Catholic News

A Marianist retreat house on the Jersey Shore will pay out $3 million to a woman who said she was abused at the center in the 1970s.

Ken Fulginiti, who represented the plaintiff identified as Jane Doe in the suit, told EWTN News on July 22 that a jury in Cape May County returned the seven-figure verdict for the "emotional trauma of abuse" endured by his client.

"There will be another $750,000 in prejudgment interest that we've sent in a motion for," he said.

Fulginiti's client said the abuse occurred in 1974; she filed suit against the retreat center in January 2021.

The retreat center attempted to convince the jury that it was not required to pay out for the abuse. "There were arguing that they were not liable to the extent that it happened; it was two employees of theirs that [they claimed they] didn't know were like that," Fulginiti said.

Fulginiti said the retreat center is facing several other lawsuits from alleged abuse victims.

The ruling in his client's case, Fulginiti said, could impact the other lawsuits to some extent. The multiple lawsuits were consolidated for purposes of discovery, he said, but the trials themselves will be considered on an individual basis.

"If you are a participant in a hearing, and rulings are made against you, you're bound to them," he said. The plaintiffs in the other cases would not be bound in any way to the verdict in his client's case, he said, but the retreat center would be.

The lawyer said it was "very challenging for any survivor of abuse to go through this process."

"I'm grateful for the jury to have listened to all the evidence and provided their verdict in favor of Jane Doe," he said.

In a statement to EWTN News, the Marianist Province of the United States said it "respects the judicial process and acknowledges the jury's careful consideration, which did not sustain a finding of negligence against the Province."

"The Province unequivocally condemns sexual abuse and has comprehensive safeguarding policies in place designed to protect children and vulnerable adults across our ministries," the statement said.

"We remain vigilant in our commitment to upholding those policies and continue to pray for all survivors of abuse."

The multiple suits filed against the Marianist center allege that former priest John Sheehan and Brother Albert Koch had committed the abuse for years between 1974 and 1982.

Neither man is a defendant in the cases. Sheehan was laicized in 1997; Koch was reportedly active at the center into 2020.

The retreat center is located in the Diocese of Camden, which in February announced a massive $180 million abuse settlement to be paid out to more than 300 abuse victims.

The nine-figure payout represented a more-than-sixfold increase over an earlier proposed settlement of $87.5 million. Camden Bishop Joseph Williams at the time called the settlement a "milestone" that was "long overdue." 

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Young Catholics in Brazil are thirsting for more formation about the Church and say there is an excessive emphasis on sociopolitical issues, according to the National Survey on Youth Evangelization, which interviewed over 11,000 people across Brazil in 2025.

The data were recently presented at a meeting of the Permanent Council of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB, by its Portuguese acronym).

The report presented partial results from the survey, conducted in 2025 by the Episcopal Commission for Youth of the CNBB in partnership with the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul Youth Observatory, the UNESCO Chair on Youth, Education, and Society, and the Department of Theology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro.

Adolescents and young adults, aged 12 to 29 and from all regions of Brazil, participated in the study. A non-probabilistic, voluntary (opt-in) methodology was employed, utilizing a predominantly quantitative, self-administered digital questionnaire distributed through the Connected Youth communication channels.

Holiness and faith

The study showed that holiness and Christian faith were the most frequently mentioned topics of interest among the survey participants. Conversely, a lack of reverence for the liturgy and an excessive emphasis on sociopolitical issues emerged as the primary factors hindering the respondents' participation in the life of faith.

Patrícia Espíndola de Lima Teixeira of the Youth Observatory at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, who coordinated the research, told ACI Digital, the Portuguese-language sister service of EWTN News, that the findings come "as no surprise to those who work directly with young people."

"We have a generation that grew up exposed to a huge volume of superficial content, and that is precisely the hypothesis for why so many young people show a thirst for deeper relationships that foster faith and a sense of purpose in life," she said.

The researcher does not see a divide between conservatives and progressives in the survey results.

"What we conducted was a study free of preconceived notions, which revealed a pastoral tension to be embraced and reflected upon with maturity and balance," Teixeira said. "I believe the Church is experiencing calls for precisely this: overcoming polarization and living out unity even amid our differences, in the spirit of Pentecost."

"I like to recall the Pauline image of the body and its many members (1 Cor 12:12–27): The Church is one body yet possesses a genuine plurality of gifts, sensibilities, and lived experiences, and this diversity must be lived out in communion," she continued. "This is an agenda that warrants consistent, in-depth exploration not only with young people but with everyone."

According to Layla Kamila, 29, coordinator of the Jovens Conectados (Connected Youth) communications team for the CNBB's Episcopal Commission for Youth and a member of the team responsible for the National Survey on Youth Evangelization, the study demonstrated a thirst for authenticity in faith.

The goal of the research was to listen to young people and understand their experience of faith, she said. The data revealed that many express a strong desire to deepen their spiritual lives. There is significant interest in themes such as holiness, the word of God, the Eucharist, Christian formation, and well-celebrated liturgy.

More than labels, young people desire authenticity, Kamila said. They hope to find a Church that proclaims Jesus Christ clearly, offers paths for formation, fosters a genuine encounter with God, and helps them live out their faith in today's world.

The coordinator of Connected Youth also assessed the high number of young people who say they are weary of the politicization within the Church. Kamila emphasized that the data should be analyzed calmly, avoiding isolated interpretations.

"Among the perceptions voiced by participants, many expressed a desire to find a Church deeply centered on Jesus Christ, spirituality, liturgy, and faith formation," Kamila said. "Open-ended responses also reveal observations regarding the desire for evangelization to keep Christ at the center."

She clarified that "this does not mean diminishing the social dimension of the Church's mission. Quite the opposite. Proclaiming the Gospel and committing to justice, the poor, peace, and human dignity go hand in hand."

Both Teixeira and Kamila hope that the data presented in the study will be well-received by Catholic communities and Church leadership.

"This research grew out of a desire to listen before proposing paths forward, in harmony with the Church's synodal journey," Kamila said. "As Pope Francis has so often reminded us: 'Everyone, everyone, everyone!'"

"This call also inspires this research: to listen to all young people and to embrace their experiences, joys, concerns, and dreams, so that no one feels outside of the life of the Church," she said. "We hope that dioceses, parishes, movements, new communities, and pastoral groups will welcome these data as a tool for pastoral discernment capable of strengthening the evangelization of young people in Brazil. After all, behind every number lies a story, a face, a family, and a journey of faith."

For Teixeira, "listening does not relativize the Church's faith but rather helps refine the way we proclaim the Gospel to new generations. More than just a diagnosis of difficulties, the research reveals young people who desire to deepen their faith, better understand the Church, and find solid paths of formation. It is precisely this openness that makes the pastoral landscape one of profound hope."

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

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Pope Leo XIV this week urged U.S. religious superiors to prioritize community life, describing it as a place of "witness and strength."

The Vatican published the letter on July 22 addressed to the Conference of Major Superiors of Men in the United States being held in Phoenix from July 20–23. The letter also marks the 70th anniversary of the conference.

The pontiff himself was a former religious superior, serving as the prior general of the Augustinians from 2001 to 2013.

In his letter, Leo congratulated the participants on their milestone and offered reflections on fostering community life, the theme of this year's conference. Citing an address he delivered to religious institutes in 2025, he encouraged them to view their communities as places of sanctification.

"In reflecting on the theme for this year's gathering, 'One in Christ: Communal Life Today,' I would encourage you to consider community life 'as a place of sanctification and a source of inspiration, witness and strength in your apostolate,'" the pope wrote.

Leo also praised their efforts to promote religious life in the United States and reminded them that a healthy community life makes their Christian witness more credible.

"Indeed, it is precisely through sharing everything in common, including material goods, spiritual experiences, apostolic ideals and charitable service that the hidden presence of the risen Lord is made manifest among you," Leo wrote.

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Pope Leo XIV has appointed another Chinese bishop under the agreement on episcopal appointments reached between the Holy See and authorities in Beijing during the pontificate of Pope Francis.

Father Joseph Chang Yanfeng was ordained Wednesday as the new bishop of Chifeng in China's Inner Mongolia region, the Vatican announced. Pope Leo approved the appointment June 15.

The Holy See said the appointment was made within the framework of the provisional agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China, under which the pope approved the candidate presented for the diocese.

Chang had overseen the local Church since October 2021, when he was appointed diocesan administrator.

Formation in China and South Korea

The new bishop was born April 4, 1984, in Beizhen in China's Liaoning province. He studied at the Shenyang Theological Seminary from 2000 to 2006.

After a period of pastoral work at Lindong Parish, he continued his academic formation at the Catholic University of Daejeon in South Korea, where he earned a degree in biblical theology.

He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Chifeng on Nov. 18, 2010.

During the early years of his ministry, he held several positions in the diocesan curia and served in a number of parishes. He was pastor of Chifeng Cathedral from 2013 to 2019 and later served at Lindong Parish from 2019 to 2021.

He was appointed diocesan administrator of Chifeng on Oct. 15, 2021, a responsibility he held until his episcopal appointment.

Dialogue between Rome and Beijing

The appointment was made through the continuing dialogue over the implementation of the Holy See-China agreement, signed in 2018 to establish a mutually accepted process for selecting bishops.

The appointment of bishops belongs to the pope, while Beijing had for decades regarded papal appointments as interference in China's internal affairs.

The Holy See and China have not maintained diplomatic relations since 1951, following the establishment of Mao Zedong's communist government. Chinese Catholics subsequently became divided between communities registered with the state-controlled Catholic Patriotic Association and underground communities that remained loyal to Rome.

The full text of the 2018 agreement has never been made public. It was renewed every two years until 2024, when the two sides extended it for another four years, through 2028.

Under the terms that have become publicly known, the pope retains final authority over episcopal appointments in China and can reject candidates proposed by Beijing. The Holy See, for its part, has agreed not to make episcopal appointments without first obtaining the Chinese government's approval.

Tensions during the papal interregnum

During the interregnum between the death of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo XIV, Chinese authorities proceeded unilaterally with the selection of two bishops, including one for a jurisdiction already led by a prelate recognized by the Vatican.

On April 28, 2025, Father Ignatius Wu Jianlin was elected auxiliary bishop of Shanghai by state-controlled Church bodies. The following day, Father Francis Li Jianlin was selected to lead Xinxiang in Henan province.

The latter decision caused controversy because the Holy See already recognized Bishop Joseph Zhang Weizhu as the legitimate bishop of that local Church.

Although the selections may have been planned before Francis' death, their timing attracted attention. AsiaNews reported that the decisions conveyed the Chinese Communist Party's position that a vacancy in the Apostolic See would not interrupt the operation of the Catholic Church in China.

With Chang's appointment and episcopal ordination, 15 Catholic bishops have now been ordained under the provisional agreement signed by China and the Holy See during the pontificate of Francis.

Chinese appointments under Pope Leo XIV

The process leading to Chang's appointment and ordination took place entirely during the pontificate of Leo XIV, providing another indication that the pope intends to continue the path of dialogue between Rome and Beijing.

Since the beginning of his pontificate, Leo has made several episcopal appointments in China and assigned new responsibilities to bishops who had already been ordained.

On June 11, 2025, the Vatican announced the civil recognition and installation of Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan as auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou in Fujian province. Leo had appointed him June 5.

On July 8, 2025, the pope suppressed the dioceses of Xuanhua and Xiwanzi, which Pope Pius XII had established in 1946, and created the new Diocese of Zhangjiakou as a suffragan see of Beijing.

Two months later, on Sept. 10, Father Joseph Wang Zhengui, whom the pope had appointed to lead the new diocese, was ordained a bishop.

Father Ignatius Wu Jianlin was ordained auxiliary bishop of Shanghai on Oct. 15, 2025, after Leo appointed him Aug. 11.

Father Francis Li Jianlin was ordained to lead the Apostolic Prefecture of Xinxiang on Dec. 5, 2025, following his appointment by the pope on Aug. 11.

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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The Vatican on July 22 denied reports circulating on blogs and social media that Father Marko Rupnik, the former Jesuit accused by several women religious of sexual abuse, had been acquitted.

Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, described reports that the judges overseeing the case had reached a final decision as "absolutely unfounded."

Bruni said the canonical proceedings remain underway and that the tribunal "is examining documentation received from the dioceses involved, the Society of Jesus, the interested parties, and information published by the media."

Proceedings remain confidential

The Vatican spokesman stressed that no information about the case can be made public while the trial is underway. He said the confidentiality is intended both to protect due process and to prevent further harm to those affected by the case.

"During the trial, as in any judicial proceeding, information regarding the proceedings underway cannot be shared in any way," Bruni said in the statement.

He added that the tribunal itself will take any necessary steps to obtain additional information should the judges determine that further evidence is required.

Bruni also noted that the investigation into Rupnik is a canonical criminal proceeding that was made possible after the statute of limitations for the alleged offenses was waived.

The tribunal will therefore be able to reach a determination regarding Rupnik's possible guilt or innocence in accordance with canon law.

Allegations of psychological and sexual abuse

Rupnik is accused of psychological and sexual abuse during the 1990s in a religious community in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The community was founded by a religious sister for whom Rupnik served as a friend and spiritual adviser.

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith received a complaint in 2021. The dicastery, now headed by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, asked the Society of Jesus to investigate the allegations using an external investigator, who was a Dominican religious.

The Jesuits submitted the findings to the dicastery, which determined in October 2022 that the allegations were barred by the statute of limitations. Pope Francis ordered the case reopened the following year.

After the allegations became public, the Jesuits acknowledged that Rupnik had been excommunicated in 2020 for absolving a woman with whom he had engaged in sexual activity. The Jesuits said he repented and that the penalty was lifted shortly afterward.

In 2021, nine women accused Rupnik of sexually, psychologically, and spiritually abusing them.

The Vatican statement also emphasized that the jurisdiction of Church courts is limited to the Church's internal legal system. Any potential criminal liability under civil law would depend on the authorities in the countries where the alleged offenses may have occurred and on the applicable statutes of limitations.

Rupnik "remains subject to the laws of the countries in which the alleged crimes may have been committed, and the statute of limitations for those crimes is governed by the law of each country, independently of ecclesiastical authority," Bruni said.

Frustration over pace of case

The Vatican's response came after Laura Sgrò, an attorney representing five of Rupnik's accusers, publicly expressed frustration over the pace of the proceedings and the lack of information about the canonical trial.

Sgrò told ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, that she had written Tuesday to Fernández, saying her clients felt "deeply discouraged and distressed" by the lack of transparency surrounding the case.

In November 2025, Pope Leo XIV asked Rupnik's accusers for patience and said that "the Church must respect the rights of all people."

Sgrò declined to comment in detail on the Vatican's response, describing it only as "necessary."

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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When Pope Leo XIV warned in both May and June about the growing loneliness and abandonment experienced by the elderly, he highlighted a challenge confronting much of the modern world. In Lithuania, the Catholic Church has already been responding to this problem.

One year ago, Caritas Lithuania launched "Caritas Listens," a free emotional support hotline aimed at combating loneliness among older adults. Staffed by trained volunteers, the helpline offers a compassionate listening ear, a need many callers say they lack.

While the initiative was started in Lithuania, its significance reaches far beyond the Baltic nation. Across Eastern Europe, declining birth rates, rising life expectancy, and decades of emigration by younger generations to Western Europe have left many elderly people living alone.

Similar demographic pressures are also reshaping societies in countries such as Japan, South Korea, and China, raising concerns not only about healthcare and pensions but also about social isolation and mental well-being.

For the Catholic Church, Caritas Lithuania's experience offers a practical example of how pastoral care can respond to an increasingly urgent social and spiritual crisis.

A year of great impact

After its first year, Caritas Lithuania says the hotline has recorded 67,308 minutes of conversations, which the organization sees as evidence of both the scale of loneliness among older people and the need for emotional support.

The initiative currently relies on 86 trained volunteers who provide confidential emotional support by phone. Their focus is on listening without judgment; accompanying callers in moments of loneliness, grief, or anxiety; and helping them rediscover a sense of connection.

For Erika Panova-Polikeviciene, the project's coordinator, the need was already clear before the hotline began.

According to Lithuanian statistics, she said, 1 in 5 people aged 60 and over experiences loneliness, while adults over 60 make up almost one-third of the country's population.

"For more than 37 years, Caritas Lithuania has been providing support to people in vulnerable situations, including older persons," she told EWTN News. Yet despite those efforts, the organization realized that many elderly people remained beyond the reach of traditional services.

Some struggled with poor health or limited mobility. Others faced social isolation or lacked the confidence to seek help. For many, attending community activities or receiving in-person support was simply not possible.

"We saw a need to create an alternative way for them to receive emotional support and human connection," Panova-Polikeviciene said.

With support from Lithuania's Ministry of Social Security and Labor, Caritas expanded its network of assistance and launched the emotional support line in 2025.

Listening as a form of pastoral care

Callers frequently speak about grief after losing loved ones, strained family relationships, conflicts with neighbors, declining health, financial worries, and uncertainty about where to seek help.

Some, Panova-Polikeviciene said, simply need someone who will listen. "Sometimes the first step toward overcoming isolation is simply having someone on the other end of the phone who is ready to listen."

The conversations have also challenged common assumptions about loneliness. "One of the key lessons we have learned is that loneliness is not always about being physically alone," Panova-Polikeviciene explained.

Some callers live with family members or have relatives nearby yet still experience profound loneliness because they lack emotional connection or a sense of being understood. "A simple conversation can sometimes restore a feeling of connection and remind a person that they are not forgotten," she said.

The hotline has also become a refuge for people facing moments of deep despair. Volunteers regularly receive calls from older adults coping with bereavement, hopelessness, or periods when they feel they have nobody else to turn to. In those moments, the immediate goal is not necessarily solving every problem.

"The most important first step is often not providing an immediate solution but being present, listening with compassion, and helping a person feel that their life and experiences matter."

The volunteers behind the ministry

At the center of the initiative are the volunteers themselves. Panova-Polikeviciene described them as people who freely choose to accompany others through some of life's most difficult moments.

"They want to be there for others, to listen with compassion, to offer their time and presence, and to accompany older people who may be experiencing loneliness or difficult moments in their lives," she said.

Before answering calls, every volunteer undergoes a process of discernment with both a volunteer coordinator and a psychologist.

Caritas Lithuania believes that a desire to help is not enough on its own. Volunteers must also honestly evaluate whether they are emotionally prepared to accompany people through grief, isolation, and profound loneliness.

Those accepted into the program receive training in active listening, empathetic communication, and responding responsibly to emotionally difficult situations. They provide support in Lithuanian and continue to receive ongoing supervision and psychological support throughout their service.

Additionally, supervision sessions and consultations with psychologists help them avoid burnout and remain emotionally supported while accompanying vulnerable callers.

A model that could reach beyond Lithuania

"We believe that the experience of 'Caritas Listens' could be relevant for other Caritas organizations, as loneliness among older people is a growing challenge across Europe," Panova-Polikeviciene said.

She stressed that every country would need to adapt a similar initiative to its own social realities and support systems. Nevertheless, she said Caritas Lithuania is ready to share what it has learned.

"We believe that exchanging good practices within the Caritas network can help us better respond to the growing challenge of loneliness among older people."

As many nations grapple with aging populations, Caritas Lithuania's experience suggests that responding to loneliness may not always require complex solutions.

Sometimes, the ministry begins with something far simpler: a listening ear and the reassurance that no one is forgotten.

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Not much is known about the life of St. Mary Magdalene, whose feast day is celebrated in the Catholic Church on July 22. She first appears in the Gospel of Luke as a follower of Christ from whom seven demons have been cast out. In the Gospels, she is sometimes associated with two other women in Scripture: the woman who washes Jesus' feet with oil and Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus.

Her most prominent position in Scripture occurs in the Gospel of John, where she remains with Jesus at the Crucifixion, keeps vigil at the tomb, and is the first to see him on Easter morning. Differing traditions have her evangelizing in Ephesus, while others place her in Marseille, France.

Her body has never been found.

Apart from the Blessed Virgin Mary, perhaps no other saint alive during the time of Christ appears to have been as deeply moved by Jesus' death as this saint.

"How beautiful to think that the first appearance of the Risen One took place in such a personal way! That there is someone who knows us, who sees our suffering and delusion, who is moved by us, and who calls us by name," said Pope Francis of the encounter in a 2017 general audience the year after upgrading her memorial to a feast day in 2016.

After this shocking encounter, the joy of Christ's resurrection imbued her with the courage to spread this good news joyfully. "I have seen the Lord!" she proclaimed to the apostles and the whole world.

Once known as a sinful woman, Mary Magdalene becomes the Apostle to the Apostles, the first witness to the Resurrection, and the model of a personal encounter with Jesus Christ risen from the grave.

"God surprises her in the most unexpected way," Pope Francis opined. "So that woman, who is the first to encounter Jesus ... now has become an apostle of the new and greatest hope."

This story was first published on July 21, 2021, and has been updated.

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The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in Aleppo has long been associated with education, social service, and humanitarian work. Now, after 112 years of ministry, the sisters will close their convent and depart the city, marking the end of an important chapter in the city's history.

As news of the sisters' departure has spread, questions have arisen about why they are leaving and who made the decision. Sister Pierrette Jabbour, the congregation's regional councilor for the Middle East, told ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, that the decision was not related to political or security concerns — instead, it was made during the congregation's regional chapter in 2018.

She explained that the reasons are entirely internal and reflect the declining number of sisters, their increasing average age, and the shortage of new religious vocations. Similar restructuring is also taking place in convents in Egypt and Lebanon.

According to the congregation's regulations, each religious community must have at least four sisters.

Last May, the Salesians announced that they would assume responsibility for the Franciscan convent. However, the news received little public attention until a Mass of thanksgiving was celebrated to mark the conclusion of the sisters' ministry.

In a recorded message, Bishop Hanna Jallouf, apostolic vicar of Latin-rite Catholics in Syria, explained that the congregation has been reorganizing its presence in the country for more than five years.

He said the sisters decided to strengthen their presence in the northeastern province of Hasakah, where they are the only Catholic women's religious congregation serving the area. They also chose to reinforce their ministry in Damascus, while Aleppo is already home to several men's and women's religious communities. For these reasons, and in coordination with the Holy See, the Salesian Fathers will continue the Franciscan Sisters' mission at the convent.

Jallouf also dismissed rumors linking the sisters' departure to French President Emmanuel Macron's recent visit to Syria.

The Rev. Ibrahim Nasir, president of the National Evangelical Synod in Syria and Lebanon, described the farewell as both a solemn and grateful moment. He said the departure of this historic mission represents a significant loss for Aleppo and for its Christian presence." Every institution that closes and every religious community that leaves creates a gap that is difficult to fill," he said.

Nasir also stressed that the sisters' departure cannot be separated from the wider challenges facing Christians in Syria, especially in Aleppo, where declining numbers, continued emigration, and the closure of many educational and pastoral institutions remain serious concerns.

A legacy of service

The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary first arrived in Aleppo in 1914 at the invitation of the city's Maronite bishop. They established the Our Lady of Lourdes Center near the Maronite cathedral.

Although they were forced to leave during the World War I, they returned in 1919 and resumed their mission despite widespread poverty and hardship.

They first opened a school in the Aziziyah district before establishing the Franciscan Convent and School in the Sabil neighborhood in 1929. Over the years, the school became one of Aleppo's leading educational institutions.

The sisters combined education with the care of orphans, assistance to the poor, and support for refugees, helping form generations of students from different religious and social backgrounds.

The convent also became a center for girls' scouting activities and a place that encouraged friendship and coexistence between Christians and Muslims.

Besides education, the sisters played an important humanitarian and medical role in the city.

They also managed the Sheibani Orphanage, which cared for children orphaned during the Ottoman massacres. They also administered Al Razi Hospital for many decades, helping improve medical services and reduce mortality rates.

After the school was nationalized in 1967, the sisters continued their pastoral and social ministry through catechism, children's programs, ministry to university students, and by hosting Church groups and associations. They also served in the Jabal al Sayyideh, also known as Sheikh Maqsoud, neighborhood, where they dedicated themselves to pastoral ministry, Christian formation, and helping combat unemployment by teaching practical vocational skills.

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

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In the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes that struck the country, Caritas Venezuela, the social services arm of the Catholic Church in Venezuela, issued an updated bulletin in which it noted that, at this stage, "the immediate emergency begins to overlap with the first steps toward recovery."

The organization continues to maintain field operations, particularly in the coastal city of La Guaira, where the destruction is overwhelming.

In total, Caritas Venezuela reported that it has received over 19,000 tons of aid, of which it has so far managed to distribute approximately nearly 16,000 tons, representing 84% of the total received. The remaining aid "remains in stock, ready for upcoming deliveries."

Critical needs

Along with food and water, healthcare has become an urgent need for the communities affected by the disaster. In total, Caritas has dispatched 96,156 units of medical supplies and medicines, most of which are destined for hospitals and care centers operating under immense strain.

"In a healthcare system stretched by the magnitude of the disaster, every box of medicine that arrives on time sustains care for dozens of people," Caritas explained.

Likewise, the organization highlighted the work of thousands of volunteers nationwide who have tirelessly dedicated themselves to receiving, sorting, packing, and distributing aid. Caritas estimated that around 10,000 people have joined volunteer efforts across all of Venezuela's dioceses and parishes.

"They are teachers, young people, mothers, retirees, and neighbors who decided that the suffering of others is their own as well. They are, without exaggeration, the heart of this response," the organization noted.

The clergy have also been present at every collection center, at every distribution point, and in every camp across the affected cities.

They have engaged in relief efforts "through prayer and action." According to the bulletin, the greatest help provided by bishops, priests, and religious has been taking the time to listen to and be there for those grieving the loss of loved ones and to console those left homeless.

What lies ahead?

Caritas Venezuela noted that the 3,095 tons of humanitarian aid still available will allow them to "continue responding" but stated that "the emergency is far from over."

"Thousands of families remain in temporary camps, and many others will not be able to return to their homes. In the coming weeks, the operation will shift from immediate assistance to the recovery of those who lost everything — a long process that will require sustained solidarity over time," the organization explained.

When the camera crews depart and the news media turns to covering other events, "the need remains. That's why we reiterate our call to continue making contributions through official channels and to keep moving forward together," the organization emphasized.

"Monetary donations are the most efficient, as they allow us to procure exactly what is needed at any given moment directly from the field," Caritas advised.

The official death toll from the earthquakes in Venezuela now stands at over 5,200. Tens of thousands of other people have been injured and have lost their homes in Caracas, La Guaira, El Junquito, and other cities across 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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As of this year, devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel has a new site in Mexico City. On July 15, the old non-parochial church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was dedicated as an archdiocesan shrine, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the historic church.

In recent days, the church, located in the traditional San Ángel neighborhood on the city's south side, has begun to welcome more visitors than usual. Every year on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, celebrated on July 16, hundreds of pilgrims are drawn to the shrine.

However, interest has gained new momentum since Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, primatial archbishop of Mexico, announced in May that the historic church would be elevated to a shrine.

Among those drawn by curiosity was Mariana Ledesma. Although she acknowledged that she is only just beginning to learn about this devotion to Our Lady under this title, she wanted to be part of a moment she considers historic.

"The shrine is beautiful and full of symbolism; seeing the devotion of the entire community, being able to share in that faith, is something truly beautiful. That is precisely the purpose of the shrine: to make it known to others as well," she told ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News.

4 centuries of history

The relationship between Mexico City and Our Lady of Mount Carmel dates back to 1585, when the first missionaries of the Discalced Carmelite order arrived in New Spain to assist in the work of evangelization.

In the early 17th century, they established one of their most important convents in San Ángel, from which they fostered contemplative life, spiritual formation, and devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a devotion that took deep root among the capital's inhabitants.

For centuries, the church and convent served as an important religious and cultural center. However, following the Reform Laws of 1876, the old convent was nationalized and became state property.

Today, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church remains a place of Catholic worship while the former convent, after serving various purposes over the years, houses a museum.

After more than 400 years of tending to the church, this year the Discalced Carmelites handed over its administration to the Archdiocese of Mexico due to a decline in vocations within the order.

Mary, 'strengthen my heart'

During the Mass of canonical dedication as a shrine, Héctor Mario Pérez Villarreal, auxiliary bishop of Mexico, explained that the decision to elevate the church to a shrine reflects the fact that the faithful have long been making pilgrimages there to "seek solace and to come seeking the nourishment of the sacraments and the mercy of confession."

"Let us hope that this [act] serves as an encouragement for many more people to return here to renew the consolation offered by the Virgin of Mount Carmel and their love for Jesus Christ," he stated.

He also invited the faithful to turn to Mary during times of difficulty. He noted that when faith or hope "begin to fade," it is necessary to turn one's gaze toward Mary and say: "Most Holy Mother, you who were able to remain faithful even [standing] before your Son's cross, strengthen my heart."

Petitions to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The aisles of the shrine were filled with people holding scapulars, flowers, or photographs of their family members. Some came to give thanks for favors received; others sought to place their concerns in Mary's hands.

Among them was Claudio de la Paz, a devotee who traveled from the state of Campeche, over 500 miles away, to take part in the celebration. In addition to hoping the faithful will draw closer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, he asked that young people be specially commended to her care, as he said they are currently going through "times of great vulnerability."

For Rafael Estrada, devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel "represents a quest for peace, serenity, and harmony." Estrada urged Catholics to ask for Mary's protection amid the tribulations Mexico is going through.

Sister Nina Ramos, a religious of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, invited the faithful to visit the new shrine and noted that those who fulfill the conditions established by the Church may obtain a plenary indulgence.

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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