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Wednesday, May 6, 2026
What should a bishop be like?
A Forgotten Apostle of Molokai: Hawaii Establishes a Day to Honor Brother Joseph Dutton
Tim Daniels
Hawaii’s Catholic legacy is often associated with towering names such as the Belgian missionary who ministered to leprosy patients on Molokai or the Franciscan sister who later continued that work. Yet Joseph Dutton played an indispensable role in that same mission
The new Patriarch of Georgia and global Orthodoxy
ZENIT Staff
The Synod has elected the three candidates to succeed Ilia II, who had led the Georgian Church since 1977. The candidate with the most votes was the 57-year-old Metropolitan Shio, who had in fact already served as regent alongside the elderly patriarch for ten years. But this transition is extremely delicate, because in a deeply polarised country and against the backdrop of the clash between Moscow and Constantinople, the Georgian Orthodox Church is not merely choosing a person or a development programme for its future.
The fragile ceasefire in Lebanon is falling apart: civilians trapped, holy sites damaged, and the Church’s response with emergency aid
ZENIT Staff
A particularly sensitive episode has drawn international attention: the damage inflicted on a Catholic convent complex in the border village of Yaroun. The site, previously home to a small religious community and a school, had already been abandoned due to ongoing hostilities
Gunmen Abduct Christian Schoolgirls, Kill 1 in Nigeria
ZENIT Staff
This incident is part of a pattern of ambushes along the Akwando–Kachia road. Since January, at least seven separate attacks have been recorded on this route, targeting commercial vehicles, private transport, and motorcycles
$800 million in compensation for abuse cases: the situation in the Archdiocese of New York
ZENIT Staff
The scale of the agreement places it among the most significant ever reached by a Catholic jurisdiction in the country, second only to the 880 million dollar settlement agreed in 2024 by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
The exact number of new baptisms in France in 2026, as officially reported by the Church and illustrated with charts
Covadonga Asturias
What is particularly notable is the profile of these new Catholics. Far from being a marginal or aging demographic, 42 percent of adult catechumens are between 18 and 25 years old
Full Text in English of the Vatican’s Letter Saying NO to the German Bishops’ Proposal for Gay Blessings
ZENIT Staff
Full letter in English from Cardinal Victor Fernández to the German Episcopate regarding the rejection of ritualized gay blessings that give the impression of legitimizing such unions
Major biblical discovery in 2026: 42 lost pages of the New Testament manuscript discovered
ZENIT Staff
Professor Allen continues: “Given that Codex H is such an important witness to our understanding of Christian scripture, to have discovered any new evidence – let alone this quantity – of what it originally looked like is nothing short of monumental.”
What should a bishop be like, and how should doctrinal issues be discussed, according to the Synod? The Vatican releases the findings of the synodal reports
ZENIT Staff
The document introduces the “principle of pastorality”: there is no proclamation of the Gospel without taking responsibility for the interlocutor, in whom the Spirit is already at work. In addressing emerging questions concretely, the Group proposes three methodological steps
Islamists reduce historic church to rubble in northern Mozambique
ZENIT Staff
The attack on the parish of St Louis de Montfort did not inflict any casualties on the missionaries but generated widespread panic among the Christian population.
Combating money laundering within the Vatican itself: here is what the 2026 report—in which the Church provides an account of its activities—says
Valentina di Giorgio
During the year, 16 reports were forwarded to the Office of the Promoter of Justice, maintaining a steady ratio between financial analysis and judicial referral. In parallel, three transactions were suspended as a preventive measure, involving a total value of approximately 522,000 euros. These interventions, while limited in number, signal a targeted and proportionate approach rather than indiscriminate enforcement
How many Catholics are there in South Korea? The Church releases its impressive statistics (and challenges)
ZENIT Staff
More revealing than total membership is the age profile of the faithful. Nearly one in three Korean Catholics—28.9 percent—is now aged 65 or older, making the elderly the largest demographic group within the Church
Data on the generous participation of Chinese Catholic Communities in the 2026 national Collection
ZENIT Staff
The collection is promoted by Jinde Charities, an organization that has been coordinating charitable works supported by Catholic communities in mainland China for 30 years, and which in 2026 celebrated this initiative for the ninth consecutive year.
Progressive? Colombian government led by socialist Gustavo Petro approves euthanasia for children
aolvera
Adolescents aged 12 and above may now request euthanasia under the same general conditions as adults. Even more strikingly, children between 6 and 12 years old could be considered eligible if they demonstrate what the regulation describes as an “exceptional neurocognitive and psychological development
Vatican criticizes conversion therapy
Vatican criticizes conversion therapy, features gay Catholic testimony in ‘historic’ report
Religion News
Service: Advocates for LGBTQ+ Catholics expressed surprise to see the
Vatican publishing the testimonies of married gay men.
After she complained of gender bias, a PCA church fired her. A judge ruled it retaliation.
Religion News
Service: A judge for the Illinois Human Rights Commission ruled that
Naperville Presbyterian Church fired a longtime staffer after she
complained of being treated differently from male leaders. The church is
led by author and pastor Dane Ortlund.
The oldest U.S. Jewish seminary, Hebrew Union College, shuts down a rabbinical program
NPR: The college has
other campuses, but its rabbinical program in Cincinnati will shut down
and graduate its last four students at the end of the first week in May.
Poll finds broad rejection of religion-related messages from Trump, Hegseth*
The Washington Post:
Americans rate Pope Leo positively but are deeply critical of the
president’s social media post that appeared to depict himself as Jesus,
the Post-ABC-Ipsos poll found.
The room next door to faith*
The Christian Century: I am learning that questioning religion is not the same as abandoning it, Peter Choi writes.
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
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2024 letter prohibiting formal blessings for homosexual couples in Germany
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‘What is our church art for?’
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A gubernatorial mission from God
MLK was teen agnostic who rediscovered faith on a tobacco farm, new book reveals
Religion News
Service: Scholar Lerone Martin reveals little-known pieces of history in
“Young King: The Making of Martin Luther King Jr.”
Pastor exits Nashville church, Keller Center over ‘inappropriate relationship’ with man
Religion News
Service: Sam Allberry is a pastor and apologist who teaches that God
designs sex and marriage to occur exclusively between a man and a woman.
A gubernatorial mission from God
ARC: Californian pastor Ché Ahn is bringing evangelical Christianity to the governor’s race
I’m a historian. The Founding Fathers didn’t want a Christian nation, so how did we get here?*
The Independent: This
long-standing debate over the founders’ religious intentions has gained
renewed intensity with the approaching 250th anniversary of the
Declaration of Independence on July 4
Salisbury Cathedral restores stained-glass treasure by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris
The Guardian: The
project to refurbish ‘Angels’ is hailed as a huge success as the dean
says it will “lift spirits and rekindle hope.”
Monday, May 4, 2026
Jehovah's Witness WORSHIP is STRANGER than you think!
ABOUT ME: I’m a former Jehovah’s Witness who faded away from the religion around 3 years ago. The purpose of this channel is to provide concise, up to date information on the Jehovah’s Witness religion, along with humorous commentary aiding those who have left or are leaving the faith. I am a big proponent of religious freedom and critical thinking, and invite my audience to be kind, open minded, and always stay curious.
An asteroid will be named after Pope Leo XIII
Belarus releases Discalced Carmelite friar accused of espionage
Joachin Meisner Hertz
His release came within a broader exchange described as a “5-for-5” format, involving individuals convicted of espionage or related offenses in Belarus and Russia being swapped for detainees held in European Union countries and elsewhere. In total, 10 prisoners were involved across multiple jurisdictions.
Pope Leo XIV won’t be visiting the U.S. in 2026, but his popemobile will: here’s what we know
Valentina di Giorgio
The papal vehicle, now rebranded as the “Hopemobile,” will not simply travel as a static exhibit. Organizers intend it to become a focal point for public encounters, prayer gatherings, and moments of reflection along the route. The objective is twofold: to raise funds for humanitarian programs and to bring the reality of war’s victims
Anglican archbishop meets with leaders of Catholic religious orders and nuns from around the world in Rome
ZENIT Staff
During the meeting, particular attention was given to the theme of “walking together,” a central image in the Church’s current journey. Walking together implies recognizing and embracing differences — cultural, spiritual, and theological — while seeking a common path oriented toward building authentic relationships and fostering unity
King Charles invokes faith, ‘shared values’ as he calls for peace in address to USA Congress
ZENIT Staff
“Mr. Speaker,” Charles said, directing his comments to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., “for many here, and for myself, the Christian faith is a firm anchor and daily inspiration that guides us, not only personally, but together as members of our community.”
An asteroid will be named after Pope Leo XIII: here’s why
ZENIT Staff
At the center of this celestial tribute stands “Gioacchinopecci,” named after Pope Leo XIII, born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci. His legacy is inseparable from the modern rebirth of the Vatican Observatory in 1891, following the loss of the Papal States and the associated scientific infrastructure
Photo and Living Witnesses of a Miracle Amidst War: Lebanese Catholics Find Eucharistic Miracle
ZENIT Staff
They also found the statue of the Virgin Mary intact among the ruins, like a mother awaiting her children.
The closure of the famous Carmelite convent from Bernanos’s renowned work Dialogue of the Carmelites has been announced
Covadonga Asturias
Founded in 1641 under the inspiration of Saint Teresa of Ávila, it was once the 53rd Carmelite foundation in France, at a time when contemplative life flourished across the country
What is God’s vision for Jerusalem amid the conflict? Cardinal Pizzaballa responds
Zelma Reis
The Latin patriarch released a long pastoral letter on how to live as Christians in light of the «paradigm shift» that followed 7 October 2023, and the war in Gaza. Like the «New Jerusalem» in Revelation, the city could offer a way of being together that overcomes today’s sectarianism and heals its wounds. He urges families to be examples of clean remembrance with their children, telling the truth without transmitting hatred.
The Catholic Church in Brazil: An Innovative National Database and a Response to the Possibility That Protestants Might Outnumber Them
ZENIT Staff
Among the most sensitive aspects of this information exchange is the verification of a priest’s canonical status
Kenya’s Supreme Court of Appeal reaffirms the constitutional protection of unborn life in a landmark ruling
Elizabeth Owens
The ruling marks a decisive intervention in a legal debate that began with a single case but quickly evolved into a national—and even continental—test of how constitutional protections are interpreted in relation to unborn life
Lawsuit filed against U.S. bishops’ liturgical and financial measures at the Vatican: they’ve already secured their first victory
ZENIT Staff
Vatican Intervenes on Two Fronts: Liturgical Authority Challenged in the U.S. as Parish Rights Upheld in Abuse Settlement Dispute
The German Belorado. Were They Manipulated? The Strange Case of the German “Rebel Nuns” in Their 80s Who Made Global Headlines
Joachin Meisner Hertz
The Goldenstein case also echoes other recent conflicts in Europe involving religious communities and property disputes, such as the high-profile situation of the Poor Clares in Belorado, Spain
The Papal Foundation Announces $15 Million in Grants for 2026: 144 Projects, 75 Countries, Support for the Poor, Seminaries, and the Fight Against Church Abuse
ZENIT Staff
This year’s grants cycle represents unprecedented global reach and a new peak in the 38-year history of the Foundation, dedicated to serving the Holy Father’s priorities worldwide.
What does it mean that Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven? Pope Leo XIV explains it
ZENIT Staff
Address on the occasion of the Regina Coeli prayer on Sunday, April 3, 2026
In His Youth He Was Expelled from the Church: In 2026, He Was Ordained a Priest by Leo XIV
Rafael Llanes
The curious story of the «threat of excommunication» came to light through testimony that emerged in the context of the priestly ordinations performed by Pope Leo XIV.
Questions about liturgy: Wrapped Low-Gluten Hosts
Fr. Edward McNamara
Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and sacramental theology at the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum university.
Sister Paulina Melite: The «David vs. Goliath» of the Pro-Life Movement in India and Her Impressive Work
Dante Alba, LC
One of the most important milestones of the Movement led by Sister Paulina Melite has been the organization of the National March for Life, which began in 2021. This annual event arose from the need to make visible a cause that, according to the nun, remained fragmented and without a unified voice.
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