Former US television bishop Fulton Sheen will be beatified on September 24 in St. Louis, Missouri. Pope Leo XIV honored Sheen as a model for evangelization through media during a general audience. Cardinal Tagle will lead the ceremony, with organizers expecting nearly 45,000 pilgrims and over 80 bishops. Sheen, known as a TV star in the post-war era, won an Emmy for his program. The beatification follows a six-year delay due to concerns about his handling of abuse allegations during his time as bishop of Rochester. The event takes place during the pontificate of the first American pope, who hails from Illinois, where Sheen's cause is managed.
An appeals court in Katowice, Poland, has increased the prison sentence to 30 years for a 52-year-old man convicted of murdering a priest during a robbery. The victim, a 58-year-old parish priest in Klobuck near Czestochowa, was killed in February 2025 after the attacker learned that approximately 20,000 euros had been collected for the church. The judge stated the killing was particularly cruel, noting the priest was bound and suffocated. The prosecution had sought life imprisonment, while the defense argued the death was accidental. Neighbors alerted police after hearing cries for help.
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Following a fatal stabbing at a Benedictine monastery in Jaroslaw, Poland, Catholic leaders urged against hatred toward Ukrainians. A 31-year-old Ukrainian national killed one priest and injured four others using a kitchen knife. Polish Primate Wojciech Polak called for unity, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj and local bishops condemned the act. The suspect, who recently arrived from Germany, was arrested at the scene. Authorities are investigating the motive, with officials warning against Russian attempts to exploit the tragedy to disrupt support for Ukraine. Primate Adam Szal organized prayers for peace and unity.
The Catholic parish in Senden, Germany, is opposing a flyer distributed by the local AfD branch that attacks the sexual education program of its daycares. Pastor Oliver Rothe called the material polemical and absurd, noting the concept aligns with diocesan guidelines and legal requirements. The AfD sought to have all daycare concepts in the Coesfeld district reviewed, fearing ideological overreach. Rothe condemned the attack as low-level and divisive, urging Christians to resist the party. Parents and staff have expressed strong support for the existing educational approach.
Mary Lembo, a psychologist and nun from Togo, researches sexual and psychological abuse of religious women in Africa. Since August, she advises the Vatican’s Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life on protection measures. Her studies in West and East Africa reveal that victims often stay silent due to fear of retaliation, expulsion, or blackmail. Lembo clarifies that vows of obedience do not require blind submission to priests. She notes a positive shift toward implementing safeguarding policies and legal support in countries like Kenya, following public recognition by Pope Francis in 2019.
A priest was killed and four others, including two fellow clergy members, were seriously injured during a knife attack at a Benedictine monastery in Jaroslaw, Poland. The incident occurred on Thursday morning at the site of a retreat center and educational facility. Archbishop Adam Szal of Przemysl confirmed the tragedy and called for prayers. Police arrested a 31-year-old suspect holding an Ukrainian passport. Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned the brutal assault. Details regarding the motive remain unclear at this time.
Five women accusing former Jesuit Marko Rupnik of abuse have sent an open letter to Pope Leo XIV. They are based in Vatican City and Slovenia, seeking a fair and transparent legal process. The victims criticize the lack of information from the Vatican regarding the ongoing case handled by a special court. They argue that the current silence discourages other survivors from reporting crimes. The letter coincides with the Pope's upcoming visit to Lourdes, France, where Rupnik created mosaics that have been covered. The women request that the Pope exercise his authority to ensure justice and truth for all victims of clerical abuse.
Jean-Marc Aveline, head of the French Bishops' Conference, expressed pleasant surprise at the widespread excitement for Pope Leo XIV's upcoming trip to France. The pontiff will visit Paris, Saint-Denis, Lourdes, and Metz from September 25 to 28. Aveline told La Croix that the event is a grace for the country and a spiritual remedy for a cultural crisis. He noted that despite secularization, many people are finding unconventional paths to faith. The cardinal expects the Pope to address human dignity and constructive dialogue, especially ahead of the presidential elections. Bishops anticipate over one million attendees.
Freiburg Archbishop Stephan Burger and Misereor head Andreas Frick traveled to South Sudan to inspect projects supporting refugees, education, and women's rights. Burger stated that courageous women fighting patriarchal structures deeply impressed him. The interview highlights the collapse of state schools and hospitals, with religious groups filling the gaps. Burger criticized the upcoming December elections as lacking democratic standards and noted that US funding cuts have worsened the crisis. He urged Germany to maintain its development aid commitment to support the population in this neglected crisis state.
Dirk Bingener, president of missio Aachen and the Star Singers children's mission, advocates for global solidarity during the World Mission Month in October. He highlights the 100th World Mission Sunday, focusing on Madagascar as the example country. Bingener emphasizes that modern mission involves discovering God's presence locally rather than imposing it. He notes that German donors contribute 530 million euros annually to global aid, despite economic concerns. He criticizes recent German budget cuts to health programs and US aid reductions, urging citizens to maintain their values and support international development rather than succumbing to populist isolationism.
Bishop Daniel Garcia of Austin, Texas, expressed shock after ICE agents shot and severely injured a 28-year-old Venezuelan man in Austin on Sunday. Garcia stated that such incidents weaken the credibility of federal protection agencies and noted that residents live in fear due to increased ICE presence. He called for transparent investigations by local and federal authorities to restore trust in government institutions. The diocese also urged comprehensive immigration reform that respects the rule of law and human dignity. This statement coincides with the National Migration Week, emphasizing the equal worth of all people regardless of citizenship status.
Thousands of people participated in the 'March for Life' in Berlin and Cologne on Saturday. The Bundesverband Lebensrecht reported 4,200 attendees in Berlin and 2,100 in Cologne, while police estimated lower numbers. Bishops Rudolf Voderholzer and Stefan Oster attended, with Oster emphasizing the Church's role as guardian of human dignity. The event faced counter-protests, including from the 'Alliance for Sexual Self-Determination' in Berlin, who called for abortion legalization. Police prevented a banner drop near the Charité hospital. The march, organized around World Children's Day, continues to draw criticism within the Catholic Church due to past involvement of right-wing extremists.
According to the Austrian Bishops' Conference, the number of Catholics in Austria dropped slightly to 4,488,101 by December 31, 2025. Church exits fell significantly to 66,930, continuing a downward trend from previous years. Meanwhile, adult baptisms rose to 359, and 5,449 people were re-admitted or newly received. The outlet reports that Sunday attendance remained stable, with roughly half a million additional viewers participating via media. Volunteer roles for first communion and confirmation also increased, while the total number of priests and staff remained steady.
Religious sociologist Gert Pickel warns that German churches face challenging times following recent elections. He notes that the Left party views churches merely as civil society organizations, while the AfD opposes their current influence. Pickel highlights concerns across religious groups regarding the AfD's strong anti-Islam stance and its classification as right-wing extremist in some states. He argues that widespread antisemitism within the party could lead to fewer prosecutions for antisemitic crimes and a pushback against Holocaust remembrance culture. These political shifts threaten the traditional standing and safety of various religious communities in Germany.
Pope Leo XIV has approved the beatification of Luigi di Liegro, a Roman priest known for his work with the poor and AIDS patients. The decision was announced on Friday evening in Rome during a diocesan assembly. Di Liegro, who lived from 1928 to 1997, founded the Caritas association for the Diocese of Rome and established shelters for the homeless and migrants. According to the Vatican, the Pope praised the priest as a model of faith in action. Di Liegro faced local opposition when opening a house for AIDS patients in an upscale neighborhood but continued his charitable efforts until his death. The beatification process now moves forward within the Catholic Church.
The Cologne Regional Court is hearing a case where a 40-year-old woman seeks 830,000 euros in damages from the Archdiocese of Cologne. She alleges that a volunteer altar server leader abused her between 1992 and 1995. Her lawyers argue the church is liable because the perpetrator was known for prior misconduct. The court previously indicated the volunteer acted as an extension of parish authority. While the archdiocese received a 15,000 euro recognition payment, the plaintiff seeks higher compensation through civil litigation. The trial was postponed to October 13 to await a decision from the statutory accident insurance. This case highlights ongoing legal battles regarding institutional responsibility for abuse by non-clergy volunteers in Germany.
Registration for the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea, will open in late October, the German Bishops' Conference announced in Bonn. The event, scheduled for August 3 to 8, 2027, marks the first such gathering with Pope Leo XIV. Paul Metzlaff of the conference noted high interest from many countries and the appeal of Korean culture. Pre-event meetings in local dioceses are planned. This is the second World Youth Day held in Asia, following the 1995 event in Manila, Philippines. The conference aims to provide a vibrant faith experience for pilgrims.
The Vatican has confirmed a significant increase in adult baptisms in France, with 13,000 adults receiving the sacrament. Vatikansprecher Matteo Bruni highlighted this as a conscious choice for the Christian faith. This news comes ahead of Pope Leo XIV's visit to France from September 25 to 28, which includes meetings with new converts. Statistics show baptisms rose from a low of 173,300 in 2020 to 186,165 in 2024. Confirmations and church weddings also saw notable increases. The total number of baptized Catholics in France reached nearly 50 million in 2024, driven partly by immigration from Africa and Asia.
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Police in Haar, near Munich, Germany, reported that unknown individuals threw a burning object into a Catholic church during a mass for first-graders on Monday evening. A congregant extinguished the fire by throwing it into a nearby decorative pond, preventing significant damage. The incident is part of a series of five similar attacks involving pyrotechnics in the area, including attempts on shops and balconies. Authorities are investigating for attempted arson, noting that one suspect may be around 14 years old. The total damage is estimated in the four-digit range.
Translated from Deutsch
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