Smugglers of the faith: How Filipino workers became missionaries through migration — By: Catholic News Agency

Across continents, Filipino Catholics have emerged as what Pope Francis once memorably called “smugglers of the faith”: believers who carry the Gospel not by argument but through presence, perseverance, and hope. During the first-ever Simbang Gabi — a nine-day series of devotional Masses celebrated by Filipino Catholics from Dec. 16–24, leading up to Christmas —…

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‘Dramatic’ decline in Catholic marriage highlights need for ‘proactive’ Church response — By: Catholic News Agency

A steep decline in Catholic marriages in the U.S. over the past few decades is underscoring the need for “proactive” marriage support in the Church. Data obtained by EWTN News from the Official Catholic Directory shows a major drop-off in U.S. Catholic marriage, from about 267,000 in the year 2000 to just 111,718 in 2024,…

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Thai bishops urge citizens to elect ‘worthy candidates’ in upcoming vote — By: Catholic News Agency

Ahead of general elections scheduled for next month, Catholic bishops in Thailand have urged all citizens to elect worthy candidates. “Let this election be proof of our love for God and our neighbors,” said Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana of Bangkok, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand, in a pastoral letter dated Jan….

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Plastic surgeons group recommends against gender surgeries on minors due to low evidence of benefit — By: Catholic News Agency

In an official break with major medical organizations in the U.S., the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) issued a position statement this week recommending that due to the “low certainty” of benefit, plastic surgeons should delay surgeries related to treating gender dysphoria in children — including breast and chest, genital, and facial surgeries —…

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Pope Leo XIV laments lack of progress in protecting children — By: Catholic News Agency

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday voiced deep concern at a “lack of progress in protecting children from danger” as he met with the organizing committee of the initiative “From Crisis to Care: Catholic Action for Children.” Addressing participants gathered to advance proposals stemming from last year’s International Summit on Children’s Rights, convened by Pope Francis,…

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300 Catholic leaders including 15 bishops ask Senate to reject ICE funding if no reforms — By: Catholic News Agency

About 300 Catholic leaders, including 15 bishops, sent a letter to the Senate this week asking lawmakers to reject funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if the appropriations bill does not include protections for migrants. Republicans and Democrats reached a temporary deal on the appropriations bill, which extends funding for the Department of…

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Documents reveal years of sex abuse allegations against fired Chicago Archdiocese substitute teacher — By: Catholic News Agency

Court documents reveal that a man who served as a substitute teacher for over a year in the Archdiocese of Chicago has been accused of inappropriately touching children multiple times in multiple states and has even served jail time related to those charges. The archdiocese said in a Jan. 25 email and confirmed in public…

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Vatican to meet with SSPX after announcement of unauthorized episcopal consecrations — By: Catholic News Agency

The Vatican will receive representatives of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) following the traditionalist group’s announcement that it plans to consecrate new bishops without permission from Rome — a move that could incur automatic excommunication of all bishops involved and deepen the group’s rupture with the Catholic Church. The Vatican meeting will…

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Cuban regime interrogates priests and dissidents over their public statements, activities — By: Catholic News Agency

The Cuban regime summoned two priests and two peaceful dissidents for questioning on Jan. 23 and interrogated them for several hours, a move that has been described by one analyst as a means of “pressuring and punishing” those who defend the right to live in a free country. The digital platform Cuba Trendings reported that…

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Experts warn that organ donation could help drive high assisted suicide rates in Canada — By: Catholic News Agency

Advocates and civic officials are warning of the high numbers of donated organs from assisted suicide victims in Canada, arguing that organ donation programs for suicidal individuals could lead to additional pressure for such patients to decide to end their lives by assisted suicide. Data have shown consistently high numbers of organ donations in Canada…

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