Catholic News

Pope Leo XIV has directed the Office of Papal Charities to send 100,000 euros ($115,345) to the Catholic Church in Colombia to aid those affected by the Aug. 10 earthquake, which struck several cities in the western part of the country.

As reported by Vatican News, the donation was confirmed on the website of the Colombian Bishops' Conference (CEC, by its Spanish acronym). The aid was made possible through the coordination of the prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, with the apostolic nunciature in the country and the president of the CEC, Archbishop Javier Múnera.

The CEC announced that the funds will be sent to the National Secretariat for Social Pastoral Care-Caritas Colombia, the entity acting "as a coordination center for the collection and distribution of aid, with the aim of helping to address the most urgent needs of the affected communities."

"The €100,000 in aid constitutes an initial response to address the most urgent emergencies. According to information provided by the Holy See, additional assistance will be made available as new needs are identified and promptly communicated to the Dicastery for the Service of Charity," the CEC reported.

Given the extent of the damage in various dioceses such as Pereira, Cali, and Quibdó, among others, the CEC said that "in the coming days, work will continue on compiling a report regarding the priority needs of the affected communities, with the aim of directing aid to those who need it most."

During his Aug. 12 general audience, Pope Leo XIV once again expressed his closeness "to our brothers and sisters in Colombia who have suffered the consequences of the recent earthquake, which has caused many deaths and injuries, as well as extensive material damage."

"As I pray to the Lord for the eternal rest of the deceased, I assure you of my prayers for their families and all those affected by this tragedy. I express my gratitude to all those working on rescue and relief efforts for the victims," the pope said.

Meanwhile, the Colombian government declared three days of national mourning "in memory of the people who lost their lives as a result of the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that occurred on Aug. 10."

The Ministry of the Interior noted in a statement that Monday's earthquake "is the greatest-magnitude quake recorded in Colombia during the 21st century, causing damage in various departments [administrative districts] and giving rise to a profound sense of solidarity throughout the country."

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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A joint letter from U.N. human rights experts warning Nigerian officials of the heightened risk of violence against Christian women and girls in the country has been made public after the government failed to respond within 60 days.

The June 1 letter cited attacks against Christian women and girls in northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt region, including killings, forced conversion, and sexual violence. The letter was signed by Reem Alsalem, U.N. special rapporteur on violence against women and girls; Gabriella Citroni, chair-rapporteur of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; Morris Tidball-Binz, U.N. special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions; Nicolas Levrat, U.N. special rapporteur on minority issues; and Alice Jill Edwards, U.N. special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.

"With respect to the situation of religious or belief minorities, we wish to raise serious concern regarding patterns of religiously motivated violence and persecution or otherwise disproportionately targeting persons belonging to religious minority communities within affected federated states or local areas, especially Christians, including women and girls," the letter said.

The U.N. experts attributed the rising violence to armed extremist groups such as Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Fulani herder militias operating across the north and Middle Belt region and pointed to "acquiescence" and "negligence" on the part of Nigerian officials to counter them.

The letter cited the abduction and sexual assault of two women by armed militants, the forced conversion and marriage of a 13-year-old girl, and the abduction of a pastor's two daughters along with several members of a church by Boko Haram, as well as a 16-year-old girl whose hand was cut off after her family refused a marriage proposal by armed militants.

"While we do not wish to prejudge the accuracy of these allegations reported to us, we would like to especially express our grave concern regarding the alleged abduction and sexual assault of girls, the intimidation by armed groups and subsequent abduction and acts tantamount to enforced disappearance of the church members in Shikarkir," the U.N. experts said.

"We are also disturbed by reports of the inaction and complicity of government officials in the face of these abuses, the slowness of investigations and search actions aimed at determining the fate and whereabouts of abducted girls," they said.

The letter further called on Nigerian officials to respond to the allegations and to provide status updates on investigations and measures taken to combat violence against women and girls. They also asked for status updates on "any laws that affect the exercise of freedom of religion or belief and freedom of opinion and expression, including so-called 'blasphemy' laws."

The letter asked the Nigerian government to provide information on measures taken to protect the rights of religious minorities, particularly in northern states, and urged authorities to take immediate steps to halt violence against women and girls.

The experts concluded by calling for interim measures to protect abductees, victims of sexual violence, and victims of forced conversion and forced marriage, particularly minors and those who have not been reunited with their families. The experts also urged Nigerian officials to prevent further violations and hold accountable those responsible if the allegations are substantiated.

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The Aug. 10 earthquake in Colombia caught countless people by surprise while attending Mass at various parishes including Most Holy Trinity in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, where the priest ensured everyone's safety by calmly exiting the church with the faithful, taking the Blessed Sacrament with him.

As seen in the livestream of the Mass starting at 53:30 in the video, Father Oscar Aguirre Calderón had just consecrated the body and blood of Christ and was distributing the Eucharist to those assisting with the celebration of the Mass. As he was preparing to give Communion to the rest of the congregation, the ground began to shake and the church's stained-glass windows started vibrating.

Without losing his composure, the priest said, "Our Father, pray for us all; help us, Lord, holy and mighty God" and then told the people to leave the church in an orderly manner while he carried the ciborium containing the consecrated hosts, guiding the faithful to safety.

"We were able to leave with the Blessed Sacrament, which was a blessing for us all, making our way to one of the arches of the doorway; we stayed there, and the entire community gathered in the small plaza," the priest recounted in a video shared by the Diocese of Palmira.

Although people were safe, the church tower partially collapsed, as did part of the cupola. Bricks also fell inside the church: "In the area of ??the Chapel of Our Lady of Fatima and the Just Judge, some bricks fell and smashed through the ceiling and damaged everything there," Aguirre added.

However, "thank God no one was harmed; there were no injuries and no fatalities, thank God," he said.

The priest noted that "Most Holy Trinity Parish is part of the municipality's cultural heritage" and that many residents of Palmira have been baptized and received various sacraments there.

Aguirre said there is work to be done to restore the church following the earthquake but that while repairs are being made "the Eucharist cannot be celebrated; yet, thank the Lord, we are all safe."

Other churches in Palmira also damaged

The Diocese of Palmira reported that in addition to Most Holy Trinity church, the following parishes were also affected: Our Lady of La Candelaria, St. Peter the Apostle, Our Lady of Perpetual Hope, Immaculate Conception in Yotoco, Our Lady of the Rosary in Vijes, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Restrepo, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Rozo, and Our Lady of the Rosary in Chiquinquirá, as well as old St. Anthony of Padua chapel.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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A United Nations report published Aug. 12 found an increase in migrant deaths and missing migrants along two European routes during the first four months of 2026, as the Vatican and bishops continue to voice concerns about safety.

The report, published by the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration (IOM), found that many migrants fall victim to human traffickers and scams along the journey. A majority of the increase in deaths, however, were caused by drownings in the Mediterranean Sea.

"Attention tends to settle on a handful of routes, but nearly half of the world's 304 million international migrants live within their own region, moving for work, family, education and safety," IOM Deputy Director General Ugochi Daniels said in a statement.

"Good data is not a substitute for solutions, but there are no solutions without it," she said. "... When everyone is working from the same clear picture, better decisions follow."

The two routes with a sharp increase in migrant deaths were the Central Mediterranean Route and the Eastern Mediterranean Route. The central route mostly reflects migrants arriving in Italy from northern Africa and the eastern route mostly reflects routes from western Asia into Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria.

According to the report, the number of migrants who died or went missing along the Central Mediterranean Route was at least 821, which is 111% higher than the same time last year. It found that the primary cause of death was drowning. About 430 migrants died or went missing in January, primarily due to Cyclone Harry.

The number went up by 259% on the Eastern Mediterranean Route, reaching at least 244. The report found the primary cause to be drowning. This was caused by "a series of fatal incidents" near Crete — a Greek island in the Mediterranean Sea.

"This data highlights the risks faced by migrants along these routes, even as the estimates presented in this report are likely much lower than the real number of casualties," the report states.

In July, Pope Leo XIV visited the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, saying migrants who died in the sea are "victims both of decisions that were made and of decisions that were not made."

"Indifference to the common good and corruption in their countries of origin; a global economic system that generates poverty and exclusion; fear that fuels prejudice and contempt; the belief that such problems do not concern us; the criminal calculations of those who profit from the suffering of others; the slow and difficult transition from mere emergency management to the development of comprehensive and shared policies — all are present-day echoes of the haste to 'pass by' in the Gospel narrative," the Holy Father said.

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A Pew Research Center survey found that 65% of American Catholics favor the death penalty for people convicted of murder, with 28% who "strongly" favor it.

The research showed that support for the death penalty among U.S. adults is 6 percentage points higher than it was in April 2021, and it is about equal to where it was in August 2020 (65%).

It found that about two-thirds of all Americans (66%) favor the death penalty for people convicted of murder.

Pew surveyed 3,554 U.S. adults from July 6–12. Participants were all members of Pew's American Trends Panel, which is a nationally representative panel of randomly selected U.S. adults. The margin of sampling error for the sample of respondents was plus or minus 1.9 percentage points.

The report, "Most Americans Favor the Death Penalty for Those Convicted of Murder," found that 32% of Americans oppose the death penalty for people convicted of murder, 13% of whom reported they "strongly oppose" it.

While most Catholics favor it, 34% said they oppose it, with 15% who "strongly oppose" it.

When asked in the context of morality, 68% of all respondents said they see the death penalty as morally justified for those who have committed murder, while 28% believe it is morally wrong.

Of Catholics, 64% believe the death penalty is morally justified when someone commits murder, and 32% said it is morally wrong.

A 59% majority of all Americans said the death penalty is not a crime deterrent, while 39% said that it is. A majority of Americans (73%) also said there is some risk that an innocent person could be put to death, but a quarter said that there are safeguards in place to prevent this.

Since the start of his papacy, Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly spoken out in strong opposition of the death penalty.

"I condemn capital punishment. I believe that human life is to be respected and that all people — from conception to natural [death] — their lives should be respected and protected," the pope said in April.

His remarks against the death penalty echo a relatively new magisterial teaching in the Catholic Church, which was promulgated by Pope Francis in 2018. The Church teaches that "the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person," (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2267).

Views differ by political party, age, and education

The poll showed partisan divides on the death penalty persist among U.S. adults.

Republicans and independents who lean toward the Republican Party overwhelmingly support the death penalty with 84% in favor, including 47% who "strongly favor" it. Democrats and Democratic leaners were about split between support (51%) and opposition (48%).

Most Republicans (85%) also said the death penalty is morally justified for a crime like murder, while Democrats are more split on the issue with 55% who believe it is morally justified and 42% who do not.

Republicans and Democrats were most divided over whether the death penalty is fairly applied to different races.

Most Republicans (77%), said white and Black people are equally likely to be sentenced to the death penalty for similar crimes, and only 23% of Democrats reported the same.

The report also noted that younger adults are slightly less supportive of the death penalty than older adults. Of adults ages 18 to 29, 58% said it is morally wrong, compared with 47% of those 65 and older.

Adults with a college degree, especially those with a postgraduate degree, are also slightly less likely than those with a high school degree or only some college education to favor the death penalty for people convicted of murder.

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Claims circulating widely on social media that Finland's first Catholic school will open this month, or that it is already operational, are inaccurate.

The Helsinki Catholic School, which was scheduled to begin operations in August, has postponed its opening until next year, according to Bishop Raimo Goyarrola of Helsinki.

The planned school gained attention after the Helsinki Diocese announced the project in its diocesan magazine last November. By the time of the announcement, groundwork was already underway, with fundraising efforts and the necessary administrative and bureaucratic processes being pursued.

Once completed, the school would be the first Catholic school in Finland in roughly 500 years, following the near disappearance of Catholic institutional life in the country after the Reformation and the adoption of Lutheranism as Finland's state religion in the 16th century.

The school's planned model

Goyarrola previously described the project to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, as an important step in rebuilding Catholic educational life in Finland.

He said the school was intended to open in August 2026 and would initially operate on the second floor of a Lutheran church dedicated to St. James the Apostle on Lauttasaari, an island in Helsinki. The bishop had also expressed hope that, if finances permitted, the diocese could acquire the building within three years.

The Helsinki Catholic School is planned as a small, inclusive school initially serving grades 1–3, following Finland's national and Helsinki city curricula while incorporating Catholic values. Its approach focuses on personal attention, a calm learning environment, initiative, and a strong character foundation.

Opening delayed until 2027

In response to an inquiry from EWTN News, Goyarrola clarified that the school has not opened and that its launch has been postponed.

"The school will open once everything is fully in place," Goyarrola said. "We had hoped to begin this August, but after careful consideration we have decided to postpone the opening until next year, as there are still several important matters to resolve."

He also went on to say: "The administrative procedures, logistics, and financing alone are challenging." He further noted that "when the school is also Catholic and privately run, the work and the requirements become even more demanding."

Social media accounts and online posts have recently presented the Helsinki Catholic School as though it is already operating in an educational sense. This is inaccurate. The school is not currently teaching any students, and it is not open in the capacity that formal classes or regular educational activities are being conducted. The project remains in development.

The Diocese of Helsinki continues to work with its partners toward establishing the school and remains hopeful that it will become a reality in 2027.

Goyarrola asked the faithful to pray for the project as the diocese works through the remaining requirements. "We would be deeply grateful for your prayers as we continue working to make this project a reality," he told EWTN News.

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Guaranteed Rate Field was transformed into a sea of white-and-black novelty miters on Tuesday night as the Chicago White Sox celebrated "Pope Night," honoring Chicago native and Sox fan Pope Leo XIV.

To pull off the unique promotion respectfully, the White Sox marketing team collaborated early on with Chicago priest Father Tom Hurley. "We didn't want to do anything sacrilegious or offend people," said Mike Downey, senior director of marketing and promotions for the White Sox, on "EWTN News Nightly." "We wanted to do something fun and tasteful that celebrates the fact that Pope Leo is a White Sox fan."

The collaboration paid off in a memorable ballpark moment when thousands of fans joined together for an impromptu "sign of peace." Wearing their White Sox-branded novelty miters, fans turned to neighbors in nearby seats, exchanging handshakes, high-fives, and blessings across the concourses.

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Hurley, who joined the crowd in the stands, reflected on what the pontiff would have wanted to come of such a night.

"A few more home runs," Hurley joked, motioning to his own branded miter. "But here's what he really would love to see. The pope is a guy who promotes peace. In the Catholic tradition, we offer a sign of peace during Mass because we want to bring peace to the world. I think the pope would love seeing everyone stand, find a new friend, and offer that same peace — whether they're Catholic or not."

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The idea for the tribute took root shortly after May 8, 2025, when Pope Leo XIV — formerly Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost — was elevated to the papacy. Known for wearing a White Sox cap at the Vatican and having attended Game 1 of the 2005 World Series, the pontiff's lifelong allegiance inspired the team to act once news of his fandom broke.

Originally planned as a targeted promotion for a designated section of 10,000 fans, overwhelming demand after its announcement prompted the organization to expand the giveaway to all 40,000 attendees.

The spiritual energy in the stands mirrored the action on the field. The first-place White Sox kept the momentum going against the Cincinnati Reds, starting off with a first-pitch leadoff home run by Brenton Doyle.

"It seems like there's a little magic happening on the South Side right now," Downey added. "Fans like to comment that we've got the pope on our side. My message for him is just to keep an eye out for the South Siders and say a prayer for us in October."

This story was first published by the National Catholic Register, the sister partner of EWTN News, and has been adapted by EWTN News.

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HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) announced Aug. 10 the launch of Harper Catholic, a new imprint serving Catholic readers, authors, booksellers, parishes, and organizations.

The new branch of HCCP will be led by associate publisher Kristi McDonald, who has over 15 years of experience in Catholic publishing, spending 14 years at Ave Maria Press.

McDonald told EWTN News in an interview that Harper Catholic comes at a time where the company recognizes "the unique spiritual needs of Catholics and the tremendous opportunity to serve a Church that is growing and changing in the United States and around the world."

"We're seeing new converts coming into the Church, Catholics rediscovering their faith, and readers at every stage looking for resources that can help them go deeper," she said. "That inspires us to publish books that feed that spiritual hunger, answer meaningful questions, and accompany people in the ordinary realities of Catholic life."

The creation of Harper Catholic also comes after the success seen in Catholic Bible Press, which is HCCP's first Catholic imprint and publishes editions of the Bible such as the New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition and the New American Bible, Revised Edition.

"Harper Catholic is also a natural next step in the work HarperCollins Christian Publishing has already been doing in the Catholic market. Catholic Bible Press has experienced rapid growth and success over the past six years, demonstrating both the need for excellent Catholic resources and the opportunity for HCCP to serve this audience with care and purpose," McDonald explained.

She added: "Harper Catholic builds on that strong foundation by expanding our Catholic publishing program beyond Bibles and represents our continued investment in serving Catholic readers, authors, parishes, booksellers, and institutions."

Harper Catholic aims to expand HCCP's Catholic publishing beyond Bibles and into spiritual classics, theology, devotionals, memoirs, cultural engagement, and books from leading voices in the Church today.

"We plan to publish a broad range of accessible, faithful, relevant, and intellectually substantial books for Catholics across generations and stages of spiritual life," McDonald shared.

"The goal is to reflect something of the richness and breadth of Catholicism itself while remaining attentive to the real questions and spiritual longings people are bringing to their faith today."

McDonald said the publication's primary goal "is to share the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith with the world through powerful writing and authentic, trustworthy voices."

"We want Harper Catholic to become a publishing home where established and emerging Catholic authors can bring faithful, compelling ideas to readers, and where Catholics know they can find books that help them grow closer to God, live the sacramental life more fully, and encounter Christ in the ordinary rhythms of their days," she said.

In terms of HCCP's perspective, McDonald said, "this is a long-term commitment."

"The success of Catholic Bible Press has given us a strong foundation and shown us what is possible when we serve Catholic readers with excellence and intentionality," she said. "Harper Catholic allows us to build on that success, broaden the ways we serve the Church, and continue investing in Catholic publishing for years to come."

The imprint is actively accepting proposals from authors and agents and will announce its first acquisitions and publishing plans in the coming months.

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Christopher Saunders, the former bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Broome, Australia, was convicted on Aug. 13 of sexually abusing two young Aboriginal men between 2008 and 2017.

Saunders, who is 76 years old, led the northwest Australian diocese from 1996 until 2021 when he resigned. He was convicted of 13 charges, which included nonconsensual sexual penetration. He originally faced 26 charges, but seven were dropped and he was not found guilty for the other six.

Bishop Tim Norton of the Diocese of Broome published a pastoral letter to the faithful after his predecessor was convicted.

Norton thanked the police and the prosecutors "for their commitment to bringing this matter before a jury." He acknowledged "the courage of victims, survivors and other witnesses" who "showed extraordinary resilience and commitment through a long and difficult process."

"They deserved to be heard with compassion and treated with dignity," he said.

On behalf of the diocese, Norton apologized for "the hurt [the victims] have experienced," for "the shame they have endured," and "that it has taken so long for their voices to be heard and for their pain to be acknowledged." He said the diocese would "do all we can to reach out to them for hope and healing."

"We are acutely aware that the victims of this betrayal are not just those who have told their stories to police and before the court," Norton said.

"Trust has been broken and wounds of betrayal and division have been exposed across the diocese," he said. "The hurt extends to those who have placed their trust in our leadership and our Church. Many who have served their parishes and their communities selflessly have been left with difficult questions and unresolved feelings."

Norton said he is committed to ensuring that the diocese is "a place of safety, respect and accountability." He said leaders "will do all we can to create an environment of trust and openness" and will move to "ensure that people are treated with dignity and compassion and continue to seek authentic and peaceful relationships, even if we do not always agree with each other."

Norton said diocesan and parish staff can connect people to independent support services if any person requests support.

"We ask Our Lady Queen of Peace, the patroness of our diocese, to intercede for us and to accompany us on this journey of reconciliation, healing and hope," the bishop concluded.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), prosecutors said Saunders hosted "shirts off" gatherings with young men who would wear only boxer shorts. They said he supplied alcohol and food with church funds and would touch the men sexually and in at least one case engaged in oral sex without consent.

ABC reported that Saunders' defense lawyer acknowledged "boozy" and "sleazy" behavior, but they rejected claims of nonconsensual sexual activity. The former bishop maintained his innocence in the trial.

The initial charges accused Saunders of sexual activity with minors, but he was not convicted of any charges related to victims who were minors.

The Western Australia Police Force first investigated Saunders in 2018 but chose not to file any charges in 2021. The Vatican launched its own investigation in 2022 and submitted its findings to the police in 2023. The police reopened their investigation in 2023 and arrested him in 2024.

Although the Vatican did not release its findings to the public, it was leaked to Seven News in Australia, which reported that the investigation found Saunders likely sexually assaulted four youths and possibly groomed 67 others.

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Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley this week lamented Oklahoma's execution of a condemned murderer, calling for prayers for both the killer's victims and the killer himself while urging a "more humane form of justice."

The state on Aug. 13 put to death Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez, who was convicted of killing Olimpia Fisher in Oklahoma City in 2003. The execution was carried out at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary shortly after 10 a.m. CT.

Tennessee executed Anthony Darrell Hines, who was convicted of killing Catherine Jenkins in 1985, on Aug. 13, and later that day Alabama planned to execute Jeremy Tremaine Williams for the rape and murder of 5-year-old Kamarie Holland in 2021.

The last time three U.S. states carried out executions on the same day was in 2010, when Louisiana, Ohio, and Texas put inmates to death, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

In a press release also posted to X, Coakley — who serves as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops — expressed "sadness" over the execution and said he was "disheartened" as Oklahoma "continues along an ominous path."

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The archbishop said the state was "carrying out executions with a frequency and regularity that places it among the nation's leaders" in capital punishment.

Coakley has regularly urged authorities to end the death penalty. In 2022, after a federal court dismissed a challenge to the state's capital punishment regime, Coakley called on lawmakers to end executions there. He argued that an execution devalues human life and "does not ultimately bring closure and peace to those who have lost a loved one."

The archbishop has also repeatedly lamented specific executions in the state, including that of Kendrick Simpson, who was put to death in February.

On Aug. 13, he noted that the execution of Cuesta-Rodriguez constituted the 132nd time Oklahoma has killed someone since 1990.

"Capital punishment does not provide justice," he said. "Our modern prisons are secure. Life imprisonment offers assurance that citizens are not at risk. And it allows for a conversion of hearts."

He asked readers to "join me in praying for the victim of this crime, Olimpia Fisher, and her family, as well as Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez and his family."

Coakley is among the numerous U.S. bishops that regularly advocate against the death penalty. The Death Penalty Information Center says that among the 50 U.S. states since 1976 Oklahoma has had far and away the most executions relative to its population, though Texas has executed nearly five times as many people overall as Oklahoma.

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