El Ignaciano / Junio 2025
FUE NOTICIA / IT WAS NEWS
VATICAN NEWS
03/01/25
In a letter released by Caritas Internationalis, over 124 faith leaders around the world call on the finance ministers of the Group of 20 (G20) biggest economies to take concrete steps during the Jubilee year to end the scandal of poor countries spending more on debt repayment than on health and education.
03/05/25
The Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM) has written a letter to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to express closeness and solidarity in light of the country's evolving migration policies: “the people of Latin America and the Caribbean embody an identity shaped over five centuries, forged by the contributions of both the region’s Indigenous inhabitants and the millions of men and women who arrived, either freely or through hardship and suffering".
The Presidency of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the EU releases a statement stressing the importance of continuing to support Ukraine and its people, “who have been suffering from Russia’s unjustifiable full-scale invasion for more than three years.” Recognizing the “geopolitical complexities and the unpredictability of actions” of some countries, the bishops call on the EU and its member states to “remain united in their commitment to supporting Ukraine and its people.”
03/07/25
«Construir, a través del diálogo, un futuro común basado en la fraternidad», «ser hermanos y hermanas en humanidad, que se estiman profundamente unos a otros»: este es el desafío al que cristianos y musulmanes están llamados a enfrentarse «en un mundo marcado por la injusticia, los conflictos y la incertidumbre sobre el futuro». Así lo destaca el mensaje del Dicasterio para el Diálogo Interreligioso para el mes de Ramadán y el Id al-Fitr.
03/13/25
Pope Francis celebrates the 12th anniversary of his pontificate in Rome's Gemelli Hospital; in the afternoon, the medical staff brought a cake with candles to the Pope's room. The Pope also followed the Spiritual Exercises for the Roman Curia via video link with the Paul VI Hall, and resumed respiratory therapy.
03/15/25
Cardinal Mario Grech, the Secretary General of the Synod’s General Secretariat, has announced the convocation of a special post-synodal Ecclesial Assembly to be held in the Vatican in October 2028 as the culmination of a three-year process accompanying the implementation of the outcomes of the Synod thatwill offer an opportunity to gather the fruits that have matured during the Synod on Synodality.
03/18/25
Cardinal Parolin expressed the Holy See’s support for the Ukraine-Russia ceasefire talks:
“We hope that no preconditions will be imposed that would prevent the initiation of dialogue,” and its hopes that they will lead to further negotiations that can “bring an end to the war and establish the just and lasting peace for which we have long hoped.”
03/20/25
The Holy See Press Office announces that Pope Francis no longer requires mechanical ventilation at night and has less need of high-flow oxygen therapy during the day. His motor and respiratory physiotherapy is also making progress.
Israel resumed its assault on Gaza early Tuesday 03/18, killing more than 400 people and ending a fragile ceasefire that had taken effect on Jan. 19. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that the military had "resumed combat in full force." At least 14 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip overnight. The United Nations says that two of its workers were killed and others injured after a compound in Gaza was damaged.
03/20/25
The Vatican’s Central Office of Church Statistics releases the 2025 Pontifical Yearbook providing details about the number of Catholics, consecrated religious, priests, and bishops throughout the world. New Church statistics reveal growing Catholic population, fewer pastoral workers.
03/23/25
Pope Francis appears for the first time since his hospitalization from the balcony of Rome's Gemelli Hospital, before leaving the facility where he had been since 14 February. He greeted those present, imparted his blessing and gave the 'thumbs up' to the nearly three thousand people gathered in the square below who were applauding his appearance and release from hospital.
03/29/25
In an interview with Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin explains that “even in the most difficult days” of his illness, Pope Francis “reviewed reports” on which he “made decisions accordingly.” There are also issues that the Vatican Dicasteries can handle independently based on the authority the Pope has entrusted to them or delegated to others as in the case of a canonization.
04/01/25
Amid global calls for greater inclusivity, Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa appoints a new transitional government with 23 ministers from diverse backgrounds, including Hind Kabawat, a Catholic woman, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs.
04/08/25
In a “heartbreaking announcement” on Monday, the Bishops of the United States have made public their decision not to renew “existing cooperative agreements with the federal government related to children’s services and refugee support.” The move comes in response to the government’s decision to suspend programs to resettle refugees, “forcing” the Bishops “to reconsider the best way to serve our brothers and sisters seeking safe shelter from violence and persecution.”
04/10/25
A new book explores the need for greater inclusion and understanding of Eastern Catholic theology in the universal Church, recalling Eastern-rite Churches’ vital contribution to the life of the Catholic Church. The book is the first volume in the new series by Catholic University of America Press, “Eastern Catholic Studies and Texts.”
04/11/25
The Holy See Press Office announces several appointments, including a new female president of the Permanent Commission for the Protection of the Historical and Artistic Monuments of the Holy See, Dr. Elvira Cajano, who is visiting Professor at the Faculty of History and Cultural Heritage of the Church at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
04/13/25
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is advocating with members of Congress to pass a new bipartisan legislative proposal that would help faith communities across the United States to continue their religious mission and service. The Religious Workforce Protection Act (RWPA), presented earlier this week, proposes a targeted adjustment to the current immigration system, allowing foreign religious workers holding R-1 visas to remain in the United States in their current status for renewable three-year periods while waiting for permanent residency, thus ensuring the continuity of their vital services.
04/14/25
In a Decree approved by Pope Francis on Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025, the Dicastery for the Clergy has promulgated revised norms governing the discipline of Mass intentions. The updated legislation, which enters into effect on Easter Sunday, April 20, seeks to safeguard both the spiritual integrity of the Eucharistic sacrifice and the faithful’s trust in the Church's handling of their offerings. The new norms emphasize that while the faithful may continue to offer stipends for Masses to be celebrated according to specific intentions, this sacred tradition must remain free of any semblance of commercial exchange.
04/15/25
As of Monday, April 14, the Sodality of Christian Life (S.C.V.), also known as ‘Sodalicio’ -the lay society founded in the 1970s and widespread in Latin America- no longer exists. The Superior General of the Sodalitium of Christian Life (SCV), José David Correa González, signs the decree that definitively dissolves the society of apostolic life following accusations of abuse and corruption by the founder and leadership of the group.
04/16/25
In a new chirograph entitled “The Petrine Ministry,” Pope Francis has updated the path of formation for students of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, known as the Accademia. The new academic program aims at providing a “solid” and “ongoing” formation to enable papal representatives to carry out their diplomatic mission to countries around the world and to face the challenges of a constantly changing world, to ensure the “fundamental” qualities of “attentive listening, witness, a fraternal approach, and dialogue,” are ever present in those who serve in the Nunciatures.
04/17/25
Caritas organizations say the sudden suspension of USAID is affecting their relief work for people whose lives depend on humanitarian aid, while the U.S. Church expresses concern over drastic federal budget cuts in social expenditure currently being discussed in Congress, which will affect vulnerable families in the United States.
04/18/25
In Nicaragua, Easter processions and the use of fireworks have been banned. The government's crackdown on Holy Week celebrations leaves no room for public Christian events during Easter. President Daniel Ortega has prohibited the carrying of sacred images through the streets and large security forces are deployed outside cathedrals.
04/21/25
At 9:45 AM, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta with these words: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.
05/02/25
The Papal Foundation, a U.S.-based charitable organization, has announced $14 million in grants and humanitarian aid. The funds will support 116 projects in over 60 countries. Since its inception, the Foundation has disbursed over $250 million to support more than 2,800 projects identified by Popes Francis, Benedict XVI, and Saint John Paul II.
05/08/25
Habemus Papam. The Conclave has elected Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost as the 267th Bishop of Rome. "Peace be with all of you!" were the first words of Pope Leo XIV.
05/09/25
The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, describes Pope Leo XIV’s first message to the world as a call to peace and dialogue. He also highlights the significance of his name as a clear reference to the Church’s social teaching in the modern age.
O5/16/25
Ahead of the European Union Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on May 21, the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) stress the need to shift back to “partnership grounded in mutual respect, environmental stewardship, and the centrality of human dignity.” “Africa does not need charity but justice.”
05/21/25
Pope Leo XIV renews his appeal for "dignified humanitarian aid" to enter Gaza, calling for a cessation of hostilities "whose price is paid by children, the elderly, and the sick."
05/22/25
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS) has brought together experts from around the world for a two-day conference entitled "Cancer Research, Healthcare and Prevention: Structuring Translational Research to Increase Innovation and Reduce Inequalities". Taking place on May 22-23 in the Vatican, the event focused on how science and policy can work together to reduce the gap in cancer care between rich and poor communities
AMERICA MAGAZINE
O5/12/25
In the cover story of the week, Arturo Sosa, S.J., the superior general of the Jesuits, draws attention to a human family “on the move, suffering and persecuted.” Through agencies like Jesuit Refugee Service and their network of schools, the Jesuits work with migrants all around the world, both in direct service and in advocacy. Drawing on this experience, Father Sosa proposes three principles for governing the treatment of migrants at this critical time: the right to remain, the right to migrate and the right to peace. Honoring these principles will depend on two things, Father Sosa writes: “the rule of law and merciful hearts.” Father Sosa’s essay is adapted from a paper given at the Conference on Global Migration and the Rule of Law, sponsored by the Loyola University Chicago School of Law, held at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in April.
MENSAJE
03/05/25
Los recortes en la ayuda internacional al desarrollo están interrumpiendo una labor esencial en un momento en que las necesidades de los niños más pequeños nunca han sido tan grandes. La alarma lanzada por Save the Children afecta a más de 40 países —en África, Asia, América Latina, Europa y Oriente Medio— afectados por el repentino bloqueo de las financiaciones por parte del gobierno estadounidense. Un recorte que supone una amenaza real para los programas de salud, nutrición y educación de millones de niños y niñas.
03/10/25
Las Naciones Unidas destinan fondos para reforzar la asistencia que salva vidas en diez de las crisis más desatendidas e infrafinanciadas del mundo en África, Asia y América Latina. La ONU calcula que se necesitan al menos 45.000 millones de dólares para cubrir las necesidades humanitarias de 185 millones de personas en los países más vulnerables.
MIAMI HERALD
05/25/25
The Episcopal Church will end its refugee resettlement program due to a federal directive to assist white South Africans given refugee status. Reverend Sean W. Rowe noted that the church cannot prioritize one group over others in need, as it conflicts with its commitment to racial justice. The church's decision has resulted from the arrival of 49 Afrikaners as part of a fast-tracked initiative by President Donald Trump, who criticized South Africa for discriminating against its white citizens.
RELIGION DIGITAL
03/01/25
El ángelus que el papa suele leer cada domingo desde la ventana del Palacio Apostólico vaticano se difundirá mañana solo en texto, igual que los dos domingos previos. El cuadro de la salud del Papa sigue siendo de pronóstico reservado
El Celam y la Red Clamor condenan las políticas discriminatorias contra los migrantes en EE.UU. Ambos organismos eclesiales, preocupados por la crisis migratoria, manifestaron solidaridad con los obispos estadounidenses que "históricamente" brindaron siempre su apoyo a los migrantes.
03/15/25
(AICA).- El régimen de Daniel Ortega y Rosario Murillo instauró un control sin precedentes sobre la Iglesia Católica en Nicaragua, obligando a los sacerdotes a presentarse cada semana ante la Policía para obtener autorización sobre sus servicios religiosos. Esta medida forma parte de una estrategia sistemática de persecución con el objetivo de someter a la Iglesia y silenciar cualquier voz disidente.
03/19/25
La Iglesia católica en Irapuato y la Pastoral Juvenil de esa diócesis informaron que el pasado 16 de marzo mientras jóvenes, miembros del grupo juvenil parroquial se encontraban conviviendo después de la celebración eucarística de las 7:30 de la noche a las afueras de la parroquia de San José de Mendoza en la localidad de Salamanca, llegó un grupo de hombres armados y abrieron fuego, matando a 8 de ellos e hiriendo a 5 más.
03/28/25
El Vaticano publica un nuevo documento, La vita è sempre un bene, «ante las graves violaciones de la dignidad humana». Se trata de un texto publicado por el Dicasterio para los Laicos, la familia y la vida con motivo del 30º aniversario de la encíclica Evangelium vitae de San Juan Pablo II, en el que desafía así a los católicos a «promover iniciativas que ofrezcan alternativas concretas al aborto, la fertilización in vitro, la eutanasia y el suicidio».
03/29/25
Los obispos europeos se plantan ante la carrera armamentística: "La UE debe tender puentes y buscar el diálogo". El presidente de COMECE, Mariano Crociata, abrió la asamblea plenaria de los episcopados europeos, marcada por la tensión entre Estados Unidos y Europa y la amenaza rusa en Ucrania. Respecto a la guerra de Ucrania, Crociata denunció que se intente tergiversar la realidad, y convertir a Ucrania "de víctima en agresor", o se las trata como "mercancía de cambio" en una negociación que, como sucede en el caso de Ucrania, se lleva a cabo sin contar con ella.
03/31/25
Obispos luteranos de EE.UU. se pronuncian contra una orden ejecutiva de la presidente publicada el 6 de febrero, la cual supuestamente tiene como objetivo “erradicar los prejuicios anticristianos” e “identificar cualquier política, práctica o conducta anticristiana ilegal”. Los obispos manifiestan que "Esta orden alinea al gobierno federal con el nacionalismo cristiano, una peligrosa combinación de cristianismo fundamentalista, política conservadora y patriotismo feroz". "El gobierno federal se ha dado la autoridad de definir lo que puede considerarse 'no cristiano’' y, por lo tanto, también la de definir lo que es cristiano, un poder que pertenece solo a la Iglesia".
03/04/2025
En pleno Año Jubilar con motivo de los 1.700 años del primer concilio fundacional de la Iglesia, el de Nicea, la Comisión Teológica Internacional, con el aval expreso del Papa Francisco (quien dio su plácet el pasado 16 de diciembre) lanza un documento que, bajo el título “Jesucristo, Hijo de Dios, Salvador - 1700 aniversario del Concilio Ecuménico de Nicea (325-2025)”, pretende poner las bases para un camino sin retorno hacia la unidad de los cristianos, tomando como base el Credo de Nicea, reconocido como “el documento de identidad del cristiano’, y el impulso de la sinodalidad entre los seguidores de Jesús.
04/10/2025
En plena tormenta financiera causada por la agresiva (y errática) política arancelaria marcada por el presidente Donald J. Trump, la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos (USCCB) y la Jubilee USA Network propusieron al inquilino de la Casa Blanca, en una carta conjunta fechada este 8 de abril, la condonación de una parte de la deuda que mantienen con la todavía principal potencia mundial una serie de países en vías de desarrollo, según informs OSV News.
04/13/25
El general de la Compañía de Jesús, Arturo Sosa S.J., expresó este pasado jueves en Roma su "dolor" por la situación de Venezuela; se mostró crítico con el arresto de presos políticos en sus cárceles, destacando que en 2024 hubo 1000 detenidos políticos.
04/18/25
El Vaticano pondrá en servicio 14 nuevos vehículos eléctricos "verdes", destinados principalmente a las fuerzas del orden, según anunció la gobernación del Estado de la Ciudad del Vaticano. Esta iniciativa ecológica supone un nuevo paso adelante en la determinación del pequeño Estado de lograr que su flota de vehículos sea "neutra en carbono para 2030".
04/30/25
Después de presentarse en el funeral de Francisco todo vestido de azul, mascar chicle, mirar el móvil, dar la paz con el dedo pulgar alzado y protagonizar, también, una de las escenas más icónicas de los últimos días al reunirse con Zelenski junto al féretro de Bergoglio, el presidente de los EE.UU., Donald Trump, acaba de lanzar a su propio (y peculiar) candidato al Papado. "Me gustaría ser Papa. Esa sería mi opción número uno", señaló durante una comparecencia en la Casa Blanca, en el que aprovechó para recordar que, en caso de no resultar elegido, su candidato ideal es el arzobispo de Nueva York, Timothy Dolan.
05/03/25
El presidente de los Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, publicó este viernes en su cuenta de la red Truth Social una imagen suya vestido como papa. La imagen del gobernante estadounidense está hecha con la ayuda de la inteligencia artificial (IA) y lo presenta con sotana blanca, mitra, cruz dorada y parece estar por dar una bendición, ya que tiene el brazo derecho inclinado a la altura del hombro y con el dedo índice levantado.
05/06/25
La Conferencia Católica del estado de Nueva York (que agrupa a los obispos de esa provincia eclesiástica) ha acusado a Trump de burlarse de la fe: «Esta imagen no tiene nada de ingeniosa, ni de divertida, señor presidente". El cardenal estadounidense Timothy Dolan cree que la imagen del presidente Donald Trump vestido de papa «no ha estado bien».
05/07/25
El precónclave culmina con un llamamiento a «un alto el fuego permanente» en Ucrania y Oriente Medio. «Nosotros, los cardenales de la Santa Iglesia Romana, reunidos en Congregación General antes del inicio del cónclave, constatamos con pesar que no se han registrado avances para favorecer los procesos de paz en Ucrania, Oriente Medio y muchas otras partes del mundo, sino que se han intensificado los ataques, especialmente contra la población civil», se lee en el breve comunicado.
05/20/25
«La Santa Sede siempre está dispuesta a ayudar para que los enemigos se encuentren y se miren a los ojos». León XIV lo ha propuesto. Y Donald Trump recoge el guante: tras su maratoniana serie de llamadas (Putin, Zelenski, autoridades europeas...), el presidente de Estados Unidos ha agradecido la propuesta de la Santa Sede para acoger una 'conferencia de paz' para poner fin a la invasión rusa en Ucrania. ¿Y qué dice Rusia? Por ahora, silencio.
05/22/25
En respuesta a las recientes actividades de control migratorio en el área de Nashville, esa diócesis de Estados Unidos exime de ir a misa a los fieles que teman ser deportados.
05/23/25
La Comisión General de Justicia y Paz de la Conferencia Episcopal española ha lanzado un duro comunicado ante el drama de Gaza, que califica como «actos de limpieza étnica" los ataques indiscriminados de Israel en la franja de Gaza»… «Que se respete el Derecho Internacional Humanitario; que se permita la entrada de ayuda humanitaria sin restricciones, que se respete la defensa de la vida, especialmente de las personas más vulnerables, infancia, enfermas, mujeres, y se libere a todas las personas secuestradas, que se abran corredores humanitarios para asistir a la población civil».
05/26/25
El arzobispo de San Juan de Puerto Rico, Roberto González Nieves, quien está preparando una carta pastoral sobre el racismo enfocado en la realidad puertorriqueña, conversó con Religión Digital para proponer a los sacerdotes un método de trabajo sobre la doctrina social de la Iglesia. Su propuesta es que puedan integrar la doctrina social, tema por tema, a sus homilías cada fin de semana.