Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila, Philippines, exhorted Catholics to go beyond social media criticism of society and be more active in bringing about change in real life.
“It is very easy to complain and criticize. It is very easy to be a keyboard warrior on social media. It is very easy to say that there are many things wrong in society, in the family, in the Church, or in the world,” the cardinal said during a homily at Quiapo Church on June 24, according to local reports. “But only a few are willing to initiate change.”
New papal nuncio welcomed in Syria
At a Mass in Damascus, Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Youssef Absi welcomed Syria’s new papal nuncio Archbishop Luigi Roberto Cona, with the leader describing papal diplomats as “messengers of justice, reconciliation, human dignity, hope, and care for the vulnerable,” ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, reported June 22.
In his own remarks, Cona emphasized Pope Leo XIV’s call for peace rooted in justice, love, dialogue, diplomacy, and forgiveness, warning that the desire for justice must not turn into revenge.
The nuncio went on to say that the country’s wounds must be healed “through mercy, forgiveness, and a renewed spirit of unity” and stressed that Syrians themselves hold the future of their nation in their hands.
Cona called on them to “see one another not as enemies but as partners and brothers.” He said the Holy See is ready to contribute to every effort that helps bring about “the birth of a new Syria, built on truth, practical solutions, equal dignity, and shared citizenship.”
Scottish diocese warns monks against consecrating their own bishop
The Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen in Scotland has spoken out against plans by the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer to consecrate their superior general, Father Michael Mary, FSsR, without Pope Leo XIV’s approval.
“This ordination would be celebrated without a papal mandate, by a group of bishops who deny that Our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV is actually the pope,” Aberdeen Bishop Hugh Gilbert, OSB, said in a June 18 statement.
“Since this consecration is due to take place within the geographical boundaries of the Diocese of Aberdeen, I am obliged to make clear to the faithful of the diocese that any such episcopal ordination would be unlawful and a grave act of disobedience, separating those taking part from communion with the Catholic Church,” he said.
“No member of the faithful should attend. This action is not ‘for the good of the Catholic Church’ as is falsely claimed.”
Iraqi Christians pray novena for beatification of martyred priests
The Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Mosul concluded its novena for the beatification of Father Yousif Zakaria and Father Behnam Mikho, who were martyred in 1915, on June 28.
Bishop Benedictos Younan Hanno of Mosul invited the faithful on June 19 to join in praying the novena. The nine days of prayer began during a solemn ceremony in Qaraqosh, Iraq’s largest Christian town, in which the bishop transferred the priests’ remains from the Dominican Sisters’ convent to the Great Tahira Cathedral, ACI MENA reported.
Preaching at the service, Hanno urged the faithful to “take an active part in these prayers,” renewing their fidelity to the faith, their attachment to the Church, and their gratitude for the witness of the two priests, who served the archdiocese with sincerity and remained steadfast in their Christian faith until martyrdom.
Myanmar religious sister sentenced to 8 months in jail
A military tribunal in Myanmar has sentenced a religious sister to eight months in jail after being detained while obtaining medicines for poor patients.
Sister Benedetta Nya Moe, a member of the Institute of Sisters of Reparation, was sentenced under Section 505(a) of the country’s penal code, according to a UCA News report on Friday.
Nya Moe has been transferred to Loikaw Prison, a large prison facility in the capital of Karenni state that is notorious for malnutrition among its detainees.
“From what we have learned, she crossed paths with a military column and was arrested while transporting a displaced patient to a hospital in Loikaw,” a local religious sister told UCA News.
Nya Moe was detained June 10 after soldiers searched her phones and found records of donations and news about the ongoing conflict, according to the report.
Quebec abuse victims reach $31 million settlement with archdiocese
The Archdiocese of Quebec in Canada, two seminaries, and an insurance agency will jointly pay victims of clergy sexual abuse $31 million.
The archdiocese, along with the Seminary of Quebec, the Collège François-de-Laval, and the Mutual Insurance of Quebec Factories, reached the agreement with representatives of 150 victims on June 18, according to a Catholic Register report on Tuesday.
Once the agreement gains final approval from the Superior Court on July 30, the archdiocese and its cosigners will have 45 days to send the full amount to the firm that represents the victims. Those who receive compensation will receive an apology letter by Auxiliary Bishop Jean Tailleur, who signed the agreement on behalf of the archdiocese.
Irish lawmakers vote to remove 3-day wait for abortion
Politicians in Ireland have voted in favor of removing the three-day mandatory wait for an abortion.
The 86-70 vote in the Dáil (Irish Parliament) on the bill from the opposition party Sinn Féin was carried having received the support of the Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) and Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister), who both voted in favor of the measure.
A similar bill in May proposed by the Social Democrats was defeated by 85 votes to 30, with 36 abstentions. These bills are a free vote as abortion is considered a conscience issue.
The bill is now expected to go before the health committee for further scrutiny.
