Pope issues motu proprio transferring some responsibilities to local bishops (Vatican News) With a new motu proprio published on Tuesday, Pope Francis has modified canon law for both the Latin Church and the Eastern Churches, changing the areas of competence for various bodies within the universal Church. Specifically, with the Apostolic Letter Assegnare alcune competenze (“Assigning certain competencies,” taken from the opening words, or incipit” of the document), Pope Francis transfers certain responsibilities from the Vatican to local bishops…

Vatican expresses closeness to Ukraine as tensions build (NCR) With the eyes of the world on Ukraine, the Vatican’s secretary of state has called the head of the country’s Eastern-rite Catholics to express the closeness of the Holy See as tensions escalate with neighboring Russia.  The call by Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin to His Beatitude Sviatoslav Schevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church was made on Feb. 14 as the country fears a potential Russian invasion…

Trial begins over murder of Fr. Jacques Hamel (CNA) A trial began in Paris on Monday, Feb. 14, for four people charged with conspiring in the murder of Father Jacques Hamel, who is on the path to beatification in the Catholic Church. The 85-year-old Father Hamel was killed in a terrorist attack while he offered Mass in the church of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, in northern France, on July 26, 2016. Hearings are scheduled for the next four weeks. Three of the suspects face up to 30 years in prison on charges of conspiracy with terrorists, with prosecutors claiming the men knew the plans of Father Hamel’s assailants…

Miami archbishop calls out Florida’s Catholic governor for views on migrant children (CNS) The archbishop of Miami said Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida had hit a “new low” after the politician said it was “disgusting” to compare Cubans who fled the island-nation as unaccompanied minors in the 1960s with present waves of migrant children from Central America. “Children are children — and no child should be deemed ‘disgusting’ — especially by a public servant,” said Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski in Feb. 10 news conference…

NFL star speaks out in defense of Latin Mass (CNA) Super Bowl Sunday is a day of great tradition for many Americans, but for Super Bowl champion Harrison Butker, the tradition he wanted to bring attention to that day was one of eternal significance: the Traditional Latin Mass and his frustration with new Vatican rules restricting its use. Butker, 26, is the starting placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs. His 2020 Super Bowl ring is a symbol of great accomplishment. But during CNA’s exclusive interview with the NFL star on Feb. 13, it was his wedding ring that he was twisting and turning as he thought about his wife, Isabelle, and their two young children and what their future might be if he is no longer able to take them to the Traditional Latin Mass…

Black gay priest challenges the Church from within (AP) Parishioners worshipping at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Harlem are greeted by a framed portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. — a Baptist minister named after a rebellious 16th century German priest excommunicated from the Catholic Church. The Rev. Bryan Massingale, who sometimes preaches at St. Charles, pursues his ministry in ways that echo both Martin Luthers…

Catholic college gets its own locally brewed beer (AP) A small Roman Catholic college on the Alabama coast now has its own beer. Spring Hill College in Mobile said it is joining with Braided River Brewing Co. to launch Portier Pale Ale, a low-alcohol craft brew made for the school. It was developed by a 2019 graduate of the college, Hannah Shankman…