search
Church News
Trends
- 1Pope warns in Lourdes medicine must never serve programmed deathβΌPope in Lourdes: 'Medicine must never be servant of programmed death'
Pope Leo spoke during a visit to the French shrine of Lourdes, a major Catholic pilgrimage site associated with healing, declaring that medicine must never become a servant of programmed death. The remarks were reported by Vatican News and read as a reaffirmation of Church teaching opposing euthanasia and assisted dying, framed in defence of care for the sick and vulnerable.
- 2Pope tells French bishops Church must speak in public squareβPope to French Bishops: Church bears prophetic authority in public square
The Pope told French bishops visiting the Vatican that the Catholic Church carries a prophetic authority and must remain a voice in the public square. Vatican News reported the address, in which he framed the Church's role as speaking on moral and social questions rather than retreating to the private sphere. The remarks come amid ongoing debates in France over secularism and the place of religion in public life.
- 3
Pope Leo called on the Catholic Church to confront its failings ahead of a meeting with French survivors of clerical sexual abuse. The remarks, reported by Reuters and U.S. News & World Report, frame the encounter as a moment of accountability for the Church's handling of abuse, an issue that has deeply affected Catholic communities in France.
- 4Pope in Lourdes says human dignity cannot be measuredβPope in Lourdes: Human dignity cannot be measured or debated
Pope Leo visited the French pilgrimage site of Lourdes, where he told pilgrims that human dignity can never be measured or debated. The remarks were reported by Vatican News. The message underscores the Catholic Church's teaching on the sanctity of every life, delivered at one of the world's most important Marian shrines, long associated with healing and the sick.
- 5Pope Leo Visits Lourdes, Calls Church to Heal Its WoundsβΌPope Leo in Lourdes: The Church must heal her βwounds, infidelities, and painful errorsβ
Pope Leo traveled to Lourdes, France, where he said the Church must confront and heal her 'wounds, infidelities, and painful errors.' The remarks, reported by Catholic media outlets including Catholic World Report and EWTN News, frame the pilgrimage visit as an act of penance and renewal. The visit draws attention given Lourdes' status as one of Catholicism's most important Marian shrines and pilgrimage sites.
- 6Woman Sentenced to 30 Years for Fatal Church's Chicken ShootingβWoman gets 30 years after fatally shooting Church's Chicken employee
A woman has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after fatally shooting an employee at a Church's Chicken restaurant. The sentencing closes out the case, which has drawn widespread local attention in Memphis, where the news was reported. Details about the victim, the motive, or the court proceedings were not immediately provided, but the lengthy sentence reflects the severity of the crime.
- 7
A mass shooting on Church Street in Blakely, Georgia has left several people shot, according to local news reports from WALB and WCTV. Details about the victims' conditions, the number of shooters, and any arrests have not yet been released as investigators work the scene in the small southwest Georgia town.
- 8Pope Leo urges Church in France to nurture seeds of faithβPope Leo calls on Church in France to nuture seeds of faith
Pope Leo has called on the Catholic Church in France to nurture the seeds of faith, in remarks reported by Vatican News. The appeal comes as the Church in France works to sustain Catholic life in a country marked by declining practice and ongoing debates over its future direction. The Pope's message stressed encouragement of believers and the growth of faith communities.
- 9Church apologises for naming jailed priest in prayer listβChurch apologises after jailed priest named in prayer list
A church has issued an apology after a jailed priest was named in its prayer list. Premier Christian News reported the story, which has prompted discussion about how congregations handle the privacy of clergy facing legal proceedings. Details of which church and priest are involved, and the circumstances of the imprisonment, remain limited in the available reporting.
- 10Michigan church attack leaves community reelingβΌHow the attack on a Michigan church unfolded and changed everything
A deadly attack at a church in Michigan is being examined in new reporting that traces how the incident unfolded and its lasting impact. Details of the assault and its aftermath are drawing widespread attention as questions mount about security at places of worship.
- 11Pope calls French clergy to missionary conversionβPope calls clergy, religious of France to missionary conversion
Pope Francis has urged priests and religious in France to embrace a missionary conversion, calling on them to renew their commitment to evangelisation as the Church faces declining numbers across the country. The appeal, reported by Vatican News, frames the French Church's future around outreach rather than maintenance, with emphasis on parishes rethinking how they serve their communities.
- 12Church members worldwide adjust to new Sunday scheduleβΌChurch members around the world embrace new Sunday schedule
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world are adapting to a revised Sunday worship schedule, which consolidated meetings into a single two-hour block instead of the previous three-hour format. Reports from the Church News suggest congregations are embracing the change, using freed-up time for home-based gospel study and family activities alongside Sunday services.
- 13
Country star Eric Church has announced his first-ever headlining tour of Australia, scheduled for 2027. The announcement, reported by Rolling Stone Australia, marks the first time the singer will bring his own headline shows to the country. Details on dates and venues are expected to follow as fans react to the news.
- 14Six injured in shooting on Church Street in BlakelyβShooting on Church Street leaves 6 injured in Blakely
Six people were injured in a shooting on Church Street in Blakely, Georgia, according to local reporting from WALB. Details about the victims' conditions and any suspects have not yet been released, and authorities are expected to provide further information as the investigation continues. Residents are expressing concern about safety in the area.
- 15Latter-day Saints worldwide adjust to new Sunday worship scheduleβΌLatter-day Saints around the world embrace new Sunday schedule
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world are settling into a revised Sunday schedule, according to Deseret News. The change consolidates worship services and classes into a shorter block of time on Sundays, with members reportedly welcoming the new format. The shift encourages greater gospel study and activities at home during the week.
- 16Historic Springfield African American church preserved through Drury partnershipβHistoric Springfield African American church will live on with Drury
A historically significant African American church in Springfield will be preserved through an arrangement with Drury University, ensuring the congregation's landmark continues to serve the community rather than being lost to redevelopment. The agreement gives the building a future under the university's stewardship. Local coverage has highlighted the importance of saving a site tied to the city's Black history, with residents welcoming the outcome for a church that has long anchored the neighborhood.
- 17Illinois church of Blessed Sheen's baptism joins first parish named for himβBlessed Sheen's baptismal church in Illinois to be part of world's first parish named for him
The Illinois church where Fulton Sheen was baptized will become part of the world's first parish named for the beloved American bishop and media evangelist. The announcement, reported by Catholic outlets, ties his baptismal site to a new parish honoring his legacy as the Church moves forward on his path to sainthood.
- 18Megachurch unveils 62-foot Jesus statue as history markedβΌThis week in Christian history: Megachurch dedicates a 62-foot statue of Jesus; Damasus becomes pope
A large American megachurch has dedicated a 62-foot statue of Jesus, one of the events highlighted in a weekly roundup of Christian history. The same feature notes the anniversary of Damasus becoming pope in the fourth century, a pontiff remembered for his ties to Rome's early Christian legacy.
- 19Glen Cove's First Presbyterian Church Granted Landmark StatusβΌHistoric First Presbyterian Church in Glen Cove, built in 1906, awarded landmark status
The First Presbyterian Church in Glen Cove, New York, a house of worship built in 1906, has been formally awarded landmark status. The designation recognizes the building's historic and architectural significance to the community and will help protect it from alteration or demolition. Local officials and preservation advocates welcomed the decision for the century-old church.