Number of Catholics in Asia, Africa continues to rise (CNA) The number of Catholics in Asia and Africa continued to grow in 2019, according to newly released statistics. The world population grew by 81.3 million in 2019, while members of the Catholic Church increased by 15.4 million for a total of 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide. The new statistics compare 2019, the last year for which data is available, with 2018 and therefore do not reflect the effects of the global coronavirus outbreak in 2020…
Pope congratulates Bartholomew on 30 years as Patriarch (Vatican News) As Patriarch Bartholomew celebrates 30 years since his election, Pope Francis sent him a congratulatory letter, expressing his best wishes. “I join you in thanksgiving to the Lord for the many blessings bestowed upon your life and ministry over these years,” said the Pope, “and pray that God, from whom all gifts come, will grant you health, spiritual joy and abundant grace to sustain every aspect of your lofty service…”
Cardinal Tagle: Europe has become “mission territory” (Crux) The Vatican’s point-man on missionary outreach, and also one of Asia’s most important Church figures, says Europe is becoming a “mission territory.” “The faith is a gift from the Holy Spirit,” said Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle on Thursday. “We are really concerned, not only for Europe, but for all the world, regarding evangelization…”
Man gets 11 years in prison for drowning daughter in church (AP) A Northern California man was sentenced to 11 years in prison for the 2016 drowning of his 4-year-old daughter in the baptismal pool of a Catholic church. Gerardo Mendoza, 47, had been smoking methamphetamine for three days and began believing his two youngest children were “being attacked by evil” when he took them to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in the small California wine country city of Healdsburg on Nov. 20, 2016, authorities have said…
Landmark chapel in Rome restored (AP) A chapel in a Rome church that is home to a Baroque sculptural masterpiece by Gian Lorenzo Bernini has been made even more dazzling after restoration. Art and restoration specialists presented the result in the Cornaro Chapel in St. Mary of the Victory Church on Thursday. The chapel’s centerpiece is one of Bernini’s most celebrated sculptures, depicting the mystical experience of St. Theresa of Avila…
