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 tribunal convicts three laymen in financial scandal (AP)
  A Vatican tribunal has convicted two former executives of the Institute for Religious Works (the IOR, commonly known as the Vatican bank) on embezzlement and money-laundering charges. Angelo Caloia, who was president of the IOR from 1999 to 2009; and two lawyers who had acted as IOR consultants, were found guilty of arranging to profit from the sale of Vatican properties. Caloia was sentenced to a prison term of just under nine years. His attorney said that the former IOR chief would appeal, charging that the Vatican’s judicial system had not provided a fair trial.
• Hundreds reportedly dead after massacre at church in Ethiopia (CNA)
  The attack on the Ethiopian Orthodox parish took place in Axum, an historic city in the northern part of the nation. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (CNEWA background) is among the Oriental Orthodox churches that ceased to be in full communion with the Holy See following the Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon (451).
• US bishops' conference president welcomes President Biden's call for national healing, emphasizes 'we cannot stay silent' on abortion (USCCB)
  “For the nation’s bishops, the continued injustice of abortion remains the ‘preeminent priority,’” said Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, citing the bishops’ statement on faithful citizenship. “Preeminent does not mean ‘only.’ We have deep concerns about many threats to human life and dignity in our society. But as Pope Francis teaches, we cannot stay silent when nearly a million unborn lives are being cast aside in our country year after year through abortion.”
• Pope Francis sends message to President Biden (Vatican Press Office)
  “At a time when the grave crises facing our human family call for farsighted and united responses, I pray that your decisions will be guided by a concern for building a society marked by authentic justice and freedom, together with unfailing respect for the rights and dignity of every person, especially the poor, the vulnerable and those who have no voice,” the Pontiff said in his message. Similar papal messages were sent for the inaugurations of President Obama in 2009 and President Trump in 2017.
• Bishops clash over Archbishop Gomez's statement on presidential inauguration (Washington Post)
  Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago strongly criticized the statement issued by Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops; other bishops praised the statement.
• Ohio cathedral arson suspect, police officer killed in volley of gunfire (CNS)
  Bishop Daniel Thomas of Toledo issued statements on the death of the suspect, the death of the police officer, and the vandalism and arson at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral.
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