Catholic News

The Diocese of Charlotte has found that a priest did not violate any of its conduct policies during confessions with teens at Charlotte Catholic High School in North Carolina last December.

Multiple families whose teens attend the school had complained that a priest stepped over the line into "inappropriate" talk during confession, but in a statement to EWTN News, the diocese said it "looked into complaints raised about conversations that occurred during confession at Charlotte Catholic High School last December" and did not identify any "violations of our conduct policies" in the priest's behavior.

The families, who wished to remain anonymous to protect their daughters, said that during the sacrament of reconciliation, a priest asked the young women "unexpected and personal questions," according to a report by WCNC Charlotte.

One father said the priest, who has not been identified, asked his daughter about sexual sins.

According to the young woman's mother, the question was unrelated to the sins she was confessing at the time. "'Mom, I was telling him about missing Mass and lying to you and fighting with my brother … and we were not talking about anything sexual at all and he just asked me that,'" the mother said.

Another mother reported that the priest asked her daughter "if she's ever had a sexual relationship with a boy."

Those two families and others said they informed the school as well as the Diocese of Charlotte of their concerns.

In its statement, the diocese said it has communicated about the matter "with all involved at the time and has addressed the issue with all priests of the diocese, reiterating the need for pastoral sensitivity in celebrating the sacrament."

According to the Diocese of Charlotte, Bishop Michael Martin also responded by letter to the families, who told WCNC they received similar responses.

"I am sorry that your daughter had a conversation in confession that made her feel uncomfortable," Martin reportedly said in his letter.

He said priests sometimes ask clarifying questions during confession or lead a penitent who has not properly examined his or her conscience.

The Catholic Church teaches that the faithful should examine their consciences regularly, but especially prior to the sacrament of reconciliation in order to make a good confession.

"Penitents frequently come to the sacrament having engaged in a limited examination of conscience," Martin continued, saying a priest might "raise common age-appropriate struggles with sin … to jog his or her memory or give them the benefit of having only to say 'yes' or 'no' so they do not have to describe the sin in too much detail."

He reminded the families that priests are prohibited from breaking what is known as the "sacramental seal," or discussing what they hear in confession.

Charlotte Catholic High School did not respond to EWTN News in time for publication.

Several of the parents who raised the issue expressed dissatisfaction with the bishop's response, however, with one parent saying she felt her concerns were "dismissed."

"The whole letter felt like we were being gaslighted," another mother told the local news outlet. "We understand what is appropriate and inappropriate."

Nevertheless, one of the mothers said "I'm still a faithful Catholic. I just want this to be about doing the right thing."

The diocese's statement continued: "Confession is a sacrament meant to address sins so a priest can offer a penitent absolution and guidance. A variety of topics come up during confession, and according to Church norms, a priest may ask clarifying questions and, if necessary, assists the penitent to make a complete confession."

"Confession is a sacrament Catholics learn about at home and at their church, through required sacramental preparation classes. Confession is offered on a voluntary basis at our schools, and as Catholics, students are encouraged but not required to participate at school," the statement concluded.

Priests' perspective

A priest who serves as a chaplain to middle and high school students told EWTN News that he knows of only one case personally where a penitent was "scandalized that the priest was asking for clarifying information," which he acknowledged priests sometimes do to help the penitent make a "good confession."

"People are sensitive about topics like that right now," said the priest, who wished to remain anonymous. "Even with completely innocent intentions, things can play out really badly. We're in the 'Me Too' season, we're in the 'priests are pedophiles' time of history."

The priest told EWTN News that he does not "regularly lead [penitents] in examination of conscience" during confession. He added: "I don't know of a single priest that does."

In addition, the priest noted that there "is a beauty of the seal of confession," he said, but because of it, a priest accused of wrongdoing "is helpless, not that he's necessarily innocent, but his ability to defend himself is really limited."

Another priest and former high school chaplain who also wished to remain anonymous told EWTN News that it is possible there was a misunderstanding, because young people, "especially teen girls, are often embarrassed to speak of sins of a sexual nature and are sometimes not clear during confession, requiring the priest to ask clarifying questions."

"But the priest should not bring up questions unrelated to the sins the penitent is confessing, and then, they should be clarifying questions only to help him or her make a better confession," he said.

Full Article

LUANDA, Angola — Pope Leo XIV on Monday thanked the Catholic Church in Angola for its long-standing witness in a nation still marked by the wounds of war, praising its efforts to help build the country on "the solid foundations of reconciliation and peace."

"Thank you also for your steadfast commitment to contribute to the progress of this nation on the solid foundations of reconciliation and peace," the pope said April 20 during a meeting with bishops, priests, consecrated men and women, catechists, and other pastoral workers at the Parish of Our Lady of Fátima in Luanda.

The parish, dedicated to Our Lady of Fátima and built by Capuchin Franciscans in 1963, welcomed the pope with a festive reception. Two children greeted him at the entrance with flowers, while young women in red skirts danced on the church square as they awaited his arrival.

The stop was one of the pope's final public events in Angola before his departure Tuesday for Equatorial Guinea, the last leg of his African journey.

Leo thanked the Church in Angola for its vitality and missionary spirit, telling clergy and religious that the Lord sees the generosity with which they have embraced their vocation.

"It is therefore worth opening your hearts completely to Christ!" he said. "Do not be afraid to say 'yes' to Christ, to model your lives entirely on his! Do not be afraid of tomorrow, for you belong completely to the Lord."

Addressing seminarians and those in formation in particular, the pope emphasized the total gift of self to God in priestly and religious life.

"It is worth following him in obedience, poverty, and celibacy. He takes nothing away! The only thing he takes from us and takes upon himself is sin. Yes, from him you receive everything," he said.

The pope also highlighted the importance of catechists, calling their ministry a foundational expression of ecclesial life in Africa.

"Particularly in Africa, it is a fundamental expression of the life of the Church, which can serve as an inspiration for Catholic communities throughout the world," he said.

Fifty years after Angola's independence, Leo reflected on the country's future and on the Christian duty to help shape it.

"All Angolans, without exception, have the right to build up this country and to benefit from it equitably; however, the Lord's disciples have the duty to do so according to the law of charity," he said.

The pope framed that responsibility above all as a call to fidelity to Christ. Referring to the Angolan bishops' current three-year pastoral plan, "Faithful Disciples, Joyful Disciples," he said the first path the Lord opens before the Church is fidelity.

"The first path is fidelity to Christ," he said, urging ongoing formation, vigilance in personal integrity, and perseverance "in proclaiming the good news of peace."

Leo said formation must be rooted not only in study and pastoral structures but also in a contemplative life nourished by prayer, adoration, and the broader cultivation of the human person.

"Formation is much broader," he said. "It concerns the unity of our inner life, care for ourselves and for the gift of God we have received … by drawing on literature, music, sports, the arts in general, and above all, prayer of adoration and contemplation."

He also encouraged clergy and religious to remain close to the people, especially the poor, and to reject privilege, arrogance, and self-centeredness.

"Do not detach yourselves from the people, especially the poor, and shun the pursuit of privileges," he said.

The pope gave special thanks to families, calling them indispensable in nurturing vocations and asking relatives to support priests and religious with prayer and honest counsel rather than seeking personal advantage from their ecclesial service.

After winning independence in 1975, Angola was plunged into a civil war that lasted until 2002. The long conflict left enduring scars, making the Church's message of reconciliation and peace especially resonant today.

Turning to Angola's history of conflict, Leo said the Church's fidelity today is especially tied to the proclamation of peace.

"In the past, you have shown courage in denouncing the scourge of war," he said. "Your contribution is widely recognized and appreciated. But this responsibility is not over!"

He urged the Church to promote a renewed sense of reconciliation by educating people in the ways of peace and by honoring those who have learned to forgive after enduring suffering.

"It is therefore essential that, while interpreting current events with wisdom, you never cease to denounce injustices, offering solutions in accordance with Christian charity," he said.

Leo also called on the Church to continue cooperating in the country's "integral development," especially through education and health care.

"Continue to be a generous Church, cooperating in the integral development of your country," he said.

He concluded by pointing to the witness of those who gave their lives for Angola and for the Gospel.

"Remember the heroic witness of faith given by Angolans — men and women, missionaries born here or coming from abroad — who had the courage to give their lives for this people and for the Gospel, preferring death to betraying the justice, truth, mercy, charity, and peace of Christ," he said.

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

Full Article

An Israeli soldier destroyed a statue of Jesus Christ's crucifixion in a Catholic village in southern Lebanon, which prompted a criminal investigation by Israel and condemnations by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Catholic leaders.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on April 19 confirmed the authenticity of a photo on social media showing one of its soldiers using a sledgehammer to strike the face of Christ on the statue in the village of Debel, which is more than 95% Catholic and more than 99% Christian.

The photo shows that the statue was already damaged before the photo was taken, with Christ's body hanging upside down off of the cross, with only his feet connected to the wood. Photos do not show how the initial damage occurred prior to the soldier using the sledgehammer.

After confirming the authenticity of the photo, the IDF announced an investigation into the matter on its official X account. The IDF promised "appropriate measures will be taken against those involved in accordance with the findings" and that the IDF is helping the community restore the statue.

"The IDF is operating to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure established by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols," the statement read.

Netanyahu said in a post on X he was "stunned and saddened" by the actions, and "I condemn the act in the strongest terms." He promised a criminal investigation and said military authorities "will take appropriately harsh disciplinary action against the offender."

"We express regret for the incident and for any hurt this has caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world," Netanyahu added.

Tweet

Catholic leaders condemn act

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, condemned the destruction of the statue as "a grave affront to the Christian faith" in a statement issued through the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land, of which he is the president.

He said the assembly "expresses its profound indignation and unreserved condemnation of the desecration of a representation of Jesus crucified by an Israeli soldier in a Lebanese village" and warned the action "adds to other reported incidents of desecration of Christian symbols by IDF soldiers in southern Lebanon."

"It further reveals a disturbing failure in moral and human formation, wherein even the most elementary reverence for the sacred and for the dignity of others has been gravely compromised," Pizzaballa said.

The assembly called for "immediate and decisive disciplinary action, a credible process of accountability, and clear assurances that such conduct will neither be tolerated nor repeated."

Pizzaballa said that even amid the destruction of the statue, "the cross remains unassailable in its meaning."

"As St. Paul the Apostle declares, 'far be it from me to glory except in the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ' (Gal 6:14)," the statement read. "For believers, the cross endures as a source of dignity, hope, and redemption, and as a summons to overcome violence through sacrificial love."

Pizzaballa said "it is precisely in this light that the Church continues to proclaim that true peace cannot be born of violence" and quoted Pope Leo XIV, who cited the words of Christ in Matthew 26:52, that true peace must remain "unarmed… a peace that calls to 'put [the] sword back into its sheath.'"

"For this reason, the assembly renews, with urgency, its call to bring to an end the war that has tormented this region for far too long, and to embrace a path where peace is witnessed in restraint, dialogue, responsibility, and reverence for the sacred and for every human life," Pizzaballa concluded.

Catholic villages in the south

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a 10-day ceasefire on April 16, but the IDF remains stationed throughout much of the land south of the Litani River, which includes the Catholic villages of Debel, Rmeish, and Ain Ebel.

Most people in southern Lebanon are Shia Muslim, but the region includes Sunni villages and Christian villages and religiously mixed villages.

More than 1 million people fled their homes, but about 150,000 people — including Catholics — stayed in southern Lebanon despite Israeli evacuation orders over fears they may not have been allowed back if they left. Some people have returned to their homes during the ceasefire.

Catholic organizations have provided shelter and aid to those displaced and those who remain in the south throughout the war. Less than two weeks ago, a Vatican humanitarian convoy was caught in the crossfire between Israeli and Hezbollah forces.

Early in the war, a Catholic priest named Father Pierre al-Rahi was killed in Israeli strikes. The Lebanon Ministry of Health has confirmed at least 2,294 deaths during the conflict.

Full Article

SAURIMO, Angola — Pope Leo XIV warned at Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on Monday of making God into an idol that is sought only when advantageous — "when genuine faith is replaced with superstitious practices."

"There are erroneous motives for seeking Christ, particularly when he is considered to be a guru or a good luck charm," the pope said on April 20, referring to how the crowds in the Gospel reading reacted after Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and the fishes.

"They were not seeking a teacher whom they love but a leader to applaud for their own advantage," he said.

Joyful faith in Saurimo

From the start of his arrival in Sub-Saharan Africa — first in Cameroon and then in Angola — Pope Leo has been welcomed by the warmth of the faithful. In Saurimo, a city in northeastern Angola, the atmosphere greeting the pope on Monday was marked by joyful faith. Everyone welcomed the successor of Peter with songs, dances, and applause.

Despite the intense heat, upon reaching the esplanade before Mass, Leo XIV greeted the roughly 60,000 faithful of all ages — who had come from across the region and neighboring dioceses — by making a circuit in the popemobile.

"This is the first time a pope has gone beyond Angola's coastal belt and come — using Pope Francis' language — to the peripheries," the director of the communications office of the Archdiocese of Saurimo said. "This is a region rich in diamonds, but there is also great poverty, and he comes here to show our reality. For us, having the Holy Father in our region is a great joy."

"This is a unique and unforgettable moment in my life and in the lives of the many pilgrims here today," Filomena Vunda, who works in the pastoral secretariat of the Archdiocese of Malanje, told ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, at the Mass.

Vunda encouraged non-Catholics in Angola to "keep in mind our African word 'Ubuntu': The happiness of others depends on me; my happiness depends solely on the happiness of others."

Ubuntu is an African philosophy about human interconnectedness. It can be translated as "I am because we are."

'Disciples of Christ'

In his homily at Mass, concelebrated by Angolan bishops, Pope Leo said: "In every part of the world, the Church lives as a people who walk as disciples of Christ, our brother and redeemer."

"He, the Risen One, illumines for us the path to the Father and with the strength of the Spirit he sanctifies us so that we may transform our way of life in conformity with his love," the pope said. "This is the good news, the Gospel that courses through our veins like blood, sustaining us on the journey. A journey that has brought me here with you today!"

Commenting on the Gospel of the day, Leo reflected: "Indeed, when the Son of God became man, he performed striking miracles in order to manifest the will of the Father: He made light shine in the darkness by giving sight to the blind, he gave a voice to the oppressed by loosening the tongues of the mute, he slaked our thirst for justice by multiplying bread for the poor and weak. Anyone who heard about these works set out in search of Jesus. At the same time, the Lord looks into our heart and asks us whether we seek him out of gratitude or for our own self-interest, with calculation or with love."

"The Lord himself says," the pope continued, "'you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves' (Jn 6:26). His words reveal the designs of those who do not want to encounter a person but want to consume things. The crowd sees Jesus as means to an end, a provider of services. If he had not given them something to eat, his actions and teachings would not have interested them."

"This happens," Leo XIV explained, "when genuine faith is replaced with superstitious practices, in which God becomes an idol that is sought only when it is advantageous to us and only for as long as it is. Even the most beautiful gifts of the Lord, which are always for the care of his people, become a pretext, a prize or a bargaining chip, and are misinterpreted by those who receive them."

"How different is Jesus' attitude toward us," the pontiff continued. "Yet, he does not reject this insincere search, but encourages its conversion ... Christ calls us to freedom: He does not want servants or clients, rather he seeks brothers and sisters to whom he can totally dedicate himself."

"Therefore," Leo XIV said, "the admonition that the Lord directs to the crowd is transformed into an invitation: 'Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life' (Jn 6:27)."

"His gift sheds light on our current situation," the pope went on. "We can see today how the hope of many people is frustrated by violence, exploited by the powerful, and defrauded by the rich. Consequently, when injustice corrupts hearts, the bread of all becomes the possession of a few."

"In the face of these evils, Christ hears the cry of the people and renews our history by lifting us up from every fall, comforting us in every suffering, and encouraging us in our mission," he said.

"All this," the pope exhorted, "means that, in light of our discipleship, the ecclesial journey is a 'synod of resurrection and hope,' as St. John Paul II affirmed in his apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Africa. Let us proceed in this wise direction! Christ himself guides and strengthens our journey, a journey that we want to learn to live more and more as it should be, that is, in a synodal manner."

The pope concluded by recalling the importance of the martyrs and saints, whose witness "encourages us and pushes us onto a path of hope, reconciliation, and peace, along which the gift of God becomes the responsibility of the head of the household, in the Christian community, in civil society."

"The vitality of the vocations that you experience [in Angola]," he said, "is a sign that you are responding to the Lord's gift, which is always abundant for those who welcome it with pure hearts."

ACI Africa reporter Raúl Kangombe Sapiti contributed to this report.

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

Full Article

SAURIMO, Angola — Pope Leo XIV flew to Saurimo, Angola, on Monday, where he visited a home for the elderly, whom he said have a wisdom that should be listened to.

The pope began his brief greeting by thanking those present for the faith-filled welcome, saying it "touched my heart" and "is a great comfort to me as I carry out my mission."

"It struck me to learn that you call this place 'lar,' which means 'home,'" he said. "I thank God for this, and I hope that all of you are truly able to live here in a family atmosphere as much as possible."

"Jesus loved to be at the home of his friends," he recalled. "I would like to think that Jesus also lives here, in this home. Yes, he dwells among you whenever you try to love one another and help one another as brothers and sisters."

"When you forgive each other and seek reconciliation after a misunderstanding or a small offense, he is here among you. When all of you, or even some of you, pray together with simplicity and humility, he is here among you," the pope said.

"The care of the weakest," he concluded, "is a very important sign of the quality of the social life of a nation. Let us not forget that the elderly are not only in need of assistance, but first and foremost need to be listened to, because they preserve the wisdom of a people."

After concluding his visit to the nursing home, the pope will go to the open esplanade in Saurimo for the celebration of Mass. Saurimo, erected as a diocese by Pope Paul VI in 1975, was later elevated to the rank of archdiocese by Pope Benedict XVI, two years after his apostolic journey to Angola in March 2009.

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

Full Article

Mother Angelica was a Poor Clare nun and the dynamic foundress of EWTN, whose bold faith and candid teaching style brought millions closer to Christ through her television ministry. Born on April 20, 1923, she would have turned 103 years old this year.

In honor of her birthday, here are 10 quotes from Mother Angelica about the love of Jesus and the beauty and challenge of living a life of faith:

1. "Faith is often most alive when everything feels dark. That is when you choose to believe that God is there, even when you cannot see him or feel him. That kind of faith pleases God the most — because it is pure trust."
2. "Holiness is not for wimps and the cross is not negotiable, sweetheart — it's a requirement."
3. "Jesus asks me to go to him when I am overburdened. He did not promise to take away those burdens, for I must carry mine as he carried his."
4. "Every Christian who strives for holiness of life experiences dryness of soul. It is to most people a heartrending experience. It is a paradox, for the soul becomes confused when it realizes the harder it strives the further away Jesus seems to be."
5. "The heart of Jesus is compassionate and understanding. It has felt the sting of ingratitude, and when my heart suffers from that same offense, I can turn to him, and he understands my feelings."
6. "Jesus feels my sorrow greater than I, for his love is infinite, and he suffers in an infinite way."
7. "Sometimes my worst day — one filled with pain and suffering — in the eyes of God, is my best day if I've born it cheerfully and I've born it with love."
8. "Faith is what gets you started. Hope is what keeps you going. Love is what brings you to the end."
9. "Faith is one foot on the ground, one foot in the air, and a queasy feeling in the stomach."
10. "You see, God expects his people to do the ridiculous so he can do the miraculous."

Full Article

Pope Leo XIV continued his apostolic journey in Africa on April 19 in Angola, celebrating Mass in Kilamba before leading the rosary in a gathering at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima.

Addressing young people, members of the Legion of Mary, and other pilgrims gathered at the shrine, the pope said he was "pleased to share this moment of Marian prayer" with them.

Here are some of the highlights of Pope Leo's activities on Sunday:

Full Article

KIMBAXE, Angola — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged young people in Angola to help build "a better, welcoming world, where there is no more war, injustice, poverty, or dishonesty," during a rosary gathering at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima.

The shrine, whose name means "Mother of the Heart" in Kimbundu, is one of Angola's best-known Marian sanctuaries. Built by the Portuguese in the 17th century on a hill overlooking the Kwanza River, it has long been a place of pilgrimage and prayer for Angolan Catholics.

Addressing young people, members of the Legion of Mary, and other pilgrims gathered at the shrine, the pope said he was "pleased to share this moment of Marian prayer" with them.

"Together we have recited the holy rosary, an ancient and simple devotion that originated in the Church as a form of prayer for everyone," Leo said.

Quoting St. John Paul II, the pope described the rosary as the prayer of a Christianity that has preserved the "freshness of its beginnings and feels drawn by the Spirit of God to 'set out into the deep' ... to proclaim, and even cry out, before the world that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior."

Leo said that in the "living and young Church of Angola," one can "truly feel the freshness of faith and the power of the Spirit."

He reflected on the history of the shrine, saying it has been a place where "for centuries, many men and women have prayed in times of joy and also in moments of sorrow and great suffering in the history of this country."

"For a long time now, Mama Muxima has quietly worked to keep the heart of the Church alive and beating," he said. "Her heart contains a multitude of hearts: yours, and those of many people who love, pray, celebrate, weep, and sometimes — even when unable to come in person — entrust their requests and petitions to letters and postal messages."

"Mama Muxima welcomes everyone, listens to everyone, and prays for everyone," he added.

Meditating on the glorious mysteries, the pope said the faithful were contemplating both their destiny in Christ and their mission in his love.

"At Easter, Christ conquered death, showing us the way back to the Father," Leo said. "And so that we too may walk this luminous and demanding path, sharing its beauty with the whole world, he has given us his Spirit, who animates and sustains us on our journey and in our mission."

"Like Mary, we too are made for heaven," he continued. "As we journey toward heaven with joy, we look to her as our good Mother and model of holiness. Following her example, we bring the light of the risen One to the brothers and sisters we meet."

The pope also reflected on the popular title of the shrine, saying that although it is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, the faithful have spontaneously renamed it the shrine of the "Mother of the Heart."

"It is a beautiful title, which makes us reflect on the heart of Mary: a pure and wise heart, capable of treasuring and pondering the extraordinary events in the life of the Son of God," he said.

Leo said praying the rosary means taking on a concrete responsibility toward others.

"Praying the rosary, then, commits us to loving every person with a mother's heart — concretely and generously — and to dedicating ourselves to the good of one another, especially the poorest," he said.

"A mother loves all her children in the same way and with her whole heart, even though each one is different," the pope continued. "In the presence of the Mother of the Heart, we too want to promise to do likewise."

"We strive without measure so that no one may lack love," he said. "We also seek to provide the necessities for living with dignity and happiness: that the hungry may have enough to eat, that the sick may receive the necessary care, that children may be guaranteed a proper education, and that the elderly may live their later years in peace."

"A mother thinks of all these things. Indeed, Mary thinks of all these things, and she also invites us to share in her maternal concern," he added.

Turning again to the young people gathered at the shrine, Leo pointed to the construction of a new sanctuary there as a sign of a larger calling.

"Dear young people, members of the Legion of Mary, brothers and sisters, Our Lady asks us to let ourselves be moved by the sentiments of her heart, so that like her, we may be workers for justice and bearers of peace," he said.

"Here, a great project is underway: the construction of a new shrine, able to welcome all who come on pilgrimage. Everyone — especially you young people — should take this as a sign," the pope said.

"For the Mother of Heaven entrusts a great project to you as well: to build a better, welcoming world, where there is no more war, injustice, poverty or dishonesty, and where the principles of the Gospel increasingly inspire and shape hearts, structures, and programs, for the good of all."

"It is love that must triumph, not war!" Leo said. "This is what the heart of Mary — the heart of the Mother of all — teaches us."

"Let us set out, then, from this shrine as 'messenger angels' of life, bringing Mary's tender embrace and God's blessing to everyone," he said.

At the end of his address, the pope invoked a hymn familiar to devotees of Mama Muxima: "Mother of the Heart, we come to you to offer you everything."

"Dearest friends, let us offer everything to Mary, giving ourselves entirely to our brothers and sisters, and let us joyfully receive, through her intercession, the Lord's blessing, so that we may bring it to everyone we meet," he said. "Amen."

In his greeting, Bishop Emilio Sumbelelo of Viana highlighted the importance of devotion to Mama Muxima in Angola and noted that in 2022 the cornerstone of a future basilica was laid by the president of the republic and blessed by the late Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento. The basilica will be dedicated to Our Lady of the Conception of Muxima, fulfilling a promise made by the Angolan government to the Catholic Church during St. John Paul II's 1992 visit to the country.

For many Angolans, the shrine remains a powerful symbol of faith, national memory, and hope.

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

Full Article

According to the World Health Organization, about 1 in 6 people globally experience infertility in their lifetime. In the United States, 1 in 8 couples deal with infertility.

This year, National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) runs from April 19–25. Established in 1989 by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, NIAW is an annual initiative held each April that raises public awareness, promotes policy change — especially regarding insurance coverage — and fosters open conversations to support those struggling to build their families.

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association was founded in 1974 as a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and couples facing infertility through education, advocacy, and community support.

The Catholic Church offers couples struggling with infertility a wide range of resources that aim to address the root of the issue in a holistic manner and in a way that aligns with Church teaching.

Here are four Catholic ministries that work with couples carrying the cross of infertility:

Springs in the Desert

Springs in the Desert is a Catholic infertility ministry founded in 2019 by Kimberly Henkel and Ann Koshute after they recognized how isolating infertility can be and how little pastoral support existed within the Church.

The ministry exists to accompany women and couples spiritually and emotionally, helping them encounter God's love and discover a broader understanding of fruitfulness beyond biological parenthood.

Rooted deeply in Catholic teaching on marriage, human dignity, and reproductive ethics, it also works to educate clergy and lay leaders about the unique grief and needs associated with infertility.

The ministry offers a wide range of resources, including retreats, small groups, blog reflections, a podcast, and virtual and in-person events designed to foster community and healing.

For this year's National Infertility Awareness Week, Springs in the Desert has partnered with Ascension to launch two free spiritual resources designed specifically for couples experiencing this hardship. They are a 15-part "Scripture and Saints" audio series featuring biblical figures such as Sarah and Abraham, Ruth and Naomi, Hannah and Elkanah, St. Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah, the woman with the hemorrhage, and St. Paul who connect the listener to the lived experience of infertility, and a novena inviting couples to pray with titles of Our Lady such as Our Lady of Sorrows and Queen of Families in order to invoke the Blessed Mother during times of grief and loss.

Both resources will be available beginning April 19 in the Ascension app.

The Fruitful Hollow

The Fruitful Hollow is an online Catholic infertility ministry founded in 2021 by Lauren Allen after her own experience of infertility inspired her to create a space rooted in Church teaching and authentic support.

The ministry focuses on helping women and couples live out their vocation with purpose during infertility, emphasizing that fruitfulness is not limited to having children but can be lived out in many spiritual and relational ways. It aims to address the lack of conversation and resources within Catholic circles and to guide people toward holiness in the midst of suffering.

The ministry provides weekly blog reflections, a mentorship program titled "Sisters of Hannah," and a wide range of downloadable resources that address grief, medical decisions, marriage, and spiritual growth. It also offers tools for prayer, education on ethical fertility treatments, and even a memorial space for those who have experienced loss.

Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley is a Catholic lay ministry founded in 2022 to support families facing infertility, pregnancy loss, and difficult prenatal or postnatal diagnoses. Rooted in Catholic teaching and devotion — especially to St. Gianna Molla — the ministry's mission is to accompany those carrying the cross of early-life suffering with prayer, compassion, and spiritual solidarity.

The ministry's work focuses on providing both spiritual and community-based support, particularly through tangible and relational resources. One of its most distinctive offerings is personalized prayer care packages, which include sacramentals, prayer cards, and handwritten notes designed to bring comfort and encourage prayer during difficult times.

In addition, Lily of the Valley offers online support groups, curated spiritual resources, and opportunities for prayer accompaniment, helping women and families feel less alone and more supported within a faith-filled community as they navigate infertility and related struggles.

Elizabeth Ministry

A parish-based Catholic outreach founded in 1991 in Wisconsin, Elizabeth Ministry is designed to support women and families during critical reproductive and family life experiences, including infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy, and adoption.

The ministry is inspired by the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, emphasizing accompaniment, presence, and shared faith. Its mission is to affirm the dignity of life and provide emotional, spiritual, and practical care to women navigating difficult or unexpected journeys.

The ministry operates primarily through local parish chapters, offering one-on-one mentoring, meal support, prayer networks, and companionship for women experiencing infertility or loss. It also provides training materials, spiritual reflections, and structured programs to help parishes build supportive communities.

Elizabeth Ministry's work is especially valuable for women seeking in-person, relational support within their local Catholic community rather than solely online resources.

Several parishes and dioceses have their own programs for couples struggling with infertility. For example, the Archdiocese of Denver and the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa, have a program called Behold Your Child, which offers spiritual and emotional support for those experiencing infertility and hosts memorial Masses for those who have lost a child due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss.

Full Article

In Toronto, Canada's largest city, a growing community of young Catholic professionals is quietly reshaping what it means to live out faith in the modern world.

Young Professional Catholics of Toronto (YPCT), which has become an official lay association of the Archdiocese of Toronto, brings together ambitious individuals navigating careers and personal growth, all while remaining rooted in shared Catholic values.

Through networking events, service initiatives, and faith-centered gatherings, the group offers more than just social connection — it provides purpose and belonging as it redefines how Catholic identity can thrive among the next generation of leaders.

Founded in 2024 by Kateryna Sphir and Francis Odum, the latter of whom also currently serves as the group's president, YPCT attracts men and women in the age range of 18 to 39 who meet monthly at different parishes and event spaces across the city.

Kathleen Muggeridge, who serves as the group's vice president, spoke to EWTN News about the group's purpose and the challenges young Catholics face in Toronto today. She explained that she sees Toronto as a "spiritually desolate place."

"Medical assistance in dying [MAID] is being legalized across the country — there's a lot of hopelessness," she said. "One of the main reasons why [it's] being legalized is because of loneliness. And that loneliness doesn't just exist in the senior population, it also exists in the young adult population. There's a lot of isolation."

Against this backdrop, YPCT aims to serve not only as a resource for young professional Catholics but also as a community where the members "can grow in their faith together."

Non-Catholics are also welcome to join the group and hopefully "be inspired to start practicing their faith," Muggeridge said.

Roughly 200 people attend each YPCT event, and for the first time the group plans to host a professional networking conference in the fall for about 500 attendees.

In addition to its monthly events, YPCT hopes to start a mentorship program where professional Catholics who are established in their careers serve as mentors and guides to younger individuals interested in the same field of work.

The group also plans to expand to other cities across Canada. Muggeridge explained that in order to do that they're building a larger team in Toronto that includes a social media team, a stakeholder relations team, a finance team, a board of directors, and a spiritual director.

"We're hoping to create a structured team format and then once we meet people who are interested in starting YPC in other provinces, we will be able to share that format with them," she said.

Muggeridge highlighted the many challenges Catholics face in Canada right now. In addition to the legalization of assisted suicide, these include abortion being legal through all nine months of pregnancy and bubble zone laws preventing advocacy outside of abortion clinics.

With this in mind, Muggeridge said she hopes YPCT will "inspire these people to be passionate on certain issues that are related to the spiritual desolation [in the country]."

"So in addition to spiritual nourishment and community and networking, getting involved in these social issues is definitely something that is very important for us," she added.

She also pointed out the difficulties many young people face in trying to find employment.

"It's hard to build up a career on your own, especially if you're a newcomer or you don't have a lot of resources," Muggeridge explained. "Even if you've gone to school for something, and you're certified in a specific field, it's hard to get a job in Canada these days. And so the networking that we're able to provide young Catholics, I think has been very valuable and especially when we launch our mentorship program, I think that will provide even more value for people."

Muggeridge said the group's main goal "is to just be a channel where people can come closer to Christ by the spiritual nourishment and community that we provide because we want to be in communion with Christ and with our brothers and sisters."

"Our No. 2 goal is to just be a place where people can grow and develop in their field," she added. "Work is something that is good and it's beautiful, and we're made to work and we're made to sanctify our work. So, we hope to inspire our members to do that as well."

Full Article