Catholic news today

Monsignor Giuliodori called for increased education to address infertility and the demographic crisis during the International Congress, "The Splendor of the Human: Guarding Fertility, Caring for Infertility." The event is scheduled to take place from October 16 to 18 at the Auditorium of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome.

Giuliodori stated that infertility should not be addressed solely through medical procedures or laboratories. He suggested that education can help prevent biological obstacles to having children and noted that misinformation often leads people to seek scientific help too late. He described the protection of fertility as a shared responsibility for families, schools, communities, and institutions.

The congress marks the 50th anniversary of the Centro per la Regolazione Naturale della Fertilità and the 25th anniversary of the Istituto scientifico internazionale Paolo VI (Isi). Maria Luisa Di Pietro, director of the Centro Ricerca e Studi sulla Salute Procreativa (CeRiSSaP) of the Università Cattolica, told Agenzia SIR that more work is needed regarding information on the causes of infertility.

Maureen O'Brien suggests ways to deepen prayer based on the commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind found in Matthew 22:37–38.

O'Brien notes that daily distractions, such as worries, lack of sleep, and various tasks, can make it difficult to focus entirely on God. To help maintain a wholehearted prayer practice at home, she suggests asking Mary to intercede and guide believers closer to Jesus. Practical steps include lighting a candle at a kitchen table in honor of the Blessed Mother and praying a Hail Mary at noon.

The Diocese of Oppido Mamertina-Palmi conducted a survey of 1412 young people between the ages of 13 and 19 to examine their desire to remain in the region. The participants represent 17.8% of the local school population.

Don Pino Demasi stated that the results reflect a tension between affection for their home and the fear of being unable to build a future there. While 33% of those surveyed want to stay, they fear a lack of opportunities, and only 11% say they want to remain with conviction. The inclination to leave the territory increases as students progress through school, rising from 63.1% among first-year students to 83% among fifth-year students.

Only 14.2% of the young people feel truly heard by institutions, while family and school remain their primary points of reference. Additionally, 61.4% of respondents reported witnessing or experiencing situations where access to opportunities was influenced by favoritism, a reality that 70.5% say discourages those who study and work hard.

Fr Shay Cullen warns that the uncontrolled growth of the internet and artificial intelligence poses significant risks to the millions of people who use mobile phones and computers daily.

Writing for The Irish Catholic, Cullen notes that telecommunications companies and internet service providers now use artificial intelligence to instantly deliver information, transmit messages, and enable calls. He suggests that this AI-driven internet acts as an unstoppable force that users may not fully understand.

Fr. Patrick and Fr. Gregory Pine discussed filmmaker Greta Gerwig's work through a Catholic lens in a recent episode of the Godsplaining podcast. The discussion examined how Gerwig's films, including Barbie, Lady Bird, and Little Women, portray themes of identity, love, relationships, and the human condition.

The friars analyzed Gerwig's ability to depict life with honesty and curiosity, specifically noting the role of faith and Catholic education in Lady Bird and the theme of homecoming in her storytelling. They also explored how her approach to character development might influence her upcoming adaptation of C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia.

The Villaregia Missionary Community has established a new presence in Ghinnir, located in the East Bale zone of Ethiopia. According to a September 29 report from Agenzia Fides, the community is working to reach areas where the Catholic Church has a limited presence.

The community has been visiting local populations in East Bale to raise awareness about their mission.

Pope Leo XIV stated that many views held by the German far right regarding Christian teaching and the role of faith in public life do not represent an authentic expression of Christianity.

The pontiff made these comments during an in-flight press conference while traveling. He was responding to a question from Ludwig Ring-Eifel of the German Catholic newspaper KNA.

Catholic bishops in Scotland have condemned a Green Party proposal to decriminalize abortion by classifying it as healthcare. The bishops urged legislators to instead invest in measures that protect and support mothers.

The Green Party recently called on the Scottish government to act on this proposal.

Confirmation preparation has resumed for the spring 2027 season, with enrollment currently underway and preparation Masses taking place.

Fr. Barry White noted that while the gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as wisdom, understanding, courage, and right judgment, are often linked to young people making life choices, the gift of wonder and awe in God is frequently overlooked.

Fr. John McCarthy writes that the 1879 apparition at Knock serves as a catechetical tool to remind the faithful of the elements found in every Mass.

According to McCarthy, the apparition acts as a composite representation of the celebration of the Eucharist. He notes that the major elements of the Knock apparition are present in every Mass.

St. Bernadette Soubirous is recognized as a saint for reasons beyond the apparitions of Mary at Lourdes, according to a homily delivered by Michael R. Heinlein during Mass on September 27 at the Prairie of the Sanctuary.

While statues often depict the 14-year-old girl kneeling at the grotto in rural France, the life of the peasant girl was changed forever by the visions.

Pope Leo XIV told thousands of young people gathered at the Stade de France in Paris that they are the saints of France. Speaking on September 25, the Pope said the Church in France needs them and is praying for them. He encouraged the youth not to fear this call.

James Durney's book, Boyhood’s Fire: Na Fianna Éireann at War, 1916-1986, examines the history of the Irish nationalist scouting movement. Published by Merrion Press, the work explores how anti-imperialist groups in Ireland adapted the scouting concept originally created by Robert Baden Powell during the Boer War.

David Albertson and Jason Blakely have published Utopia for Our Century: A Manifesto of Hope through Yale University Press.

The book addresses the fear and political upheaval that can lead to social retreat and disengagement. In his review, Frank Litton notes that the work draws parallels to St. Thomas More, who wrote Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation while imprisoned for high treason.

The mistrial of Lindsay Clancy and a recent comment by actress Anne Hathaway have prompted discussions regarding the definition of mercy.

The trial for Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing her three children including 8-month-old Callan Clancy, ended last month in a mistrial after a jury deadlocked 11-1 in favor of finding her not criminally responsible. The case involves allegations of altruistic filicide, a term used when a parent believes a child is better off dead than left behind.

Separately, actress Anne Hathaway recently drew attention to past comments made on the program The View. During that appearance, Hathaway suggested that abortion can be viewed as another word for mercy, noting that allowing for choice provides flexibility because no two pregnancies or lives are the same. She described these remarks as a practical discussion regarding women's rights rather than a moral conversation.

Fr. Francis Kanyiri, OFM Conv., urged members of the Franciscan family to serve one another by washing each other's feet during a Transitus service at the National Marian Shrine in Subukia, Kenya. The gathering, held on October 3 in the Diocese of Nakuru, observed the passing of St. Francis of Assisi as the Church marks 800 years since his death.

During the service, friars, sisters, and lay members watched a play performed by young men in formation for the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. The performance depicted the life of St. Francis, from his life of wealth to his commitment to poverty and his eventual death.

Reflecting on the Gospel of John and the Testament of St. Francis, Fr. Kanyiri, who serves as the acting vice chancellor of Consolata International University, described how Jesus transitioned from a master to a servant by washing his disciples' feet. He noted that St. Francis followed this same path of humility.

The Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) is holding a four-day formation seminar for approximately 230 lay council leaders from Catholic dioceses across the country. The seminar, organized through the TEC Pastoral Directorate, brings together diocesan leaders, national leaders, and representatives from apostolic associations to strengthen their understanding of their roles and responsibilities within the Church.

During the opening of the seminar, TEC Secretary General Father Charles Kitima told the leaders they serve as instruments to carry the mission of the Holy Father to local communities. He described the lay leaders as prophets and teachers of the Word of God who help proclaim the faith to both believers and non-believers. Father Kitima also encouraged the leaders to promote various vocations, including the priesthood, consecrated life, and Christian marriage, to support the growth of the Catholic faith in Tanzania.

The gathering occurs as the Church implements the Final Document of the Synod of Bishops, which calls for increased communion, participation, and mission.

Legion of Mary members Nathan Magill and Sr Jasmine Cano spoke about the growing involvement of young people in the Church during the arrival of the relics of St Thérèse at the Legion of Mary headquarters in Dublin on October 2.

Magill, a member from Belfast, noted that while youth participation in the Church may be low, those involved bring unique passion, enthusiasm, and talent to their work. He observed a transition in the Legion from having only two members under the age of 30 to seeing a significant revival of young people.

Sr Jasmine Cano, who joined the Legion one year ago, also reported seeing a revival of youth within the organization. Both members reflected on the "Little Way" of St Thérèse as a model for faithfulness.

The Men of St Joseph group in Tuam has doubled its membership in just over a year, according to Father Mark Quinn. The group began in September 2025 with approximately 40 men and has grown to about 105 members, with 65 attending the most recent gathering.

Father Quinn, a curate in Tuam, said the group was established after he noticed more young men returning to confession. Participants range from age 18 to retirement age and include single, married, and engaged men, as well as those entering or returning to the faith. Father Quinn noted that men attend these specific gatherings to find meaning, support, and spiritual formation.

This growth has led to the launch of the Irish Forge, a new formation program for men.

An anniversary celebration marking 20 years since the death of St Carlo Acutis takes place from October 9 to 12 at the Sanctuary of the Spoliation in Assisi.

Father Michael Toomey, administrator of the St Carlo Acutis Parish Pastoral Area, is attending the event to bring petitions from the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore. The pastoral area includes the parishes of Ardfinnan, Ballybacon, Grange, Newcastle, Fourmilewater, Touraneena, and The Nire.

Father Toomey stated that the anniversary is intended to guide pilgrims and the faithful in memory of the saint, noting that his figure continues to attract people of all ages globally. He added that this interest is visible at the shrine in Ardfinnan near Clonmel, County Tipperary, which houses both first- and second-class relics of Acutis. Ardfinnan serves as the first location in Ireland to hold the relics of the saint.

The Capuchin Community on Church Street organized a three day Triduum in Dublin to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis.

The first evening on October 1 took place at St. Mary of the Angels on Church Street and featured a service centered on The Canticle of the Creatures. Italian Health Minister Orazio Schillaci and Italian Ambassador to Ireland Nicola Faganello attended the first evening.

On the second evening, participants processed from Church Street to Adam and Eve’s at Merchant’s Quay for a prayer service. The final evening on October 3, which coincided with the anniversary, focused on The Transitus of St. Francis and was held at the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Fairview.

Pope Leo XIV concluded a four day apostolic journey to France on September 28, 2026, with a final Mass at the Metz Cathedral.

The visit included stops in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz, where crowds of mostly young people gathered to sing and cheer. Margaret Hickey of The Irish Catholic noted that the scenes of the recent trip drew comparisons to the 1979 visit of Pope St. John Paul II to Ireland.

Pope Leo XIV concluded a four day visit to France on September 28, 2026. During the final day of the trip, the Pope was seen embracing a child at the Metz–Nancy–Lorraine Airport in Goin.

Nuala O’Loan of The Irish Catholic reports that tensions surrounding the Drumcree parade and the Garvaghy Road in Portadown could cause significant damage to Northern Ireland.

On September 27, 2026, police monitored people blocking the Garvaghy Road as members of the Protestant Orange Order prepared to march during the annual Drumcree parade. O’Loan notes that both sides are currently claiming the other will not win, creating a risk of violence.

The film The Lost Children of Tuam has been released in Irish cinemas. The movie depicts the investigation conducted by local historian Catherine Corless into the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam.

James Hanrahan of The Irish Catholic describes the film as a case study in calumny. The story follows the research into the former state-funded, Catholic-run home for unmarried mothers that drew international media attention more than a decade ago.

The Council for Education of the Irish Episcopal Conference developed the Living Love resource to support the Social, Personal and Health Education curriculum in primary and secondary schools.

According to Sandra Adams in The Irish Catholic, the development of this resource serves as an example of how meaningful consultation should function within the Church. The project has reached a final draft stage.

Paddy Monaghan of The Irish Catholic reports that some Catholic commentators in Ireland and abroad have adopted anti-Israel positions that may lead to anti-Judaism and antisemitism.

Monaghan notes that recent years have seen significant sympathy for Palestinians in Gaza. He observes that the rhetoric used by these commentators often vilifies the actions of Israel while minimizing or ignoring the existential threats the country has faced since its founding.

Pope Leo XIV met with French President Emmanuel Macron on September 28, 2026, at the Robert Schuman convention center in Metz. The meeting was part of a titled event, "At the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity," held during the Pope's four-day visit to France.

The St Brigid’s Centre opened in Kells, Co. Meath, in September to provide fertility care and female health education for young women. The clinic offers life-affirming fertility services and educational resources.

Co-owner Kay O’Dwyer and NaPro fertility doctor Kirsty Chapman attended the official opening alongside local priests, general practitioners, and pharmacists. Representatives from Catholic Mothers Ireland and Health Professionals for Life also attended the event.

Angie Allen of Catholic Exchange describes how the poem "Lead, Kindly Light" by St. John Henry Newman serves as a guide for surrendering to God during times of hardship and anxiety.

Newman, a theologian and Doctor of the Church, wrote the poem following a period of severe illness in Sicily in late 1832. The poem reflects his experience of surrendering to God's plan while traveling through Europe. Newman was an Anglican priest at the time, and his journey eventually led to his conversion to the Catholic Church and his appointment as a cardinal.

Angie Allen argues that the increasing mechanization of human activities, such as sports, threatens to strip away essential human qualities. Writing for Catholic Exchange, Allen notes that the introduction of robot umpires in Major League Baseball during the 2026 season serves as a catalyst for this concern.

Allen suggests that the use of technology like robotic umpires and instant replay cameras destroys the natural rhythm of baseball. She contends that the widespread desire for total control through mechanization leads to dehumanization.

Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen celebrated the 20th anniversary of Our Lady of La Vang Parish with a trilingual outdoor Mass on Aug. 15. More than 2,000 people gathered beneath a replica of the Shrine to Our Lady of La Vang in Vietnam to attend the liturgy.

The Mass included co-celebrants such as parish pastor Fr. Kiet Anh Ta, along with several priests and deacons from the local area. During the celebration, Bishop Nguyen expressed gratitude to God for the community's history.

Founded in 2004 by the parish's first pastor, Fr. Joseph Son Nguyen, the community originally met in a small rented house. The permanent church was dedicated in August 2006, and the parish has since expanded to include a hall, office buildings, and a shrine modeled after the original site in the Hải Lăng District of Quảng Trị Province, Vietnam.

Charles C. Camosy argues in Losing Our Dignity that modern bioethics has undergone an anthropological collapse by separating human dignity from the nature of the human person. According to Angie Allen of Catholic Exchange, Camosy contends that contemporary society has shifted from defining dignity based on what a person is to defining it based on what a person can do.

Camosy suggests this shift creates a contradiction where public language frequently emphasizes human rights, equality, and inclusion, yet fails to protect vulnerable groups. He identifies the unborn, embryos in laboratories, infants with severe disabilities, elderly patients with advanced dementia, those in persistent vegetative states, and individuals facing assisted suicide as groups that lack consistent protection. He argues that while society claims dignity is universal, it often redefines the requirements for receiving full protection.

Bishop Joseph Durero, SVD, has asked for prayers for rain as a prolonged drought dries up rivers and disrupts essential supplies in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province. According to the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, falling water levels have prevented ships from reaching remote areas, cutting off vital transport routes for food and fuel.

During Mass in Port Moresby, Durero stated that the low water levels prevent deliveries, worsening the situation for communities that depend on waterways. The drought affects various indigenous groups in the province, including the Kiwai, Bamu, Fly River, Marind, Arapesh, and Gogodala peoples. Many of these populations rely on the Fly, Strickland, Aramia, and Bamu rivers for fishing, hunting, subsistence agriculture, and travel by boat or canoe.

The River Above Asia Oceania Ecclesial Network (RAOEN) uses a method called biome-based synodality to engage Indigenous youth in discussions about their relationship with the land and faith. This approach encourages young people to share experiences regarding their local environments and how they connect to global climate changes.

In the upland village of Bendum in Upper Pulangi, Bukidnon, Philippines, the Pulangiyēn Indigenous community discussed how changes in crops relate to larger environmental shifts. These conversations help youth understand their local economy and the history of their ancestral domain, including the impact of government Timber License Agreements from the 1970s. RAOEN organizes these sessions over three days to help participants connect their personal stories with past, present, and global environmental realities.