Catholic News Service

To the dismay of immigration advocates, the Biden administration announced Aug. 2 it would continue implementing a public health rule enforced by the Trump administration, saying migrants at U.S. border crossings would be turned away to keep COVID-19 at bay. 

Maka Akan Najin Black Elk, a leader in Native American and Catholic education for truth, healing and reconciliation, was unanimously selected by FADICA's board of directors as the recipient of the organization's Distinguished Catholic Leadership Award.

Catholic bishops in Congo called for an end to attacks on the church and its leaders, acts they believe are linked to the church's persistent call for democracy and national cohesion.

Hundreds of people marched — and over 200 of them were arrested — Aug. 2 at a "Moral Monday" rally for voting rights and economic justice near the Capitol. 

The Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education encouraged pontifical universities to expand educational opportunities to those who would normally be unable to attend classes in-person full time, but could manage coursework online, such as prisoners, migrants, the homeless, monks, contemplative nuns and even busy bishops.

The head of the Philippine bishops' conference has appealed to Catholics to give food to the poor so that they do not go hungry during a near-total lockdown Aug. 6-20.

The Francis Chronicles: In a video message released by the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network Aug. 3, the pope offered his prayer intention for the month of August, which is dedicated to the church's mission of evangelization.

Now that giant cruise ships are banned from fragile waterways near the historic center of Venice, the time has come for the city to become a model of sustainability and supportive of its residents, said Archbishop Francesco Moraglia.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and its Migration and Refugee Services "are proud to have the opportunity to welcome and assist those who have kept Americans safe in Afghanistan," said the USCCB president and the chairman of the bishops' migration committee July 30.

Many migrants still are convinced the Biden administration is their best shot at getting a chance to stay or enter into the U.S., even as his administration seems increasingly moving toward a policy of deterrence — at least when it comes to Central America.

The Francis Chronicles: "Why do I seek the Lord? What are the motivations for my faith, for our faith?" Pope Francis asked Aug. 1 during his Sunday Angelus address.

Guatemalans took to the street to demand the ouster of the Central American country's president and attorney general over the firing of an anti-impunity prosecutor whose work caused discomfort for President Alejandro Giammattei. Guatemala's bishops also backed the demonstrations — and the included calls for a national strike — while priests and religious have participated in protests.

Two Catholic organizations issued statements in July urging against imposing a coronavirus vaccine mandate without conscience, religious or medical exemptions.

Catholic and Protestant churches plan an ecumenical service to remember the at least 160 people who have died in the flooding.

Proof of vaccination will not be required for people going to Mass in Italy, but will be necessary for access to church-run museums, conferences and for wedding receptions and other festivities held in a church hall, the Italian bishops' conference said.

French Cardinal Albert Vanhoye, a well-known New Testament scholar and the world's oldest cardinal, died in Rome July 29, just five days after celebrating his 98th birthday.

Catholic bishops in Japan called for the prohibition of nuclear weapons as they announced a 10-day prayer program marking the anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.

The Boston Globe reported July 29 that police in the Boston suburb of Wellesley have charged former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick with three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over age 14 in a criminal complaint filed by Wellesley Police in a district court in nearby Dedham, Massachusetts.

The political, economic and social crisis in Nicaragua "is reaching a flashpoint" and "is more than likely to lead to more violence and destabilization in the country," Rafael Estrada said at a recent hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Central American country's "constant persecution of political opponents and independent journalists is unprecedented," said Estrada, who is president of the Nicaraguans for Security and Prosperity Foundation. He was one of several witnesses at a July 21 hearing sponsored by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on President Daniel Ortega's government and its political prisoners, which the committee described as "the human cost of repression in Nicaragua."

On the first day of his trial at the Vatican, Cardinal Angelo Becciu announced a lawsuit against an old foe: Francesca Immacolata Chaouqui. The move added an unforeseen twist worthy of a modern-day court drama or soap opera.