Pope Leo XIV: AI communication must preserve ‘human voices and faces’
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged Catholics and communicators to promote forms of communication that respect the truth of the human person in the age of artificial intelligence, while also calling for renewed care for creation and peace as Laudato Si’ Week begins.
Speaking after praying the Regina Caeli May 17 from the window of the Apostolic Palace, the pope noted that many countries were marking World Communications Day, whose theme this year, he said, is “Preserving Human Voices and Faces.”
“In this era of artificial intelligence, I encourage everyone to commit themselves to promoting forms of communication that always respect the truth of the human person, on which every technological innovation should be focused,” Pope Leo XIV said.
The appeal comes as the Vatican is preparing for the pope’s first encyclical, expected to treat extensively the ethical and social questions raised by artificial intelligence through the lens of Catholic social teaching.
The pope also marked the start of Laudato Si’ Week, which runs through next Sunday and is dedicated to the care of creation, inspired by Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical.
“In this jubilee year of Saint Francis of Assisi, we recall his message of peace with God, with our brothers and sisters, and with all creatures,” he said. “Sadly, in recent years, due to wars, progress in this direction has been greatly impeded.”
Pope Leo encouraged the members of the Laudato Si’ Movement and all those who promote an “integral ecology” to renew their commitment, adding: “Indeed, caring for peace is caring for life!”
In his catechesis before the Marian prayer, the pope reflected on the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, celebrated Sunday in many countries.
The image of Jesus “lifted up from the earth and ascending toward heaven,” he said, may make the mystery seem like “a distant event from long ago.”
“Yet this is not so, for we are united to Jesus as the members of one body united to the head,” Pope Leo said. “By ascending into heaven, then, he draws us with him toward full communion with the Father.”
Quoting St. Augustine, the pope said that “the head’s advance is the hope of the members.”
Christ’s whole life, he continued, is “a movement of ascent,” through which he embraces the world, redeems humanity from sin, and brings “light, forgiveness and hope where previously there was darkness, injustice and desperation.”
“The Ascension, therefore, does not speak to us of a distant promise, but of a living bond, which draws us also toward heavenly glory, already elevating and expanding our horizon in this life and directing our way of thinking, feeling and acting more closely to the measure of God’s heart,” he said.
The pope said this path of ascent is found in Christ’s life, example, and teaching, and is also marked out by the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints.
He also recalled Pope Francis’ teaching on the saints “next door” — ordinary fathers, mothers, grandparents, and people of every age and condition who “with joy and commitment, make the effort to live sincerely according to the Gospel.”
“With them, with their support and thanks to their prayer, we too can learn to ascend day by day toward heaven,” Pope Leo said.
The pope urged Christians, with God’s help, to put into practice all that they have “heard and seen,” so that the divine life received in baptism may grow and “spread the precious fruits of communion and peace in the world.”
“May Mary, the Queen of Heaven, who illuminates and guides us in every moment, support us on our path,” he said.
At the end of the Regina Caeli, the pope greeted pilgrims from Rome and abroad, including marching bands from Germany, the “Sant’Antonu di u Monti” Confraternity from Ajaccio, students from the University of Montana, young people from Oppido Mamertina, youth leaders from Lorenzaga in the Diocese of Concordia-Pordenone, and confirmation candidates from the Archdiocese of Genoa.
This story was first published in two parts by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
Centennial honors historic Michigan church built amid KKK threats and strikes
A richly diverse Catholic community in southern Michigan is preparing to mark a milestone: the centennial of St. Mary Star of the Sea in Jackson, where the beauty of sacred space, reverent liturgy, and a vibrant musical tradition continue to shape the lives of the faithful.
The church has thrived through historic events and turbulent times, even as it was being rebuilt. In 1924, one of the largest Ku Klux Klan (KKK) rallies ever recorded saw 100,000 participants tramp through Jacksonʼs streets, and parish tradition holds that the Knights of Columbus kept vigil at the construction site to protect it from KKK vandalism.
As he prepares to wrap up his 15-year tenure as pastor of the parish, Father Timothy Nelson reflected on the churchʼs enduring vitality: “Our church is not a relic but a dynamic part of the present, enriched by a legacy of faith.”
Located west of Detroit, Jackson has long been a railroad hub with ties to the automobile industry. St. Mary’s is one of three current parishes, following a consolidation of several others. Following decades of a strong Polish-American presence, demographic changes have included the growing influx of Hispanic families. Children of the latter now make up about a quarter of the enrollment at St. Mary School.
St. Mary’s three spires dominate the skyline, reaching up 180 feet in an imposing Romanesque style. Long regarded as one of the most beautiful churches in Michigan, it features magnificent stained-glass windows fashioned in Innsbruck, Austria, an apse mosaic of Our Lady Star of the Sea, murals of the apostles, and Carrara marble altars and Communion rail.
The latter embellishments were donated by George Washington Hill, president of the American Tobacco Co., as a memorial to his young wife, Aquinas Heiler Hill, who died in 1925. The green and red colors in the mosaics around the high altar repeat the original colors used on packs of Lucky Strike cigarettes.
The present structure replaced an earlier church, with its cornerstone laid on Sept. 23, 1923. Construction faced delays because of a prolonged labor strike at limestone quarries. The era was also marred with social unrest, including the Ku Klux Klan and its virulent anti-Catholicism and racism. Construction was not completed until May 31, 1926, at a cost of $375,000. Then-Auxiliary Bishop Joseph C. Plagens came from Detroit to officiate the dedicatory Mass.
Among its treasures is a unique stained-glass rose window memorializing the fallen of the first world war, including nuns who tended the wounded. “The window shows not only the American soldiers and sailors of the war, but even their enemies who reach out to Jesus rising above them,” Nelson said as he gave a tour of the magnificent church.
Restoration of the windows cost $1 million and was made possible through the generosity of parishioners and benefactors, including the Eisele Family Foundation. St. Mary’s is depicted in “Buildings of Michigan” by Kathryn Bishop Eckert as one of the most notable in the Mitten State.
Now 74, Nelson will step down as pastor this summer. A former cardiologist, he will continue his ministry as chaplain of the St. Pio Medical Center in nearby Howell, which is part of a Vatican-authorized healthcare network inspired by St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio). He will be succeeded by Father John Vinton, who will continue offering Traditional Latin Masses and Spanish-language Masses.
St. Mary’s serves about 1,086 families, including the active Sacred Heart of Jesus Hispanic Community.
Nelson said: “The school is necessary for parish life” and is the most diverse parochial school in the area.
The parish’s liturgical life shows both continuity and renewal. The Traditional Latin Mass, celebrated every Sunday, is accompanied by Gregorian chant and organ led by Aine Schroeder, a student at nearby Hillsdale College. Schroeder said the Gregorian schola will chant the “Ave Maria” and “Salve Regina” at the centennial concert.
Dispelling concerns that the Latin liturgy is stuck in the past, Nelson said: “I agree with Pope Benedict XVI that the past continues to be lived in the present. We are bringing it into the future.”
For longtime parishioner Mary Belknap, a fourth-generation member who serves on the parish guild, St. Mary’s is a spiritual home and a place of encounter.
“It’s one of the hallmark parishes in the state. People come from all over to see us and our beautiful church,” she said. Bridging the gaps between communities came easily to educator Belknap, who said that, having been raised in poverty as a child, she has experienced life on the margins, and “I personally reach out to embrace the goodness of other people.”
The parishʼs centennial observance will commence with a concert on May 29 and culminate in a solemn Mass on May 31 — exactly 100 years after its first Mass — to be celebrated by Bishop Earl Boyea.
Mary Malewitz, parish music director since 1981, is organizing the opening concert, which will feature adult and school choirs, a Hispanic choir, and a Gregorian schola. Between each performance, parishioners will sing their favorite hymns.
“St. Mary’s has brought glory to Michigan for generations,” she told EWTN News.
Nationwide billboard campaign in Ireland invites thousands to rosary rally
The All Ireland Rosary Rally scheduled for June 6 in Knock will be the largest Catholic event in Ireland this year, and organizers have adopted an uncommon promotional tactic to catch the attention of the faithful — a countrywide billboard campaign.
Building on last year’s turnout when more than 10,000 people gathered for the 40th Rosary Rally in Knock, famous for its shrine and as a pilgrimage destination, rally organizers hope the two-week campaign will attract an even bigger audience. It is the first time the event has been advertised using billboards. Fifty sites throughout Ireland were chosen, including a number in Northern Ireland.
“We chose billboards because Father Patrick Peyton was famous for his billboards in running his rosary rallies around the world, some of which attracted crowds of 2 million people,” Father Marius O’Reilly, one of the rally organizers, told EWTN News.
The billboards have attracted reaction and comments online and in the mainstream media. The Irish News, a daily newspaper published in Belfast, reported that Archbishop Eamon Martin and Bishop Donal McKeown plan to “reconsecrate Ireland to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the event, which organizers describe as a national moment of prayer for peace.”
Parishes have been drawing people’s attention to the billboard campaign as well. Holy Family Parish in Drogheda spotted one of the billboards in the town and posted on its Facebook page: “A giant reminder on the Dublin Road in Drogheda from the All Ireland Rosary Rally. Book your spot on our bus to Knock.”
O’Reilly explained to EWTN News that the cost of the billboards has been borne by sponsors and voluntary donations. “Sponsors are paying for the posters and indeed, this huge event is possible because of the generosity of so many. People are not charged on the day; thereʼs no ticket price. So the event relies heavily on the generosity and support of many people across Ireland and beyond. People are responding very positively, and with great enthusiasm.”
The goal of the rally’s organizing committee was a billboard presence in as many counties and population centers as possible. “We tried to ensure that every county would be represented with the billboards, and more so in the cities,” O’Reilly said.
“I think it is encouraging people in their faith and itʼs just part of the renewal in Ireland thatʼs taking place. The Irish have a great love for Our Lady in the rosary.”
He continued: “The devotion to Our Lady is evident on the highways and byways of our country; we have huge grottos everywhere around Ireland, so Our Lady is very, very important to the Irish. Now for the duration of the campaign, people of all faiths and none can see Our Lady on a billboard, as well as the grottos, inviting them to come to Knock to pray for peace in our world and for the renewal of our faith in Ireland.”
Partners for this yearʼs rally include the Father Peyton Centre in Attymass, County Mayo, and Holy Cross Family Ministries, which both continue the work of Peyton. International speakers include Father Chris Alar, Nikki Kingsley, and Bishop Oliver Doeme.
Over 10,000 pilgrims are expected to attend this year, with 50 buses already booked to bring people to the Knock shrine.
Vatican sets up commission on artificial intelligence
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has approved the creation of a new Vatican commission on artificial intelligence to coordinate the Holy See’s response to the rapidly expanding technology and its implications for human dignity, integral development, and the Church’s own internal use of AI.
The move comes as the Vatican is preparing for the release of Leo’s first encyclical, which is expected to deal extensively with artificial intelligence and its ethical, social, and economic consequences. Reports have indicated that the document will likely frame AI as one of the defining moral questions of the present age, drawing a parallel with the social upheavals of the Industrial Revolution addressed by Pope Leo XIII in Rerum Novarum.
The Holy See Press Office announced the decision May 16. It followed a May 3 audience with Cardinal Michael Czerny, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
The Vatican said the pope made the decision in light of the development of artificial intelligence in recent decades, its rapid acceleration in general use, its potential effects on the human person and humanity as a whole, and the Church’s concern for the dignity of every human being, particularly in relation to integral human development.
The new commission will include representatives from the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the Dicastery for Communication, the Pontifical Academy for Life, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
Any changes to the commission’s composition will be submitted to the approval of the Holy Father.
The head of each participating institution will delegate a representative to the commission. Its coordination will be entrusted for one year, renewable, to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. After that, the Roman Pontiff will entrust coordination to one of the participating institutions, again for a period of one year.
The coordinating institution will be responsible for facilitating collaboration and the exchange of information among the group’s members regarding activities and projects related to artificial intelligence, including policies governing its use within the Holy See. The commission is also tasked with promoting dialogue, communion, and participation.
Pope Leo XIV has stressed the global challenges posed by artificial intelligence since the beginning of his pontificate.
Explaining his choice of papal name in an address to the College of Cardinals on May 10, 2025, Leo said: “In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.”
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.
Former finance director admits to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from New Jersey parish
The former finance director of a New Jersey parish has pleaded guilty to stealing more than half a million dollars from the church to “fund a lavish lifestyle.”
State Attorney General Jennifer Davenportʼs office said in a May 15 press release that Joseph Manzi pleaded guilty to “one count of second-degree theft by unlawful taking and one count of third-degree filing a fraudulent tax return.”
The state had charged Manzi in the theft in October 2025 after staffers at St. Leo the Great Parish in Lincroft had discovered “numerous unauthorized charges that were determined to allegedly be for Manzi’s personal benefit.” Manzi had left his position as the parish finance director earlier in the year.
In its May 15 release the state said its investigation determined that the 78-year-old Manzi “fraudulently used St. Leo’s credit cards to make unauthorized purchases and payments.” Such purchases included “personal medical and dental payments,” “sports event tickets,” “chartered fishing trips” and a Cadillac SUV.
In October 2025 the state had alleged Manzi stole around $500,000, though on May 15 it said its investigation had revealed nearly $675,000 in thefts, while “further investigation identified additional stolen funds.”
The state said it was recommending a five-year sentence in New Jersey state prison.
Manzi in August 2025 had also been the subject of a separate civil lawsuit by the St. Leo the Great Parish which accused him of stealing more than $1.5 million from the church.
New Jersey said this week that part of Manziʼs plea agreement includes $1.2 million in restitution to the church.
Seminarians medal at Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon
On Sunday, May 5, 21 men in formation for the priesthood at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and School of Theology in Cincinnati participated in the 28th annual Flying Pig Marathon. The men of the Mount held their own among the approximately 45,000 other racers.
Emerson Wells, studying for the Archdiocese of Louisville, placed second overall with a personal best marathon time of 2:23:52, averaging 5 minutes, 30 seconds per mile for the entire 26.2 mile race. It’s a time that would have won him first place nine out of the last 10 years of the race.
The seminarian-led Verso l’Alto Track Club team won first place in the 4-person relay, clocking a finish time of 2:30:39 and outstripping the second place relay team by nearly 20 minutes.
Seminarian Chatham Anderson, studying for the Diocese of Columbus, started the team off, followed by Nick Merk, then Kevin Bonfield, and finally Cincinnati seminarian David Adamitis brought the team over the finish line.
These five men each donned the Verso l’Alto Track Club jersey, signalling to all who passed by that they ran for a reason.
St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, canonized by Pope Leo XIV on Sept. 7, 2025, made the Italian phrase Verso l’Alto known around the world. It translates to “To the heights.” The Verso l’Alto Track Club, open to all local Catholic men (with a qualifying 5k time of 18 minutes) combines the pursuit of excellence in running and virtuous brotherhood — all ordered toward the glorification of God
Wells, a lifelong runner, said this was the most systematic training he’s used to prepare for a marathon thus far.
“I had a few weeks where I got up to 80 miles a week, which was workable, but it was definitely tough with the schedule and I had to use my breaks to take advantage of that,” he said.
The seminarians stick to a strict schedule of prayer, worship, instruction, and study each day. Wells trained with a goal of running the race in 2 hours, 25 minutes or less. “I knew I had to really focus on the hills if I was going to be successful.”
In conjunction with his rigorous training, Wells had a few other tools to keep him going toward his goal.
“There was a group of sisters from the Children of Mary that came down to my home parish in Louisville. One of them — Sister Imelda Joy — told me that she and two of her other sisters were going to be making perpetual vows soon.”
On May 3, to be exact, the same day as the Flying Pig Marathon.
“When she told me that, I was like, full stop. Thatʼs what Iʼm going to be offering this race for.”
At moments when the race became tough, Wells remembered those sisters and asked for our Lady’s intercession for them.
Wells’ devotion to Mary is made visible by the brown scapular he wore during the race. “I wear the scapular every day; itʼs part of my devotional life.” The scapular didn’t stay in place as he ran through the streets of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. “I actually like having it on during runs because you can kind of see itʼll fly around quite a bit, and I’m reminded that Mary is the way and sheʼs the perfect exemplar of what it means to be truly devoted to God and contemplation,” Wells said.
The men of the Verso l’Alto Track Club share a common goal: physical excellence ordered toward spiritual growth.
“You can be excellent in a given activity and excellent in your faith. Theyʼre not exclusive to each other, but actually mutually affirming,” Adamitis said. “I think that thereʼs a real good among Christians to have ambitious goals according to their talents and to ask the Lord for enlightenment about what their abilities are and how they can use those abilities to glorify His name to bring others into His kingdom.”
The message as these men ran “to the heights” was clear: the pursuit of excellence is the pursuit of God.
“When we strive to have perfection in those areas of physical health and strength, it should really encourage us to have greater care for what matters the most, and thatʼs our soul and our union with God,” said Adamitis.
Both Wells and Adamitis plan to continue running. Through the Verso l’Alto Track Club, they aim to amplify their mission throughout Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and the Archdiocese at large.
Catholic high school students and adults are invited to compete in the club’s summer cross country challenge on Aug. 7, 2026. Adamitis explained the main motivation is to bring Catholic high school students together so that they can have a sense of a greater community. “So that these high school students can see, ‘As I get older and I eventually graduate high school, I can still pursue running at a high level and stay Catholic.’ Thereʼs an element of excellence to both of those things that continue beyond high school.”
“Our athletic pursuits are ultimately ordered for the glorification of God,” Adamitis said. “Cincinnati is a wonderful running city, and we can shift the idea to where itʼs not just running, but itʼs running for the glorification of God.”
This article was originally published by The Catholic Telegraph, of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and is reprinted here, with adaptations, with permission.
India-born bishop in Germany sees his role as giving migrants 'a face'
When Bishop Joshy George Pottackal stood in Mainz Cathedral on March 15 to be consecrated an auxiliary bishop, the moment carried a significance far beyond his personal journey. For many of the faithful, it was a visible sign of the Catholic Churchʼs universality — a Church that transcends borders, cultures, and languages.
Born in Kerala, India, and a member of the Carmelite Order, the 48-year-old prelate has become the first bishop in a German diocese with a non-European background.
His appointment comes at a time when the Catholic Church in Germany is increasingly shaped by global migration. About a quarter of Catholics and priests in the country have roots outside Germany, Pottackal said, yet their presence often remains largely unnoticed in public life.
“I am thankful to Pope Leo XIV for the honor of being able to give these people a face, so to speak, and public recognition,” Pottackal told EWTN News.
His consecration, attended by family members, fellow Carmelites from around the world, diocesan clergy and faithful, and representatives from civic life and other Christian communities, underscored the broader significance of the moment. “I really felt like a part of the universal Church,” Pottackal said.
A call he did not expect
When he first received news of his appointment in November, Pottackal admitted to surprise, and even doubt. “Why me?” he recalled asking himself. He said he had never imagined becoming a bishop, noting that he comes from pastoral ministry rather than academia. Yet after a period of discernment, he came to see the nomination as a call from God, one that required trust and humility.
“I felt it was a call from God, despite my shortcomings and the feeling that I was not worthy of the nomination,” he said. “Despite these doubts I decided to trust God and his guidance and say yes to his call.”
Ordained a priest on Dec. 28, 2003, Pottackal moved to Germany the following year and has spent more than two decades in pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Mainz. His experience spans parish work, youth ministry, and diocesan administration, including service as vicar for clergy. Those years, he said, have prepared him for his new responsibility in guiding the local Church.
Listening in a secularized society
Serving in a society marked by deep secularization, the bishop emphasizes listening as a cornerstone of his pastoral mission. He believes the Church must engage in meaningful dialogue, taking seriously the concerns and hopes of people.
“A synodal church is the way to bring our church forward in a secularized society,” he said, highlighting the importance of shared discernment guided by the Holy Spirit. At the same time, he stressed that the German Church remains inseparably part of the universal Catholic Church, a communion that spans continents and traditions.
One of his key concerns is the growing distance between young people and the Church in Europe. Rather than focusing solely on declining attendance, he pointed to a deeper openness among young people to Christian values.
“Young people deserve that you listen to them, take their views, worries, and interests seriously and let them play an active role,” he said. “Authenticity matters.”
Carmelite roots, global horizons
Pottackalʼs intercultural journey has shaped his understanding of the Church. Raised in the ancient Christian tradition of Keralaʼs Thomas Christians, whose origins trace to the earliest centuries of Christianity, he encountered a different yet equally rich expression of the faith in Germany.
“The essence of the faith is the same,” he said, citing St. Augustineʼs maxim “Love and do what you will” as a guiding principle for ministry in a new cultural setting.
His spiritual identity as a Carmelite remains central. Drawing inspiration from the prophet Elijah and the Virgin Mary, he described his vocation as one grounded in contemplation and attentiveness to Godʼs word. “Being rooted in and inspired by Scripture is the essence of my spiritual identity as a Carmelite, a priest, and now a bishop,” he said.
As auxiliary bishop of Mainz, his responsibilities include overseeing consecrated life, ecumenism, interreligious dialogue, social responsibility, and the Churchʼs global connections. While he is still becoming familiar with these areas, he said, he views them as essential to the Churchʼs witness in the world today.
Looking beyond Europe, Pottackal reflected on the Church in Asia, where Christianity continues to grow, often in the face of persecution. He cautioned against complacency or the rise of what he called a “personality cult” where Christians enjoy social acceptance.
“I think it is important to remember that we have a great message of which we can be proud and to concentrate on that message and live according to it,” he said.
Pope Leo XIV to visit France in September, including a stop at UNESCO headquarters
Pope Leo XIV will undertake an apostolic journey to France from Sept. 25 - 28, a visit which will include a stop at the headquarters of UNESCO.
The trip was officially announced on May 16 by Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni. The Holy See did not immediately release the full itinerary of the trip.
The visit will mark the popeʼs fifth international apostolic journey.
The pope has already visited Turkey and Lebanon (in late 2025) and Monte Carlo (in March 2026).
In April he undertook a major voyage to Africa — with the trip spanning Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea — and is scheduled to visit Spain from June 6 - 12.
He is widely expected to also visit Latin America in the fall.
The last visit by a pope to France dates to Dec. 15, 2024, when Pope Francis traveled to Ajaccio, Corsica.
This story was originally published by ACI Stampa, EWTN News’ Italian-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
Tarsus diocese restored after more than a century
Tarsus diocese restored after more than a century
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch has restored an episcopal presence to Tarsus after more than a century, following the consecration of Bishop Paul Orduloglu in Mersin, Turkey. Orduloglu now serves the newly formed Diocese of Tarsus, Adana and Hatay, and as patriarchal vicar in Antioch, a region still recovering from the devastating 2023 earthquake.
The bishop told ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, that in the earthquake, nine churches were destroyed, roughly 80 Christians were killed, and reconstruction costs remain far beyond the community’s means. For now, his priority is not only rebuilding churches but renewing parish life through catechism, choirs, youth groups and efforts to preserve both Arabic and liturgical identity in a community facing emigration and economic pressure.
Three priests ordained in Armagh Archdiocese
In the Armagh Archdiocese in Ireland, three new priests were ordained in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on May 9.
Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh expressed his gratitude for the ordinations. “I give thanks for their generous ‘yes’ to God’s call, and my hope is that they will have many years of fulfillment in serving God’s people here in the Archdiocese of Armagh. Our celebration will bring to 12 the number of priestly ordinations for the archdiocese in recent years. At a time when the Church in Ireland continues to face many pastoral challenges, these ordinations are a moment of encouragement and hope for the archdiocese," he said.
As of September 2025, 77 men were in training for the priesthood for Irish dioceses.
Canadian archdiocese welcomes four new priests
The Archdiocese of Toronto celebrated the ordination of four new priests on Saturday, May 9.
“We gather this morning in our Cathedral to celebrate something truly extraordinary. Each, in your own way, years ago, at different times, and in different circumstances and different places, heard the words of Christ saying, ‘Come, follow me,’” Cardinal Frank Leo told the ordinandi at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, according to the Canadian Catholic Register.
Hong Kong diocese celebrates 80th anniversary
Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, Bishop of Hong Kong, marked the 80th anniversary of his diocese’s founding in a celebration on Saturday, May 9.
“The joy of our Church lies in being able to share the joy of the Gospel with Hong Kong,” Chow said during the event, which included the inauguration of a historical exhibition on the local church, according to Fides News Agency.
The exhibition will feature photographs, oral testimony, and guided tours on the growth of the diocese, the work of Caritas International, and Catholic education. Hong Kong is home to around 600,000 Catholics.
The event also marked the 180th anniversary of the founding of the mission there. “The heart of evangelization is unchanging, and in this way, people can experience the love of the Gospel,” the cardinal said.
Kidnapped Nigerian priest freed after 3 months in captivity
Father Nathaniel Asuwaye of Holy Trinity Parish in the Diocese of Kafanchan, who was kidnapped on Feb. 7 during an attack by gunmen, has regained his freedom after more than three months in captivity, ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News, reported May 13.
“We are pleased to inform you that Father Nathaniel is now safe and receiving care. He is in stable condition, remains in good spirits, and appreciates your prayers and support,” Father Jacob Shanet, the chancellor of the diocese, said in a May 12 statement.
Notre Dame marks 170 years of ‘L’Œuvre d’Orient’
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris hosted the Day of Eastern Christians under the theme “Bearers of Hope,” coinciding with the 170th anniversary of L’Œuvre d’Orient, ACI MENA reported on May 11.
Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, presided over the liturgy in the presence of Eastern Catholic patriarchs and representatives, bishops, and supporters. Speakers stressed that aid to Eastern Christians is not only material but also spiritual and ecclesial, affirming that they belong fully to the universal Church.
Gugerotti warned against the world’s silence in the face of suffering in the Middle East, while Eastern Catholic leaders thanked French Catholics for their solidarity and cautioned that the disappearance of Christians from their homelands would be a loss for the entire Church.
Irish parliament rejects bill to expand abortion access
In Ireland, pro-life campaigners hailed a significant success this week when the Social Democrats’ Reproductive Rights (Amendment) Bill was defeated in the Dáil.
The bill would have abolished the current three-day waiting period for an abortion, revised abortion criteria on the grounds of fatal fetal abnormality, and removed criminal sanctions found in the current law. While the government allowed a free vote of conscience, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill raised “significant legal and operational concerns” regarding the proposed legislation, which will not now proceed. The bill was heavily informed by the controversial O’Shea review of 2018 abortion legislation, which proposed 10 legislative changes and which pro-life advocates argue overlooks the rights of the unborn child.
Welcoming the vote, Eilis Mulroy of Pro Life Campaign Ireland said that the vote would not have happened without a core group of pro-life TDs who stood firm. She also pointed to the coordinated pro-life lobbying effort in the final 72 hours before the vote, which made a decisive difference by informing and persuading elected representatives.
Texas hospital agrees to end ‘sex-rejecting’ procedures on children and fund detransition clinic
Texas Children’s Hospital has reached a major settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that will bring an end to sex-change procedures on minors at the facility and require the hospital to pay for the country’s first dedicated detransition clinic.
The agreement, first announced by Paxton’s office May 15, resolves a years-long investigation of the hospital that began after whistleblower allegations surfaced claiming the hospital continued performing sex-change procedures on minors in secret even after state lawmakers made such procedures illegal.
According to the Justice department , the Houston-based hospital has agreed to pay more than $10 million in civil penalties and damages for allegedly falsely billing Medicaid and other insurers for these “pediatric sex-rejecting procedures.”
The federal government alleges the hospital violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the False Claims Act, and federal fraud and conspiracy laws.
Under the terms of the settlement, Texas Children’s will no longer provide “gender-transition” interventions, including puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, to minors, per Texas law.
The hospital also agreed to establish a multidisciplinary detransition clinic to offer restorative medical care to patients who previously underwent such procedures.
All services at the new clinic will be funded by Texas Children’s, the largest children’s hospital system in the country, and will be provided free of charge for the first five years.
The settlement also requires the permanent termination and revocation of privileges for five physicians who performed these interventions.
The hospital is permanently barred from rehiring or credentialing the doctors and must implement new compliance measures, including bylaw changes that will automatically revoke privileges for any physician who violates Texas law prohibiting such procedures on children.
“Under my watch, I will investigate and bring the full force of the law against any Texas hospital that abuses children with harmful medical interventions to ‘transition’ kids,” Paxton said.
Following the publication of a directive by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott that transgender procedures on minors that could be considered “child abuse” under existing state law, Texas Children’s announced in 2022 that it would cease “sex-change” therapies and procedures, citing concerns that these practices were potentially illegal.
In 2023 Texas passed a law that explicitly banned puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and gender-transition surgeries for minors under 18.
Nevertheless, at least three doctors associated with Texas Children’s — Richard Roberts, David Paul, and Kristy Rialon — continued to perform “sex-rejecting” procedures on children throughout 2022 and 2023, according to whistleblower evidence published by Christopher Rufo, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute.
Rufo claimed that Rialon had been performing surgeries on minors ranging in age from 15 to as young as 1.
Calling the settlement “historic,” Paxton said it “will ensure that the deranged child mutilators who hurt our kids are fired and held accountable.”
According to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, the DOJ “will use every weapon at its disposal to end the destructive and discredited practice of so-called ‘gender-affirming care’ for children.”
The Department of Justice noted that Texas Children’s cooperated with the investigation and took proactive steps that contributed to the resolution. The claims resolved in the settlement remain allegations, with no determination of liability.
“I am grateful that Texas Children’s wants to be part of the solution and no longer the problem,” said Brett Shumate, assistant attorney general for the Civil Division.