U.S. House passes housing bill with backing from Catholic Charities USA
The U.S. House of Representatives on June 23 passed Catholic-backed housing legislation that, if and when it is signed by President Donald Trump, is expected to expand financing for affordable housing.
Catholic Charities USA President Kerry Alys Robinson said in a June 23 statement the bill (HR 6644) “has the potential to improve the lives of so many of our fellow citizens.” The White House did not immediately reply to a request for comment, but Trump is expected to sign the bill into law on June 24.
The House cleared the measure and agreed to the version that the U.S. Senate had amended on June 22. The legislation, among other things, would adjust federal multifamily loan limits.
Rep. French Hill, R-Arkansas, sponsored the bill, titled “The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.”
“We applaud Congressʼs effort to address manufactured housing laws, veterans’ access to housing, and rental assistance for the elderly and disabled through the advancement of this bill,” Robinson said.
The Catholic Charities leader praised provisions in the bill related to zoning reforms, increased private investment in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, a higher public welfare investment cap for banks, changes to homeless assistance programs, and the reauthorization of the Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery program.
She also lauded the bill’s proposed reforms to the HOME Investment Partnerships and Community Development Block Grant programs, which she said have been key resources for addressing the housing needs of low-income individuals and families.
“All of God’s children deserve a safe, decent, affordable place to call home and this legislation is an important next step in providing that assurance,” Robinson said.
“We look forward to continued collaboration with Congress to ensure that housing policy in our nation reflects both sound research and our shared moral commitment to protect the most vulnerable.”
Catholic group asks Pope Leo to clarify Church's stance on Israel
Catholic Voices for Israel is asking Pope Leo XIV to clarify the Church’s position on Zionism and the modern state of Israel.
In an open letter addressed to Pope Leo on June 22, the group’s co-founders André Villeneuve and Father Antoine Lévy, OP, are asking the Holy Father to answer the question, “Should Catholics interpret the creation and enduring existence of the State of Israel as a sign of God’s providence — or should they not?”
While the pair note that “the Church’s reticence to pronounce on the theological meaning of the State of Israel has served a real purpose,” they proceed to express concerns over “a number of Catholic commentators” who they contend “have interpreted this silence as a formal dismissal of the very possibility of ascribing any theological resonance to the founding of the State of Israel and to its enduring existence.”
“The Church’s silence regarding Israel’s right to exist — the reluctance to go beyond mere political recognition, on a par with that extended to the still inchoate State of Palestine (2013) — gives ground to all those Catholic voices that wish to lend this campaign of denigration the authority of the Church’s own name,” the letter manifests.
Villeneuve and Lévy argue that “the ‘theological silence’ that has prevailed until now would risk doing more harm to the Church’s witness than the prudence it was meant to preserve.”
‘For Zion’s Sake’
Villeneuve and Lévy’s letter to Pope Leo comes as part of an effort by Catholic Voices for Israel to make “a biblically grounded, theologically informed case for Catholic solidarity with Israel.”
In its founding statement, “For Zion’s Sake: A Catholic Appeal in Support of Israel,” the recently formed Catholic Voices for Israel (CVFI) calls for Catholic Zionism to be understood as “supporting the Jewish people’s right to self‑determination in their ancient, biblical homeland; acknowledging God’s love for Zion and his promise of the land in Scripture; recognizing that these promises were never revoked in the New Testament; and remaining open to seeing the work of divine providence in Israel’s return to the land — a possibility the Church has not foreclosed.”
Since launching CVFI last month, “For Zion’s Sake” has garnered 165 signatories, including prominent names such as Gavin DʼCosta of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome and Jennifer Bryson of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.
Addressing the question of his motivation for helping to spearhead the initiative, Villeneuve, an associate professor of Old Testament and biblical languages at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan, told EWTN News that Catholic antisemitism has “become much more prevalent” since Oct. 7, 2023 on two levels: the political level and the theological and biblical level.
“All the prophets consistently reaffirm Godʼs covenant with Israel and his promises that he will return them back to their land. So why arenʼt Catholics taking that seriously?” Villeneuve said. “As if this is just an evangelical, dispensationalist-type of idea, when Scripture is really quite clear about it? These promises and prophecies are never abolished in the New Testament.”
One of the four “Guiding Principles” in CVFI’s Charter asserts the importance of the re-establishment of a Jewish homeland in the modern State of Israel, quoting Pope Benedict XVI who said in a 2018 letter to Rabbi Arie Folger that "it is not difficult, I believe, to see in the creation of the State of Israel the fidelity of God to Israel is revealed in a mysterious way.”
While Villeneuve and the Charter both make the case for a Catholic Zionism and recognition of biblical significance for the modern state of Israel, other Catholic public intellectuals argue that the lack of official teaching leaves room for Catholics to disagree or form alternate opinions.
Indeed, in the same 2018 letter to Rabbi Folger, Benedict XVI says “the state of Israel cannot be seen to theologically represent fulfillment of the Land promise, but rather as a secular state which of course has religious foundations.”
Outside perspectives on the effort
“The Charter is strongest when it grounds itself in truths the Church has clearly affirmed,” Simone Rizkallah, manager of Jewish-Christian Partnerships at the Tikvah Fund, told EWTN News.
“Where the Charter moves beyond settled doctrine is in its attempt to reflect on the theological significance of the modern State of Israel,” she said, explaining that the Catholic Church has never taught that the modern State of Israel was biblically prophesied, nor rejected the idea that “the re-establishment of a Jewish homeland might bear theological significance in light of Godʼs enduring fidelity to the Jewish people.”
“On these questions there remains room for legitimate theological exploration and debate among Catholics,” Rizkallah, who is not a signatory to the Charter, said.
In addition, Rizkallah pointed to the perspective of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, in his framing of the issue: “[Pizzaballa] put his finger on an important aspect of the discussion when he observed: "While Europeans primarily view Israel as a state, for Jews it is much more than that.”
“Too often Catholics discuss Israel exclusively as a political entity without adequately appreciating the religious, historical, and covenantal significance that the Land of Israel holds within the Jewish self-understanding,” she said. “Recognizing that reality does not require agreement with every policy of the Israeli government, but it does require taking Jewish self-understanding seriously.”
Rizkallah, who is also a founding member of the Coalition of Catholics Against Antisemitism, said she welcomed the charter’s rejection of dispensationalism, dual-covenant theology, political absolutism, and the notion that Israel should be exempt from moral scrutiny. She further praised the document’s acknowledgement of the dignity and concerns of Palestinians and local Christians.
“One reason I believe this conversation is so important is that, despite the tremendous progress in Catholic-Jewish relations since Nostra Aetate, there are signs that certain anti-Jewish attitudes are reappearing within parts of Catholic discourse,” she said. “I do not mean that large numbers of Catholics are racial antisemites, nor do I mean that the Churchʼs official teaching has changed. On the contrary, the Churchʼs teaching on the Jewish people remains one of the great achievements of the post-conciliar era.”
“The challenge facing Catholics today is not only to reject overt antisemitism, but also to ensure that our theological, political, and moral judgments are shaped by what the Church actually teaches about the Jewish people,” Rizkallah pointed out.
A ‘work of God’
For his part, David Moss, longtime president of the Association of Hebrew Catholics in the U.S., praised CVFI’s initiative.
“I am totally in agreement with this new Catholic initiative in support of Israel,” Moss told EWTN News. “It can only be a work of God that His chosen people, the people Israel (aka the Jews), would survive the holocaust in Christian Europe, and then three years after the end of World War II return to their ancient homeland.”
Moss emphasized that “it is way past time for Catholics to stand up for the Jewish people, the State of Israel, and the many Jewish traditions of Jesus and His people upon which the Catholic faith is based.”
EWTN wins more than 75 awards at 2026 Catholic Media Awards
The EWTN Global Catholic Network received widespread recognition at the 2026 Catholic Media Awards, including 30 first-place awards across its many divisions: EWTN Digital, EWTN Studios, EWTN Publishing, and EWTN News.
EWTN’s top awards reflected the network’s comprehensive coverage of major events in the life of the Catholic Church around the world, including reporting on the death of Pope Francis, the election of Pope Leo XIV, and the lives of persecuted Christians.
The awards were announced at the conclusion of the 2026 Catholic Media Conference, held June 16–19 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The awards recognize outstanding work produced in 2025 across EWTN’s multimedia platforms; from social media and video production to book and newspaper publishing, photography, advertising, and English and Spanish language journalism — showcasing the network’s continued innovation, creativity, and commitment to excellence in service of the Church.
“These honors reflect the extraordinary dedication of our teams across television, radio, digital, print, and news media, who work every day to create opportunities for people around the world to encounter Jesus Christ and His Church,” said Michael Warsaw, chairman of the board and CEO of EWTN.
“As the media landscape continues to evolve, EWTN remains committed to meeting audiences wherever they are, through both traditional and emerging platforms, ensuring that the truth of the Gospel and the Real Presence of Christ are accessible to the faithful and to those who may be encountering Him for the first time,” Warsaw added.
EWTN’s papal photographer, Daniel Ibáñez, was named Photographer of the Year. In awarding the distinction, CMA’s judges noted that in the work of Ibáñez “each photo is thoughtfully framed and immediately connects with the audience.”
Meanwhile, EWTN Digital’s Debbie Cowden was named Social Media Professional of the Year for her “strong, innovative, and enterprising content.”
The EWTN News special report in English and in Spanish, “Before Francis, Who Was Bergoglio?,” won first place in the category of Best Video — Hot Topic — Pope Francis. Judges called the report “one of the strongest entries in this year’s awards” and “a must watch.”
EWTN News’ live coverage of the election of Pope Leo XIV, “Living the Moment After the Habemus Papam, from St. Peter’s Square,” received the top award in the category of Best Use of Live Video in Social Media.
The network’s coverage of the 2025 National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), which featured Pope Leo XIV’s historic first digital encounter with young U.S. Catholics, earned two first-place awards, for Best Multimedia Package — News and Best Social Media Campaign — General Interest.
From EWTN Publishing, “Leo XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope” by Dr. Matthew Bunson, vice president and editorial director of EWTN News, received second place recognition.
At the prestigious Gabriel Awards, which includes competition with both secular and religious media, EWTN Studios’ romantic-comedy streaming series “James the Less” won first place for Best Video for Digital Media for its second season. The show previously won best video for its first season in 2024.
EWTN News also secured first place in Single News Story for the documentary “Christians Fight To Survive: ISIS in Iraq,” which has garnered over a million views on YouTube alone.
The National Catholic Register earned 17 total awards, including 10 first-place honors, and once again received the top distinction as Best Catholic Newspaper, the sixth such recognition in the last decade.
The publication also won first place for its reporting on the Jubilee Year and on emerging Catholic population hubs across the United States.
The network achieved an exceptional sweep in Best Video — Feature (Radio, TV and Film Company), taking first, second, third and honorable mention for its videos “From Mohammed to Jesus: The Nikki Kingsley Story,” “John Paul II: Twenty Years Later,” “Eucharistic Pilgrimage in Navajo Nation,” and “Mother Angelica Witness to Providence Award: Doug Keck.”
Similarly, EWTN News captured first, second, and third place in two categories, Best Video — Personality Profile and Best Video — Pro-life Activities (Radio, TV and Film Company). The winning personality profile videos included “Judge Frank Caprio on His Fight Against Terminal Cancer & His Catholic Faith,” “Before Francis, Who Was Bergoglio?,” and “North Pole in New Jersey? This Man Has Been Santa for 60 Years.”
The best-in-class pro-life videos were for EWTN’s “Canada: Preserving the Life of a Nation,” “Flash Mob Against Euthanasia,” and “National Celebrate Life Rally.”
The EWTN News Spanish-language service, ACI Prensa, also took home numerous recognitions with 10 awards, including four first place wins.
“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by our peers for excellence in Catholic journalism and storytelling,” said Montse Alvarado, president and COO of EWTN News.
“The past year marked a defining moment not only for EWTN News but for the global Church, as we helped audiences navigate the historic passing of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope.”
“Those extraordinary events challenged us to innovate, deepen our coverage, and create new ways of reaching people with meaningful, faith-filled content at a moment when the world was watching,” she said.
Now in its 45th year, EWTN is the largest Catholic media organization in the world. The network’s 11 global TV channels and numerous regional channels are broadcast in multiple languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 160 countries and territories. EWTN platforms also include radio services transmitted through SIRIUS/XM, iHeart Radio, and over 600 domestic and international AM and FM radio affiliates; a worldwide shortwave radio service; one of the most visited Catholic websites in the U.S.; EWTN Publishing, its book publishing division; and EWTN News, its global, multilingual news service.
Cardinal Pizzaballa and Orthodox Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem visit the Gaza Strip
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Theophilus III, Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, All Palestine, and Jordan, undertook a visit to the Gaza Strip on June 22, as announced by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The visit of the two heads of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches in the Holy Land expressed, according to the statement, the “pastoral responsibility” of their respective Churches toward the Christian communities of Gaza but also “toward the whole population” of this territory, “where families continue to endure grave humanitarian suffering, fear, loss and uncertainty.”
The patriarchs were accompanied on their visit by Josef D. Blotz, grand hospitaller of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, as well as by representatives of Malteser International, the orderʼs humanitarian agency.
Their presence “reflects the enduring commitment of faith-based humanitarian services to healthcare, relief work, and the protection of human dignity in Gaza,” the statement noted.
Furthermore, the statement said the presence of both religious leaders “carries the prayer of Jerusalem to Gaza’s wounded faithful and to all who suffer, in a ministry of consolation, mercy and steadfast Christian witness rooted in the Gospel and in the sacred vocation of the Holy City.”
During their time in Gaza, the leaders visited the cityʼs only Catholic church, the Latin rite parish dedicated to the Holy Family where, according to Vatican News, Theophilos III and Pizzaballa were welcomed with applause from the faithful and joyful cheers from the children.
After an initial greeting and a prayer led by the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, Pizzaballa expressed his joy at being able to look into the eyes not only of the parishioners and those living in the vicinity of the church, but also of all the inhabitants of that suffering city.
The situation, the cardinal said, is difficult but the presence of Church representatives demonstrates their concern for Gaza, which remains a priority.
In addition, they held meetings with the clergy, religious communities, and “local Christian families and people affected by the continuing humanitarian crisis,” according to the statement.
Through these encounters, they "seek to offer spiritual strength, comfort, and hope in the midst of deep suffering," they said. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem emphasized that the presence of Theophilos III and Pizzaballa "carries the prayer of Jerusalem to Gaza’s wounded faithful and to all who suffer.”
This is the third such visit in the past year; Pizzaballa previously visited the Strip in July and December 2025.
The humanitarian work of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza has recently been recognized. On June 12, in the presence of Italian President Sergio Mattarella, they were awarded the Antonio Feltrinelli International Prize by the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei — one of Italyʼs most prestigious scientific and humanitarian awards. Iyad Twal, patriarchal vicar for Jordan, accepted the prize on behalf of Pizzaballa.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
Sen. Hawley says MLB admits error in warning Giants players over Bible verses
Major League Baseball (MLB) will not punish the three San Francisco Giants players who wrote Bible verses on their caps during the team’s gay pride celebrations and blamed the incident on poor communication from the franchise, according to Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri.
Hawley posted a letter on X, which he said he received from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred after the senator accused the league of discrimination and the Department of Justice (DOJ) opened an investigation into the matter.
The incident stemmed from the Giants’ June 12 “Pride Night,” in which most players wore caps that infused a gay pride rainbow into the team logo. Three players inscribed Bible verses on the caps, with one referencing Genesis 9:12-16, in which God tells Noah the rainbow is “the sign of the covenant that I am making between me and you and every living creature with you for all ages to come” and promises to never flood the entire Earth again.
After the game, the Giants apologized for the players causing “pain and anger to many in the LGBTQ+ community” and the MLB issued warnings, which Manfred said was simply enforcing its content-neutral prohibition on writing messages on uniforms.
In the letter Hawley posted, Manfred said players cannot be forced to wear the pride-inspired uniform, but blamed the Giants for not properly communicating to players that it is optional.
He said “the Giants’ communication with players was inadequate and not clear” but the MLB warnings to the players were delivered before the league became aware of that.
“Some players apparently did not understand that they had the option to wear their normal uniform and elected to add messages to their hats bearing the pride logo as a result,” the commissioner added.
He said the players “were neither fined nor disciplined, nor will they ever be.” He said the MLB “believes in the right of our players and fans to express their religious beliefs and at the same time supports the communities in this country that are fans of our clubs, including the LGBTQ community.”
“We believe that a policy permitting our clubs to celebrate or honor segments of its fanbase, yet does not require players or other on-field personnel to directly participate in the celebration in ways that makes them uncomfortable, strikes the right balance,” he wrote.
Neither the MLB nor the Giants responded to requests for comment from EWTN News about the letter.
Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ, sent a letter to Manfred last week to inform him that the DOJ will use all available means to hold employers accountable for any discrimination against Christians and that the incident was referred to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
In spite of the MLB’s position that the policy banning written messages is content-neutral, the DOJ letter contends that the league has a “double standard” when it comes to enforcement, noting that players were allowed to wear “Black Lives Matter” messages in spite of the general prohibition.
This incident came less than a month after the Washington Nationals fired Sean Hudson, its former director of community relations, for saying the team tries to avoid the inclusion of pitcher Trevor Williams in promotional materials because of his Catholic faith.
Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, urged the Justice Department to reexamine the MLB’s antitrust exemption because of the incident and to investigate potential patterns of discriminatory actions.
One year after St. Elias Church bombing, Syrian Christians find strength in faith
One year has passed since St. Elias Church in the Dweilaa district of Damascus, Syria, was bombed, killing at least 25 worshippers and injuring as many as over 100 people.
For many Syrian Christians, the terrorist attack became a defining moment that shook the community in a way not seen since the final years of the Ottoman Empire.
Speaking to ACI MENA, EWTN News’ Arabic-language news service, Father Yohanna Shahada, pastor of St. Elias Church, recalled not only a year marked by grief, tears, and fear, but also one shaped by hope born of prayer, faith, and the solidarity of the Church’s living stones, supporting one another through suffering.
One memory from the days immediately following the attack remains especially vivid in Shahada’s mind. Rather than waiting to receive consolation, grieving families found themselves comforting the priests. Many of the wounded, despite their own pain, sought to encourage those serving the parish.
Shahada recalled one parishioner who underwent surgery on his leg. When the priest asked how he was doing, the man replied: “Father, as long as you are standing, we are well.”
The bombing revived memories of war, destruction, and fear that many had spent years trying to overcome, Shahada said. Even today, concerns about the future and the possibility of another attack remain present among many families.
The families of victims of the church bombing faced not only the emotional pain of losing loved ones but also significant financial hardship, as many of those killed were the primary breadwinners for their households.
According to Shahada, approximately 150 people were injured in the attack. Their injuries ranged from minor to moderate, with some requiring surgery and others suffering life-altering wounds that resulted in the loss of a limb.
The priest emphasized that from the first moments after the bombing, Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X Yazigi closely followed developments and directed efforts to provide emergency assistance, hospital care, medication, and the medical treatment needed by the injured.
Shahada also praised the work of the Church’s Department of Ecumenical Relations, which organized individual and group psychological support sessions. He highlighted the contributions of Church institutions and charitable organizations, including Caritas and the St. Ephrem Organization, as well as numerous community initiatives that stood beside affected families during their time of need.
Continuing support
The months following the attack were marked by sustained efforts to address urgent needs and help families rebuild their lives, Shahada said. These initiatives included assisting people in finding employment, supporting small business projects, and helping cover educational expenses for children from affected households whenever possible.
“No assistance can replace the loss of a loved one,” he said. “But these efforts are a tangible expression of the Church’s commitment to its people and its determination not to leave them alone in their suffering.”
Reflecting on the spiritual dimension of the tragedy, Shahada said the experience, despite the evil and pain it brought, ultimately deepened many people’s relationship with the Church and strengthened their appreciation for prayer and hope.
“The miracles we need are not born from anger or hatred,” he said. “Those only deepen divisions. Prayer for those who harm us, however, opens the door to true transformation.”
He pointed to the conversion of St. Paul on the road to Damascus as an example of such transformation. Evil, he said, resembles thorns that grow and spread on their own, while a field of wheat requires patience, effort, and constant care to bear fruit.
Looking back, Shahada noted that although the bombing itself lasted only seconds, the restoration of the church has taken more than a year because every part of the building sustained damage.
He expressed hope that the faithful will be able to celebrate the rededication of St. Elias Church next autumn.
This story was first published by ACI MENA, the Arabic-language service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
Catholic religious community faces 'inevitable' end in Australia as it moves to settle abuse claims
A Catholic religious community in Melbourne, Australia says it will be forced to close after nearly two centuries as it moves to settle a large number of abuse claims brought against it.
Christian Brothers Oceania Province said on June 22 it was proposing a plan to facilitate the “orderly distribution of our remaining property, funds and other assets” to victims of abuse by congregation members.
The organization said in a press release that “some members” of the congregation had caused “enormous harm through their criminal sexual abuse of children.”
The group said it is facing a “pivotal moment” in which a “very difficult financial position” led it to propose the distribution scheme. Either through that scheme or through “liquidation,” the group said its Oceania province would “inevitably come to an end.”
The congregation has multiple chapters on every continent except Antartica and has faced numerous sexual abuse allegations elsewhere. The Oceania province includes congregations in Australia, New Zealand, and Papa New Guinea.
The organization said that over roughly the past 45 years it has already made payments to abuse victims “in excess of $480 million.” Yet in the past decade the number of claims against the organization has “accelerated,” leading the group to propose the distribution scheme.
If the proposal does not receive court approval, the congregation said, then it will “have no option but to enter liquidation.”
“In both cases,” the group said, the Oceania province will “cease to exist.”
The organization’s press release noted that it is “financially and canonically distinct” from the “broader Catholic Church,” meaning it has “no ability to compel other Catholic institutions” to help with the financial payout.
The province’s assets include approximately 36 properties throughout Australia with a total value of about $216 million, the group said.
The proposed distribution scheme would also account for the future care of the remaining brothers in the province, the congregation said. A total of 176 brothers are still living throughout the province with an average age of 80 years.
The interests of the abuse victims “remain our highest priority,” the congregation said.
The congregation first established a presence in Australia 183 years ago, in 1843, the group said, and while it argued that there is “much to be proud of” in its work, its history of sex abuse is “shameful and painful.”
“It is a truth we do not resile from, and it is this which has brought us to this point today,” the group said.
The Congregation of Christian Brothers was founded in 1802 by Edmund Ignatius Rice in Waterford, Ireland. It was formally recognized by the Holy See in 1820.
Mexico confronts its taboo history: Exhibit spotlights Cristero War against religious persecution
Throughout 2026, a museum in Puebla, Mexico, is hosting the exhibition “When Faith Challenged Power,” which depicts the history of the Cristero War, a popular uprising against religious persecution in Mexico that frequently goes unmentioned in education and public discourse.
Marking the centenary of the outbreak of the conflict, also known as the La Cristiada, the exhibition on display at the museum at the Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP by its Spanish acronym) aims to highlight “everything involved in the defense of religious freedom” in early 20th-century Mexico, and how Mexicans “decided to defend something that was important to them.”
Mariana Cruz Ugarte, coordinator of the UPAEP Museum, told ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, that the exhibition presents “a reflection that seems very pertinent both today and always: what is important to us, and why is it worth defending?”
A war Mexico rarely talks about
Although tensions between the Church and the Mexican state were rooted in the anticlerical 1917 Constitution, the Cristero War erupted in 1926 when the so-called “Law on Tolerance of Religious Worship” or the “Calles Law,” named after then president Plutarco Elías Calles, went into effect in July of that year.
The regulations promoted and enforced by Calles severely restricted religious freedom, banning public worship outside of churches, prohibiting religious attire, dissolving religious orders, and deporting foreign priests.
Faced with the restrictions, Mexican bishops decided to suspend religious services. Tensions with the authorities escalated, and groups of Catholic faithful across various parts of Mexico spontaneously took up arms against federal repression.
Many of these men and women faced persecution while shouting “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” (“Long live Christ the King!”) — a rallying cry that gave rise to the name by which they would become known: the “Cristeros.”
“There is talk of more than 250,000 deaths in the Cristero War resulting from the armed conflict,” noted Cruz, pointing out that despite the magnitude of that war, it is a “little-known” event.
In Mexico, she said, the War of Independence in the first half of the 19th century and the Mexican Revolution in the 1910s are “very deeply ingrained” in our minds, yet the Cristero War is “a moment in our history that little is said about.”
“That’s why it is important” to remember this war, she said, for “when we forget these lessons, which cost our nation dearly in blood, we risk the possibility that it could happen again, that it could continue to occur in other ways.”
Furthermore, she emphasized, “even though this happened long ago, it helps us reflect on the importance of dialogue versus a response that descends into violence.”
An exhibition that seeks to surprise
The immersive exhibition invites visitors to witness the private lives and concerns of the Cristeros “as if we were observing it ourselves,” and to see “how peopleʼs lives changed” due to the war.
“That really adds to the element of surprise, because people don’t imagine the characters speaking,” noted Cruz, pointing out how visitors approaching certain areas of the exhibition are startled by sounds recreating the lives of persecuted Catholics.
In this way, it feels as though “they are living their lives and we are spying on them,” even witnessing the “fear” experienced by those who “decided to defend something that was important to them.”
“We wanted to surprise people,” she emphasized, noting that this is “an exhibition that differs greatly from what we have traditionally presented at the UPAEP Museum.”
In one area of the exhibition, two women can be heard conversing in hushed tones. “We are seeing these women making flags that they’re going to donate to the Cristero army,” the museum coordinator explained.
Then, one makes one’s way in the dead of night to the center of a village, where the church stands closed and guarded by the federal army.
There, “we approach very discreetly so as not to interrupt what is taking place, the way people continued to live out their faith in secret, inside their homes, in the early hours of the morning,” she added.
Inside one of the “houses” recreated by the exhibition, another exchange can be heard: “The priest is celebrating Mass, and they ask him to please lower his voice so they won’t be discovered,” Cruz explained.
“We seek to stir emotions but also to engage the senses,” she said, noting that visitors “can even smell the grass in the village center.”
The exhibition is further enriched by authentic Cristero artifacts ranging from flags and photographs to clothes and even weapons used by those who took up arms against the Mexican governmentʼs repression.
The UPAEP Museum coordinator emphasized that the exhibition aims to foster “reflection on peaceful coexistence,” as well as “the importance of dialogue, always as a means to facilitate and reach conflict resolution.”
However, a key point, she noted, is “the importance of getting involved and staying informed about what is happening in political life.”
“One thing we can see is that political decisions affect people’s lives,” she said, pointing out that such decisions “transform even our everyday lives, the way we are accustomed to living them.”
This can be especially relevant when “it seems there are young people today who do not feel particularly compelled” to pay attention to these developments.
The exhibition at the UPAEP Museum is open to the public free of charge and will remain open until Jan. 16, 2027.
Instagram post
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.
Vatican rejects German bishops’ request for lay homilies at Mass
VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has rejected a request by the German Bishops’ Conference to allow lay faithful, in exceptional circumstances, to preach the homily during the celebration of the Eucharist.
The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments communicated the decision in a letter dated June 17 addressed to Bishop Heiner Wilmer, president of the German Bishops’ Conference.
In the letter, released by the Vatican on June 23, the dicastery said it is “not possible to grant the indult requested” on March 30 which would have allowed a duly designated layperson to preach in place of the homily.
Although the dicastery — which oversees most matters related to the Catholic Church’s liturgy and the ritual of the sacraments — expressed appreciation for the pastoral motivations behind the request, it emphasized that current norms do not allow for exceptions on this point.
“The reservation of the homily to a priest or deacon is not a merely disciplinary norm, but derives from the very nature of the liturgy,” the dicastery said.
The letter noted that the homily “constitutes an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word,” is “intrinsically linked to the proclamation of the Gospel,” and “represents an exercise of the munus docendi entrusted to ordained ministers through the sacrament of holy orders.”
The dicastery also stressed that the “proclamation of the Word within the liturgical celebration is inseparable from the mission received sacramentally and from the unity that links the Word and the Sacrament in the eucharistic celebration.”
The letter underlined the need to strengthen the formation of clergy, pointing to “the importance of promoting the ongoing formation of ordained ministers, so that the homily may fully express its pastoral and spiritual efficacy.”
Finally, the dicastery recalled that the Church’s current discipline already provides other possibilities for lay faithful to preach.
“There are numerous forms of proclamation of the Word and preaching that can be entrusted to the lay faithful outside the homily and outside the celebration of the Eucharist,” the dicastery said, noting that such preaching must always be carried out in accordance with canon law and the proper nature of those forms of announcing the Gospel.
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.
Cambodia's Buddhist leaders honor Catholic bishop for decades of cooperation
Cambodia’s Buddhist leadership has conferred a high honorary title on the Catholic bishop of Phnom Penh, recognizing decades of cooperation between Buddhist and Christian communities in a country where the Catholic Church remains a small minority.
Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, apostolic vicar of Phnom Penh, received the title “Akka Mahāupāsakabuddhasāsanūpatthambhakr,” roughly translated as “Elder Great Lay Supporter and Upholder of the Buddha’s Dispensation,” during a ceremony on June 13, 2026, at Wat Botum Vatey in the Cambodian capital.
The title was conferred by Supreme Patriarch Nun Nget of Cambodia’s Mohanikaya Buddhist order and presented at a ceremony presided over by Venerable Khim Sorn, the order’s third deputy supreme patriarch.
The honor builds on a distinction Schmitthaeusler received in 2022, when Cambodia’s Buddhist leadership named him a “Maha Upasaka,” recognizing his support for Buddhist communities and his role in promoting dialogue and cooperation between Cambodia’s Buddhist majority and its small Catholic minority.
At the time, Buddhist leaders cited joint development projects, educational initiatives, and efforts to strengthen social cohesion. The new title represents a higher level of recognition from the country’s Buddhist establishment.
Speaking at the ceremony, Khim Sorn pointed to Cambodia’s constitutional framework, which recognizes Buddhism as the state religion while protecting religious freedom.
He said the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia clearly stipulates that Buddhism is the state religion, but “it also guarantees complete freedom of religious belief without coercion” and promotes religious harmony, peaceful coexistence, and mutual respect among the different religions.
Buddhist leaders said the recognition reflected Schmitthaeusler’s long involvement in educational, humanitarian, and community-development initiatives carried out in cooperation with Buddhist institutions.
For Schmitthaeusler, the award marked another chapter in a relationship that began more than two decades ago. “This is a profoundly meaningful event for me as a Catholic bishop,” he said.
The French-born missionary of the Paris Foreign Missions Society traced that relationship to his years as a parish priest in Takeo province, where Catholics and Buddhists worked together on local development projects.
Among them was the construction of a road linking a Catholic community and a nearby pagoda, an initiative he said helped lay the groundwork for deeper cooperation.
Over the years, that collaboration expanded into education and social services. Schmitthaeusler noted that he supported the establishment of a primary school at Wat Ang Montrey, where students study Pali, Sanskrit, and other academic subjects.
The prelate also highlighted joint humanitarian efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and assistance provided to displaced families during recent tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
“Receiving the status of Akka Mahāupāsakabuddhasāsanūpatthambhakr today is a moment of profound recognition of how the Catholic Church and Buddhism walk hand-in-hand for the common good of our people and our country,” he said.
Schmitthaeusler also cited recent dialogue initiatives involving Buddhist and Christian leaders from Cambodia and across Asia focused on peacebuilding and reconciliation.
“We know that when Cambodia is full of peace, it radiates a positive influence to the rest of the world,” he said. “This is a powerful signal: when religions journey together, the world will witness true peace,” he added.
A small Church rebuilt after the Khmer Rouge
Theravada Buddhism is practiced by the vast majority of Cambodia’s roughly 18 million people. The Catholic Church numbers about 20,000 faithful across one apostolic vicariate and two apostolic prefectures.
The Catholic Church was nearly wiped out during the Khmer Rouge era, when religious communities were persecuted and most church buildings were destroyed.
Since public religious life resumed in the early 1990s, the Catholic Church has gradually rebuilt through education, health care, social services, and pastoral ministry, becoming a small but visible presence in Cambodian society.