Leo XIV appointed this guy: Peter G. Kirchschläger, 49, a social ethicist at the University of Lucerne, has called the Church’s ban on women’s ordination an unresolved human-rights problem and argued that the state should pressure the Church over it. Rejecting the argument that dissatisfied women can simply leave the Church, he responded: “That would be protecting the perpetrator.”
On 18 August 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed twelve new consultors to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Leo XIV fills the Vatican's social-policy apparatus with mostly anti-Catholic figures. 1. Peter G. Kirchschläger, 49, Social ethicist, University of Lucerne, Switzerland In December 2018, he said that the Catholic Church has an unresolved human-rights problem regarding the impossibility of women's ordination to the priesthood. He even claimed that the state "may not look away" but has an obligation to press the Church on it. When presented with the argument that women dissatisfied with Catholic teaching can leave, he answered: “That would be protecting the perpetrator.” 2. Kathryn A. Koch, 45, Wall Street Finance Kathryn Koch spent 20 years at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, became a Goldman partner and ran its approximately $300 billion public-equity business. In 2015, Koch was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. Since 2024, Koch has …More
'Don't you want to become a canon at St. Peter's?'" Kröger is still stunned. "I never would have dreamed of working as a priest in St. Peter's Basilica!" For a moment, he even thought Gambetti was joking... Spiritual Conversations at the Blessing Booth Here, people can order Masses and have rosaries or Bibles blessed. "Most of the time, though, it's just a way for them to receive a blessing themselves. That's a great pastoral task because, in a very brief moment, they begin a conversation that I pick up on, and then I give them a personal blessing, ideally in their own language." This transcends denominations and religions: "I've even had Hindus and a Jewish family come to me wanting a blessing." "Of course," I say, "we humans all need God's blessing." If the lines in front of the kiosk get too long, he sometimes gives the blessing according to language groups: in Spanish, Italian, English, and—if there are several people interested—in German. "I once started a small revolution," says …More
'Willst du nicht Kanoniker an Sankt Peter werden?'" Kröger ist immer noch baff. "Daran, einmal als Priester im Petersdom zu arbeiten, hätte ich im Traum nicht gedacht!" Kurz glaubte er sogar, Gambetti mache einen Scherz... Geistliche Gespräche am Segensbüdchen Hier können die Menschen Messen bestellen und Rosenkränze oder Bibeln segnen lassen. "Meistens ist das aber nur ein Medium, um sich selber segnen zu lassen. Das ist eine große pastorale Aufgabe, weil sie in einer ganz kurzen Momentaufnahme ein Gespräch beginnen, das ich aufgreife, und ihnen dann möglichst in ihrer eigenen Sprache einen persönlichen Segen gebe." Das geht über Konfessionen und Religionen hinweg: "Zu mir sind sogar schon Hindus oder auch eine jüdische Familie gekommen, die gesegnet werden wollten. Klar, sag' ich, wir Menschen brauchen alle Gottes Zuspruch." Wenn die Schlangen vor dem Büdchen allzu lang werden, erteilt er den Segen schon mal nach Sprachgruppen: Auf Spanisch, Italienisch, Englisch und – sofern mehrere …More
Rare Access: Inside Dormition Abbey’s Newly Restored Altar | Jerusalem Information about the Dormition Abbey’s Newly Restored Altar | Jerusalem Israel, itself will be provided after this announcement. Unfortunately, I have not been able to work as a tour guide because of the war Should you wish to support me and my videos please subscribe to my channel and let me guide you through the Holy Land via my videos. In this way, I will be able to continue to do my work of uploading to YouTube. Upon your request and in return I am very much happy to pray for you at the Western Wall and/or light a candle in your name at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or anywhere else in the Holy Land of Israel. Should you have a personal request I will be more than happy to respond and even film it in a personal video. Support and purchase of goods from the Holy Land: Zahi Shaked is Videos, Tourism, Religion - … Support using PayPal: Pay Zahi Shaked Israeli Tour Guide using PayPal.Me Kindly share this site …More
On August 15 in Göttingen, Germany, about 20 Catholics held a registered “Public Rosary Against Abortion.” Left-wing counter-protesters disrupted the gathering with heckling and loud music as police formed a barrier between the groups. After the gathering ended, some counter-protesters attempted to break through police lines, exerting “pressure and violence” against officers.Twelve police officers suffered minor injuries from pepper spray deployed by fellow officers while pushing back counter-protesters.
Friedliche Gebetsaktion für das Leben wird von Gegendemonstranten attackiert
Jordan wants to attract more Christian pilgrims for the 2,000-year anniversary in 2030 Jordan is preparing to mark the 2,000-year anniversary of Jesus Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River, with the Muslim nation investing more than $100 million to draw Christian pilgrims to one of the world’s holiest sites. Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan met with Christian leaders this month and signed agreements to develop the baptism site by building a village for Christian pilgrims and visitors, a museum dedicated to the baptism, a green corridor, and infrastructure upgrades leading to the site. The project is expected to cost $120 million, Vatican media reported. The year 2030 is widely accepted as the two millennium anniversary of Christ’s baptism by John the Baptist, a moment that marked the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. The ceremony took place at Bethany Beyond the Jordan on the east bank of the Jordan River, which today separates Jordan from the Israeli-occupied West Bank. At the …More
August 15 ~ THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. ON this festival, the Church commemorates the happy departure from life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and her translation into the kingdom of her Son, in which she received from Him a crown of immortal glory, and a throne above all the other Saints and heavenly spirits. After Christ, as the triumphant Conqueror of death and hell, ascended into heaven, His blessed Mother remained at Jerusalem, persevering in prayer with the disciples, till, with them, she had received the Holy Ghost. She lived to a very advanced age, but finally paid the common debt of nature, none among the children of Adam being exempt from that rigorous law. But the death of the Saints is rather to be called a sweet sleep than death ; much more that of the Queen of Saints, who had been exempt from all sin. It is a traditionary pious belief, that the body of the Blessed Virgin was raised by God soon after her death, and taken up to glory, by a singular privilege, …More
"Tartary, and Northern China on the east, and Sweden and Norway to the west, were evangelized by him, and he is said to have visited Scotland. Everywhere multitudes were converted, churches and convents were built; one hundred and twenty thousand pagans and infidels were baptized by his hands. He worked numerous miracles, and at Cracow raised a dead youth to life."
St. Anthony's Church in Jaffa has been vandalized by an Israeli extremist. Several statues inside the catholic church were knocked over and smashed, while broken crosses were discovered scattered across the floor and on chairs. Suspect taken into police custody.
Vandalizmus v kostole v Tel Avive: Muž vo veku okolo 20 rokov bol zatknutý po tom, čo došlo k vandalizmu v katolíckom kostole sv. Antona z Padovy v Jaffe v Tel Avive. Polícia uviedla, že v kostole bolo rozbitých niekoľko sôch a zlomených niekoľko krížov. Centrum údajov o náboženskej slobode zaznamenalo v období od apríla do júna 2026 v Izraeli 83 prípadov prenasledovania kresťanov. Táto organizácia zaznamenala 107 incidentov v roku 2024, 181 v roku 2025 a 120 do polovice roku 2026.
Igreja em Tel Aviv alvo de vandalismo: Um homem na casa dos 20 anos foi detido após a Igreja Católica de Santo António de Pádua, em Jaffa, Tel Aviv, ter sido alvo de vandalismo. A polícia informou que várias estátuas foram destruídas e cruzes partidas no interior da igreja. O Centro de Dados sobre Liberdade Religiosa registou 83 atos de assédio contra cristãos em Israel entre abril e junho de 2026. O grupo registou 107 incidentes em 2024, 181 em 2025 e 120 até meados de 2026.
RFK Jr. says Fauci paid UNC scientist Ralph Baric to develop a technique called "no-see-em," which makes pathogens MORE dangerous and COVERS UP the evidence of human manipulation. Baric went on to teach this technique to the "Bat Lady" at the Wuhan Lab. Fauci knew this. Then spent years telling the public COVID came from a "natural origin." RFK JR: "He was lying about the origins from day one. Why was he lying? Because he funded those studies at the Wuhan lab, and he funded the studies at the University of North Carolina that developed the techniques for weaponizing COVID-19." "And then [he] gave those to Ralph Baric, his funded scientist at the University of North Carolina, gave those to Shi Zhengli, the scientist, the 'bat lady' scientist in the Wuhan lab. And he taught her a technique that Anthony Fauci had paid him to develop called seamless ligation, which is also called 'no-see-em.'" "It's a way of manipulating the virus to make it deadly to human beings and then covering up the …More
Judge Signals MAJOR Epstein RECKONING Is DC Fed Judge Sullivan on the verge of granting summary judgment to Katie Phang in her case against AG Blanche and order not only the production of MILLIONS of unseen Epstein documents including those tied to Trump but as importantly assign a former federal judge to serve as special master to review the DOJ’s prior production and ensure the millions of documents are produced properly this time around. Popok, with some insider knowledge from Katie’s lawyer Brendan Ballou, thinks that is exactly what is going to happen next! Smart Credit: Head to Credit Scores and Reports with Monitoring | … Visit Meidas+ | MeidasTouch Network | Substack for more! MeidasTouch relies on SnapStream to record, watch, monitor, and clip the news. Get a FREE TRIAL of SnapStream by clicking here: Record TV with SnapStream to get clips that will …
Security camera footage from an office in China captures a startling malfunction involving a Unitree humanoid robot during what appears to be routine indoor testing or demonstration. The robot initially stands normally before suddenly erupting into violent, erratic arm movements, rapidly swinging its limbs and shifting into an aggressive looking stance that sends nearby employees rushing to intervene. Several staff members quickly surround the machine, attempting to restrain it as it continues flailing and resisting for several tense seconds. The dramatic scene, which many online compared to a science fiction movie, ends with workers successfully bringing the robot under control. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. While the exact cause has not been publicly confirmed, incidents like this are commonly associated with software glitches, sensor failures, or control system errors during development. As humanoid robots continue expanding into workplaces, events like this highlight …More
Today, Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Bishop Karl-Heinz Wiesemann, 66, of Speyer, Germany, due to health reasons. He had led the Diocese of Speyer since March 2008. Bishop Wiesemann said that "the burden of the extensive responsibility has taken a serious physical and psychological toll on me." Depression and Health Bishop Wiesemann had previously suffered from depression. In 2021, he withdrew from his duties for about seven months for health reasons, including inpatient treatment. He later publicly identified the illness as depression. In May 2026, he spoke about his experience at the Katholikentag in Würzburg during an event on depression and mental health. He attributed his depression to prolonged pressures including the demands of episcopal office, financial and structural problems in the diocese and, above all, the Catholic Church's sexual abuse crisis. Pro-Homosexual Bishop Bishop Wiesemann was among the German bishops supporting changes in the Church's approach to homosexuality …More
The Archdiocese of Olomouc, Czech Republic, has cancelled a homosexual “pilgrimage” scheduled for September 19, in Olomouc. Olomouc Archbishop Josef Nuzík, 60, was expected to preside at the Eucharist, giving the event direct institutional backing. The program also included a presentation by priest Cyril Havel on Building a Bridge, a book by American Jesuit James Martin; a video greeting from Martin; testimony from parents of alleged transgender-children; and a discussion of different Christian approaches to homosexual pastoral care. Organizers claimed a “wave of negative and hostile reactions” online, although they did not identify who was responsible or where these reactions were posted. Claiming they could no longer guarantee participants a safe environment, organizers cancelled the event on August 14. The event, Pouť na půli cesty (“Pilgrimage Halfway”), was to be the second pilgrimage for homosexuals, their relatives and other participants. It was organized by pastoral ministries …More
"You are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people; that you may declare his virtues, who bath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" ( 1 Pet. 2, 9). You are a chosen generation, for the Saint of saints has elected you to the holy office of the priesthood. To you particularly He addresses these words: "But according to him that bath called you, who is holy, be you also in all manner of conversation holy; because it is written: 'You shall be holy, for I am holy"' ( 1 Pet. 1, 15-16). You are clothed and adorned with a kingly priesthood. You are priests and kings as Jesus Christ Himself is the Supreme Priest and King. You are a purchased people in a very special significance. It is true that Our Blessed Redeemer purchased all mankind at the price of His Blood and that Almighty God gave Him to all nations. Nevertheless Jesus acquired you in a particular manner and so His Heavenly Father manifests a unique love for you. After the Blessed Virgin …More
Can You Say, Thy Will Be Done? The reading from Ezekiel highlights the need for purification within the church and ourselves. It emphasizes the importance of following God’s commandments and being willing to do His will, even when it is difficult or requires sacrifice. Fr. Altier urges us to examine our prayer life, moral life, and willingness to conform to God’s will, especially in challenging times. Fr. Altier is a Priest at Holy Trinity Parish in South St. Paul: Home | Holy Trinity Parish You can also find Fr. Robert Altier’s homilies and talks on: catholicparents.org: Daily Homilies | Catholic Parents Online Rumble: rumble.com/user/CatholicParentsOnLine Twitter: Catholic Parents Online (@CatholicPa42753) on X For access to a library of talks by Fr. Robert Altier, go to: podia.com To order Fr. Altier's book, God's Plan for Your Marriage, go to the website: God's Plan For Your Marriage Book – God's Plan … An Exploration of Holy Matrimony from Genesis to the Wedding of the Lamb by …More
US Sisters and the Macarena Retirement Tour: The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) held its 70th anniversary gathering in Orlando, Florida, from 11 to 14 August. They posted a video on Facebook showing elderly women in civilian clothes dancing the Macarena (1995). The fitting headline: "When Catholic sisters get together, watch out for the dance parties! ". Macarena was popular when the sisters were in their 50s. The LCWR represents the leaders of many women's religious congregations in the United States.
Dance party of "nuns": The LCWR 70th Anniversary Gathering was held August 11–14, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. The event brought together Catholic women and men religious from the United States, Canada, Latin America and other parts of the Americas for prayer, worship, talks, discussion and community events.
And you wonder why vocations to the nunnery have collapsed. People who have a religious vocation take their lives seriously and look for serious opportunities
2. Historical Context and "Dance Manias" Catholic history records instances where mass dancing was interpreted through the lens of spiritual affliction or divine punishment. [1, 2] St. Vitus’ Dance (Chorea): In the Middle Ages, outbreaks of compulsive, uncontrollable dancing (now understood as a neurological or psychological phenomenon) swept through Europe. [1, 2, 3, 4] Spiritual Intercession: Victims were sent to shrines of St. Vitus, a Christian martyr, to pray for deliverance and healing from what many at the time feared was a demonic curse or affliction. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] 3. Ritual Dancing and Entry Points Catholic moral theology warns against practices that willingly open a person up to the influence of evil spirits. Trance Induction: Repetitive, frenzied, or rhythmic dancing used in occult or neo-pagan rituals is designed to lower conscious defenses and alter the state of mind. [1, 2, 3] The Danger of Invitation: Exorcists warn that participating in dances meant to invoke …More
After Drone Strike, a Famed Cathedral in Ukraine Stirs Back to Life nytimes.com/…pe/ukraine-kyiv-cathedral-russia-dro… Volunteers and priests rallied to clean up Kyiv’s Dormition Cathedral, still smelling of smoke from a massive blaze, for an anniversary celebration.0:00 By Carlotta Gall and Stanislav Kozliuk Visuals by Brendan Hoffman Reporting from Kyiv, Ukraine Aug. 19, 2026, 5:29 a.m. ET There was a bustle on a recent morning on the quiet grounds of Kyiv’s oldest monastery, as volunteers gathered beside Orthodox priests with hoes and rakes to assist in a grand clean up. Mostly parishioners, military veterans and charity workers, the volunteers had answered a call from the head of the monastery after a Russian drone struck the Dormition Cathedral, at the center of the monastic complex, in June. It is unclear whether the drone, which was part of a broader bombardment of Ukraine’s capital, had intentionally targeted the cathedral. Still, the strike damaged one of its golden domes …More
A depiction of Our Lady by Romanian artist Teodora Axente has sparked controversy in Siena, Italy. The Virgin on this year's Palio banner os androgynous and departs from any Marian iconography. The Municipality of Siena commissioned Axente to create the Drappellone, the painted silk banner awarded to the winning contrada, one of Siena's historic districts, in the city's centuries-old Palio horse race. Axente was appointed by the city government on the proposal of Mayor Nicoletta Fabio. The banner was unveiled on August 10. It places the Virgin above Siena and its contrade, protecting the Golden Rose associated with Pope Pius II, and commemorates the 500th anniversary of the 1526 Battle of Camollia. Axente called the figure her personal vision of the Madonna and said the figures in the work were “more androgynous” and therefore “universal characters.” On August 13, the Archdiocese of Siena published a statement by Father Enrico Grassini, rector of the Collegio dei Correttori. He rejected …More