Catholic News Agency, Author at Crux

Youssef Absi elected Patriarch of Melkite Greek Catholic Church

The Melkite Greek Catholic Church, based in Syria and Lebanon and consisting of some 1.5 million members, elected its new patriarch Archbishop Youssef Absi. In a letter sent the day after his election, Pope Francis congratulated the new patriarch, noting the “delicate situation” for Christians in the Middle East.

U.S. bishops launch 2017 Fortnight for Freedom with new video

In a new video marking the beginning of this year’s Fortnight for Freedom, the U.S. bishops invited legal, religious, and other personalities to discuss the importance of religious liberty, and to address the struggle between the Little Sisters of the Poor and the HHS mandate of the Affordable Care Act.

Southern DRC violence has left more than 3,000 dead
- Catholic News Agency, Global Church
- June 22, 2017
Despite efforts by the Vatican to facilitate peace, a new report by Catholic officials shows that more than 3,300 people have been killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s southern region due to the bloody conflict between the Congolese army and an opposing militia group.
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U.S. bishops call for engagement amid Trump’s policy change on Cuba
- Catholic News Agency, Church in the US
- June 20, 2017
Bishops in the United States have criticized President Trump’s decision to roll back relations with Cuba, saying that an embargo and travel ban will not only harm the economy on the island country but also worsen its current human rights and religious freedom situation.
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Hartford archdiocese works to guide faithful through parish merger
- Catholic News Agency, Church in the US
- June 17, 2017
Due to financial reasons and declining membership but also what the archbishop calls a rejuvenation of the community’s spiritual life, the Archdiocese of Hartford preps its reorganization plan, a reconstruction and consolidation of parishes throughout much of Connecticut. Under the new plan, the number of parishes will be cut almost in half, from 212 to 127.
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