The Land of a Thousand Islands, 150,000 Catholics, and… 44 Seminarians!

Mar 19, 2026 10:41

ZENIT Staff

Seminarians in the Solomon Islands

Analysis Opinion•Local Church

Reopening the Archives: New Findings Challenge Accusations Against John Paul II in Poland’s Abuse Debate

The archival corpus examined is substantial. It includes nine densely compiled volumes related to specific priests—among them Eugeniusz Surgent, Józef Loranc and Bolesław Saduś—alongside hundreds of supplementary documents drawn from parish records and other repositories

Mar 17, 2026 18:03

ZENIT Staff

Local Church

How Many Weddings, Baptisms, or Funerals Are Celebrated in Germany? The Catholic Church in Germany Releases Annual Statistics

In 2025, there was a slight increase of 2,269 people joining the Catholic Church (2024: 1,839), while 5,443 members were readmitted to the faith (2024: 4,743). However, the number of people who left the Church was 307,117 (2024: 321,659).

Mar 17, 2026 17:44

ZENIT Staff

Cardinals and Bishops•Justice and Peace•Local Church

Bishop of El Paso to immigration agents: No one is obligated to follow an immoral law

The message, addressing both mass detention and mass deportation, is the first of its kind since the beginning of mass deportations in the United States this past year, and addressed directly to both the immigrant community in borderlands as well as those working in immigration enforcement.

Mar 17, 2026 16:53

ZENIT Staff

Local Church

UK: Former Catholic seminary awarded £400,000 to unlock its historic potential

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £250,000 and Historic England has granted £150,000 to support the next phase of development at this nationally significant heritage site.

Mar 17, 2026 16:46

ZENIT Staff

Good News•Local Church

Lost for Eight Decades, Found by Chance: Argentina Cathedral Recovers Relic of the True Cross Ahead of Lent

The reliquary, identified as a Lignum Crucis—Latin for “wood of the Cross”—was traced back to the Cathedral of San Juan, where it had been housed since 1908. According to documentation recovered during the investigation, the relic arrived through the efforts of Bishop Sansierra and was accompanied by official certification issued in Rome

Mar 16, 2026 10:07

Enrique Villegas

Reflections by Leo XIV on certain elements that constitute the sacred liturgy, such as rite, sign, and symbol

The Pope’s General Audience, June 3, 2026, on certain elements that constitute the sacred liturgy, such as rites, signs, and symbols

Threats of Islamist attacks come to light during Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Spain

The propaganda poster, distributed through online channels associated with Islamist extremism, targets several of the Pope’s most prominent public appearances during his June visit

The Land of a Thousand Islands, 150,000 Catholics, and… 44 Seminarians!

Hong Kong will welcome 2,500 new Catholics this Easter in 2026

Cardinal Ouellet Faces Defamation Lawsuit in Canadian Court Over Abuse Allegations

Lefebvrians pave the way for schismatic ordinations with a book sent to every member of the Italian episcopate

Confirmed: The 4th Mediterranean Meeting will take place in Barcelona with the Pope in attendance

Poland’s Bishops Move to Rebuild Trust with Independent Abuse Commission

The Clergy’s Crisis of Trust in Their Bishops Analyzed in a Book

Reopening the Archives: New Findings Challenge Accusations Against John Paul II in Poland’s Abuse Debate

How Many Weddings, Baptisms, or Funerals Are Celebrated in Germany? The Catholic Church in Germany Releases Annual Statistics

Bishop of El Paso to immigration agents: No one is obligated to follow an immoral law

UK: Former Catholic seminary awarded £400,000 to unlock its historic potential

Lost for Eight Decades, Found by Chance: Argentina Cathedral Recovers Relic of the True Cross Ahead of Lent