Catholic News

Representatives from the U.S. and African bishops' conferences convened in Washington, D.C., during a congressional hearing on Capitol Hill this week in a display of solidarity as religious freedom in Nigeria continues to come into sharper focus. 

Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of the Yola Diocese in northeast Nigeria concelebrated a Mass on Feb. 4 for solidarity between the bishops and faithful of the Catholic Church in the U.S. and Africa alongside Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, and Bishop David Malloy of Rockford, Illinois, who was the main celebrant.

"The Church in the United States and the Church in Africa are not two separate entities. They are two lungs of the same body, breathing the same spirit," Mamza said during his homily at the Mass, which took place at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. "When African bishops speak courageously about war, poverty, corruption, or threats to human dignity, their voices echo in American dioceses. When American bishops defend the sanctity of life, advocate for migrants, or confront the culture of individualism, their witness strengthens the Church in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Congo, and beyond." 

Mamza, who is the first vice president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) representing the English-speaking countries, told EWTN News English that he has been in Washington this week to mark the release of a joint Feb. 2 statement between SECAM and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offering guidance on how to strengthen solidarity among bishops and faithful of Africa and the U.S.

"The reason for this statement, in the first place, is not political, it is not economical," he said in the interview. "This statement is as people of the same faith, the same baptism, the same Church as Catholics."

"We know we have a lot of problems in Africa," he acknowledged, "and we need the support of the U.S. as a Church … It is a broad collaboration that we hope to have that will continue with the USCCB."

Zaidan also weighed in on the necessity of celebrating a Mass in solidarity with Africa, noting that while "the human side is important in the relationship" between the U.S. and Africa, "since we are a Church, God is God, and he deserves our best first."

The Mass, he said, "is a sign of unity" with the Church around the world, because in the Mass, "God brings us together."

"Asking for divine providence to the intercession of the Blessed Mary of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the United States, we wanted to place our faith, hope, and pledge our love also to the Mass as well," Zaidan added. "This is the reason [for] the solidarity Mass."

Reflecting on the day's reading from the Gospel of Mark, Mamza noted during his homily how Jesus "was amazed" at the "lack of faith" (Mk 6:6) from the people of Nazareth, his hometown. "Today, we proclaim this Gospel in a very particular context: a solidarity Mass uniting the bishops of Africa and the bishops of the United States of America," he said, describing the Gospel episode as "a mirror held up to the Church today."

Five bishops — including Zaidan, Mamza, Malloy, Washington Auxiliary Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, and Bishop Jerome Feudjio of the Virgin Islands — were present at the Mass, as well as nine priests.

Mamza warned that often "we can become accustomed to our own ways of worship, governance, theology, and pastoral practice that we fail to recognize the Spirit speaking through voices that sound different from our own."

The Catholic Churches in the U.S. and in Africa "come from different histories, cultures, and ecclesial experiences," he said, emphasizing Africa's vibrance and communal resilience in the face of poverty and persecution, and the U.S. Church's offerings in theological scholarship, institutional resources, and "long experience engaging pluralistic societies."

Yet, he said, "we are, in truth, co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord." Solidarity between the Church in the U.S. and Africa are not grounded in economics or politics, the bishop emphasized, but in faith.

"At the foot of the cross stood people from different places, different experiences, and different wounds — but under the cross, they became one. So too, under the cross, the bishops of the United States and Africa are called to stand together," he said, concluding: "Solidarity between the Catholic bishops of the United States and African bishops deepens faith, mission, justice, and unity within the Church. It strengthens both regions by promoting mutual respect, shared responsibility, and a common commitment to serving humanity in the light of the Gospel."

The Mass for solidarity came amid the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C., and the subsequent annual Capitol Hill Advocacy Day, which included a congressional hearing on religious freedom around the world that focused heavily on Nigeria.

The Feb. 4 Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing chaired by Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, included testimony from former Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, who described Nigeria as "the deadliest place to be a Christian." Brownback warned against the Nigerian government seeking help from countries like China, which he said has utilized "billions of dollars to suppress people of faith" and has freely shared its resources for oppression with other dictatorships.

Discussing U.S. policy on Nigeria under the Trump administration, Brownback emphasized the need for the reinstatement of foreign aid and called recent strikes on Nigeria "a mistake," saying the funds used to carry out the strike most likely exceeded the amount of aid that was previously distributed to interreligious aid organizations.

The former ambassador further stressed the need for country of particular concern (CPC) designations to come with more "bite," such as targeted sanctions, in order to be taken seriously by countries found guilty of religious freedom violations.

Smith expressed thanks to the Trump administration for redesignating Nigeria as a CPC but also stress that "we cannot take our eye off the ball."

"Christians in the Middle Belt are still being massacred," he said, noting "a culture of denial by Nigerian officials persists."

"More than ever before, vigorous U.S. leadership and diplomacy are needed to address religious freedom violations globally and end persecution of Christians and all other vulnerable religious groups," Smith said.

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Several Wisconsin residents have been named in a federal indictment related to an alleged multimillion-dollar fraud scheme involving a Catholic Charities group.

The indictment, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, accuses Brandi Ellis, Jason Flanders, Ramon Hernandez, and Jezlia Barajas of participating in an effort to defraud Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee over the course of several years.

Ellis was already the subject of a May 2025 lawsuit from the archdiocese that accused her of deploying credit card fraud and fake invoices to steal millions of dollars. That lawsuit is still playing out in court.

In the federal indictment, filed on Feb. 3, a grand jury accuses Ellis and the three others of participating in a broad effort to defraud the organization.

Flanders allegedly fraudulently issued checks to himself, while the indictment claims that Ellis issued checks to Barajas and Hernandez "under the false pretenses that [they] performed work" for the charity when they had not.

The alleged scheme partly involved converting fraudulent checks into cash, according to the grand jury. Some of the checks were issued to businesses in order to "conceal and disguise" the fraud.

The money allegedly stolen from the charity was transferred between Wisconsin "and other states," the indictment alleges.

In addition to fraud charges, the indictment alleges a scheme to lie to law enforcement and federal investigators regarding the payments.

The indictment, signed by U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel, identifies hundreds of thousands of dollars it said will be forfeited in the event of convictions.

In addition to suing its ex-accountant, the Catholic charity last year also sued the Madison, Wisconsin-based financial services firm Baker Tilly over allegedly failing to identify the fraudulent activity as part of auditing services it provided to the Catholic organization.

The accounting group "failed to recognize clearly fraudulent purchasing activity," the suit alleges, and further relied on "internal documents generated by … Brandi Ellis" rather than independently verified third-party data, the suit claimed.

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Pope Leo XIV on Thursday called on Christians to remove prejudices and "disarm" their hearts in order to strengthen bonds of unity in Christ and advance the cause of Christian communion.

The pope made the appeal while receiving priests and monks from the Oriental Orthodox Churches who are participating in a study visit to Rome organized by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.

Greeting representatives of the Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Malankara, and Syriac Orthodox Churches in the Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Leo said the historic and cultural differences among the churches form "a wonderful mosaic of our shared Christian heritage."

At the same time, he emphasized the need for a concrete commitment to communion, saying: "We should continue to support each other, so that we may grow in our shared faith in Christ, who is the ultimate source of our peace."

The pope recalled that the Church recently celebrated the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, whose theme was taken from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians. Citing the apostle's words, he noted the biblical foundation of Christian unity: "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling."

Reflecting on the missionary activity of St. Paul, Pope Leo said the apostle became aware of the particularities of each Christian community, including "their ethnicity, customs, as well as the challenges and concerns." At the same time, Paul recognized the risk that communities could become too inward-looking.

As a result, the pope said, St. Paul consistently reminded believers that they were part of "the one mystical body of Christ," encouraging them "to support one another and maintain the unity of faith and teachings that reflect the transcendent nature and oneness of God."

Pope Leo stressed that authentic ecumenical progress requires an inner conversion, invoking Patriarch Athenagoras of Constantinople, a pioneer of the ecumenical movement. Quoting his prayer, the pope said: "I am disarmed of the need to be right, to justify myself by judging others," by waging "the hardest war, the war against myself."

"When we remove the prejudices we carry within ourselves and disarm our hearts, we grow in charity, work more closely together, and strengthen our bonds of unity in Christ," the pope said.

He added that in this way, Christian unity becomes "a leaven for peace on earth and reconciliation of all."

Pope Leo also noted that the study visit had been mutually enriching, saying it had been "a blessing to all those who have met you here, enabling them to learn more about your churches."

Renewing his gratitude for the visit, the pope assured the participants of his prayers and invoked the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary upon them and their communities.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The president of the Right to Life group at the University of Notre Dame — who was adopted from China as a child — is speaking out against the appointment of an outspoken abortion advocate.

Anna Kelley, along with eight other club board members of Notre Dame Right to Life — a group with more than 700 members — in a Feb. 3 letter called on the university to rescind the appointment of Susan Ostermann.

Ostermann, currently an associate professor of global affairs at Notre Dame, was recently named director of the Keough School of Global Affairs' Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, which funds projects for justice in Asia. She has already faced criticism for her pro-abortion writing and previously served as a consultant for the Population Council, an agency centered on contraception, abortion access, and population control.

Citing Ostermann's published writings, the Right to Life board said in its letter that the professor has advocated for anti-life causes "in an inflammatory way."

"Within the context of 11 op-ed pieces, she has referred to laws respecting the sanctity of life as based in 'white supremacy' and 'racism,'" Kelley and the other students noted in the letter.

"Notre Dame cannot claim to maintain its Catholic identity while simultaneously promoting someone whose public advocacy is in such direct contradiction to the faith," the students said.

The students also criticized her affiliation with the Population Council, a group that supports contraception, abortion, and population control.

"Her work as a member of the Population Council, an organization that collaborated with the Chinese government to promote abortion, contraception, and the enforcement of the one-child policy, violates the dignity of human life," the students continued.

Kelley was born in China when the one-child policy was in effect. From 1980 to 2015, China restricted most families from having more than one child, sometimes by means of forced abortions, sterilizations, and high fines.

"As a Catholic adoptee from China, I take personal offense at this appointment," Kelley said. "I am so blessed to have escaped the fate that Professor Ostermann's work has inflicted on so many innocent Chinese lives."

"Because I have been given the gift of life, I am choosing to speak out with my own testimony to bring attention to the real-life consequences that her ideology promotes," Kelly continued.

Alejandra Ricardo, another Right to Life board member and a senior at the university, said the board is "concerned with this appointment because Professor Ostermann has publicly rejected the vital truth that every human being possesses inherent dignity and the right to life through her works."

"In her writings, she publicly advocates for policies that contradict the magisterial teaching of the Catholic Church as well as the institutional statement of our university," Ricardo told EWTN News. 

"Yet, though we signed our call to action as the executive board, our worry is grounded in our dedication to the mission of Our Lady's university," Ricardo continued. "As her students, we are committed to the pursuit of truth, and this pursuit is futile if we do not seek to promote and uphold the fundamental truth that human life is sacred at all stages, from conception to natural death."

Ostermann did not deny her abortion stance but told EWTN News that she holds "respect" for the university's mission.

"I am fully committed to maintaining an environment of academic freedom where a plurality of voices can flourish," Ostermann said in a statement shared with EWTN News. "I have long worked with scholars who hold diverse views on a multitude of issues, and I welcome the opportunity to continue doing so."

"While I hold my own convictions on complex social and legal issues, I want to be clear: My role is to support the diverse research of our scholars and students, not to advance a personal political agenda," she continued.

"This commitment to academic inquiry and mutual respect is deeply rooted in my appreciation for Notre Dame's identity as a global Catholic research university," Ostermann said. "I am inspired by the university's focus on integral human development, which calls us to promote the dignity and flourishing of every person. I respect Notre Dame's institutional position on the sanctity of life at every stage."

Father Bill Miscamble, a Holy Cross priest and Notre Dame professor emeritus of history, publicly opposed the appointment in a letter to the editor published Jan. 30 in The Observer.

In the letter, Miscamble questioned if Ostermann would be "prepared to retract her view that the pro-life movement is associated with white supremacy."

Concluding that she has not yet done so, Miscamble called her appointment "untenable."

"[T]he lack of judgment as well as the failure to uphold Notre Dame's Catholic mission demonstrated by those responsible for this disgraceful appointment must raise serious questions about their own suitability for the positions they presently occupy," Miscamble wrote.

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A new podcast titled "Catholics & Cappuccinos" is premiering on Feb. 5 on EWTN+, EWTN's brand-new streaming platform that brings high-quality Catholic content to audiences.

"Catholics & Cappuccinos" is hosted by Catholic actress and comedian Siobhan Fallon Hogan, known for her roles in "Forrest Gump," "Men in Black," and "Seinfeld." The podcast blends humor, celebrity interviews, and faith as Hogan explores how Catholicism has shaped the lives of her guests.

In the first episode, Hogan sits down with actor Jonathan Roumie, best known for his role portraying Jesus in "The Chosen." Other episodes will include conversations with Patricia Heaton, Kevin James, Federico Castelluccio, Sister of Life Mary Gabriel, Father Michael Duffy, and many more.

Hogan told EWTN News that after being asked by Peter Gagnon, president of EWTN Studios, if she'd be interested in doing a podcast, her husband gave her the idea to focus the podcast on interviewing other Catholics about their faith journeys.

"So, we have celebrities and religious and people that are Catholic come on and talk about their journeys as Catholics and how their faith has impacted their lives, their families, [and] their careers," Hogan told EWTN News in an interview.

Raised in a large Catholic, Irish-American family, Hogan has spoken openly about the role her faith plays in her personal and professional life and the joy it brings her, which is something she wanted to highlight in the podcast.

"I think there's so much joy in the Catholic Church and that's what I wanted to bring out," she said.

She added that her own faith was "impacted hugely" by sitting down to have these conversations.

"It's just really inspiring to see how people really make their faith the first priority … you learn from these people to step up your game," Hogan added.

The actress pointed out that having not only celebrities join her but also religious men and women as well provides the opportunity to "get brilliant theology, brilliant perspectives, from all types, and not only entertain, but like myself, I'm being educated by these people, and show the joy of Catholicism but also show that we all need to raise the bar."

Hogan hopes the listeners will feel "inspired and given hope and joy" after tuning in.

EWTN+ also recently launched "Seeking Beauty," a first-of-its-kind adventure documentary series hosted by David Henrie that explores culture, architecture, food, art, and music, and aims to point viewers to the beautiful — and ultimately to the divine.

"These new productions reflect a fresh, creative chapter for EWTN Studios," Gagnon said in a press release. "'Seeking Beauty' and 'Catholics & Cappuccinos' show how faith-based storytelling can be vibrant, entertaining, and deeply meaningful. We're excited to collaborate with talented artists who bring authenticity and heart to these projects."

EWTN+ is available for free on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Google TV. It can also be accessed through ewtn.com.

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For nearly four decades, Sister Miriam Francis Perlewitz has lived a quiet but extraordinary missionary life in Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation where Catholics represent a tiny minority.

An American missionary sister, Scripture scholar, and educator, she has shaped generations of Catholic priests while also transforming grassroots education for children of all faiths. Today, she stands as one of the last American nuns still serving in the country — and as her advanced age signals an imminent departure, her story emerges as a rare testimony to missionary perseverance, women's leadership, and faith lived from the margins.

Sister Miriam arrived in Bangladesh in 1985, initially to teach sacred Scripture part time at Holy Spirit Major Seminary in Dhaka. At the time, Bangladesh faced daunting challenges: widespread poverty, limited access to education, and pervasive illiteracy. The idea of a woman teaching future priests — let alone in South Asia — was uncommon and controversial.

Yet what she encountered immediately disarmed hesitation. "The friendliness and welcoming attitude of the students, as well as the questions I had about applying the message of Scripture in a Muslim environment, deeply touched me," she told EWTN News.

For several years, she divided her time between Maryknoll's major seminary and Bangladesh. When Maryknoll closed its school of theology in 1992, she made a decisive choice: She would remain full time in Bangladesh. That decision would shape the Church in the country in lasting ways.

Forming shepherds in a Muslim-majority nation

For more than two decades, Sister Miriam taught sacred Scripture at Holy Spirit Major Seminary, forming generations of priests — including men who would later become bishops and archbishops. Her presence itself was a quiet challenge to convention.

"First of all, the fact that I was a woman, involved in a ministry that was considered to be a man's field, was questioned," she recalled. Initially, some Church authorities hesitated. But the seminarians themselves defended her role. "When the students supported and spoke in my favor, the 'powers that be' decided to allow me to continue."

What followed was a deeply collaborative ministry. Sister Miriam describes her seminary years not simply as academic formation but as a shared spiritual journey. "We became 'one' in the endeavor," she said, united by the goal of passing on the Gospel — "the good news that God became man so that man may become one again with God." For her, the word "man" was always inclusive, embracing all humanity.

Her approach to teaching remained consistent across decades, even as Bangladeshi society changed. "I believe the answer is in every individual," she said. "The key to learning is to find out what lies hidden in the depths of each person." Creating a space where students could speak openly about hopes and desires, she believed, was essential for both faith and transformation.

A school of values and inclusion

Sister Miriam's missionary vision was never confined to the seminary classroom. In her early years, she balanced teaching Scripture with running sewing classes for women recovering from drug addiction. Witnessing their determination deeply influenced her educational philosophy.

"Seeing the desire of these afflicted souls to overcome their addiction gave me the incentive to motivate, encourage, and pass on the tools to achieve their hopes," she said.

This conviction later found fuller expression in the 1990s, when she co-created an innovative "Education for Life" curriculum with Sister Joan Cordis Westhues, MM. The program addressed self-esteem, anger management, communication, and personal responsibility — topics largely absent from traditional rote-based education.

"In the process of reform, one must begin with the 'self,' then 'others,' and finally 'the world,'" Sister Miriam explained. She piloted the lessons with students at St. Gregory's School in Dhaka. One young boy's reaction stayed with her. "He told me these lessons had changed his whole life," she said, smiling at the memory.

This vision ultimately took institutional form through BACHA English Medium School, an inclusive education initiative Sister Miriam co-founded to prioritize human values, critical thinking, and life skills over memorization. BACHA brings together Christian, Muslim, and Hindu children in the same classrooms — a quiet but powerful witness to interfaith harmony in a divided world.

As an English-medium school located in the heart of Dhaka, BACHA is also remarkably affordable. Khokan Gomes, father of a sixth-grade student, told EWTN News that tuition is "half that of other English medium schools" while maintaining high academic standards.

"Children quickly learn English from speaking to writing," he said. "This school is a blessing for people like me." He added that discipline and moral values are integral to the school's culture.

For former student Sifat Ahmad, a Muslim who studied at BACHA from nursery through O Levels, the impact was profound. "I not only got good results in exams," he said, "I also developed confidence, English-language skills, and leadership qualities." He credits the school with shaping him "into a global person, beyond just academic achievement."

Sister Miriam insists that interfaith harmony comes naturally among children. "This is a question that adults will ask," she said. "Children do not differentiate on the basis of religious background. They are friends and companions on the journey of life."

A legacy of quiet transformation

Now in advanced age, Sister Miriam is preparing to leave Bangladesh, closing a chapter that few will replicate. She is among the last American nuns serving in the country — a fact that underscores both her singular witness and the changing landscape of global mission.

Looking ahead, she said she hopes BACHA's legacy will be collective rather than individual. "One person cannot achieve what 20 persons can achieve," she said. Her message to students is simple but ambitious: Equipped with values and tools, they can together make Bangladesh "productive and a model for future generations."

Rooted in her religious congregation's charism to proclaim God's goodness and provident care, Sister Miriam carried that vision beyond U.S. borders. "I wanted to bring that knowledge of God to those who perhaps would never hear it," she said.

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The Archdiocese of New York is arguing in state court that its longtime insurer has secretly been "waging a shadow campaign" and posing as a victims' rights group in order to "undermine and weaken" the archdiocese amid an ongoing insurance dispute.

In a Jan. 31 legal filing at the New York State Supreme Court obtained by EWTN News, the archdiocese said that Chubb Insurance — which the archdiocese sued in 2024 over an alleged failure to pay out financial claims for sex abuse victims — has for several years been "secretly" posing as the "Church Accountability Project," allegedly encouraging abuse victims to "pursue claims against the [archdiocese]."

The archdiocesan filing said the insurer has secretly run the website in order to "elevate Chubb's own financial interests" and improve its leverage in the ongoing lawsuit.

As of Feb. 4 the "Church Accountability Project" website prominently displays the Chubb logo at the top of its page. But archives of the website from around a year ago make no mention of the site's alleged alignment with Chubb.

"The Archdiocese of New York tolerated and covered up horrific sexual abuse against children for decades," the older, un-branded version of the website states. The project said it was "committed to holding the Archdiocese of New York accountable." The current version of the website contains partly similar language.

A Chubb spokesman on Feb. 4 described the filing as "the latest desperate tactic to delay justice and distract from the decades of horrific child sexual abuse the Archdiocese of New York enabled and concealed."

"It's quite telling that the archdiocese is more outraged about the facts coming to light on a platform we created than they are about the abuses they condoned, concealed, and covered up," the statement said. "The archdiocese is delaying payment to deserving victims and failing to provide insurers needed information."

In 2024 amid the newly filed lawsuit against the insurer, New York archbishop Cardinal Timothy Dolan told the faithful that Chubb was "attempting to evade their legal and moral contractual obligation to settle covered claims which would bring peace and healing to victim-survivors."

The insurer in turn argued that the archdiocese "tolerated, concealed, and covered up rampant child sexual abuse for decades, and despite having substantial financial resources, they still refuse to compensate their victims."

In its Jan. 31 filing the archdiocese requested punitive damages against Chubb. It described the alleged "Church Accountability Project" maneuver as "wanton sabotage" and "just the latest in an example of the depths to which Chubb is willing to stoop."

The rebranded "accountability" website, meanwhile, alleges that the archdiocese "repeatedly refused to share crucial details regarding what they knew and when" regarding child abuse.

"The insurance purchased by the archdiocese is designed to cover accidents, not to compensate for deliberately concealing a pattern of abuse," the website says.

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The main opposition party in the Slovak Parliament, Progressive Slovakia, has questioned aspects of the Basic Agreement with the Holy See signed on Nov. 24, 2000.

The critique came shortly after the visit of Archbishop Paul Gallagher, secretary for relations with states of the Holy See, to the Central European country to mark the 25th anniversary of the accord.

According to the progressives, the state should not have a special contract with one church. They argue that the contract is costly financially and in terms of obligations — for instance, the teaching of religion in public schools is state-funded, but its contents are determined by the Catholic Church.

Other churches should be offered a similar option, progressive member of the Parliament Ondrej Prostredník proposed. Yet it would not be a solution, as "there are many different groups of believers" currently "excluded from this right to have, for example, such activities in public schools," continued the politician, who served as dean of the Evangelical Faculty of Theology (Lutheran) of Comenius University in Bratislava.

In response, the Slovak Bishops' Conference underscored that the accord "is not about privileges," as it ensures a legal framework and "clear rules for cooperation between the state and the Church."

In this way, the Catholic Church can "freely fulfill its mission in service to the common good of not only believers, but all citizens" in areas such as "education, social solidarity, health care, culture, protection of human dignity," the Slovak episcopate explained.

"A democratic state should not ignore the spiritual and religious dimension in society," the Catholic bishops stressed, adding that "stable and correct relations between institutions contribute to social cohesion and a culture of trust."

During his visit to Slovakia last weekend, Gallagher described Holy See–Slovakia relations as "very positive," also thanks to the agreement. He recalled that "some provisions still require further implementation and interpretation."

Mainly conscientious objection has not been applied, said Archbishop Cyril Vasil, eparch of the Greek Catholic Eparchy of Košice. The prelate warned about a "tendency in some countries to weaken this principle" when they propose "new claims as rights," which "creates moral and sometimes even labor-law pressure" on medical staff "to participate in procedures that are contrary to their moral convictions or professional ethics."

The 2000 Basic Agreement regulates various aspects of the Catholic Church's life and legal status in the Slovak Republic.

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"In talking to my pastors, it became crystal clear that there really is a crisis right now regarding mental health and emotional well-being, and in a special way for young people," Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, told EWTN News in an interview discussing a pastoral letter he issued recently.

"The scale and scope of this crisis are staggering," he said in the letter titled "The Divine Physician and a Christian Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing." Burbidge explained that he hopes "to offer encouragement and guidance, in light of the teachings of Christ and the Gospel, to all who wish to confront and overcome the modern world's challenges to mental health and well-being."

With depression now the leading cause of disability worldwide, and 1 in 5 American adults experiencing mental health challenges each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which the bishop cites in his letter, Burbidge told EWTN News that "there's a real pastoral need for mental health counseling, and my pastors told me they don't have the expertise" that many families need.

The importance of counselors with a Christian perspective

Many Catholic parents and couples seek out counseling, he said, but often the counseling "isn't coming from a Christian or Catholic understanding of the world, where persons are oriented to God and to authentic human relationships and the development of virtue."

Understanding the world through the lens of faith is "the crucial factor — even in circumstances where such faithfulness seems in the eyes of the wider world to be desperate, foolish, or even absurd. Faith and trust in God are shown to be the keys to everlasting health and well-being for humanity," Burbidge wrote in his letter.

Faith, he told EWTN News, "helps us to get a glimpse of heaven even now … If that's not a part of the counseling being provided, it won't bring about the healing we're seeking."

Regarding efforts in his diocese, the bishop told EWTN News he formed a mental health commission about a year ago, on which sit experts in psychology, theology, and mental health counseling.

He said with the commission's help, he hopes to soon issue an extensive list of counselors who have been vetted and recommended for the Catholic faithful in his diocese.

Father Charles Sikorsky, LC, the president of Divine Mercy University, a Catholic school that offers graduate degrees in psychology and clinical mental health and whose graduates work in various capacities in the Diocese of Arlington, told EWTN News that psychology cannot be addressed properly without a "a Christian view, a Catholic view of the person."

"We're incarnational beings," Sikorsky said, "so we need to address the human but also the spiritual dimension of the person, who needs to be treated in a holistic way."

"The word psyche comes from Greek and means soul," he continued," so psychology is the science of the soul, and Christ is the divine physician. Any way of looking at or treating people that doesn't include the entirety of the interior, spiritual life is not going to work. If you reduce a human person to just biology or experiences, it's not going to work."

Lack of community the 'culprit' in the crisis

In his letter, Burbidge named a lack of community as a culprit in the mental health crisis.

"We must be willing to connect with others. We are made for community and find purpose when given the chance to cultivate authentic relationships with others and practice virtues like compassion," he wrote.

"As people of faith, Christians have a particular responsibility to address the stigmas that prevent people from seeking help and to remove barriers that keep so many stuck in patterns of isolation and misery," he wrote.

Burbidge told EWTN News about community-building initiatives that leaders in his diocese have begun, especially since the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"People learned quickly from COVID that being isolated, not being part of a caring fellowship, was a detriment to their growth and affected mental health," he said.

He described an increase in new programs throughout the Diocese of Arlington such as Bible studies, lectures, and programs such as That Man is You, a Catholic men's leadership program.

Sikorsky also cited a lack of connection and loneliness that are particularly prevalent in a society rife with "marriage and family breakdown" and in which technology separates people.

"So many people are afraid to say they need help," he said. "If the Church is what it needs to be and should be, it will be a place to experience a sense of belonging to something higher, where people can come to be loved and to be understood."

'Suffering can be the cross' that leads us to holiness

The bishop said that in addition to being in communion with others, those suffering from mental health problems must also realize they are beloved children of God, and their "severe distress, depression, or whatever it is, does not define who you are."

"You're a child of God — that never changes," Burbidge said. "Don't identify yourself with that suffering."

"You don't necessarily need to run away from the suffering, however," he continued. "That could be the cross that can lead you to holiness. It doesn't have to completely disappear for you to be well. Maybe you can get help, and still live a healthy, balanced life living with the anxiety or whatever it is you're struggling with. If it causes a little suffering, it can be united to the Lord's, and you can see it as a path to holiness."

Sikorsky echoed the bishop, telling EWTN News: "Our dignity is rooted in being children of God. Your dignity is much more than your struggle or the difficulties that you've had."

Burbidge is the latest American Catholic bishop to draw attention to the widening mental health crisis in the United States. In 2025, ahead of World Mental Health Day in October, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) announced an addition to its ongoing National Catholic Mental Health Campaign.

"As pastors, we want to emphasize this point to anyone who is suffering from mental illness or facing mental health challenges: Nobody and nothing can alter or diminish your God-given dignity. You are a beloved child of God, a God of healing and hope," the U.S. bishops said at the time.

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The Vatican has published the schedule of liturgies that Pope Leo XIV will celebrate in February, March, and the beginning of April, a period that includes the start of Lent and the preparation for Holy Week and Easter.

According to the calendar published by the Office of Liturgical Celebrations, the pontiff will begin his pastoral visits to various churches in Rome on Feb. 15, when he will celebrate Mass at Holy Mary Queen of Peace Parish, located near the beach in Ostia Lido.

With this initiative, Leo XIV begins a tour of five parishes in Rome — one for each pastoral sector — to strengthen his connection with the diocese of which he is bishop.

Ash Wednesday

On Feb. 18, Ash Wednesday, the pope will preside over a penitential procession from St. Anselm Church followed by Mass with the blessing and imposition of ashes in St. Sabina Basilica on Aventine Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome. This tradition dates back to Pope Gregory the Great, shortly after the construction of the basilica in 422, thus marking the beginning of the Lenten season.

On Sunday, Feb. 22, Pope Leo XIV will visit Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in the Roman neighborhood of Castro Pretorio, near the Termini train station, where he will celebrate morning Mass. In the afternoon, the spiritual exercises for the Holy Father and the Roman Curia will begin, continuing until Feb. 27.

These meditations will take place in the Apostolic Palace, as confirmed by the Vatican. Under Pope Francis' pontificate, this practice changed and was moved to the House of the Divine Master, a secluded and quiet convent located in the town of Ariccia about 28 miles from Rome.

Previously, these reflections took place in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel, a space that allowed numerous prelates to attend and made it easy for the pope and his secretaries to follow the meditations from a side area next to the altar.

The Vatican has not specified whether the spiritual exercises will take place in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel or in the Pauline Chapel, dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul, which was conceived as a small palace chapel in contrast to the Sistine Chapel and has historically been linked to the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament and the pope's private prayer.

The latter is not usually open to the public and, during the conclave, it was the starting point for the procession of the cardinal electors to the Sistine Chapel. It was also the place where Leo XIV stopped to pray just after being elected successor of Peter.

Pastoral visits to various churches in Rome

During the month of March, the pope will continue his pastoral visits to parishes in Rome, visiting Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ Parish on March 1, where he will celebrate Mass in the afternoon. The following week, on March 8, he will visit Holy Mary of the Presentation Parish to celebrate a 5 p.m. Mass. Finally, on March 15, Leo XIV will visit Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Ponte Mammolo, celebrating Mass there as well.

Holy Week

His schedule of commitments for Holy Week, one of the busiest periods for the pontiff, will begin with the celebration of Palm Sunday in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in the morning, commemorating Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

On Holy Thursday, April 2, Leo XIV will celebrate the chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at 9:30 a.m. local time in the presence of all the priests of Rome.

In the afternoon, the pontiff will go to St. John Lateran Basilica, the cathedral of the bishop of Rome, to celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper.

Leo XIV thus revives this historical tradition after Pope Francis had chosen for 12 years to celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper in other places marked by suffering, such as prisons or immigrant centers.

The following day, Good Friday, the pontiff will preside over the service for the Lord's Passion in St. Peter's Basilica at 5 p.m. local time, and in the evening at 9:15 p.m., he will lead the traditional 14 Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum that commemorate Jesus' passion, from his being condemned death to his burial, in one of the most widely followed ceremonies by the faithful in Rome.

This tradition also commemorates the persecution suffered by the early Christians under the Roman Empire and is usually led from a platform set up in the open air on Palatine Hill.

On Holy Saturday, April 4, the pope will celebrate the Easter Vigil, which will take place in the atrium of St. Peter's Basilica with the brief ceremony of the lighting of the fire and blessing of the paschal candle. In previous years, Pope Francis usually baptized and gave first Communion to a group of adults, although whether Pope Leo will do the same has not yet been confirmed by the Vatican.

The pontiff's Holy Week will conclude on Easter Sunday, April 5, with the celebration of Mass in St. Peter's Square followed by the lengthy Easter discourse and the urbi et orbi ("to the city and the world") blessing from the central balcony of the basilica, praying for peace in the world.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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