El Ignaciano / Marzo 2025
FUE NOTICIA / WAS IN THE NEWS
Vatican News
On Christmas Eve, President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 39 prisoners on “death row” for federal crimes. On that occasion, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops declared that “commuting death sentences shows ‘respect for human life.’”
Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, the chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace, has commended the decision of the Biden administration to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism – a decision the White House certified to Congress on Tuesday, 14 January.
Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State: "The news of the announced gradual release of 553 Cuban prisoners is a sign of great hope at the beginning of this Jubilee." Cardinal Parolin noted that the year 2024 "ended with the commutation of dozens of death sentences to life imprisonment by the President of the United States, and with the news that Zimbabwe abolished the death penalty.”
In one of his final acts as leader of the United States, President Joe Biden conferred the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction—the nation’s highest civilian honor—upon Pope Francis. The announcement was made during a telephone call between the two leaders on January 11. The meeting, initially scheduled as an in-person audience at the Vatican on January 10, was cancelled due to the wildfire emergency in Los Angeles, which prevented Biden from traveling to Italy.
Pope Francis' widely anticipated autobiography 'Hope' hits bookshelves in 80 countries this Jubilee, and includes narrated memories, anecdotes, photos, and elements offered personally to readers. Itt was originally supposed to be published after the Holy Father's death.
Sr. Dorothy Stang, a religious sister murdered for her work in Brazil almost 20 years ago was the first American woman to be included in a Memorial for Modern Martyrs in Rome. Born in 1931, Sr. Dorothy Stang joined the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Ohio at the age of 17. In 1966, she became a missionary in Brazil and fought for the rights of poor settlers and the protection of the rain forest against loggers and landowners who wanted to exploit its resources… on February 12, 2005, hired gunmen shot Sr. Dorothy and left her to die. She was 73 years old. The Brazilian state of Para named Sr. Dorothy “Woman of the Year” and she had received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Brazilian Bar Association.
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In a message to the 2025 World Economic Forum taking place in Davos, on January 22 Pope Francis called for the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence, which must help human beings for the good of all and never violate human dignity for the sake of efficiency.
Expressing concern over reported plans of the new US administration to implement mass deportations targeting the Chicago area, on January 23 Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago had affirmed that such an action would be “not only profoundly disturbing but also wound us deeply. The Catholic community stands with the people of Chicago in speaking out in defense of the rights of immigrants and asylum seekers”. Reflecting on how U.S. President Trump’s executive order halting congressionally appropriated foreign assistance which effectively shut down the work of the U.S. Agency for International Development will jeopardize essential service for hundreds of millions of people, the Archbishop said “could actually cause death.”
Speaking with Vatican News on Friday (01/24/25) Archbishop Broglio explained that “the concern of my brother bishops and myself is that those who are most in need, particularly in a country that has tremendous possibilities” should not be “left behind,” or worse, “persecuted” because of their particular circumstances. In an interview broadcast on Italian television station TV200 (01/30/25), Archbishop Broglio said the Conference was struck by attacks from Trump officials “because they are not true.” “The words used are false,” he said, “and we have decided to respond in a very chaste manner, without going into the substance of speeches, but telling the truth.” The Archbishop noted that the Church has always insisted on respect for the laws, but explained that in concrete circumstances, the Church has to assist those in need, even if they have entered the country illegally. “We must help them, because it is Christ Himself who is asking us to do so.”
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Culture and Education released a document on Tuesday, January 28, entitled “Antiqua et Nova: Note on the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence.” about AI’s extraordinary potential and the need for humanity to guide its development with collective responsibility, The document seeks to offer guidance for Catholic institutions and humanity as a whole regarding the ethical development and use of AI.
02/08/25 - Caritas Asia has vowed to continue its work in supporting migrants and refugees across the region, despite the impact of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) funding shutdown on humanitarian operations.
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02/11/25 - In a statement Caritas International strongly condemns the decision to suspend USAID programmes for humanitarian and development aid around the world. The Secretary General of the confederation of charities operating in over 200 countries says this "will cause immense suffering."
In a letter dated 10 February 2025, and addressed to his brothers in the episcopate, Pope Francis acknowledges the work of U.S. bishops in standing alongside migrants and refugees, he expresses support for efforts to uphold the fundamental dignity of every human person and he highlights the importance of pastoral accompaniment for those facing displacement.
02/12/25 - The “Ecclesia in America Network” has hosted a theological Congress on Synodality in America at the University of San Diego in the United States from 6-9 February focused on promoting dialogue on themes of human mobility; ecumenism and interreligious dialogue; and new theological scenarios. The Congress is part of the Network’s efforts to respond to Pope Francis’ desire for increased collaboration between North and South America.
02/14/25 - An international two-day summit focused on AI was held in Paris, France. The goal was to bring stakeholders from the public, private, and academic sectors together to begin building an AI ecosystem that is trustworthy and safe. On the heels of this summit, the Australian Embassy to the Holy See hosted a panel discussion to address the ethical and human rights challenges in utilizing AI. Prof. Santow warned against letting the benefits of AI negate or overshadow any violation of human rights.
02/15/25 - Jewish leaders and activists in the United States condemn President Trump's proposal to "take over" and redevelop Gaza. The message in the New York Times, signed by hundreds of US rabbis and Jewish public figures, is clear: “Jewish people say NO to ethnic cleansing!”
02/18/25 - A meeting was held late this morning with representatives of the groups set up by the Pope to address issues that emerged during the First Session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. According to a statement following the meeting, each coordinator presented an update on their group’s work, focusing on the methodology used, those involved, the expected timeline for submitting reports, challenges encountered, and any outstanding questions. The meeting opened with a prayer for the Pope’s recovery.
02/20/25 - Violence and atrocities plague the people of Haiti as the influence of armed gangs continues to rise. UNICEF Representative in Haiti, Geeta Narayan, released a statement on X, bringing the ongoing situation for children in the country to the forefront and calling on the international community to take action against the growing attacks on children, calling them “an attack on humanity itself.”
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02/28/25The Holy See Press Office said on Friday morning that Pope Francis had a restful fifteenth night in Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he is being treated for bilateral pneumonia ."As in recent days, the night passed calmly, and the Pope is now resting," read a Holy See Press Office statement on Friday morning, as Pope Francis receives treatment for bilateral pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.
On January 22 and 23 several statements were offered in response to President Trump’s Executive Orders by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), says that President Trump’s new measures on migration, the death penalty, and the environment are "deeply troubling", while praising his initiatives on gender issues.
In a separate statement, Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, also addressed the Executive Orders. “National self-interest does not justify policies with consequences that are contrary to the moral law,” Bishop Seitz said.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) filed a lawsuit on February 18 challenging the government’s unlawful suspension of funding for its refugee admissions program.
AP- 01/21/25
President Donald Trump signed a sweeping execution order Monday on the death penalty that directs the attorney general to “take all necessary and lawful action” to ensure that states have enough lethal injection drugs to carry out executions. Trump directed the attorney general to pursue federal jurisdiction and seek the death penalty “regardless of other factors” when the case involves the killing of a law enforcement officer or capital crimes “committed by an alien illegally present in this country.” He’s also instructing the attorney general to seek to overrule Supreme Court precedents that “limit the authority of limit the authority of State and Federal governments to impose capital punishment.”
Religión Digital
01/20/25
El arzobispo de Panamá, José Domingo Ulloa, reitera la soberanía del país sobre el Canal de Panamá, símbolo de identidad nacional, tras las declaraciones de Donald Trump reclamando su gestión para Estados Unidos. «Hemos demostrado nuestra capacidad para gestionar y mantener el Canal abierto al mundo», afirma Ulloa, llamando a tender puentes de paz y justicia. El arzobispo llama a la comunidad internacional a respetar la soberanía panameña, esperando diálogo y sentido común para evitar conflictos geopolíticos.
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01/25/25
El presidente de Panamá, José Raúl Mulino, fue recibido este sábado en audiencia por el papa Francisco, a quien regaló algunos volúmenes de la historia de la construcción del Canal de Panamá, después de las declaraciones del presidente de EE.UU., Donald Trump, de querer retomar su control. Según un comunicado de la presidencia del país centroamericano, Francisco «aprovechó para manifestar su solidaridad y respaldo a la causa de Panamá por su Canal, tomando en cuenta de su importancia para el comercio global».
El presidente de EEUU, Donald Trump, inició este martes su primer día en el poder con un servicio interreligioso en la Catedral Nacional de Washington, un evento que marca el cierre de los actos de su investidura. La obispa episcopaliana Mariann Edgar Budde, al final de su sermón, pidió a Trump y Vance tener «misericordia»:
Permítame una última súplica, señor presidente. Millones han puesto su confianza en usted. Y como dijo ayer a la Nación, usted ha sentido la mano providencial de un Dios amoroso. En nombre de nuestro Dios, le pido que tenga misericordia con la gente que está asustada en nuestro país: gays, lesbianas… también con los que recogen nuestras cosechas y limpian nuestras oficinas; los que lavan nuestros platos en un restaurante o los que hacen los turnos de noche en los hospitales. Puede que no sean ciudadanos o puede que no tengan la documentación apropiada, pero la gran mayoría de los inmigrantes no son delincuentes: pagan impuestos y son buenos vecinos, son fieles miembros de nuestras iglesias, mezquitas, sinagogas, gurdwaras o templos.
01/24/25
La Iglesia mexicana llama a la sociedad a sumarse al esfuerzo de las arquidiócesis, diócesis, parroquias, institutos de vida consagrada, seminarios, casas de formación, universidades y colegios católicos, grupos laicales y comunidades, a fin de que, como pueblo de México, podamos «seguir apoyando a nuestros hermanos migrantes y deportados».
01/27/25
En una entrevista con CBSNews, Vance cuestionó las razones de la oposición episcopal a Trump: «Cuando reciben más de 100 millones de dólares para ayudar a reubicar a inmigrantes ilegales, ¿están preocupados por cuestiones humanitarias o simplemente por sus cuentas?», recalcó.
En respuesta al vicepresidente, la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos (USCCB) emitió una declaración en la que revindicó su «larga historia de servicio a los refugiados». «La USCCB recibe fondos para realizar este trabajo; sin embargo, estos fondos no son suficientes para cubrir el costo total de estos programas. No obstante, esto sigue siendo una obra de misericordia y un ministerio de la Iglesia».
01/28/25
El Departamento de Estado de Inmigración suspende el trabajo del Servicio Jesuita a Refugiados en EE.UU.
01/30/25
El régimen de Ortega ordena a las monjas clarisas abandonar sus conventos y confisca sus bienes en Nicaragua.
01/31/25
El P. General Arturo Sosa ha convocado a todos los Superiores Mayores de la Compañía de Jesús, invitándoles a una reunión en Roma del 17 al 26 de octubre de 2025.
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02/06/25
El Patriarcado de Jerusalén responde al Plan Trump para Gaza: «Es impensable desplazar a un pueblo contra su voluntad». «Aquí está en juego el respeto por los derechos humanos», señala Shomali, vicario para Palestina.
El Consejo Mundial de las Iglesias acusa a Trump de «proponer una limpieza étnica» en Gaza. En un comunicado, su secretario general, Jerry Pillay insistió en que la propuesta «viola todos los principios aplicables del derecho internacional humanitario y de los derechos humanos, burla décadas de esfuerzos de la comunidad internacional, incluidos los EE. UU., para lograr una paz justa y sostenible para los pueblos de la región, y que, de aplicarse, constituiría múltiples crímenes internacionales de la más grave índole».
02/09/25
Trump pone en marcha su nueva Oficina para la Fe bajo la dirección de la telepredicadora Paula White, al tiempo que desmantela el Servicio de Ayuda Católica (CRS), de ayuda humanitaria. Esta nueva agencia sustituye a la llamada Oficina para la Sociedades Vecinales y Basadas en la Fe impulsada en 2001 por el entonces presidente de EEUU, George W. Bush.
02/11/25
A poco más de un mes de su toma de posesión como nuevo arzobispo de Washington, el cardenal Robert McElroy ha criticado sin ambages las políticas de deportaciones masivas de inmigrantes decretadas por Donald Trump y ha invitado a «alzar la voz y proclamar que esta miseria y sufrimiento que se están desatando y, sí, esta guerra de miedo y terror no pueden tolerarse».
02/14/25
Los palestinos «deben permanecer en su tierra». La Santa Sede, a través del secretario de Estado, Pietro Parolin, mostró su rechazo al plan de Trump para la franja de Gaza, subrayando que desplazar a los palestinos provocaría tensiones regionales y esto «no tiene sentido».
02/28/25
Los obispos brasileños, por boca de Vicente de Paula Ferreira, obispo de la diócesis de Livramento de Nossa Senhora, plantan cara a los planes del presidente Luiz Inázio “Lula” Da Silva para exploración petrolífera cerca de la desembocadura del río Amazonas: «Es un suicidio ecológico». «La retórica del gobierno se basa en una mentalidad capitalista de ganancias ilimitadas. Pero el planeta ya no tiene recursos para un crecimiento ilimitado. Tenemos que proteger lo que queda».