Edition of Tuesday, September 22

Catholic schoolchildren in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, gathered with candles at Our Lady of Mercy Parish on Sept. 17 to mourn 27 classmates killed in recent fires. The students were attending Ujamaa and Furaha primary schools when the fires occurred on Sept. 10.

The fires hit three areas in the city, destroying nearly 500 homes and leaving at least 2,000 people homeless. Most of the deceased children were active in pastoral groups, including the children’s choir and the Angels of Heaven group, as well as activities organized by Kizito and Anuarite, according to Catholic communicator Benjamin Mukanire. All 27 victims were buried on Sept. 14 at the Ruzizi Cemetery.

During a memorial Mass, Father Patrice Mukata Bayongwa, the provincial coordinator of Catholic state-subsidized schools for the Archdiocese of Bukavu, encouraged the students to maintain their faith and hope. He noted that in the Christian faith, death is viewed as a birth into eternal life.

Pope Leo XIV and Catholic bishops have denounced a threat by President Donald Trump to annihilate Iran, calling the statement morally unjustifiable. The condemnation follows a speech Trump delivered to the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 22.

During his address, Trump stated he faces a choice between reaching a deal with Iran or choosing to annihilate the Islamic Republic. He suggested a deal could allow the country to rebuild into a significant power in the Middle East, but alternatively, he could act quickly to ensure the nation has no chance of survival or future greatness. Trump expressed his belief that a deal might be reached following the upcoming midterm elections.

The president's comments come as his approval rating regarding foreign affairs has reached a low of 29% in a CNN/SSRS survey. Pollsters have linked this decline to the war in Iran.

Bishop Daniel E. Garcia of the Diocese of Austin denounced the shooting of a man by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer on Sept. 20. The victim, who was delivering for DoorDash at the time of the encounter, sustained a bullet wound to his back, according to his lawyer and video footage obtained by CNN.

In a statement released Sept. 20, Bishop Garcia said he was saddened and disturbed by the incident. He noted that increased activity by ICE agents has caused people to live in fear and suggested that many individuals are detained based on their skin color or the language they speak. He also stated that such incidents weaken the credibility of the federal agency.

Bishop Garcia called for an immigration policy that respects the rule of law while recognizing human dignity. He asked the people of the Diocese of Austin to pray for the wounded man, his family, and the community. He also requested that federal, state, and city authorities remain transparent and honest during the investigation. Austin city officials have called for an independent investigation into the shooting.

Pope Leo XIV visited the Dicastery for Culture and Education at the Palazzo dei Propilei on the morning of September 21. During the approximately one-hour visit, the pope met with employees and collaborators to thank them for their daily service to the Church and the world.

The pope was welcomed at the entrance by the prefect of the dicastery, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, along with secretaries Bishop Paul Tighe and Bishop Carlo Maria Polvani. After greeting staff at their workstations, the pope spent time in prayer at the chapel.

In a brief speech, the pope encouraged staff to spread the values of humanism globally. He noted that culture, through art and sport, creates opportunities for encounter and fosters dialogue using a universal language.

Kolbe Arte will offer free screenings of the film "O Céu Não Pode Esper@" throughout Brazil during October to mark the first anniversary of the canonization of Carlo Acutis. The Catholic film distributor is making the movie available to parishes, schools, communities, movements, companies, and other institutions.

The film follows the life of Carlo Acutis, who focused his life on the Eucharist and used technology to evangelize. Institutions interested in hosting a session between October 1 and October 31 must register through a request form. The Kolbe Arte team will review these requests and send instructions to those approved.

Screenings can be held at the participating institutions provided they have the necessary structure for a session. There is no limit on the number of attendees, allowing for both small groups and large communities to participate.

The FBI investigated Monsignor Fulton J. Sheen in 1943 after an anonymous source reported his vocal criticism of the Soviet Union and its leader, Joseph Stalin. Because the United States and the U.S.S.R. were allies against Nazi Germany during World War II, some officials feared that criticizing a wartime ally could damage the war effort.

According to OSV News, the bureau opened a file on Sheen and assigned agents to tail him. The investigation yielded personal details rather than evidence of wrongdoing, including Sheen's preference for chocolate ice cream, his strict daily schedule involving a morning Holy Hour, and an instance where he talked a police officer out of issuing him a speeding ticket.

The FBI eventually closed the file and dropped all suspicions. By the early 1950s, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover invited Sheen, who had since been ordained a bishop, to speak at a graduation ceremony for newly inducted agents.

Pope Leo XIV will hold a private meeting with seven survivors of sexual abuse by priests and other Catholic personnel on Sunday, September 27, in Lourdes. The meeting is part of a four-day visit to France that begins this Friday.

The French Bishops’ Conference stated that the group includes individuals who were abused as minors or adults in parishes, religious congregations, and Catholic schools. One participant reported being abused at the Notre-Dame de Bétharram private Catholic school in southwestern France. Another survivor alleged abuse by Abbé Pierre, a priest known for his ministry to the homeless. A third participant was a victim of Bernard Preynat, a laicized priest who admitted to abusing 75 boys.

In a joint statement released last week, the seven survivors said they are participating in their own names rather than as representatives of established organizations. They noted that engaging in dialogue does not mean they endorse the Church or abandon their demands.

Critics of the Church are monitoring the meeting, suggesting the institution has not done enough to address the issue. A 2021 report estimated that 330,000 children in France were sexually abused by clergy, church workers, and volunteers over a seventy-year period.