Vatican releases new directory for catechesis (Vatican News) The long-awaited updated Directory for Catechesis was released in the Vatican on Thursday. Drafted under the direction of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, it was approved by Pope Francis on 23 March – the liturgical memorial of Saint Turibius of Mongrovejo, a 16th century saint who gave a strong impetus to evangelization and catechesis. This latest edition comes as a follow-up to the “General Catechetical Directory” of 1971, and the “General Directory for Catechesis” of 1997 both of which were issued by the Congregation for Clergy…

Springfield diocese report finds allegations against late bishop credible (NEPR) An independent investigation commissioned by the Springfield Roman Catholic Diocese found allegations of sexual abuse against the late bishop Christopher J. Weldon to be credible. Retired judge Peter Velis — who led the investigation resulting in a report released Wednesday — interviewed members of the Diocesan Review Board that heard the complaint against Weldon, Archbishop-elect Mitchell Rozanski, and the individual from Chicopee who said he was abused by Weldon when he was a young altar boy…

‘Not gonna happen’: Trump vows to fight any effort to take down statues of Jesus (ABC News) As protesters and others across the country call for removing statues of historical figures they say are racially offensive, President Donald Trump said Wednesday that many of those trying to take them down don’t know what the statues represent — even suggesting some are seeking to take down statues of Jesus Christ. “I think many of the people that are knocking down these statues don’t even have any idea what the statue is, what it means, who it is,” Trump said. “Now they’re looking at Jesus Christ. They’re looking at George Washington. They’re looking at Abraham Lincoln. Thomas Jefferson. Not gonna happen. Not gonna happen, not as long as I’m here…”

Nuns in Africa risk hunger during pandemic (Crux) One nun has said that strict lockdowns and inflated prices due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic are pushing some religious communities in Africa to the point of hunger, as they cannot afford enough food for themselves and those whom they serve.Sister Grace Candiru, who works in the communications office of the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa, (ACWECA), said that in Africa, “I think we are reaching a situation where sisters are not going to be able to feed themselves…”

Coronavirus upends Catholic pilgrimage industry (NCR) The Catholic pilgrimage industry, like the rest of the travel industry, (which reportedly hit 50% unemployment) has been upended due to the coronavirus pandemic. One result is a debate over how Catholic values should inform tour companies’ response to canceled pilgrimages. When the pandemic disrupted the world’s economy this spring, Deacon Ray Defendorf, who serves as director of travel ministry for Educational Opportunities Catholic Tours, said he and a few other colleagues were laid off from salaried positions, and put on commission-based employment. Defendorf has been involved with Education Opportunities for 35 years, previously serving the last six years as its national director.”When this [coronavirus] hit, the bottom fell out of the travel industry,” Defendorf said…

Finding God in Shanghai: a Chinese convert’s journey (CNA) At his baptism at a Catholic church in Shanghai, Dalù said that he “cried like a baby” knowing that his sins were being washed away. His journey to faith began with singing Christmas carols in 2009, and eventually led him to seek asylum in Rome…

The coming ‘religion recession’ (Religion & Politics) To many, the prospect of a resurgence in religious observance is an enticing vision, because faith communities can be anchors of social solidarity, which has been steadily eroding for decades. The data and history tell a different story, however, and, much like the economic outlook, the forecast for religion looks more like recession than resurrection…