Worse than Germany: A memorial ceremony for Buddhist woman Marta Pezzati, 59, was held on August 20 in the Catholic Church of San Martino in Rebbio, Como, Italy. Pezzati was president of the volunteer association Como Accoglie and was well known locally for her work assisting migrants and refugees. The ceremony was hosted by the parish priest Giusto Della Valle, who had worked with Pezzati on initiatives involving migrants. Two Buddhist monks participated in the ceremony. One of the monks later told LaNuovaBq.it that the event was “not a Mass and not even a funeral, but a remembrance of Marta's generosity.” He said there had been no Catholic liturgy or Catholic prayer. Priest: “She Found God in Budddha” Video recordings show Father Della Valle and another Catholic priest present wearing an alb and stole. During the ceremony, the two Buddhist monks chanted a Buddhist mantra from the ambo. Father Della Valle also spoke about Pezzati's Buddhist faith. He described her as a “woman of …Caman
Leo has appointed Bishop Lizardo Estrada Herrera, who was auxiliary bishop of Cuzco since 2021 and had been promoted to the episcopate by Francis, as coadjutor archbishop of Cuzco in Peru. Bishop Estrada is the General Secretary of CELAM, the Latin American Bishops' Council. In July 2024, he referred to migrants as “suffering Christs,” as reported by NCR Online. He also stated that it is incoherent to receive Holy Communion while refusing to recognize Christ in migrants: “You can’t kneel in front of the Eucharist… and not also see that same God in the migrant.” He was chosen as a Synod delegate and is closely associated with the Latin American episcopal current shaped by synodality, social doctrine, Amazon, and the pastoral language of the Francis era. Bishop Estrada also participated this year in the Southern Macro-regional Gathering "Interweaving Voices for Dignity"—presented by Vatican News as part of the preparations for Pope Francis's visit to Peru—which opened without any Catholic …Caman
Singapore Introduces New Family Support Measures: With the country’s fertility rate falling to a record low of just 0.87 children per woman, Singapore is introducing a major new support package for families. From 2027, the government will provide nearly S$70,000 (about US$55,000) in support for each Singaporean child from birth to age 17. The package includes cash payments, childcare credits, healthcare and education support.
Leo XIV Accepts Secularised Mitre as Gift: Rev. Tom McCarthy, a Chicago priest and fellow Augustinian, gave Leo XIV a Chicago White Sox “Pope Hat” at the Vatican. The mitre-shaped hat was originally produced en masse by the Chicago White Sox baseball team as a giveaway for their August 11 game. Leo XIV has been a White Sox fan since childhood and attended Game 1 of the 2005 World Series.
Silicon Valley “Neighborhood Masses” Fuse Eucharist and Community Organizing. Worse than Germany: One Saturday a month, Rev. Rick Rodoni, pastor of St. Lucy Parish in the heart of Silicon Valley, celebrates pop-up “Neighborhood Masses.” Posters declare that “everyone is welcome!” The Eucharist is celebrated in a parking area, with a makeshift altar and folding chairs. The liturgy is combined with “community listening sessions.” After the Liturgy of the Word, tables are available for neighbors to express their concerns “during the Mass.”
Today, Pope Leo XIV has approved the election of Sharbel Ghattas Maroun as the new Maronite Catholic archbishop of Damascus. A Lebanese-born priest, he has spent much of his ministry in the United States. Archbishop Maroun, 64, was elected by the Synod of Bishops of the Maronite Church. He succeeds Archbishop Samir Nassar, 76, whose resignation was accepted by the synod. Since 2020, Maroun has served as protosyncellus, a senior position comparable to vicar general, of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles. Born January 6, 1962, in Kfarselwan, Lebanon, Maroun briefly worked for Crédit Libanais bank. Older Brother, a Lebanese Forces Fighter, Helped Maroun During Civil War In 1975, Lebnen, the father, and the eldest brother Nassif joined the Kataeb (Phalange) party and took up arms to defend their home. The family's house was confiscated and not recovered for 40 years. In 1981 Lebnen's local group formally joined the Lebanese Forces militia. In 1983, during the Mountain …Caman
Argentine newspaper La Nación reports that Pope Leo XIV’s planned visit to Argentina is shaping up as a strong continuation of Pope Francis’s pastoral priorities and style, with a particular emphasis on the poor, workers, prisoners and marginalized communities. The likely agenda includes a meeting with grassroots and social movements, a visit to Villa Devoto prison, and a large gathering with young people at San Lorenzo’s football stadium in Buenos Aires. All three have strong symbolic connections to Francis. As Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio, Francis maintained close relationships with poor neighborhoods, prisoners and grassroots movements. San Lorenzo was also famously his football club. The stadium is located near the Padre Ricciardelli neighborhood, where Bergoglio frequently carried out pastoral work. According to the provisional schedule, Leo XIV would arrive in Buenos Aires from Uruguay on Sunday, November 8, spend several days in Argentina, potentially travel to Córdoba on November …Caman
I have never lived the life of a violent criminal but I do have strong opinions about the people who live that life. I have never led the life of a child abuser but I have strong opinions about the people who live that life.
VaticanNews.va has profiled Anna Medeossi, the first woman to serve as rector of a Catholic shrine. The Italian architect and consecrated virgin has served for nearly a year as rector of the Shrine of Notre-Dame de Santa Cruz in Oran, Algeria. She initially became involved with the shrine as an architect, working on its renovation. The shrine is visited primarily by Muslims.
[vaticannews] At the Rimini Meeting, we spoke with Anna Medeossi, who has been entrusted with the care of Notre-Dame de Santa Cruz in Oran, Algeria, about her story of encounter, faith, and listening. By Eugenio Murrali and Andrea Tornielli - Rimini Anna Medeossi has a lively and determined gaze, gentleness in her voice and gestures, and a wisdom that is both humble and profound. An architect originally from the Italian city of Gorizia, she might never have imagined what life would call her to do nearly a year ago: become the first woman in the world to serve as rector of a shrine. That distinction takes on even greater significance because of where the shrine is located: Notre-Dame de Santa Cruz in Oran, Algeria, an overwhelmingly Muslim country. Images of the shrine she oversees were seen around the world on the occasion of the beatification of the Martyrs of Algeria. From architecture to caring for the shrine Her arrival at Santa Cruz—where she now also lives as a consecrated virgin …Caman
In an effort to foster greater unity among the Catholic faithful and provide for their various spiritual needs, Most Rev. Evelio Menjívar, Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, announced that Very Rev. Timothy J. Grassi, V.F., pastor of St. James Parish in Charles Town, has been appointed Episcopal Delegate for Matters Concerning the Usus Antiquior in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, effective August 24, 2026. The expression Usus Antiquior refers to the celebration of the Eucharist according to the Missale Romanum promulgated by Saint John XXIII in 1962, otherwise known as the Tridentine Mass or Traditional Latin Mass. To coincide with the announcement, Bishop Evelio will attend the Solemn High Mass at the Priory of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Charles Town on August 30, 2026, at 10:45 a.m. In his role, Very Rev. Grassi will ensure such celebrations are lawfully permitted according to the universal law of the Church and the dispositions of the Apostolic See. …Caman
Jeremiah 20:7-9 “I say I will not mention God, I will no longer speak in his name.” This is a mistake, especially since we often think about what we reject. Welcoming God’s love is better. Let us not confuse people with God. Romans 12:1-2 “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” What are our thoughts? Let us make peace with our memories, and we will be more present with God. Matthew 16:21-27 Peter to Jesus: “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” We cannot block God’s love. Let us move forward in peace with God. Biblical texts: NAB-RE Normand Thomas.
The forest was on fire. Every animal was running toward the river. But the tortoise was heading the other way. The fox shouted, “You’re going to die! The river is behind you!” The tortoise kept moving. Then she said, “During wildfires, crocodiles often wait near the water. They know frightened animals will rush straight toward the river.” The fox stopped. A moment later, she heard screams coming from that direction. “Then where are you going?” she asked. The tortoise pointed toward a stretch of blackened ground ahead. “The fire already burned through there yesterday,” she said. “Flames can’t burn what has already turned to ash.” The fox followed her. They both survived. Lesson: Don’t assume the crowd always knows the safest way. Fear follows everyone else. Wisdom looks ahead.
29.08.2026 MOTHER - TERESA PRIEST FORCED TO LEAVE ROME FOR GHANA : LIFE IS IN DANGER THERE Over the year so many Muslims, including those in the police have been pressurizing Fr. Stephen Yaw Manu, the Superior at Casa Serena, to put me out because of my Catholic beliefs on Islam and Mohammad and other religions, in line with Vatican Council II. He refused. Now he is being forced out of the country. Also on Sept 10 this center will close. I will be out on the streets, open to physical attacks, because of my religion. Fr. Stephen will have to return to Ghana, a Muslim country. His life will be in danger. He will not be allowed to return to Europe like in the case of Sister Elli Bennetti. She was a religious nun with a French community, the Institute of Our Lady of Lourdes, Via Sistina, Rome. A Brazilian Sister, she would help me with food. There was a campaign against her by Muslims, including the Muslim police. She had to leave Italy and over the last few years has not been able to travel …Caman