To Friends of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service

 

1,700th anniversary of First Council of Nicaea

 

On 20 May 2025, the Christian world will commemorate the 1700^th anniversary of the opening of the Council of Nicaea, which took place in Asia Minor in the year 325.  This was the first ecumenical council in history, and it produced the creed that, completed by the First Council of Constantinople in 381, has become the distinctive expression of the Church’s faith in Jesus Christ.  This anniversary occurs within the Jubilee Year, which is centred on the theme “Christ our Hope,” and it coincides with the common celebration of Easter by Christians of both East and West.  As Pope Francis has emphasized, in this historic moment—marked by the tragedy of war along with countless anxieties and uncertainties—what is essential, most beautiful, most attractive, and also most necessary for Christians is precisely the faith in Jesus Christ proclaimed at Nicaea.   Indeed, the proclamation of this faith is “the fundamental task of the Church” (Address to Participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, 26 January 2024).

The International Theological Commission has now published an important and comprehensive document entitled, “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior: The 1700^th Anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.”  It aims not only to recall the nature and significance of the Council, given its great historical importance for the Church, but also to highlight the extraordinary resources that the Nicene creed, continuously professed up to our own time, contains and re-proposes, especially in view of the new phase of evangelization that the Church is presently called to undertake.  The document also highlights the relevance of these resources for a responsible and shared approach to addressing the epochal changes that are impacting culture and society worldwide.  For the faith professed at Nicaea makes us see the explosive and enduring newness of the coming of the Son of God among us.  It encourages us to expand our hearts and minds in order to welcome and engage with the gift of this decisive insight into the meaning and direction of history in light of the God who, through his only-begotten Son, to whom he communicates the fullness of his own life, makes us participants in that life through the Incarnation, and generously bestows on all the breath of the Holy Spirit, which overcomes all barriers: a breath of freedom from selfishness, of openness to reciprocal relationships, and of communion with others.

A bishop of the Arctic says goodbye

Research shows that a majority of Christian religious leaders accept the reality of climate change but have never mentioned it to their congregations
The Conversation: While the overwhelming majority of Christian religious leaders accept the human-driven reality of climate change, nearly half have never mentioned climate change or humans’ role in it to their congregations.

Judge rules against former SBC President Johnny Hunt in Guidepost defamation suit
Religion News Service: One claim, about an allegedly defamatory tweet by another former denominational president, is still live. The SBC has spent more than $3 million in legal fees on the Hunt case.

A bishop of the Arctic says goodbye
Religion News Service: As Canada’s Anglican church dwindles, its most remote (and most expansive) diocese has shown growth. One bishop responsible for that trend is retiring, leaving his successor to find clergy willing to take on the Arctic’s challenges.

New Orleans clergy abuse survivors say they’ve lost confidence in case’s judge
The Guardian: Comments come after it was revealed judge ignored the Department of Justice’s recommendations against expelling survivors from panel.

Georgia lawmakers pass religious freedom bill despite discrimination concerns
The Associated Press: Lawmakers in Georgia’s House passed a controversial bill Wednesday that aims to protect people’s rights to express their religion, but that critics say could lead to discrimination.

Japan's Young Are Now Its Loneliest Generation

 

Last November, the World Health Organisation declared loneliness a ‘Global Public Health Concern’. Meanwhile, Gen Zs are emerging as the loneliest generation ever. Japan has a reputation as a lonely country, but here, there are more lonely people in their 20s and 30s than any other age group. An extreme expression of loneliness are the infamous “hikikomoris” – shut-ins who have isolated themselves from society. More join their ranks each year. But apart from this group, there are millions of other youths who experience alienation and loneliness. And with it comes a slew of social ills – from greater rates of depression, to falling marriage rates, to lower productivity. Social anxiety, the suffocating rat race and cultural stigma - Insight explores what is driving solitude in the Land of the Rising Sun.

St. Luke’s Breaks Ground on 78 Affordable Homes

The hum of passing traffic underscored a hopeful buzz of the crowd gathered at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Clergy, civic leaders, developers, and neighbors stood together at the corner of Gunn and 30th Streets to witness a remarkable milestone: the groundbreaking of a new 78-unit affordable housing development on church grounds.

The groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, March 28, 2025, marked the official start of construction on the first project of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s (EDSD) Mission Real Estate initiative—an effort to reimagine underutilized church property as a tool for community flourishing. In partnership with Trestle Build, the new development will provide much-needed housing for individuals and families earning 30–70% of the area’s median income.

News coverage from Fox5 San Diego can be found here.

News coverage from NBC San Diego can be found here.

News coverage from KPBS can be found here.

 

LGBT+ tyranny: school suspends toddler accused of ‘transphobia’

Syria: Catholic woman to be in new Muslim-majority government as labor minister

ZENIT Staff

The announcement over the weekend by President al-Sharaa, who confirms the commitment to build ‘a new state’. He should remain in office for five years and lead the country to the writing of the new Constitution and the first post-Assad political elections. The Kurds have rejected the new government, denouncing the lack of (real) involvement of minorities.

LGBT+ tyranny: school suspends toddler accused of ‘transphobia’

Elizabeth Owens

Suspension of a Toddler for «Transphobia» Sparks Outrage in the UK

New technologies become a topic of prayer (and concern) for the Pope: here we explain it

ZENIT Staff

In the video illustrating his prayer intention for the month of April, the Pope asks that we pray “that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.” Pope Francis advocates putting technology at the service of every person, especially the weakest, and for taking care of the earth. “Something’s wrong if we spend more time on our cell phones than with people.”

USA: Catholic bishops release joint report with evangelicals on impact of mass deportations on Christian families

ZENIT Staff

The report underscores that roughly one in twelve Christians in the United States—and one in five Catholics specifically—either face the risk of deportation or live in a household with someone who does. The report further emphasizes the impact of mass deportations on every Christian believer, beyond those who could be directly affected by such enforcement efforts

This is the new archivist and librarian of the Holy Roman Church chosen by Pope Francis

ZENIT Staff

The Vatican Library and Archives hold some of the most precious manuscripts and records in the world, spanning centuries of Church history, diplomacy, and theological thought. The role of the Archivist and Librarian of the Holy Roman Church is not merely custodial but deeply intertwined with the Church’s mission to preserve and disseminate knowledge.

Reconstruction of the face of St. Teresa of Jesus: this is what her face looked like according to science

ZENIT Staff

The unveiling of the reconstructed face has resonated beyond the scientific and religious communities. It has offered a renewed sense of closeness to a saint whose writings and spiritual insights continue to inspire generations.

Vincent, the boy alive thanks to a miracle attributed to Cardinal George Pell

ZENIT Staff

From the moment Vincent was admitted, prayers surged from family, friends, and beyond. The Robinsons reached out to the saints they had always venerated—especially those connected to their children and the family’s own history of loss. Among them was Cardinal George Pell, whom they had met during his visit to Phoenix in 2021. Inspired by their personal encounter with the late prelate, they specifically asked for his intercession, along with that of Blessed Conchita, a Mexican mother of nine who had lost her youngest child to drowning.

Attempted Satanic Ritual at Kansas State Capitol Ends in Arrest and Catholic Counter-Protest

Tim Daniels

The Satanic Grotto had previously announced its intention to challenge an order from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, which prohibited their ritual from taking place inside the Capitol. Catholic leaders, including Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, had openly condemned the event, urging believers to resist not with anger but with prayer.

1 in 12 Christians could be impacted by Trump deportations

Evangelical, Catholic groups: 1 in 12 Christians could be impacted by Trump deportations
Religion News Service: The report serves as both a theological and data-driven refutation of the president’s campaign pledge to enact “the largest deportation in US history.”
Religion Unplugged: 8% of US Christians live in homes susceptible to deportation

Christian Zionism hasn’t always been a conservative evangelical creed — churches’ views of Israel have evolved over decades
The Conversation: Christian Zionism is much older than the 1980s alliance between the Republican Party and the religious right.

Supreme Court seems ready to let religious groups opt out of unemployment compensation laws
NPR: The U.S. Supreme Court appeared openly doubtful on Monday about Wisconsin’s refusal to exempt Catholic Charities from making payments into the state’s mandatory unemployment system.

Conservatives lash out at Austin pastor over post recognizing transgender holiday*
Chron: Pastor Zach Lambert said there are “no ‘biblical’ grounds” for transphobia. Fury ensued.

A groundbreaking synagogue lures burned-out techies with digital strategies (and ecstatic dance)
Religion News Service: Chochmat HaLev has almost tripled its membership since 2022, in part by appealing to younger generations with ties to Burning Man and Silicon Valley.

America's elderly prisoner boom

 

In America some 2.2 million people are behind bars, and the prisoners are getting older. The number of people over the age of 65 who were in prison has doubled since 2007. In fact, aging men and women are the most rapidly growing part of America's prison population. In part, this is the hangover effect of the 1980s and 90s when a perfect storm of high crime rates and tough sentencing laws caused prison populations to soar. Phillip Burdick is 64. He works alongside Mr Baxter in a program called the Gold Coats. The volunteer inmates who become Gold Coats are carefully screened and shadow an experienced volunteer sometimes for several months of training. Older prisoners often have special needs; some have problems with mobility, others dementia or mental health.

The Francis Effect

 

From the moment Pope Francis appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, he won the people's hearts. His humility, simplicity, and closeness to the poor reveal a man sincerely in touch with the Gospel. His profile has soared. He initiated a fundamental reform of the Roman Curia, challenged a "globalization of indifference," and became the most talked-about person in the world.

Should Catholics identify as ‘feminists’?

Lourdes bishop covers Rupnik mosaics on doors to Basilica of the Rosary

Bishop Jean-Marc Micas of Tarbes and Lourdes called the decision a “second step” after his initial decision in July 2024 to no longer light up the mosaics at night.

Pope Francis appoints Bishop Michael McGovern to lead Archdiocese of Omaha

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Michael McGovern of Belleville, Illinois, to lead the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska.

Pope Francis approves decree to advance sainthood causes of 5 people

Among those to be canonized are Blessed Peter To Rot of Papua New Guinea, Blessed Ignatius Shoukrallah Maloyan of Turkey, and Blessed María Carmen of Venezuela.

Should Catholics identify as ‘feminists’? Notre Dame conference tackles the issue

Should Catholics identify as “feminists?” A panel of prominent female Catholic thinkers explored the question at a recent conference at the University of Notre Dame.

U.S. bishops urge Congress to stop funding abortion and ‘gender transition’ services

The letter was sent following the announcement that the Trump administration plans to freeze millions of taxpayer dollars from subsidizing abortion services.