Camden agrees to settle sex abuse claims for $87.5 million (The New York Times) The Diocese of Camden, N.J., said on Tuesday that it had agreed to pay $87.5 million to settle claims made by hundreds of people who accused clergy members of sexually abusing them, one of the largest such settlements involving the Catholic Church in the United States. In what may be a first for such litigation, the ultimate payout to the plaintiffs could be substantially higher, lawyers representing them said, because the settlement allows for further litigation against insurance companies for the diocese and related entities like parishes and schools…
Ukrainian officer writes to pope, pleading for help (Crux) A major of the Ukrainian army stationed in the city of Mariupol, which is currently besieged by Russian forces, is asking for Pope Francis’s help in saving Ukrainian lives from “satanic hands.” He told the pope that the citizens are living a “hell on earth.” In an April 18 letter, Major Serhiy Volyna begged the pope to help save the people of Mariupol, a city that has seen Russia bomb several civilian sites, including a children’s and maternity hospital and a theatre where hundreds of civilians were sheltering from attacks…
Pope: elderly must be loved and honored (Vatican News) Pope Francis continued his series of reflections on old age during his catechesis at the General Audience on Wednesday, the first held in St. Peter’s Square since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic over two years ago. The Holy Father noted that through the Word of God (Sir 3:3-6, 12-13.16), we explore a passage on the frailty of old age, marked by “the experiences of confusion and despondency, of loss and abandonment, of disillusionment and doubt…”
Charity to send relief to women religious aiding refugees (Crux) International charity Aid to the Church in Need has announced its approval of a special emergency relief package benefitting Latin Rite nuns who have opened their doors to refugees fleeing war in the Ukrainian Archdiocese of Lviv. In their April 19 website announcement, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) did not disclose how much the relief package was worth but said one of the recipients of the package are the Benedictine nuns of Solonka, a contemplative community that opened their doors to refugees fleeing war in Ukraine…
Catholic University to auction off Garland’s “Wizard of Oz” dress (WTOP) Catholic University said in a news release that careful analysis from the auction house Bonhams — using film slides of the movie and relying on stitching and the dress’s hem — have concluded it’s not just one of the authentic costumes used in the film, but the only one in existence known to have been worn by the star. The auction is scheduled to take place May 24 at Bonham’s in Los Angeles…
