Pope: “Rivers of and tears blood” flowing in Ukraine (CNS) Pope Francis said the Vatican “is ready to do everything to put itself at the service of peace” in Ukraine. “Rivers of blood and tears are flowing in Ukraine,” the pope said March 6 as he led thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square in praying for peace after reciting the Angelus…

Ethicists, theologians condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine (NCR) A loose collection of Catholic and other Christian ethicists, scholars and theologians has released a statement condemning Russia’s “brutal, wholly unprovoked and unjustified” invasion of Ukraine. Rebutting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claims that he launched a “special military operation” in self-defense to demilitarize Ukraine and hasten its “denazification,” the statement from Ethicists Without Borders declares “there can be no credible ethical justification in defense of this attack…”

Bishop condemns proposed “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day (CNA) Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington spoke out against a proposed proclamation that would establish March 10 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day” in the diocese’s second-largest city.  The Alexandria City Council is set to consider a proclamation on March 8 which would recognize March 10, 2022 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day,” which would “celebrate the courage, compassion, and the high-quality care that abortion providers and clinic staff provide…”

Young Catholics say they need Church leaders to engage them more (CNS) Catholic young people in the U.S. are leaving behind traditional models of learning about and living out their faith, and clergy, youth ministers and others will have to make some drastic changes to their ministry style if they want to keep them engaged. That’s the bottom line of “The State of Religion & Young People 2021 — Catholic Edition,” a report released Feb. 23 by Springtide Research Institute, a Minnesota-based nonprofit sociological research institute dedicated to exploring the spiritual lives of young people. Its current research focuses on the demographic ages 13-25, also known as Generation Z…

Major renovation begins on Missouri cathedral (CNS) A major renovation of the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City is under way, with hopes for completion and a rededication Mass about a year from now. Parishioners are worshipping temporarily in nearby locations while Sircal Contracting Inc. and a group of gifted artisans go about highlighting the building’s striking architecture with timeless art…