Bishops announce collections for Catholic charitable groups in March 14-15 Masses — By: Catholic News Agency

Catholic parishes throughout the United States will request collection funds for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and other charitable groups during Masses on Sunday, March 15, and the vigil Masses on Saturday evening, March 14. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) announced the annual collection for the fourth Sunday in Lent. It will benefit six…

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As Iran war widens, Eastern Christians face growing uncertainty — By: Catholic News Agency

The Middle East has once again surged to the top of global headlines as renewed fighting spreads across multiple fronts, placing several countries at risk of continued strikes and retaliation, with no clear end in sight. Airstrikes on the Iranian capital, Tehran, and other major cities have raised serious concerns about the country’s Christian communities….

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Priest scrutinized for letters written on behalf of 2 notorious Mexican drug traffickers — By: Catholic News Agency

Mexican priest José Dolores Aguayo González, known as Father Lolo, has received criticism from the archbishop of Guadalajara, Cardinal Francisco Robles Ortega, about letters Aguayo sent to a U.S. court on behalf of two convicted drug traffickers. The letters concerning Jessica Johanna and Rubén Oseguera, adult children of drug trafficker Nemesio Rubén Oseguera, known as…

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Diocese of Syracuse announces final court approval of $176 million abuse settlement — By: Catholic News Agency

The Diocese of Syracuse, New York, will exit bankruptcy proceedings after the final approval of a massive nine-figure abuse settlement, the diocese said this week. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Wendy Kinsella gave the green light for the $176 million settlement, the diocese said in a press release on Feb. 25, marking the “official conclusion” of the…

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Lourdes University in Ohio announces closure amid ‘mounting financial pressures’ — By: Catholic News Agency

Lourdes University in Ohio announces closure amid ‘mounting financial pressures’ Lourdes University in Ohio will shut down due to declining enrollment, rising costs, and an “unsustainable funding model,” the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, and the school’s board of trustees revealed this week. The university will continue operations through the remainder of the…

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Sri Lanka police arrest former top intelligence official over 2019 Easter suicide bombing — By: Catholic News Agency

Here is a roundup of Catholic world news you might have missed this week: Sri Lanka police arrest former top intelligence official over 2019 Easter suicide bombing Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department has arrested Major General Suresh Sallay, the former director of military intelligence at the time of the 2019 Easter suicide bombings that targeted…

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U.S. bishops recover refugee resettlement funds, end lawsuit against State Department — By: Catholic News Agency

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) recovered money that it says the U.S. Department of State owed the conference for refugee resettlement and voluntarily ended its lawsuit against the department. According to court records, Judge Trevor N. McFadden dismissed the lawsuit on Jan. 23, one day after the bishops requested the federal District Court…

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Gaza’s Catholic pastor: Border closures make crisis ‘tragic’ — By: Catholic News Agency

Father Gabriel Romanelli, the only Catholic pastor in Gaza, is warning that the closure of border crossings into the territory is deepening an already dire humanitarian situation, leaving civilians “at the limit of their strength.” Romanelli, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Gaza City, said the shutdown threatens the flow of humanitarian assistance and essential…

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