Catholic News
- Ecumenical Patriarch warns against 'geocide' (Fosfanariou.gr )
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who holds a primacy of honor among the Orthodox churches, warned against “geocide” in a letter for his Patriarchate’s Day of Prayer for the Protection of the Natural Environment, observed since 1989. “The multidimensional contemporary ecological crisis is a crisis of human freedom, of our religion and philosophy, of our ethos and our culture,” he wrote. “What comes first is the ‘harmful alteration’ of our freedom—our severance and alienation from the Source of Life; what follows is conduct destructive of the natural environment.” The Ecumenical Patriarch added: We shall continue, in word and deed, to promote the ecological vision of the Holy Great Church of Christ and the eco-friendly dynamism of the Eucharistic, ascetic, and doxological relationship with creation, always underscoring that careful theological work is needed for the elucidation of the authentic ecological message of our Orthodox faith and tradition, for the benefit of creation, which is “very good” ... The “sins of modernity” have created—and continue to create—new divisions and ruptures between humanity and nature. The contemporary “man-god” persists in geocide, disregarding every measure and limit in the name of geopolitical designs and economic interests, of consumerism and of the satisfaction of essentially insatiable needs, but also, on a deeper level, because of an overturning of inner lived experience and values. The consequences of the global dominance of the desire to manipulate, instrumentalize, and exploit nature will prove to be tragic for life on our planet. - Inaugural meeting of German Synodal Conference postponed indefinitely (Pillar)
The inaugural meeting of the German Synodal Conference has been postponed indefinitely, as the Vatican has not approved its statutes. The 81-member body, only 27 of whom are bishops, would have made “fundamental decisions of supradiocesan significance.” During the German Synodal Way process, the majority of German bishops supported the conference’s creation. - Archbishop Gallagher reflects on visit to Russia, meeting with foreign minister (Vatican News)
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, discussed his recent visit to Russia, including his meeting with Sergey Lavrov, the nation’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. “We know very well that, historically, all conflicts, all wars end with a negotiation, with an agreement, and then one begins to restore relations between the former belligerents. In this sense, diplomacy offers and promises a possible solution,” said Archbishop Gallagher, as he discussed the Russo-Ukrainian war. “This is also what we, as a Church, have the responsibility and the duty to proclaim.” “We went to Moscow to speak of peace, to encourage souls troubled by war, and to say: have courage, embrace the path of peace, have the hope of believing in a better day,” he added. “The Holy See does not enter into the details of the negotiations, nor does it propose technical solutions, because this is the direct responsibility of the belligerent parties. The Holy See, instead, recalls this responsibility and invites them to show goodwill in order to seriously begin a dialogue.” Archbishop Gallagher also spoke about the devotion of Moscow’s Catholics and his “very encouraging meeting” with Metropolitan Antonij of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations. - Bishop consecrated in China (Vatican Press Office)
The Holy See Press Office announced that Father Paul Liu Honggang, 55, was consecrated bishop of Datong, China, on August 31. Typically, the Holy See Press Office announces a bishop’s appointment, rather than his consecration. In announcing the prelate’s consecration, the press office stated that Pope Leo, “having approved his candidacy within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China,” made the appointment on August 10. The announcement follows two similar consecrations in July, for the dioceses of Chifeng and Bameng. - Man arrested following disruption of Mass in New Mexico (KOB-TV)
A man was arrested on charges of disturbing the peace in connection with the disruption of a Sunday Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. “He jumped up out of the pew,” a deacon said. “He was coming towards Father, I stepped in front of him, and a bunch of other men had come up at the same time. And so we just kind of pushed him to the side and he was fighting, fighting, fighting.” The man who was arrested described himself as a Christian and said, “I have been sent here by God to preach to the Catholics.” The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has documented over 400 acts of vandalism, arson, and other destruction at parishes and other Catholic sites in the United States since 2020. A tracker at CatholicVote.org lists additional attacks. - German prelates meet with Pope for an hour (Domradio.de (German))
The bishop and auxiliary bishop of Mainz, Germany, traveled to Castel Gandolfo for an hour-long meeting with Pope Leo on August 31. No details were released on the topics of the papal audience with Bishop Peter Kohlgraf and Auxiliary Bishop Joshy George Pottackal. Earlier in August, Bishop Kohlgraf said in an interview that he will not enforce the Church’s discipline on the reservation of the homily to clergy. “For our diocese, the ban on lay preaching does not change anything in concrete pastoral practice,” he said. - USCCB offers prayer, calls for international assistance following Nepal floods (USCCB)
The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace offered “the prayers and solidarity of the Catholic community in the United States” following the Nepal floods. “I exhort the international community to mobilize greater humanitarian assistance support for vulnerable families and communities in Nepal,” said Maronite Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of Los Angeles. “I also encourage long-term efforts to help affected communities rebuild their homes, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure.” Bishop Zaidan added that Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops’ international relief agency, is “ closely monitoring the emergency, and coordinating with Caritas Nepal and local partners to assess urgent needs and determine how best to support affected communities - Background: World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (CWN)
The Church today commemorates the 11th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. Pope Leo’s message for the day is entitled “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Isaiah 2:4). - Pope's prayer intention for September: for the care of water (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for September 2026 is “let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.” - Pope meets with commission that supervises hospital founded by Padre Pio (Vatican News)
Members of the commission that oversees the hospital founded by Padre Pio met with Pope Leo XIV in Castel Gandolfo on August 31. Vatican News reported that “particular attention was given to an analysis of the Foundation’s economic and financial situation and to identifying the most appropriate solutions to ensure the long-term sustainability of its work,” The Pontiff established the commission in May following a hunger strike by hospital employees. - Sow the seeds of Christ's infinite charity, Pope preaches at Mass, procession (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV celebrated evening Mass on August 29 at the Church of Our Lady of the Lake in Castel Gandolfo and boarded a boat to take part in a Marian procession on Lake Albano (video). - Pope laments Haiti massacre, calls for prayer, aid for Nepal (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV deplored the brutal massacre of kidnapping victims in Haiti and appealed for prayer and aid for Nepal, where floods have killed over 900 people. - Imitate St. Peter's sincerity and docility, Pope tells pilgrims (CWN)
Reflecting on the Sunday Gospel reading (Matthew 16:21-27), in which St. Peter rebuked Jesus, Pope Leo XIV said that “it is not always easy to understand and accept God’s ways, especially when they are very far from our own.” - Iraqi PM wants Christians to return (The Catholic Weekly (Australia))
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi of Iraq said that the “return of Christians who were forced to leave the country due to the difficult circumstances Iraq endured is a national and government priority.” “Iraq’s true strength lies in its national, religious, and cultural diversity, and in the unity, integration, and social cohesion of its people,” the prime minister said during a recent meeting with the new Chaldean Catholic Patriarch, Paul III Nona. “Christians are an active component, an essential part of Iraqi society, and a key partner in building the state and shaping Iraq’s history and future.” - Bishops of Sudan, South Sudan offer blueprint for peace (Catholic World Report)
The bishops of Sudan and South Sudan published a three-year strategic plan to promote peace and reconciliation in their nations. “We remain committed to walking together in the search for truth, justice, reconciliation, and lasting peace,” said Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of Tombura-Yambio, South Sudan. “Our shared mission calls us to be builders of bridges where others erect walls, to foster dialogue where there is division, and to proclaim hope where despair threatens to prevail.” - Pope calls for prayer for peace, creation (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV renewed his call for prayer for peace and also called for prayer and action on behalf of creation as the Season of Creation approaches. - Amid ICE activity, Connecticut bishop tells immigrants the Church stands with them (Diocese of Bridgeport)
Bishop Frank Caggiano of Bridgeport, Connecticut, warned against indifference amid ICE enforcement activity and told immigrants that “the Church stands with you.” “I have heard of husbands and fathers taken from their cars on the way to work, of spouses unable to find where a loved one has been brought, and of neighbors who no longer feel at ease walking to the store, dropping off a child at school, or simply going about the ordinary business of the day,” Bishop Caggiano said in an August 30 statement. “Whatever one believes about the just enforcement of our nation’s laws, no person of faith can look upon this kind of suffering with indifference.” “To our immigrant brothers and sisters throughout Fairfield County, whether or not you are Catholic, whether or not you have ever set foot in one of our parishes, please know that the Church stands with you,” he added. “I am asking every parish of the diocese to include a prayer for immigrant families and for all those affected by these events at every Mass in the days ahead.” - Cardinal Radcliffe reflects on synodality, pain of Catholics attached to traditional Latin Mass (AdVaticanum)
Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., reflected on synodality, the traditional Latin Mass, and the increase in adult baptisms and Dominican vocations in England. “Many people fear that synodality will lead to the rejection of the Church’s tradition,” he said in an interview. “But that is not at all its purpose.” “It is not about conforming to modernity, but about becoming truly countercultural, opposed to a contemporary culture which sees human beings as consumers,” he continued. “Synodality invites us to see each other as made in the image and likeness of God, each given a share in the Spirit and a word to share.” Addressing a question about the extraordinary form of the Mass, Cardinal Radcliffe said: I do deeply sympathize with people whose love of the Tridentine Mass has led them into tension with the hierarchy. Some of them are my friends and I hate to see them pained. But it is good always to remember that the Eucharist is the sacrament of our unity in Christ. So I believe that the sacrament can never become a sign of disunity with the Body of Christ. However painful it might be, if the Church declares that a rite is not to be used, however much one might love it, it cannot be good to let its celebration be a source of division. - Italy launches Way of St. Francis pilgrimage trail network (AFAR Media)
Italy’s Ministry of Tourism unveiled the Cammino di Francesco (Way of Francis), a 960-mile network of pilgrimage trails that connect places associated with the life of the beloved saint. In January, Pope Leo XIV proclaimed a Year of Saint Francis to mark the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death. - Pope grants Eastern Catholic synods the authority to remove Patriarchs, Major Archbishops (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV today amended the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (1990) to grant Eastern Catholic synods the authority to remove Patriarchs and Major Archbishops when communion between the church’s head and synod has been “seriously and irreparably damaged.” - More...