence and restraint. Six witnesses have verified the phenomenon.

SourcesACI PrensaACI StampaCatholic News AgencyNational Catholic RegisterInfoVaticanaInfoCatólica

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, urged lawmakers to work toward a ban on autonomous lethal weapons. He warned against allowing algorithms to infantilize societies. The cardinal spoke at a peace summit in Assisi, Italy.

SourcesVatican NewsDiocese of HallamTK KBSCatholic News AgencyNational Catholic Register

The Archdiocese of Edmonton invites young adults to join World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea. The event will bring together young people from around the world for a celebration of faith and fellowship. Registration is now open.

SourcesDiocese of Hsinchu 新竹Diocese of Port of SpainDiocese of Bà RiaDiocese of Edmonton

A symposium in Brazil discussed the existence of demons as part of Catholic doctrine. The symposium emphasized the need to discern between genuine demonic activity and mental illness. The event was based on Scripture, tradition, and the magisterium.

SourcesDiocese of KontumACI DigitalCatholic News AgencyCatholic World Report

Multiple Catholic dioceses are sending pilgrims to Lourdes. The Diocese of Saint-Brieuc has nearly 900 pilgrims. The Diocese of Padova has 213 pilgrims. The Archdiocese of Strasbourg and Archdiocese of Rouen are also participating.

SourcesArchdiocese of StrasbourgDiocese of PadovaDiocese of Saint-BrieucArchdiocese of Rouen

SourcesDOMRADIO.DEACI PrensaZENIT News Agency