Lefebvrians will proceed with episcopal ordinations without papal authorization

Jerusalem: Holy Week Behind Closed Doors. A Statement from the Catholic Patriarch

ZENIT Staff

Statement by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

Toward Liturgical Peace: One Missal, Two Forms. A Public Proposal to Pope Leo XIV from the Prestigious Abbey of Solesmes

Covadonga Asturias

The proposal arrives at a moment when liturgical questions—once considered largely settled—are again resurfacing with urgency

Chaldean Catholics will elect their new patriarch in Rome next April

ZENIT Staff

The bishops will meet between 9 and 15 April to choose a new patriarch. The former head will not participate nor vote so as not to «influence» the decision. This ancient Eastern Church, rooted in Mesopotamia, is currently experiencing a period of difficulty due to the exodus and war. The challenges of the last decade include the Islamic State group and the revocation of the presidential decree.

China: Children Barred from Church Doors. A Mother Speaks Up

ZENIT Staff

Regulations prohibiting minors from entering churches are now strictly enforced.

How Many People Viewed the Relics of St. Francis of Assisi During the Month-Long Exposition of His Mortal Remains?

ZENIT Staff

The month of veneration has been a time of profound and meaningful encounters, centered on the figure of the Saint. The Community of Friars of the Sacred Convent also experienced a breath of fresh air and energy, welcoming brothers from all over Italy and from distant countries such as Brazil, the United States, Tanzania, India, Korea, and the Middle East.

After seven years, Rhode Island report finds a past it cannot prosecute and a present it cannot condemn

Tim Daniels

The Rhode Island investigation thus occupies an uneasy space between revelation and closure. It contributes to the historical record of abuse within the Catholic Church in the United States, reaffirming patterns already documented elsewhere: a concentration of cases in the mid-20th century, followed by a sharp decline as awareness, reporting mechanisms and safeguarding protocols evolved

The unusual, candid, and widely praised letter from a European bishop urging confession

ZENIT Staff

The proposal is as simple as it is revealing. In a Church often concerned about declining sacramental practice, particularly in Northern Europe, Hansen identifies a concrete obstacle: many Catholics no longer approach the confessional, not necessarily out of rejection, but out of hesitation, ignorance or fear

Jehovah’s Witnesses are open to the limited possibility of blood transfusions

ZENIT Staff

The clarification was delivered by Gerrit Lösch, who emphasized that “each Christian must decide for himself” how his own blood may be used in medical treatment. This includes the possibility of preoperative blood collection in cases such as scheduled surgeries where significant blood loss is anticipated

Church authorities in the Holy Land denounce the seizure and encroachment on Christian properties by Jewish settlers

ZENIT Staff

Speaking from Jerusalem, William Shomali has described a marked escalation in attacks against Christian communities in the West Bank, particularly in areas historically associated with a continuous Christian population

French Court Upholds Ban on Religious Symbols in Local Council, Reigniting National Debate

Covadonga Asturias

On March 18, the Administrative Court of Dijon validated a decree issued by Gilles Platret, mayor of the city of Chalon-sur-Saône, which prohibits elected officials from wearing “ostentatious” religious symbols during municipal council sessions

U.S. Court Orders Access for Clergy Amid Immigration Crackdown

ZENIT Staff

Federal officials had argued that the situation had already evolved. According to their account, the enforcement surge—known as Operation Metro Surge—ended on February 12, and the number of detainees has since declined

Lefebvrians will proceed with episcopal ordinations without papal authorization and have released further details

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Even logistical details surrounding the planned consecrations hint at the scale of the event. Pilgrims are expected to attend in significant numbers, though, unlike previous years, camping near the seminary will not be permitted

Cardinal Simoni, imprisoned for years in communist Albania

8 things to know and share about the Annunciation The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce the incarnation of Christ. Here are eight things to know and share about the event and how we celebrate it. Luxembourg’s Cardinal Hollerich says women’s ordination essential to Church’s future At a symposium titled “Synodality and Praedicate Gospel” at the University of Bonn, the cardinal said he used to be more conservative on this issue but changed his mind. Supreme Court hears case on asylum seekers’ rights A decision is expected by July. Judicial Watch pushes for transparency in 2023 FBI memo linking extremist risk to some Catholics Lawyers for Judicial Watch complained the FBI has not been fully compliant in its release of records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Cardinal Simoni, imprisoned for years in communist Albania, prays before St. Francis’ bones Cardinal Ernest Simoni, 97, was able to pray before the remains of St. Francis, celebrate Mass at the Protomonastery of St. Clare, and pray before her tomb. He was imprisoned in communist Albania.

A 10-year old who shielded another student

War drove a young Ukrainian to the United States. Now she’s planting a church in small-town Minnesota.

Low-tech parents in a digital age need to default to grace rather than judgment toward other parents, writes Brad East.

Two college professors present a vision for "friction-maxxing" Christian higher education, where institutions challenge students rather than protecting them.

CT found that Americans were facing a loneliness epidemic back in 1978, too.

Behind the Story

Today we’re happy to have a story from a new staff member on the CT news team. We asked him to introduce himself:

Hi there! I’m Cody Benjamin, and I’m new to CT’s staff as a senior news writer. If you’re a football fan, you might know me better as the guy who spent most of the last nine years writing quarterback power rankings (and many other things) for CBS Sports. While the NFL has long had my attention, I’m incredibly excited to be part of this new team. Why? Because I have a true heart for both real-world journalism and biblical storytelling. Originally from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, I’m now based southeast of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. When I’m not penning stories for work, I’m usually crafting tales for fun as an author, guest-speaking at our church, plotting the next trip to the movie theater, trying to keep pace with my voracious reader of a wife, or chasing our two kids. I look forward to serving and connecting with the CT community!

 

A former Ligonier executive said he was excommunicated from his church after reporting suspected abuse of his daughter.  Last week, Maharashtra became the 13th Indian state to pass an anticonversion law. Hindu nationalist groups often use the legislation to disrupt Christian worship gatherings. A 10-year old who shielded another student during the Annunciation Catholic School shooting will receive an award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society for "extraordinary bravery."

Today in Christian History

March 25, 1625: England’s King James I dies. In 1604, at the Hampton Court Conference, James authorized the translation project that produced the 1611 King James (Authorized) Version of the Bible.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN~SONOGO?

Heal the Land Prayer Call with Pastor Warnock | March 24, 2026

Ebenezer BaptistChurch (Atlanta GA 30312)

The Ebenezer Baptist Church is an urban-based, global ministry dedicated to individual growth and social transformation through living in the message and carrying out the mission of Jesus Christ. The Rev. Raphael G. Warnock, Ph.D. is our Senior Pastor.

Pope Leo kept an all-night vigil with this saint

Kermit Gosnell, ‘America’s biggest serial killer,’ dies in prison Abortionist and convicted serial killer Kermit Gosnell, believed to have murdered thousands and convicted of involuntary manslaughter of a woman and the murders of three infants, died in prison at 85. Molotov cocktail thrown at participants at March for Life in Lisbon, Portugal After the incendiary device failed to ignite, a suspect was arrested. The march organizers called it an act of terrorism, and the patriarch of Lisbon condemned the attack. Bishops urge action on bill to examine Indian boarding school policies “The pain from the Native American boarding school era continues to echo today,” four U.S. bishops wrote to lawmakers.

Before becoming bishop, Pope Leo kept an all-night vigil with this saint On the eve of his ordination in Chiclayo, the future pope traveled to a small town in northern Peru to pray before a relic of St. Turibius of Mogrovejo, a missionary bishop.

Belgian bishop plans to ordain married men by 2028, violating Church canon law Bishop Johan Bonny expressed his plan to ordain married men into the priesthood by 2028 in a move that has not received approval from the Vatican and would violate the current Code of Canon Law.

The Christian influencer sphere has no guardrails

Pastors join with businesses and city leaders to revive Portland’s troubled downtown, as reported by Oregon native and senior features editor Kate Lucky.

Chuck Norris, an icon of American machismo who returned to faith later in life, has died.

The Christian influencer sphere has no guardrails when it comes to medical and wellness advice, reports Kelsey Kramer McGinnis.

Danielle Treweek reviews Carl Trueman’s upcoming book, which argues that Western culture’s rejection of God has degraded our humanity.

The Bulletin crew tackles Iran developments, 2028 presidential hopefuls, and authors using AI.

Behind the Story

Hello readers! We want you to star in a future "behind the story."

Where do you usually read the Daily Briefing? Is it in your kitchen with coffee, is it in between meetings at work, or is it in class when you should be listening to the teacher? Is there a part of the newsletter you always read even if you skip other parts? This helps us as the reporters and editors visualize who we’re sending this too, but it also helps other readers get a sense of the community they are in here.

You can ping me at ebelz@christianitytoday.com with even a sentence or two—include your name and where you live, if you’re open to sharing that.  Sarah Mullally will be installed on Wednesday as the first female leader of the Church of England. Some 2,000 guests are expected to attend the event, including Prince William, his wife Kate, and British prime minister Keir Starmer.  President Donald Trump’s comment on the death of former FBI director Robert Mueller has reignited conversations about how Americans react to the deaths of their ideological opponents.  The Supreme Court is allowing an evangelical to pursue a lawsuit challenging restrictions on demonstrations outside a Mississippi amphitheater. Today in Christian History March 24, 1820: Blind hymnwriter Fanny Crosby, author of more than 9,000 hymns, is born. Her works include "Blessed Assurance," "All the Way My Savior Leads Me," "To God Be the Glory," "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior," "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," "Rescue the Perishing," and "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross. CONTINUE READING

How a network of ordained women got Sarah Mullally to Canterbury

How a network of ordained women got Sarah Mullally to Canterbury
Religion News Service: Mullally’s sometimes twisting journey to Canterbury may never have been completed if it hadn’t been for an Anglican organization called Leading Women.

 

In Gaza, the joy of Eid has gone. Visiting relatives at the end of Ramadan is a procession through loss
The Guardian: Every home is missing someone, every person is carrying grief. We went not to celebrate but to sit with the bereaved.

 

In the Easter story, women are the first to proclaim the resurrection — but churches today are still divided over female preachers
The Conversation: Women constitute 23.7% of professional clergy in the U.S. and an increasing percentage of people earning graduate theology degrees. However, data from 2018-19 shows that only 14% of U.S. congregations, most of which are Christian, are led by women.

 

Elevation Church’s new college reflects a shift in Christian higher ed* 
Christianity Today: The influential megachurch’s new partnership with Southeastern University is an onsite training program for Christian college students.

 

Anti-Muslim comments by G.O.P. congressman reflect a rising trend*
The New York Times: On Capitol Hill and in Nashville, comments by Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee have sown division and underscored a growing tolerance on the right for Islamophobia.

I Visited Japan’s Hidden Christian Churches

Peter Thiel brings his Antichrist lectures to the Vatican's doorstep

 

Mar 22, 2026 #peterthiel #vatican #dwnews

The American entrepreneur and investor Peter Thiel has traveled to Rome to host a closed-door lecture series on the Antichrist, mixing theology with technology and politics. The event, held near Vatican City, drew criticism from Catholic figures and institutions, many of whom rejected his ideas as extreme. The visit has underscored tensions between his techno-libertarian worldview and the Church’s more cautious stance on AI and global governance. So what's behind Thiel's fascination with the antichrist? With analysis from Fritz Espenlaub, host of the six-part Deutschlandfunk podcast series Die Peter Thiel Story, and Vatican expert Massimo Faggioli from Trinity College Dublin.