Catholic News
- Dog owners who shared the Eucharist with their pets are not excommunicated, Swiss bishop rules (Pillar)
Following an investigation, Bishop Joseph Bonnemain of Chur, Switzerland, ruled that three dog owners who shared the Blessed Sacrament with their pets did not incur an automatic excommunication because they did not act with sacrilegious intent. Canon 1382 provides that “one who throws away the consecrated species or, for a sacrilegious purpose, takes them away or keeps them, incurs a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See.” The incident during place last October 4, the memorial of St. Francis of Assisi, at Good Shepherd Parish in Zurich. The diocese stated: Due to a poor weather forecast, the blessing [of the animals] was moved indoors and combined with a Eucharistic celebration. During this Eucharistic celebration, three people shared portions of their hosts with their dogs. The findings clearly showed that the three individuals did not act with sacrilegious intent. Consequently, these individuals cannot be accused of sacrilege, as they lacked this sacrilegious intent. Therefore, they did not incur the excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See as a penalty for their actions. - New Vatican document: 'Integral Ecology in the Life of the Family' (Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development)
The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life released a 79-page document, “Integral Ecology in the Life of the Family.” The document—dated October 24, 2025, and released on April 27—has two parts: “Foundations” and “Seven Themes.” The themes are “Listening to the Cry of the Earth,” “Listen to the Cry of the Poor and the Vulnerable,” “Adopt and Promote Ecological Economics,” “Adopt Ecological Lifestyles,” “Integral Ecology and Education,” “Ecological Spirituality in the Family,” and “Families Participating in Community Life.” The document was signed by the dicastery’s prefects, Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., and Cardinal Kevin Farrell. - Pope receives Anglican primate, calls for removal of stumbling blocks to Christian unity (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV today received Dame Sarah Mullally, one month after her installation as Archbishop of Canterbury. - Pope calls on Vatican diplomats to be servants of peace, truth, and justice (Dicastery for Communication)
In his first visit to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, which trains Vatican diplomats, Pope Leo XIV outlined “some characteristics of the Pontifical Diplomatic Priest who, by participating in the ministry of the Successor of Peter, embraces and cultivates a special vocation in the service of peace, truth and justice.” “He must be, first of all, a messenger of the Paschal proclamation ‘Peace be with you!’ (Jn 20:19),” Pope Leo said. “Even when the hopes for dialogue and reconciliation seem to vanish and peace ‘as the world gives it; is trampled upon and put to the test, you are called to continue to bring the word of the Risen Christ to all.” “The Papal Diplomat, moreover—operating in the most diverse cultural contexts and within international organizations—is specifically assigned to bear witness to the Truth that is Christ, bringing His message to the forum of nations, and becoming a sign of His love for that portion of humanity entrusted to his mission as a shepherd, even before that of a diplomat,” the Pontiff continued. Pope Leo added: Finally, you are preparing to undertake a unique ministry, which is not limited to safeguarding the good of the Catholic community, but extends to the entire human family living in a particular nation or participating in the work of various international organizations. This requires you to be promoters of all forms of justice that help to recognize, rebuild and protect the image of God imprinted in every person. In the defence of human rights—among which the rights to religious freedom and to life are prominent—I therefore urge you to continue to show the way, not towards confrontation and demands, but towards the protection of human dignity, the development of peoples and communities, and the promotion of international cooperation. - Pope Leo, at blessing of heart center, recalls Pope Francis's encyclical on the Sacred Heart (Dicastery for Communication)
At the blessing of the foundation stone of the Pope Francis Heart Center at Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, Pope Leo XIV recalled Dilexit Nos, Pope Francis’s 2024 encyclical on the human and divine love of the Heart of Jesus Christ. The encyclical’s central message is “theological and spiritual, centered on the mystery of love of the Heart of Christ, the primary source of inspiration and support for our life and our work,” Pope Leo said. “Like an everlasting flame, this love has inspired countless witnesses of charity within the Church, including in the fields of educational and social charity.” - 5 beatification causes advance, including religious sister who died in Missouri (CWN)
During an April 27 meeting with the prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Pope Leo XIV approved decrees that advanced five beatification causes. - Vatican official comments on SSPX, Order of Malta; declines comment on Charlotte priests' dubia (Ad Vaticanum)
In an interview on the occasion of his 75th birthday, Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta Ochoa de Chinchetru, secretary of the Dicastery (formerly Pontifical Council) for Legislative Texts since 2007, was asked about the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) and the Vatican’s relations with the Order of Malta, as well as the liturgical dubia submitted by 31 priests of the Diocese of Charlotte. “I believe it was a grave mistake to have presented this matter as an imposition on the Holy See, announcing directly, as if it were a fait accompli, that they intended to carry out episcopal ordinations,” Bishop Arrieta said of the SSPX’s announcement that it will ordain new bishops. “This is the attitude of those who, from the outset, consider themselves outside the Church, a stance that contradicts their own awareness that they do not possess ecclesiastical jurisdiction,” he continued. “In fact, when they had to impose disciplinary sanctions for certain conduct by some of their priests, they turned to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which granted them the authority to do so.” Commenting on the Holy See’s dealings with the Order of Malta during Pope Francis’s pontificate, Bishop Arrieta suggested that “greater consideration should have been given to the instrument of a concordat: a concordat between the Holy See and the Order, similar to those signed with many countries, would have provided a formal framework consistent with how it is actually perceived in the international arena, and within that framework, the various spiritual and charitable issues raised by this important entity could have been resolved with realism and practicality.” Commenting on the Charlotte priests’ series of dubia about liturgical directives enacted or considered by their bishop, Bishop Arrieta said: For several years now, our dicastery has been publishing on its website the various opinions and consultations we are asked to provide, omitting, of course, any personal references, whenever we believe they may be of general use to the Church. For us, it is also a way to engage with the legal world and with new situations arising in various parts of the world, seeking to stimulate studies and in depth analysis of specific aspects of canon law. Regarding individual cases, however, as is logical, we are bound to maintain absolute confidentiality, also out of respect for the individuals involved. - California bishop's role at Anglican consecration prompts questions (Catholic Herald)
At the consecration of a bishop of the Episcopal Church, a Catholic bishop performed a “gesture that some commentators have interpreted as active participation in a non-Catholic ordination ceremony,” The Catholic Herald reported. “Publicly available footage and images circulated online appear to show the Catholic bishop”—Bishop Joseph Brennan of Fresno, California—“standing with Anglican clergy during the laying on of hands portion of the rite,” according to the report. (The Catholic Church teaches that Anglican orders, unlike orders conferred in the separated Eastern Churches, are invalid. In his 1896 apostolic letter Apostolicae Curae, Pope Leo XIII taught that “ordinations performed according to the Anglican Rite have been and are completely null and void.”) - In Germany, Church leaders defend blessing guidelines (Pillar)
Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg, the former chairman of the German bishops’ conference, and Irme Stetter-Karp, president of the lay Central Committee of German Catholics, defended the blessing of same-sex couples and of couples who remarried outside the Church, after Pope Leo XIV reiterated the Holy See’s disapproval of the practice. “Even though there are differing views on this within the universal Church, I believe this practice in the Diocese of Limburg is carried out within responsible limits,” said Bishop Bätzing. “It serves the people and, in my view, does not jeopardize the unity of the Church.” - Bishops condemn violence after White House press dinner shooting (EWTN News)
Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, and Bishop David Bonnar of Youngstown, Ohio, joined the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in condemning the White House Correspondents’ dinner shooting. “I’m grateful that the president and his entourage are unhurt after this latest attack,” said Bishop Barron. “May I raise my voice against the viciousness and tribalism that are so prevalent on the internet and that contribute mightily to the violence we see in our political culture?” - In North Carolina, Catholic Charities official charged with embezzlement, money laundering (WBTV-TV)
A Catholic Charities official in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, was charged with embezzlement and money laundering. Leah Stewart, a disaster case management supervisor, is accused of spending funds intended for disaster victims on personal expenses, including repairs to her Mercedes. - 2 priests ordained in Laos, a nation with 20 priests (Fides)
The vicar apostolic of Savannakhet, Laos, ordained two Redemptorists to the priesthood on April 22 in Thakhek, a city of 90,000. Twenty priests minister to 53,000 Catholics in Laos. The Southeast Asian nation of 8.1 million (map), a Communist state, is 54% Buddhist and 3% Christian, with 41% adhering to ethnic religions. - 'Truth is the goal and personal relationship the path to achieving it,' Pope tells Italian religion teachers (Dicastery for Communication)
Pope Leo XIV received thousands of Italian religion teachers in Paul VI Audience Hall on April 25 and told them that “truth is the goal and personal relationship the path to achieving it.” “In the study of the inexhaustible pages of the Bible,” said Pope Leo, “we come to know Christ, the Son of God made man, the revelation of the Father’s face and the perfect model of humanity. In this way, you make accessible to the younger generations, with full respect for everyone’s freedom, what might otherwise remain incomprehensible and vague.” The Pope added: Man cannot live without truth and authentic meaning, and the young, although they may at times seem apathetic or insensitive, behind a façade of apparent indifference they often actually conceal the restlessness and suffering of those who “feel too much” and too intensely, without being able to put a name to what they are experiencing. Teaching, therefore, means forming people to listen to their hearts, and thereby to inner freedom and the capacity for critical thinking, according to dynamics in which faith and reason do not ignore one another, nor indeed oppose one another, but are travelling companions in the humble and sincere search for truth. For this reason, education requires the patience to sow without expecting immediate results, respecting the pace at which a person grows. And above all—as Newman teaches—it requires love. - South Sudanese bishop renews call for answers on missing priest, driver (Radio Tamazuj)
A South Sudanese bishop called on authorities to renew their search for Father Luke Yugue and his driver, two years after their reported abduction. “Their disappearance is not a private loss. It is a national wound. It is a moral test for our society,” said Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala. “We need truth, not silence. We need accountability, not uncertainty.” - US bishops' conference president condemns shooting at White House Correspondents' dinner (USCCB)
Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement following last night’s White House Correspondents’ dinner shooting. “We are grateful the lives of the President, those who protect him, and everyone in attendance last night were spared from serious harm,” said Archbishop Coakley. “Let us all pray for our elected leaders and public officials that they may receive God’s blessings.” “Because human life is a precious gift, there is no room for violence of any kind in our society,” Archbishop Coakley added. - Vatican newspaper warns of global food crisis (CWN)
The Vatican newspaper devoted prominent front-page coverage in its April 25 edition to the 2026 Global Report on Food Crises, released the previous day by the Global Network Against Food Crises. - Pope names successor to 59-year-old Central African cardinal—reportedly after investigation by Cardinal Sarah (Vatican Press Office)
In a highly unusual move, Pope Leo XIV appointed a coadjutor archbishop for a 59-year-old African cardinal. Father Joseph Samedi, S.J., the Jesuit superior in the Central African Republic, will become the new archbishop of Bangui, the nation’s capital, upon the resignation of Cardinal Dieudonné Nzapalainga, C.S.Sp. Corbeau News Centrafrique, a local news site, reported that the apostolic nuncio requested Cardinal Nzapalainga’s resignation following an investigation conducted by Cardinal Robert Sarah in February at Pope Leo’s behest. - Italian soldiers replace crucifix destroyed by Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon (The Catholic Leader)
Italian soldiers replaced a crucifix defaced by an Israeli soldier in Debel, a largely Catholic village in southern Lebanon. Archbishop Paolo Borgia, the apostolic nuncio to Lebanon, was present in Debel for the new crucifix’s installation. “The images of the statue’s delivery to the community and its placement, in the same spot where the statue was destroyed a few days earlier by an IDF soldier, fill my heart and convey a powerful message of hope, dialogue, and peace,” said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. - Pope is committed to European unity, European Parliament ex-president says following audience (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV is committed to European unity, a former president of the European Parliament said following an audience with the Pontiff. - Cardinal Koch: The witness of martyrs is essential to the Church's life (Vatican News)
In a message to an ecumenical commemoration of the anniversary of the Armenian genocide, Cardinal Kurt Koch said that the witness of martyrs is essential to the life of the Church. The prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity said that the Armenian martyrs are members of a “common martyrology” that transcends ecclesial divisions. Cardinal Koch also recalled the persecuted Christians of today. The commemoration took place on April 23 at the Basilica of St. Bartholomew on the Island. - More...