All articles tagged with #priests
Pope Leo XIV ordained ten men at St. Peter’s Basilica for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, describing priesthood as a ministry of communion. He urged the new priests to remain close to Christ while engaging their communities, to avoid gatekeeping, and to go out into culture and daily life, trusting in God as their guide.
Pope Leo emphasizes the importance of priests being builders of unity and peace, urging them to renew their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, serve with humility, and foster community and reconciliation through prayer, understanding, and love.
Pope Leo XIV ordained 11 new priests for the Diocese of Rome, emphasizing the importance of unity, credibility, and service rooted in Jesus' example, and highlighting the ongoing renewal and deepening of the Church's mission amidst a wounded humanity.
Pope Francis has called on religious orders to intensify their efforts in praying and working for new priests and nuns, as the number of individuals entering Catholic religious life continues to decline, particularly in Europe and the Americas. While new members from Asia, Africa, and Latin America have somewhat mitigated the global decline, the overall numbers are still falling, prompting some orders to scale down or cease accepting new members.
Pope Francis, appearing strong, delivered a lengthy set of marching orders to Rome-based priests during Holy Thursday Mass, urging them to avoid "clerical hypocrisy" and treat their flocks with mercy. He warned against judging the faithful and emphasized the importance of repentance and acknowledging one's own shortcomings. The Mass marked the start of a busy few days for the 87-year-old pope, including a visit to a women's prison and upcoming Easter rituals.
An investigation by the Illinois Attorney General's Office has revealed that two priests, William Harbert and M. Duane Leclercq, left a trail of sexual abuse from Pekin to Bloomington. The report shows that the Catholic Diocese of Peoria was aware of their behavior but did little to address it. Harbert, who taught sex education to freshman boys, was known for grabbing children by the groin. Leclercq was called in for police questioning after a 16-year-old boy reported that the priest fondled him at his apartment. A total of 12 people have come forward to report abuse by Harbert.
Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered ancient mummification workshops and tombs in the Saqqara necropolis, including stony beds and clay pots used for mummification. The tombs of two priests from the 24th and 14th centuries BC were also found, adorned with depictions of daily activities and scenes of the deceased in different positions. The discovery was made near the sanctuary of the goddess Bastet and was unveiled by Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in a press conference.
Bolivian President Luis Arce has announced plans to restrict the entry of Catholic priests into the country amid a sexual abuse scandal involving members of the clergy. The move comes after a report revealed that at least 60 children and adolescents had been sexually abused by priests in Bolivia since 2000. The restrictions will require priests to obtain a special visa and undergo a background check before entering the country.
A report by the Attorney General of Maryland has accused the Archdiocese of Baltimore of covering up the sexual abuse of more than 600 children for over a half-century. St. Mark Church in Catonsville, Maryland, was home to a dozen priests accused of sexual abuse. The pastor of the church has announced that he will be saying the rosary for their victims. The report named 12 priests who served at St. Mark, and the leaders of the archdiocese knew that problem priests were being moved from parish to parish. The archdiocese did not know these priests were accused of sexual abuse when they were assigned to St. Mark.