Pope Francis prays for Lebanon (CNS) After a massive fire triggered a deadly explosion in Beirut, Pope Francis called for prayers and a united effort to help Lebanon overcome “this serious crisis.” “Let us pray for the victims and their family members, and let us pray for Lebanon so that with the effort of everyone in society — political and religious — it may face this tragic and painful moment and, with the help of the international community, overcome the serious crisis it is experiencing,” the pope said Aug. 5 at the end of his general audience…
Lebanese priest: ‘We need your prayers’ after blast (CNA) A Lebanese Catholic priest has asked believers around the world to pray for the people of his country, after an explosion in a Beirut warehouse injured thousands of people. At least 50 people were reported dead. “We ask your nation to carry Lebanon in its hearts at this difficult stage and we place great trust in you and in your prayers, and that the Lord will protect Lebanon from evil through your prayers,” Fr. Miled el-Skayyem of the Chapel of St. John Paul II in Keserwan, Lebanon, said in a statement to EWTN News Aug. 4…
Beirut explosion adds more suffering to Lebanon (CNS) Hospitals in the Lebanese capital are overwhelmed with those suffering injuries from a massive explosion in Beirut’s port, causing widespread damage the city and rocking the tiny Mediterranean nation already devastated by the coronavirus and its worst financial crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war. “People won’t be able to rebuild their homes, businesses, livelihoods. There are reports of hospitals turning away patients because they don’t have the capacity,” said Aya Majzoub, Lebanon researcher with Human Rights Watch…
Pandemic taking toll on first responders (The Tablet) COVID-19 has eased its death grip on New York City, but while first responders worry about a “second wave,” mental health professionals prepare for more grief wrought by post-traumatic stress disorder and other stressors…
More N.J. Catholic schools closing (NJ.com) The combination of declining enrollment and dwindling money in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis means five more New Jersey Catholic elementary schools will not reopen this fall while another three will be merged into other schools, the Archdiocese of Newark announced Tuesday…
