• Home
  • About Us
  • Support
  • Concerts & Events
  • Music & Media
  • Faith
  • Listen Live
  • Give Now

Catholic News

In 2023, over half a million migrants headed toward the United States crossed the Darien Gap, the inhospitable jungle region between Colombia and Panama. / Credit: Gonzalo Bell/Shutterstock.comRome Newsroom, Mar 20, 2024 / 15:15 pm (CNA).Pope Francis on Wednesday sent a letter to the bishops of Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica highlighting the need to develop greater pastoral care and initiatives to assist migrants who travel through the treacherous Darien Gap."As Christians, every refugee and migrant who leaves his or her homeland challenges us," the pope wrote. "In our villages we find at the same time the hospitable fraternity that welcomes with human sensitivity, but also, unfortunately, the indifference that stains the Darién with blood."The pope's message comes as bishops from the episcopal conferences of the three countries conclude a four-day meeting in Panama titled "Easter with Our Migrant Brothers and Sisters," focused on the Catholic Church's pastoral outreach and s...

In 2023, over half a million migrants headed toward the United States crossed the Darien Gap, the inhospitable jungle region between Colombia and Panama. / Credit: Gonzalo Bell/Shutterstock.com

Rome Newsroom, Mar 20, 2024 / 15:15 pm (CNA).

Pope Francis on Wednesday sent a letter to the bishops of Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica highlighting the need to develop greater pastoral care and initiatives to assist migrants who travel through the treacherous Darien Gap.

"As Christians, every refugee and migrant who leaves his or her homeland challenges us," the pope wrote. "In our villages we find at the same time the hospitable fraternity that welcomes with human sensitivity, but also, unfortunately, the indifference that stains the Darién with blood."

The pope's message comes as bishops from the episcopal conferences of the three countries conclude a four-day meeting in Panama titled "Easter with Our Migrant Brothers and Sisters," focused on the Catholic Church's pastoral outreach and services amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Central America. 

The 100-mile-long Darien Gap, located on the border between Panama and Colombia, is one of the world's most trafficked — and dangerous — migratory pathways. 

The sparsely populated jungled region (the only overland passage connecting Central and South America) has no paved roads nor basic infrastructure in place to facilitate the passage of migrants.

Yet many migrants remained undeterred in making the journey north, despite the treacherous conditions, risk of disease, and death, as well as mounting pressure from the Biden administration on Latin American governments to halt crossings. 

According to figures released by the Panamanian government, the number of migrants who passed through the Darien Gap reached a record high of 520,000 in 2023, more than double the number who came in 2022.

"Neither the dangers posed by transit and illegal blackmail nor the increasing returns or stalemates in countries where these brothers and sisters are not wanted diminish the attraction (real or illusory) of satisfying the needs of employment and better living conditions, or even of a hoped-for family reunification," Francis wrote to the bishops this week.

But the pope also noted that it is a "pastoral opportunity" so migrants can "find in the Church a place where he or she will not feel judged but welcomed, where hunger and thirst can be quenched and hope revived." 

While acknowledging the extensive network of humanitarian services already provided by the Catholic Church — including shelters, returnee centers, medical care, legal advice, and spiritual support — the pope stressed that pastors and those in the service of migrants should "go beyond the limits of the established."

Pope Francis encouraged the bishops to confront the myriad challenges presented by the influx of migrants by developing a unified, regional approach. The pope stressed that meeting the immediate needs of migrants does preclude longer-term solutions that would ameliorate the structural issues behind the migration crisis.

"I recalled that the right not to migrate is presented to us as a solution, albeit a long-term one, to forced migration, through the regional integration of countries of expulsion, transit, destination, and return of migrants," the pope wrote.

"I urge you, therefore, to join forces with all the bodies of the international community so that everyone may have the right to remain in their homeland with a dignified and peaceful life."

Full Article

Sister Inah Canabarro and her nephew Kléber Canabarro. / Credit: ACI DigitalACI Digital, Mar 20, 2024 / 08:00 am (CNA)."My secret, my great secret, is to pray," said Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, the oldest nun in the world at 115 years of age. "I pray the rosary every day for all the people around the world."The Teresian nun is also the oldest person in Brazil and Latin America, according to the Gerontological Research Group.Sister Inah expressed her good humor and joy in the few words she managed to say in a March 9 interview with ACI Digital, CNA's Portuguese-language news partner. She repeated a prayer several times to the Virgin Mary, praying to her "for all the people of the entire world."The nun currently lives in Porto Alegre in Rio Grande do Sul state in Santo Enrique de Ossó Home, adjacent to the Provincial House of the Teresian Sisters of Brazil, the community she entered in 1927 at the age of 19.According to the home's coordinator, Sister Lúcia Ignez Bassotto, Sister...

Sister Inah Canabarro and her nephew Kléber Canabarro. / Credit: ACI Digital

ACI Digital, Mar 20, 2024 / 08:00 am (CNA).

"My secret, my great secret, is to pray," said Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, the oldest nun in the world at 115 years of age. "I pray the rosary every day for all the people around the world."

The Teresian nun is also the oldest person in Brazil and Latin America, according to the Gerontological Research Group.

Sister Inah expressed her good humor and joy in the few words she managed to say in a March 9 interview with ACI Digital, CNA's Portuguese-language news partner. She repeated a prayer several times to the Virgin Mary, praying to her "for all the people of the entire world."

The nun currently lives in Porto Alegre in Rio Grande do Sul state in Santo Enrique de Ossó Home, adjacent to the Provincial House of the Teresian Sisters of Brazil, the community she entered in 1927 at the age of 19.

According to the home's coordinator, Sister Lúcia Ignez Bassotto, Sister Inah "is always focused on others and not on herself." She is "a very resilient person, isn't demanding, appreciates everything, thinks that everything is fine, has enormous admiration for the congregation, for the company. She prays for everyone, she is concerned for everyone."

"Her life is truly exemplary," continued Sister Lúcia, who has known Sister Inah since she was a student in the town of Sant'Ana do Livramento.

Sister Lúcia Bassoto and Sister Inah Canabarro. Credit: ACI Digital
Sister Lúcia Bassoto and Sister Inah Canabarro. Credit: ACI Digital

Another characteristic of Sister Inah is that she always wants to be active. She continues to participate in community prayers, and she likes to be in the garden and spend time with her sisters.

Sister Lúcia said that although the elderly nun's health has declined a little in the last couple of weeks, on the days when she is well she is very talkative and playful.

Until recently, she continued, Sister Inah "painted napkins, made cards, did many things. When she had nothing to do, she would pick up a deck of cards and start playing. If she didn't have anyone to play with, she would play alone. She had a lot of fun."

Kind, good-humored her whole life

Inah Canabarro Lucas was born in the town of São Francisco de Assis in west-central Rio Grande do Sul on May 27, 1908, and is the second to last of seven children.

She is the great-great-niece of Gen. David Canabarro, one of the main leaders of the Farroupilha Revolution (1835–1845) in Rio Grande do Sul.

When she was a child, one of her brothers told her mother that Inah could study at a convent in her town. Inah then asked: "What are nuns?" Her mother answered that they were women who dedicated themselves to praying to God, to which she replied: "I'm going to be a nun."

Sister Inah studied at the nuns' school and at the age of 19, she went for her novitiate with the Teresian Sisters in Montevideo in Uruguay.

Over more than a century, she has experienced many changes in the world and in the Church. She has lived through two world wars and has seen 10 pontiffs. The year she was born, the pope was St. Pius X.

"Aunt Inah was very skinny and thin since she was a child," Kléber Canabarro Lucas, 83, the nun's nephew, told ACI Digital. Due to her frail appearance, everyone thought that she would not live long.

"That's why she's been here for 115 years and the rest of the class is all gone," he remarked.

Sister Inah Canabarro on her 110th birthday. Credit: ACI Digital
Sister Inah Canabarro on her 110th birthday. Credit: ACI Digital

"Sister Inah is our pinnacle in terms of religiosity, faith, goodwill, a kind and good-humored person; she has been like that all her life. Now the poor thing is declining with age," he noted.

"But God is going to help her and she is going to turn 116, 117, we are going to be 120, God willing," the nephew said.

"She is super happy, a person who has life, has love, truly loves," said Sister Teresinha de Aragón, 83, who has known the nun since she was a child, because her sister was her student at Sant'Ana do Livramento.

The 115-year-old nun is someone "who holds everyone in her heart. There are no exceptions. She treats everyone well, with love, whether they are little ones, adults, or elderly. "She's a person that loves, she really loves," Sister Teresinha related.

Sister Inah was a teacher all her life. She taught Portuguese, mathematics, science, history, art, and religion in Teresian schools in Rio de Janeiro, Itaqui, and Sant'Ana do Livramento, a city she loved because it was where she spent most of her life.

According to her nephew, she was "strict, a disciplinarian and affectionate teacher who won over everyone."

Many of the sisters who currently live at the provincial house in Porto Alegre were the nun's students or tell stories about how Sister Inah helped them discover their vocation.

Additionally, Sister Inah is one of the few nuns in her congregation who still wears her habit. According to the sisters of her community, since the Second Vatican Council (1963–1965) wearing the habit has been optional. Each person can choose to wear it or not. Since the elderly sister is not fully capable of deciding, and has always worn her habit, her caregivers decided to always dress her in it because it's the way she has always seen herself, as a religious.

"I feel very happy, very grateful to God because it was [Sister Inah] who guided me along this path and now I can be useful to her, help her in the moments when she needs me," said Sister Velmira, who is a nurse and in recent years has been the one caring for Sister Inah's health.

"Mother Inah helped me find this place where I feel so happy, I feel very good with everyone," she said.

A notable achievement in her life was creating the marching band at Santa Teresa school in Sant'Ana do Livramento. The band played 115 musical instruments and performed throughout Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.

She was also a mentor and helped create the famous marching band at the Pomoli Institute in Rivera, Uruguay, the sister city of Sant'Ana do Livramento.

Sister Inah is also an enthusiastic supporter of Sport Clube Internacional, a soccer club founded in 1909 when she was 1 year old.

Apart from saying that she prays for everyone, among the few words that Sister Inah spoke during the interview was also a praise for her favorite team, "because it's the people's team, of good, poor, very honest, very good people." 

This story was first published by ACI Digital, CNA's Portuguese-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by ACI Prensa/CNA.

Full Article

A screenshot of Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo during the March 17 interview with KTO. / Credit: KTOACI Africa, Mar 20, 2024 / 09:00 am (CNA).Fiducia Supplicans, the declaration by the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF) permitting the blessing of same-sex couples and couples in other "irregular situations," was perceived as "cultural colonization" in Africa, the president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) said.In a March 17 interview with the French-language Catholic television channel KTO, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo deplored the lack of "synodality" in the release of the DDF document that has evoked mixed reactions and deep division among Catholic bishops across the world since its publication on Dec. 18, 2023."In this declaration, there was a whole cultural problem, because the African continent perceived Fiducia Supplicans as cultural colonization," said Ambongo, the archbishop of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo.&...

A screenshot of Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo during the March 17 interview with KTO. / Credit: KTO

ACI Africa, Mar 20, 2024 / 09:00 am (CNA).

Fiducia Supplicans, the declaration by the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF) permitting the blessing of same-sex couples and couples in other "irregular situations," was perceived as "cultural colonization" in Africa, the president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) said.

In a March 17 interview with the French-language Catholic television channel KTO, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo deplored the lack of "synodality" in the release of the DDF document that has evoked mixed reactions and deep division among Catholic bishops across the world since its publication on Dec. 18, 2023.

"In this declaration, there was a whole cultural problem, because the African continent perceived Fiducia Supplicans as cultural colonization," said Ambongo, the archbishop of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

What Fiducia Supplicans proposes is "a kind of Western imperialism, but on a cultural level," he said, adding that "practices that are considered normal in the West were imposed on other peoples."

"I think this explains the virulence of Africa's reaction," Ambongo said, alluding to the Jan. 11 decision of the bishops in Africa not to implement Fiducia Supplicans on the continent following a Dec. 20 appeal for opinions from presidents of Catholic bishops' conferences of Africa and its islands in view of having a "single synodal pronouncement."

"I don't think this text was necessary at the time," Ambongo went on to say referring to the declaration. "We had just come out of the first session of the Synod on Synodality, and we're now waiting for the second session. All these questions we raised during the first session of the synod; we're going to come back to them and we would have gained a lot by waiting for the end of the second session and mature this kind of subject in a spirit of synodality."

"Personally, I think that what surprised and shocked us the most was the way in which the text was published," Ambongo said. "When you read the content of the document, there's no revolution because we do bless people. We bless everyone, we even bless animals, we bless cars. Sometimes I even bless pens students use."

"Blessings can be given to anyone," he continued. "This means that what caused the problem wasn't the blessing, because we already give blessings. What came as a bit of a shock, and I think we should have prepared public opinion a little better during the synod, was the blessing of the homosexual couples."

The Congolese cardinal, who has been a member of Pope Francis' Council of Cardinals since his  appointment in October 2020 and reappointment in March 2023, further said: "I believe that if we had consulted beforehand, if we had analyzed Fiducia Supplicans in the spirit of synodality, perhaps we could have presented it in a different form and with a different tone, taking into account the sensitivities of others."

Following conflicting reactions to Fiducia Supplicans, the prefect of the DDF, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, called upon each bishop to "make that discernment" on its implementation. 

In a five-page press release on Jan. 4, the DDF provided clarification on Fiducia Supplicans, writing that its implementation will depend "on local contexts and the discernment of each diocesan bishop with his diocese."

In Africa, Catholic bishops issued a "consolidated summary" of their responses against the possibility of blessing couples as suggested in Fiducia Supplicans.

In their five-page response to Fiducia Supplicans, SECAM members said they "do not consider it appropriate for Africa to bless homosexual unions or same-sex couples because, in our context, this would cause confusion and would be in direct contradiction to the cultural ethos of African communities."

The Catholic bishops said the "spontaneous" and nonliturgical blessings, which Fiducia Supplicans proposes, "cannot be carried out in Africa without" causing "scandals."

In the March 17 interview, Ambongo said that since the issuing of the Jan. 11 SECAM statement, there is "peace and tranquility" on the continent.

"Since then, we no longer speak of Fiducia Supplicans in terms of virulent opposition to Rome or the Holy Father," he said.

"The Church on the continent has a very clear stance," he continued. "We welcome homosexuals as human beings, as sons and daughters of God, we don't reject them, but we don't assume that this sexual orientation is the one we can teach our children."

This article was originally published by ACI Africa, CNA's news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.

Full Article

Monstrance for adoration, stock photo. / Zolnierek/ShutterstockCNA Staff, Mar 20, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).Did you know that there are several ways you can gain a plenary indulgence during Lent? There are actually four ways you can receive one. Even though Lent is nearly over, there is still plenty of time for you to complete any, or all, of these. First of all, what is a plenary indulgence?A plenary indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ to remove the temporal punishment due to sin. The indulgence cleanses a person of all temporal punishment due to sin. However, it must always be accompanied by a full detachment from sin. How do we receive one during Lent?The first way is to spend at least 30 minutes in Eucharistic adoration. Visiting the Blessed Sacrament is important all year round. So why not take part in this beautiful practice during Lent and receive some additional graces too? If you've never been to adoration,...

Monstrance for adoration, stock photo. / Zolnierek/Shutterstock

CNA Staff, Mar 20, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).

Did you know that there are several ways you can gain a plenary indulgence during Lent? There are actually four ways you can receive one. Even though Lent is nearly over, there is still plenty of time for you to complete any, or all, of these. 

First of all, what is a plenary indulgence?

A plenary indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ to remove the temporal punishment due to sin. The indulgence cleanses a person of all temporal punishment due to sin. However, it must always be accompanied by a full detachment from sin. 

How do we receive one during Lent?

The first way is to spend at least 30 minutes in Eucharistic adoration. Visiting the Blessed Sacrament is important all year round. So why not take part in this beautiful practice during Lent and receive some additional graces too? 

If you've never been to adoration, or struggle to stay awake, try reading a couple of chapters from the Gospels, pray a rosary, or really focus on being in Christ's presence. 

The next way is to take part in the Stations of the Cross, which is when we meditate on the Lord's passion and death. Every Catholic church should have some kind of Stations of the Cross, whether they are simple or elaborate. Any will do! 

However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. The Holy See's Manual of Indulgences, Fourth Edition, does state that there has to be 14 stations "representing the 14 stations of Jerusalem." 

The manual also reminds us that "progression from one station to the next is required." Although, if there are too many people and moving would cause an inconvenience, it is sufficient that at least the one conducting the Way of the Cross move from station to station. In other words, if you attend the Stations of the Cross with many participants and everyone remains in the pews while the priest moves to each station, that is still valid. 

This specific indulgence can even be gained once a day for those who can attend church daily and wish to perform the Stations of the Cross on their own. 

The next way is by praying the rosary "in a church or oratory, or in a family, a religious community, or an association of the faithful." 

The last way is by reading or listening to sacred Scripture. Just make sure you spend at least half an hour with the word of God and it counts. 

All right, so you took part in one, or all four, of these ways. But, did you actually receive a plenary indulgence?

How do you know if you received one?

There are some conditions, like the fine print, that assure you receive your indulgence. 

First, you must have complete detachment from all sin, even venial.

Then you have to go to confession, receive holy Communion, and pray for the intentions of the pope. Sacramental confession and receiving the Eucharist can happen up to about 20 days before or after the act performed to receive a plenary indulgence. 

It is appropriate that Communion and the prayer take place on the same day that the work is completed. One sacramental confession is sufficient for several plenary indulgences. However, for each plenary indulgence one wishes to receive, a separate reception of the Eucharist and a separate prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father are required.

Once you have followed these steps, rest assured that you have received a plenary indulgence.

This story was first published on CNA on March 31, 2022, and was updated March 18, 2024.

Full Article

WASHINGTON - Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop William P. Callahan, O.F.M., Conv., 73, from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of La Crosse for health reasons, and has appointed Bishop Gerard W. Battersby, auxiliary bishop of Detroit, as his successor. The resignation and appointment were publicized in Washington, D.C. on March 19, 2024, by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.The Diocese of La Crosse is comprised of 15,078 square miles in the state of Wisconsin and has a total population of 875,018, of which 135,268 are Catholic.###

WASHINGTON - Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop William P. Callahan, O.F.M., Conv., 73, from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of La Crosse for health reasons, and has appointed Bishop Gerard W. Battersby, auxiliary bishop of Detroit, as his successor.

The resignation and appointment were publicized in Washington, D.C. on March 19, 2024, by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

The Diocese of La Crosse is comprised of 15,078 square miles in the state of Wisconsin and has a total population of 875,018, of which 135,268 are Catholic.

###

Full Article

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Though the global situation risks plunging people into pessimism, Christians are called to pursue their vocation of becoming "men and women of hope," Pope Francis said."As individuals and as communities, amid the variety of charisms and ministries, all of us are called to embody and communicate the Gospel message of hope in a world marked by epochal challenges," the pope wrote in his message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations April 21.Global challenges such as war, migration, rising poverty rates and climate change, in addition to personal difficulties encountered daily, "risk plunging us into resignation or defeatism," the pope wrote in the message released March 19. He encouraged Christians to instead "cultivate a gaze full of hope and work fruitfully in response to the vocation we have received, in service to God's kingdom of love, justice and peace."To be "pilgrims of hope and builders of peace" means "to base our lives on the rock of Christ's resurrecti...

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Though the global situation risks plunging people into pessimism, Christians are called to pursue their vocation of becoming "men and women of hope," Pope Francis said.

"As individuals and as communities, amid the variety of charisms and ministries, all of us are called to embody and communicate the Gospel message of hope in a world marked by epochal challenges," the pope wrote in his message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations April 21.

Global challenges such as war, migration, rising poverty rates and climate change, in addition to personal difficulties encountered daily, "risk plunging us into resignation or defeatism," the pope wrote in the message released March 19. He encouraged Christians to instead "cultivate a gaze full of hope and work fruitfully in response to the vocation we have received, in service to God's kingdom of love, justice and peace."

To be "pilgrims of hope and builders of peace" means "to base our lives on the rock of Christ's resurrection, knowing that every effort made in the vocation that we have embraced and seek to live out will never be in vain," the pope wrote.

Pursuing a vocation, he explained, is not an imposed duty but rather "the surest way for us to fulfill our deepest desire for happiness."

A young person prays the Stations of the Cross.
A young person prays the Stations of the Cross with Pope Francis during World Youth Day at Eduardo VII Park in Lisbon, Portugal, Aug. 4, 2023. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

"Our life finds fulfillment when we discover who we are, what our gifts are, where we can make them bear fruit, and what path we can follow in order to become signs and instruments of love, generous acceptance, beauty and peace wherever we find ourselves," he wrote.

The pope expressed his gratitude for the "hidden efforts" of those who consistently respond to their calls in life, namely parents, workers, consecrated men and women and priests, and he urged young people to make room for Jesus in their lives in order to discover their vocation.

"Let Jesus draw you to himself; bring him your important questions by reading the Gospels; let him challenge you by his presence, which always provokes in us a healthy crisis," he told young people.

The pope also highlighted the "synodal character" of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, noting how "amid the variety of our charisms, we are called to listen to one another and to journey together in order to acknowledge them and to discern where the Spirit is leading us for the benefit of all."

Pope Francis blesses a rosary.
Pope Francis blesses a rosary as he greets visitors at the end of his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican Feb. 7, 2024. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Pope Francis encouraged people to prepare for the Holy Year 2025 by engaging in the current year of prayer, in which "all of us are called to rediscover the inestimable blessing of our ability to enter into heartfelt dialogue with the Lord and thus become pilgrims of hope."

Prayer, he added, "is more about listening to God than about talking to him."

The pope called on Christians to "open the doors of the prison in which we so often enclose ourselves, so that each of us can discover his or her proper vocation in the Church and in the world."

"Let us be passionate about life and commit ourselves to caring lovingly for those around us in every place where we live," he wrote.

Full Article

People use a car to light themselves on a dark street during a blackout in Bauta municipality, Artemisa province, Cuba, on March 18, 2024. / Credit: YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty ImagesACI Prensa Staff, Mar 19, 2024 / 16:15 pm (CNA).Prolonged power outages and food shortages triggered protests in Cuba in different cities on March 17. Layman Osvaldo Gallardo and Catholic priest Father Alberto Reyes shared with ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner, the causes of this latest crisis in the island nation."In Cuba there have been power outages throughout the history of the Cuban Revolution [since the 1960s], because the system has never had sustained economic development that would have made a suitable grid possible," Gallardo told ACI Prensa on March 18. The infrastructure for electricity production in Cuba includes eight old plants along with backup generators and eight offshore floating plants, all of them impacted by the shortage of diesel fuel necessary for their oper...

People use a car to light themselves on a dark street during a blackout in Bauta municipality, Artemisa province, Cuba, on March 18, 2024. / Credit: YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images

ACI Prensa Staff, Mar 19, 2024 / 16:15 pm (CNA).

Prolonged power outages and food shortages triggered protests in Cuba in different cities on March 17. Layman Osvaldo Gallardo and Catholic priest Father Alberto Reyes shared with ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner, the causes of this latest crisis in the island nation.

"In Cuba there have been power outages throughout the history of the Cuban Revolution [since the 1960s], because the system has never had sustained economic development that would have made a suitable grid possible," Gallardo told ACI Prensa on March 18. 

The infrastructure for electricity production in Cuba includes eight old plants along with backup generators and eight offshore floating plants, all of them impacted by the shortage of diesel fuel necessary for their operation.

Gallardo, a religious freedom activist who lived for more than 40 years in Cuba and currently resides in Miami, said that in addition to the electricity shortage people are going hungry, as "there are no supplies to distribute to the population."

"The food allotment that the government provides to sustain families for a month is increasingly inadequate. There are areas of the country where nothing has arrived yet and there are others where they have given out two pounds of rice and two pounds of sugar," he explained.

The situation has gotten to the point where at the end of February, for the first time, the Cuban government requested assistance from the World Food Program due to "difficulties in distributing subsidized milk to children under 7 years of age."

Gallardo commented that, although there are stores that sell food priced in dollars, not everyone has access to help from relatives from abroad or a steady income that allows them to feed themselves "fairly well."

"The majority of the Cuban people right now don't have anything to eat, although the regime's propaganda claims that it is guaranteeing the essentials," he added.

On Sunday, March 17, hundreds of Cubans took to the streets to express their discontent over shortages and rising prices of basic products. The first demonstrations took place in Santiago de Cuba, the second-largest city in the country, where power outages have been lasting for up to 13 or 14 hours.

Social media posts, especially on X, were the main means of spreading these protests in different parts of the country.

Father Alberto Reyes, who lives in the Esmeralda area located in the central province of Camagüey, told ACI Prensa on March 18 that people there are upset just like the rest of the country.

"People are talking endlessly, people are complaining nonstop, but Esmeralda until now has been a very compliant town, people complaining to themselves and doing nothing publicly," he lamented.

According to the priest, the situation has become desperate on the island. 

"It's desperate because we're caught between the lack of electricity and food. That is to say, what little there is to eat can't be cooked. This totally immobilizes you, because you can't do anything. People are at a point of desperation and can't take it anymore," he said.

The country's president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, wrote on X March 17 that "various people have expressed their unhappiness with the electricity service and the distribution of food" and claimed that "the enemies of the Revolution are trying to take advantage of this context for destabilizing purposes." 

However, Gallardo criticized Díaz-Canel's explanation, pointing out that it "no longer has any validity" and "no one in Cuba believes it."

According to Reyes, the "split between the government and the people" is increasingly noticeable. 

"It's as if the government is not interested in the people. The government is the big missing factor in all this. One official or another comes out trying to calm things down, but here there's no one saying 'let's see, this is the situation, let's do something.' People are totally fed up," he explained.

According to Gallardo, although the government has not denied the problems, it hasn't explained their origin or their real dimension. 

"They assure that it's a problem that they're trying to solve, that the [U.S.] embargo is to blame, and that what meets the minimum requirement and is essential is being distributed, but that's not true," he said.

For the Cuban layman and for Reyes, conditions are ripe for major street protests to occur, similar to those that took place in July 2021.

"The climate is tense and the situation is ripe for these uprisings. The problem is that the repression is so fierce that, when night falls, they begin to crack down immediately, cutting off the internet and snuffing out the protest," Gallardo explained.

Reyes commented that everything depends on "the spark multiplying and becoming widespread." 

"It could happen at any time," he said.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Full Article

Pope Francis on March 19, 2024, appointed Bishop Gerard Battersby to lead the Diocese of La Crosse in western Wisconsin. / Credit: Marek Dziekonski/courtesy of the Archdiocese of DetroitWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 19, 2024 / 12:30 pm (CNA).Pope Francis on Tuesday appointed Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Gerard Battersby to lead the Diocese of La Crosse in western Wisconsin after accepting the resignation of Bishop William Callahan.The pope's appointment was communicated to the U.S. bishops by the apostolic nuncio to the U.S., Cardinal Christophe Pierre.Erik Archer, a representative for the Diocese of La Crosse, told CNA that Battersby will be officially installed as bishop of the diocese on May 20 at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral. At 63 years old, Battersby will become the 11th bishop to lead the Diocese of La Crosse. He was born in Detroit and has been serving as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit since 2017. He issued a statement on Tuesday upon learning ...

Pope Francis on March 19, 2024, appointed Bishop Gerard Battersby to lead the Diocese of La Crosse in western Wisconsin. / Credit: Marek Dziekonski/courtesy of the Archdiocese of Detroit

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 19, 2024 / 12:30 pm (CNA).

Pope Francis on Tuesday appointed Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Gerard Battersby to lead the Diocese of La Crosse in western Wisconsin after accepting the resignation of Bishop William Callahan.

The pope's appointment was communicated to the U.S. bishops by the apostolic nuncio to the U.S., Cardinal Christophe Pierre.

Erik Archer, a representative for the Diocese of La Crosse, told CNA that Battersby will be officially installed as bishop of the diocese on May 20 at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral. 

At 63 years old, Battersby will become the 11th bishop to lead the Diocese of La Crosse. He was born in Detroit and has been serving as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit since 2017. He issued a statement on Tuesday upon learning of his appointment.

"It is with joy that I received the news that the Holy Father had named me the 11th bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse," Battersby wrote. "When I was baptized, ordained a priest, and consecrated a bishop, I received a call within a call, an invitation to follow. The Risen One has bid me to follow him to western Wisconsin, to the banks of the Mighty Mississippi. I leave with hope and anticipatory joy."

Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit congratulated Battersby, saying: "The gift of bishop Battersby's ministry now goes to the people of La Crosse. The priests, religious, and faithful of Detroit send him there with our heartfelt prayers of gratitude."

Battersby's predecessor, Callahan, is retiring at age 73 after serving the Diocese of La Crosse since 2010. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Callahan is retiring for health reasons.

Callahan was the first conventional Franciscan to be named a bishop in the United States. He led the diocese through some turbulent periods. In 2021 he decided to remove Father James Altman from ministry for disobedience and for proclaiming that "Catholics can't be Democrats." Altman later went on to release more controversial videos, one notably making statements understood by some as calling for the death of Pope Francis.

The retiring bishop released a statement obtained by CNA on Tuesday in which he expressed his gratitude for his time as bishop of La Crosse.

"In 2010, I was called by His Holiness, Pope Benedict, to become the 10th bishop of La Crosse and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with some of the best priests and deacons in the Church in this capacity," Callahan said in a statement. "Looking back, it is a great blessing and I simply say 'thank you' to all the wonderful people who have been part of my journey, especially the priests, deacons, religious, and holy women who have been so kind to me over these 14 years."

According to Callahan's statement, he will remain in La Crosse, continuing to serve the Church as a retired bishop.

"I look forward to continuing my service to Bishop Battersby and spiritual service to brother priests and deacons in La Crosse," he said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to remain in this wonderful community for as long as God allows, and I will cherish the memories and experiences I have had here."

The Diocese of La Crosse spans 19 counties in Wisconsin and consists of 156 parishes and 65 schools serving a population of 135,000 Catholic faithful.

Full Article

Pope Francis addresses the faithful at his Wednesday general audience on Feb. 28, 2024. / Credit: Vatican MediaRome Newsroom, Mar 19, 2024 / 13:30 pm (CNA).Pope Francis on Tuesday released his message for the 61st World Day of Prayer for Vocations, reflecting on the Christian pilgrimage as a synodal journey that is rooted in hope and aimed toward discovering God's love. The theme for the this year's World Day of Prayer for Vocations, "Called to Sow Seeds of Hope and to Build Peace," reflects the universal Christian call to "base our lives on the rock of Christ's resurrection, knowing that every effort made in the vocation that we have embraced and seek to live out will never be in vain," the pope said. This year the Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for Vocations on April 21."This ultimate calling is one that we must anticipate daily," the pope observed. "Even now our loving relationship with God and our brothers and sisters is beginning to bring about God's d...

Pope Francis addresses the faithful at his Wednesday general audience on Feb. 28, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Rome Newsroom, Mar 19, 2024 / 13:30 pm (CNA).

Pope Francis on Tuesday released his message for the 61st World Day of Prayer for Vocations, reflecting on the Christian pilgrimage as a synodal journey that is rooted in hope and aimed toward discovering God's love. 

The theme for the this year's World Day of Prayer for Vocations, "Called to Sow Seeds of Hope and to Build Peace," reflects the universal Christian call to "base our lives on the rock of Christ's resurrection, knowing that every effort made in the vocation that we have embraced and seek to live out will never be in vain," the pope said. 

This year the Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for Vocations on April 21.

"This ultimate calling is one that we must anticipate daily," the pope observed. "Even now our loving relationship with God and our brothers and sisters is beginning to bring about God's dream of unity, peace, and fraternity."

The pope noted that this process of discernment assumes a "synodal character," as the Church has a "polyphony of diverse charisms and vocations."

"Amid the variety of our charisms, we are called to listen to one another and to journey together in order to acknowledge them and to discern where the Spirit is leading us for the benefit of all," the pope observed.

Francis reinforced this observation by pointing to the theme of the 2025 Jubilee Year, "Pilgrims of Hope." 

"We can become for our world messengers and witnesses of Jesus' dream of a single human family, united in God's love and in the bond of charity, cooperation, and fraternity," the Holy Father said. 

For the pope, the pilgrimage is a journey that has a regenerative effect as man carries "only the essentials" while "striving daily to set aside all weariness, fear, uncertainty, and hesitation" in order to "discover the love of God."

"Being a pilgrim," Francis continued, "means setting out each day, beginning ever anew, rediscovering the enthusiasm and strength needed to pursue the various stages of a journey that, however tiring and difficult, always opens before our eyes new horizons and previously unknown vistas." 

But the pope also noted that this journey is a process of self-discovery, which is "nourished by our relationships with others."

"We are pilgrims because we have been called, called to love God and to love one another," he said. 

The Holy Father emphasized that this pilgrimage, or process, is "far from a pointless journey or aimless wandering" but is instead a process by which humans can work "toward a new world where people can live in peace, justice, and love." 

Francis also directed this call to today's youth — especially those who feel estranged or suspicious of the Church — with the pope encouraging them to bring Christ the "important questions." 

"Let him challenge you by his presence, which always provokes in us a healthy crisis. More than anyone else, Jesus respects our freedom. He does not impose but proposes. Make room for him and you will find the way to happiness by following him. And, should he ask it of you, by giving yourself completely to him."

Full Article

Father Jerome "Jerry" Kaywell, a Grammy award-winning musician, had been placed on leave amid claims of sexual misconduct before his accuser apologized and said the accusations were based on a "false memory." / Credit: Jerry Kaywell YouTube pageCNA Staff, Mar 19, 2024 / 14:30 pm (CNA).A Grammy award-winning Florida priest has been cleared of allegations of sexual misconduct after his accuser recanted his claims and said the accusations had been the product of a "false memory."In a letter obtained by CNA, Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice, Florida, last week told parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish in Punta Gorda there was "no evidence to support" the allegations that Father Jerome Kaywell had committed sexual misconduct in 2013 and 2014. Dewane had informed parishioners in January that the diocese had "received notification from a law firm of an allegation of sexual misconduct" regarding Kaywell. The incident "allegedly occurred in the winter...

Father Jerome "Jerry" Kaywell, a Grammy award-winning musician, had been placed on leave amid claims of sexual misconduct before his accuser apologized and said the accusations were based on a "false memory." / Credit: Jerry Kaywell YouTube page

CNA Staff, Mar 19, 2024 / 14:30 pm (CNA).

A Grammy award-winning Florida priest has been cleared of allegations of sexual misconduct after his accuser recanted his claims and said the accusations had been the product of a "false memory."

In a letter obtained by CNA, Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice, Florida, last week told parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish in Punta Gorda there was "no evidence to support" the allegations that Father Jerome Kaywell had committed sexual misconduct in 2013 and 2014. 

Dewane had informed parishioners in January that the diocese had "received notification from a law firm of an allegation of sexual misconduct" regarding Kaywell. The incident "allegedly occurred in the winter of 2013/2014," the bishop said at the time. The priest was placed on administrative leave after the allegations were leveled against him.

In his letter this month, Dewane told Sacred Heart Parish that shortly thereafter the alleged victim "withdrew his allegation," with the accuser writing an apology and declaring the alleged sexual misconduct was "a false memory."

The diocese continued to investigate the matter in accordance with diocesan policy, the bishop said. The diocesan review board subsequently met in March, "examined the investigatory report and all aspects of the matter," and "unanimously" concluded "that there was no evidence to support the allegation."

"The Diocesan Review Board recommended that Father Kaywell be returned to ministry," Dewane wrote. "I have accepted their recommendation and inform you that Father Kaywell has been returned to ministry, effective immediately." 

"Therefore, I consider the matter closed and the good name of Father Jerome Kaywell restored," the bishop said. 

Throughout the investigation, the bishop noted, Kaywell "maintained his innocence, stating that the allegation could not have happened."

As of Tuesday, the priest was once again listed on Sacred Heart's website as its pastor after having been removed during the investigation. 

Kaywell has been pastor of the Punta Gorda church since 2004. He attended both St. Francis University and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary.

He is known for having established a musical and advertising career before becoming a priest. In 1985 he recorded a Grammy-winning album, "Let My People Go," with the gospel group the Winans. He was ordained in 1991 and has released two more albums since then. 

Full Article

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Soundcloud

Public Inspection File | EEO

© 2015 - 2021 Spirit FM 90.5 - All Rights Reserved.